Thursday, October 22, 2015, 46 degrees, high in upper 70s for the day. It was 7:20 a.m. when I pushed Sweet Thang out of the garage, all donned in winter riding gear since it was chilly and we were going to cross the mountains. A great day for a ride. I was going to meet up with Paul at the Exxon Station on Boyds Creek Hwy. and then head toward Gatlinburg, take the by-pass and cross the mountains on US441 through the Smoky Mtn. Nat. Park. Trying to beat the morning leaf watchers.
Just outside of my subdivision entrance onto Boyds Crk. Hwy. you could see some fog in the low areas but the highway looked okay.
Just a little farther the highway scene shifted to a bit heavier fog but still okay as long as the on-coming vehicles had their head lights on.
Then the fog would get lighter and off the roadway for a spell but then it would change back to heavy on the highway.
Makes for a good guessing game especially when you are about to enter a curve or all of a sudden a dark color vehicle comes toward you.
By the time we hit TN 66 and headed into Sevierville to Pigeon Forge the fog wasn't an issue and traffic was still rather light. It was now getting close to 8:00 a.m.
Breezed through Sevierville and Pigeon Forge to the Spur which is the section of US 441 that goes from Pigeon Forge to Gatlinburg. About a half mile on the Spur the traffic came to a stop. About 10 minutes later it started moving again. Seems there was a vehicle that swerved over and hit the side of the mountain. Rock makes an abrupt halt in your planned for
After a short ride we made the turn off onto the Gatlinburg by-pass. This saves time if you are not interested in going downtown Gatlinburg. A short cut to the National Park. And it's a pretty ride cresting over a low mountain that allows you to pull off and look out over the city of Gatlinburg.
Traffice over the mountain wasn't too bad but there were a couple of inconsiderate drivers that would not use the pull-offs to let the faster traffic pass. However, patience endured and finally they did put into a turn-out to take a picture. At this point we zoomed by them. This is one of several tunnels you will go through when crossing from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC.
We were now in the "Color Zone" heading for the top of the mountain where TN meets NC at Newfound Gap.
In the morning sun the colors were just amazing. An artist coming to paint the Fall colors in the Smokys needs to consider bringing all 164 crayons and then you'll still need some more colors.
I believe today and tomorrow will be the peak of the color season. It's running a little later than normal and this weekend brings rain and cooler weather which will cause a lot of the leaves to drop. We couldn't have planned a better time to make this run.
By 9:00 a.m. the sun had well crested the mountains. It was burning off the fog areas quickly.
You could even smell the leaves this morning. I know it wasn't the leaves, more like mold spores from the leaves that have already fallen to the ground. But a woodland aroma if I do say so.
That bit of white on the lower right is not a lake. It's fog laying in the valley between two mountains.
The scenery this morning is just excellent. The crisp air and the clear sky makes almost any picture worthy of keeping.
The blue sky makes a great backdrop for the leaf colors.
One of the turn-outs on the way across the mountain. Lots of places to catch a good picture for your annual trek to the mountains for the Fall season.
Looking down into the valley below shows a number of trees that haven't changed yet. Mother Nature has her own timetable which makes it a guessing game for tourists trying to get to this area at peak color season.
We by-passed the downtown portion of Cherokee, immediately headed for SC and then we made a quick left turn onto a back road for a bit. The wider roads allow you to make better time but do not always have the best scenery.
This section was 4-laned and we took full advantage of it to speed our way to the destination point of our ride.
By now the sun was getting warm and we had dropped altitude. It wouldn't be long before we would shed a layer of clothing.
South Carolina was off in the distance. Before we got there we would go through the little mountain town of Cashiers, NC. A smaller version of Gatlinburg but quaint all on its own.
A scene along the back road which ran along a river.
Back to the main hwy. and then to a standard 2-laner on toward Sylva, NC. We would turn before Sylva to head southward into SC.
Sometimes you cross the same stream several times in just a few miles. The mountains look good on the East side as well.
We were doing well on our back road out of Cherokee until ......
We came up behind this semi pulling a 53' trailer through the mountains. He was barely able to keep the entire rig in his lane on some of the turns but regardless of which direction he was trying to get to Cashiers, NC he was going to have to travel on the same type roads. We later found a stretch where we could pass him. However we pulled over to discuss gassing up and he passed us while we were sitting beside the highway. Served us right.
You could tell the freezing weather earlier in the week in this area had occurred. The Kudzu was brown and a lot of other plants also, including a field of tomato plants that had small green tomatoes on them. There would not be a late crop of tomatoes this year from that patch.
Reflections in the water.
Some small streams and ponds become very scenic this time of year.
The rivers are almost dry due to the low amount of rain. This stream should be flowing well the first part of next week as rain is expected this weekend and for several days afterward.
Looking through a covered bridge. This is not one of the original covered bridges but it still makes a bit of a show to cross it with the wood boards rattling beneath your tires.
And yes, we caught up to that truck again.
After a short ride we changed to another highway but the tree colors maintained their brilliance right along.
The darker red trees at the bottom are Dogwoods. This year they seem to be darker than in years past.
Ole Sol was still doing the job of heating up the air and our bodies. First stop was to open some vents in the jacket to allow some cool air in and body heat out.
We came upon a fairly large lake. There was practically no wind at this time of the day and the water was really smooth except for the left over ripples from an earlier boat passing through the area.
Continuing on toward SC and riding the back roads.
A sweeping turn off onto another highway to somewhere. If you're not sure, make the turn and find out where it goes.
Each area and bend in the road brings more color. In places it looks as if it was just sprinkled from an airplane while in others it appears to be hand painted sporadically about the trees.
A nice colorful sweeper curve.
We pulled over at a turnout and parked there was this beast of a machine. Now I might give up my bike for one of these Dodge Viper GTs. Just a tad out of my budget range.
The Viper driver had been taking pictures of this beautiful lake scene.
And parked near the Viper was these two hearty machines. They don't run as fast as the Viper but they don't cost as much either. Of course the Viper does have a cab to ward off the rain, cold and summer heat. But then, anyone can ride in a car.
Just down the road was another cluster of color. The bright reds are usually Maple trees at full color.
Nestled in the mountains is this very large lake. We took a little rest break here and watched a guy sitting in the bow of his boat direct the driver, his wife, to back down the ramp to launch the boat. I kept wondering if she would remember to change the gear selector to "Drive" when the boat left the trailer. She did. Took 10 minutes to back down the ramp and unload the boat. Nice little foot bridge from the shore to the floating dock.
Sweet Thang in one of her Million Dollar pictures.
After our break we were off again for SC and Gorges State Park.
It wasn't very long before we were in northern SC and nearing the park.
We finally arrived at the Gorges State Park. It is known for the number of waterfalls in the area but today we would not hike to them. The Park sits at the top of a deep river gorge, thus the name. It is a beautiful park with lots of trails, camping and picnicking areas.
A colorama parking lot at the Park Headquarters and a short walk to the observation deck.
One of the views from the observation deck of the Gorges State Park.
Biker friend Paul at the observation deck area.
After looking around we decided to take a loop road in the park. It is a short drive and well worth the time to drive around it.
Afterward we left the park and headed northeastward to Canton, NC. Gorges State Park is just inside of SC from NC.
Highway to Canton. Just as colorful as all the other highways we traveled on today.
Riding in these mountains and valleys during the Fall doesn't get boring as the scenery keeps changing, more in some areas and less in others but all full of colorful trees and shrubs.
On our way to Canton we cross a range of mountains. I know it is difficult to read that highway sign but it tells triclers that the next 34 miles has 9% grades with elevations of 5000 ft. and 15 mph curves. In other words, it's going to be a steep ride so take it easy on the brakes.
Down in this particular valley the small mountain ridge looks more like a hump in the road.
Back in NC we're in Christmas Tree country. They grow a lot of Christmas trees in this area. Imagine decorating all of these that are in your front yard.
Meanwhile Mother Nature has already decorated these but most of the leaves will be well gone by Christmas. In fact, most will be gone before Thanksgiving.
From this point it appears the road ends at the tree line but really it didn't.
Later a bend to the left.
Then a bend to the right.
Then full steam ahead for now you can start to smell Canton, NC due to the pulp mill in the city. Today we were down wind of the mill.
Mountains to the left, death to the right, roll on, roll on.
A small circle of Evergreen trees at the top of the mountain. Here a lot of the trees have dropped their leaves. I'm sure the freezing temperatures they had earlier in the week hastened things up a bit.
A nice beautiful sweeper curve with just enough stone peeking out to make it interesting.
A week ago we were in this particular area and took a break up on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today we would just ride on by.
The overpass is the Blue Ridge Parkway. South it will take you to the end at Cherokee, NC. Turn North and it will take you to the NC/VA border where it ends and the Skyline Drive begins. The Blue Ridge Parkway is approximately 469 miles end to end. If you've never driven it, put it on your vacation planner. Pack a picnic basket and take the 45mph ride that you'll remember for a lifetime.
A waterfall beside the highway to Canton, NC.
A small stream that crossed under the highway we were on. You can barely see it below the rocks and trees.
The trees in the foreground have lost their leaves but those in the background are in full color.
The highway came across the end of a very large and beautiful lake which is owned by the Episcopal Church. They had signs posted warning of no fishing, no swimming, no boating. It is within an Episcopal Retreat.
Another look across the lake.
Just on the other side of that highway barrier is the lake. My girl taking a rest while we take pictures, and heed the warnings no less.
The above picture is a look at the route we took today excluding a couple of short loops and a curve or two. It is difficult to express in words, so all I can say is that it was one of the best rides of the year. There were mountains to cross, hundreds of curves from sweepers to twisties, beautiful valleys and quaint little towns. All in all, what a ride.
Door to door for me was 301 miles in about 10 1/2 hours. Not bad for an old guy and an old gal. She ran great and handled just as graceful as she looks. And I enjoyed every minute of the ride. Lots of laughs at our stops, quick breakfast on the Res, lunch at Ingle's in Canton (they have the best fried chicken outside of Popeye's) including an Apple Fritter. Then we hooked it up and ran the interstate (I-40) back to Newport and US 411 to Sevierville and US441/411 to Seymour. Another great day in the saddle.
I hope you and yours are enjoying this Fall season. Pumpkins, Halloween, and gatherings around the table talking and laughing over cups of steaming coffee and hot chocolate. Whatever you're doing, be thankful, enjoy and remember that some don't have this opportunity. Be Safe, my Friends.
Traffice over the mountain wasn't too bad but there were a couple of inconsiderate drivers that would not use the pull-offs to let the faster traffic pass. However, patience endured and finally they did put into a turn-out to take a picture. At this point we zoomed by them. This is one of several tunnels you will go through when crossing from Gatlinburg to Cherokee, NC.
A scene along the back road which ran along a river. 
Back to the main hwy. and then to a standard 2-laner on toward Sylva, NC. We would turn before Sylva to head southward into SC. 
Sometimes you cross the same stream several times in just a few miles. The mountains look good on the East side as well. 
A sweeping turn off onto another highway to somewhere. If you're not sure, make the turn and find out where it goes.
Each area and bend in the road brings more color. In places it looks as if it was just sprinkled from an airplane while in others it appears to be hand painted sporadically about the trees. 
It wasn't very long before we were in northern SC and nearing the park.
We finally arrived at the Gorges State Park. It is known for the number of waterfalls in the area but today we would not hike to them. The Park sits at the top of a deep river gorge, thus the name. It is a beautiful park with lots of trails, camping and picnicking areas.
