Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, cool foggy morning. Temp., approx. 58 degrees, 7:30 a.m., pushing out of the garage for a meet-up in Sevierville. It will take me about 20 mins. to get there and allow time for a cup of coffee before the others arrive by 8:15. Today Paul will lead two of his friends, Jim who now lived in WI but now lives in FL and Bob who lived somewhere but now lives in Sevierville, TN. Both ride trikes, Jim on a Cranberry Red Honda Goldwing and Bob on a Black Harley. Paul will be riding the white rat, as I call it, his White Burgman Scooter. High to be around 84 for the day. So I donned my Spring jacket with rain liner, winter gloves and the wing vents turned inward to ward off the cool damp wind thus keeping the warm engine heat flowing toward my delicate body, and pushed out of the garage for the meet-up.
Just to the left of that tree is an old schoolhouse resembling a church complete with bell tower. It was, at one time, the area school for all grades. It is the Seven Islands school. Very rustic sitting in a field of sagebrush with it's leaning structure and weathered wood siding. I just love the old building and have pictures of it in every season, even with snow in the winter.
This field of soybeans is ready for harvest but won't make it until next week as it is to rain tomorrow. Although the fog was on the roadway it was much heavier off the ground about 20 feet.
The sun is trying to peek out but the fog layer is so heavy it will be a while yet before it shows. You can see a light pinkish cast to the sky just above the tree tops on the hill.
And speaking of eerie looking, the trees off the roadway are almost obscure as to what they are due to the heavy layer of fog. Of course my speed doesn't help the focusing matter either.
This is a field of soybeans that are a long way from harvest time. Must have been planted late.
After the meet-up we immediately hit the back roads to get out of town and on our way. By now the fog had lifted considerably and the sun was still trying to peek out.
I just love these old barns along the way. There's plenty of them in this part of the country along with a lot of tobacco barns which are usually built smaller and taller. I'll have a pic or two of them later in the article.
It was such a nice morning to ride. The roads were clean and with good surfaces making it more enjoyable than trying to dodge pot holes, grooves and such. Plenty of curves to play in also.
North of Sevierville was pretty open this morning. Later we had to stop due to a three car pile up. Typical, one car pulled out in front of another and got hit by an additional car. No covered bodies on the road but a lot of broken glass and plastic to weave through. Same thing occurred on our way back into Sevierville at a different location. Dumb. When you pull out into oncoming traffic, make sure you have plenty of space and time.
How about those clouds. Looks like a really trouble heaven this morning. Sort of like the world situation these days. But the clouds do look awesome.
Between the natural haze and the fog the Smoky Mountains really looked smoky today. The area we were going to ride to has numerous large farms which makes it very picturesque. Well that was a big word for me, but it was pretty.
Ole Sol is finally taking a look down at this old earth but it is having to work at it today. I guess nothing comes easy for a lot of things.
One of the old farm houses along the route we took. I love these old houses but I don't want to own a 2-story. I just like to look at them. And take a picture or two from time to time.
And by all means, let's not leave out this greenery. Kudzu, kudzu, kudzu.
And then Achoo, achoo, achoo as the rag weed is very plentiful this Fall. Allergy medicines are flying off the pharmacy shelves faster than they can stock them. Itchy eyes, runny nose, hacking coughs, sneezes, just a day in the life of many. However, the old barn does add something to the picture.
That old house on the top of the hill has or had a great view of the valley below it. However, the driveway was rather long to get from the highway to the house.
As you can see from the tree in front of the house, the Fall colors are just starting to show. By next week they should be more scenic with the coming colder weather predicted.
I just love riding or driving in the country in the Fall of the year. Of course my preference is riding, you get a more open feeling and see more at the same time.
Even on these narrow one-laners through the trees along the creek below out of sight a lot of the time. But don't ever think you can take all the time you want to look around, Nope, it's like taking a milli-second look and then you had better be looking at the road again. If longer, you may be part of the scenery.
Earlier I mentioned a tobacco barn, well, here is one. You can see the tan tobacco leaves hanging from the racks. They cut the leaves off the tobacco plant, run a stick through the ends and hang them in the barns to dry before they grade it. After grading they ship it to the tobacco buyers.
This is a field of tobacco about ready to be harvested.
Tobacco cut and staked in the field. Next is hauling to the barn and hanging it up. Considerable amount of hands on work for this crop as they don't have machines that can do the work. This was considered a cash crop for farmers but the number of farms growing tobacco has been greatly reduced over the years due to the emphasis placed on smoking illnesses.
We saw a lot of houses and businesses decorated with the Fall theme and Halloween along our routes today.
Here the trees are just getting a tinge of color, mostly yellow green as they start their annual color show. If it rains a lot and the temp doesn't get cold they just turn brown and fall off the trees. Either way, at my house I just blow them up onto the flower gardens to help shield the plants from frost, ice, snow and cold.
At one time this old house was a place of beauty but now it is just a shell of memories which nature is slowly claiming. One day you may ride by here and not see anything except nature.
Coming into Greenville, TN. It is a nice little college town with lots of history.
It is also where Tipton's Cafe is located. This is a little hole in the wall restaurant located off the main street. It serves some down home cooking and is quite friendly. However, if you suffer from claustrophobia, this place is not for you. It is about as wide as your bathroom, maybe. It has a long counter with stools for sitting and two small two chair tables. The waitress hands your utensils across the counter and the same goes for the food. In fact, some other diner may be the go between for your service. The cobbler is suppose to be great but it was not finished baking when we were there. So instead I had a Fried Donut. And they had you a bottle of syrup to use on the donut if you want it. I declined. Reason, we were going to stop in another town later for Appple Fritters.
After our lunch we returned to our bikes, bid farewell to Bob who was returning home for a meeting, and took off for Erwin, TN. We really ran some great roads on this trip. Even did a little bit of Interstate a couple of times between one back road and another.
Just one of the many rivers we crossed today. Water was so smooth that it looked like a mirror. In a week or so it will be even nicer with the colored leaves reflecting in the water.
Greene County, TN is noted for its farms and cattle raising. Grainger is noted for its tomatoes. Here's a field of tomatoes that have already been picked once but there's about a truck load of tomatoes still on the bushes. And we saw fields of green tomatoes yet to ripen. Sure hope Mother Nature doesn't bring a quick freeze or they will be lost this season.
A few more straighter back roads for smooth riding and many at 55 mph speed limit. A great number of the roads in East TN are regulated at 45 and some even lower. It was a pleasure to stretch it out a bit.
Jumped on Interstate 26 to get over to the back road that was going to take us to Marshall, TN and the Ingles Food Store where the Apple Fritters were. Seems to be a regular stop for Paul. He's eaten so many they know him by sight. They are good, especially with a hot cup of coffee.
Later that afternoon the clouds came in rather dark but alas, no rain which was a good thing while riding. We only received 1.5 inches of rain in Sept. which is less than half of what they normally receive. A nice all day drizzle would do the ground good.
Road signs do have their uses, mainly to let you know if you're still going in the direction you wanted to be going. But some times they have way more meaning.
Like this sign, "Warning to trucks, switchbacks on US 19W", consider alternate route." Now this only applies to large trucks especially those pulling long trailers. To a motorcyclist it means happiness, flip flopping, nearly knee dragging riding experiences.
And when you see those signs with the wriggly symbol, that just adds fuel to the fire. The more squiggles the better until you get tired and then you want them to be further apart.
Nice long curve, trees coloring, blue sky, and warm sunshine. How much better can it get.
Those darned stormy clouds are back again. But have no fear, rain suit is in the saddlebag if needed.
Now leaves on the highway have several meanings to a biker. Mother Nature's litter in some cases but if they get too many they can become tricky to ride through. They cause slips in curves. And when they are wet, they act more like grease on a banana peel. Loose gravel, rock or sand can cause the same problem. Driveway wash, vehicles running off the edge of the highway throws rock upon the road and then in a curve you find it.
Lots of quiet streams along our route today. Notice, no guard rails on most of these roads. Mistakes can get you a wash job, a tow, and a mechanic all in one move.
Scenic just doesn't really express the views you get when riding among the mountains. But we did finally make it to Marshall and the Ingle's store and the Apple Fritters. As it was no almost mid-afternoon we started for Hot Springs, NC via US 209, The Rattler. It is a very well ridden highway by a lot of bikers.
We finally arrived at Hot Springs, NC where we were going to take a break at a little local store at the end of town. Hot Springs is known for its mineral baths.
After a break, a bottle of cold tea, some conversation with fellow bikers, we mounted our faithful steeds for the final leg of our journey. I have ridden this highway a number of times and still wonder how many vehicles have found their way into the building in the curve.
A few more old barns, houses and buildings, some more of that terrible East TN mountain scenery but someone has to put up with it and it might as well be me.
Just love those shady curvy roads, especially when the asphalt is smooth and without debris. The temps were now in the mid-80s, the day had been long so in Sevierville, I split with Paul and Jim and headed Sweet Thang back to Downtown Seymour. But before heading to the house I wanted to stop and fill her gas tank so she would be ready after Friday's rain, which by the way, wasn't very much. More like a heavy dew. But thankful for it anyway.
Total mileage today was 280 miles, door to door. A bit tired but really relaxed. My new back tire has long been broken in and my thrill for the day has been accomplished. So until the next Valkyrie Adventure, have a great time and enjoy this Fall weather. But be safe in doing so.
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