Thursday, October 8, 2015. Temp this morning is 53 and somewhat foggy. High today to be around 80 give or take a degree or two. Early start today as need to be back by 2:00 p.m. Paul is taking Wisconsin Jim and I up Northwest of Knoxville above Norris Lake, a TVA facility, to ride some lesser known backroads. Some I found out are not known at all. Lots of banjo music up there.
Meet up was at Exxon on Boyds Crk. Hwy. for 7:30 a.m. and then ride up to the old BP station to meet up with Jim. Jim needed to be back early so he could load his trike and get motorhome ready to leave Sevierville for his home on East Coast of Florida. Snowbird flying south for the winter.
I backed Sweet Thang out of the garage at 6:50 heading for the Exxon. Should be able to get there and down a cup of coffee before Paul arrives. The sun was just peaking over the edge of the horizon.
A light fog mist hung in the air in the area near my subdivision but not enough to hamper your vision for driving. Arrived at the Exxon, grabbed a cup of coffee and chatted with a fellow that was waiting to go to work. The fellow was from Canada. Finished my coffee and shortly afterward Paul rolled up on his Honda CBX 500 or something like that. Now he has two white rats, the Honda and the scooter.
We ran up Boyds Crk. to meet up with Jim and he was already there. Then we pulled out for our morning ride. This would take us up and around a ridge, through the back roads to come out on James White Expressway to miss downtown Knowville traffic and tie us in to hit I-275 to catch I-75 North. As you can see, the fog is a tad heavier shortly after we hit the first back road, Indian Warpath. Nice big horse farms along this route.
Along the route we rode up a slight rise and once over the top you didn't know if the road continued with the fog being heavy. Here Jim is ahead of me and he's following Paul. Jim and I had our CB radios on so all the while we're chatting back and forth about this or that and Paul is in the dark as he hasn't installed a CB on this newer bike as yet.
One of my favorite pictures of the day.
This particular road is in excellent condition but has a couple of wicked curves in it. And some "blind" hills and drives.
The first light from the sun is so soft against a blue sky and the darkness of the pasture land.
A field of soy beans ready for harvest is showing up as the sunlight gets brighter. Still some misty fog laying in the hollow along the hill. Soy beans will be wet until about noon when the sun dries them out.
Indian Warpath takes us by Boyds Creek Elementary School where my CA grandchildren attended when they lived here. It was bustling this morning as children arrived for their day of learning, I hope.
Just past the school is an intersection with another road and at the junction is a barn with a rather large silo. Or maybe it's one of those government hidden missile sites.
The fog layer is so soft looking as if it was just a whisp of smoke. Places would be heavier than others due to the temperature of the low spots.
A turn here a turn there and then a turn onto this narrow tree lined short cut road to another such road farther down the way.
The calm of the water and the morning soft light gives the silhouette a bold look yet reflects the image onto the water.
My favorite picture of the ride. Ghosts in the morning mist.
We wound around the mountains and eventually hit Porterfield Gap Rd. which is near my house. I just love this little covered bridge. It is not used but sure stands out beside the road. There are several in this area, one has an Amish buggy in it. Sort of the bridge to no where.
The sun is coming on strong this morning and through the misty air looks like a meteor headed our way.
We hit James White Express which took us to the edge of downtown Knoxville where Knoxville's Twin Towers loom on the horizon.
A quick run on I-275 to I-75 and away we head North, boys, toward the Kanetuck Land.
After a few miles Paul took us on a loop ride that eventually came back to the interstate
It also took us high enough that we were near the fog again but that soon changed and we were in bright sunshine once more.
Back on I-75 and still heading North. We would exit at Corryton for the back roads leading to and around Norris Lake. Which, by the way, has one of the few operating ferries in the state of TN, Helms Ferry.
After we exited the interstate the good roads begin. Some take the low road and some take the high road. We took the high road. Where it leads, we don't know.
A dark river beneath a beautiful blue sky in one place and a few miles later you're riding along a stone bluff on one side and a river on the other.
A barn blanket as they are referred to, those paintings found all around the area seems right at home near a high mountain pond.
Even the graffiti on the bridge railing can't ruin a picture as serene as this one. The water looks like a mirror it's so still. A double reflection.
A scene of the river from a high vantage point.
And from another high vantage point we stopped to take a break. This is a view looking Northward.
Same point as above but looking West.
And this was what was seen when looking Southwest. There were several other cattle nearby but this black one became a silhouette against the changing leaf colors in the background.
This, unfortunately, was captured from the same high vantage point. Biker friends Paul on the left and Wisconsin Jim on the right. Two old dudes that's fun to be around.
Back down in the valley and on some more small back roads. From tree lined lanes to mountain backdrops. Never ending vista changes.
A nice big barn with some
age on it and beside it a very large silo. Or is it another one of those disguised missile silos.
To the very far edge of this picture is an old ferry barge constructed in 1938. It has a pivoting boat powered by a John Deere tractor diesel motor. They have improved the landing area on both sides of the lake. If the ferry isn't running it is a very long drive around the lake to get to the next town.
Jim and Paul waiting for the ferry. To the right is a marina with mostly pontoon boats.
We stop at A.T. Cole's store every time we're up this way. He's got a little bit of everything in there and some stuff for sale on the front porch. Lot of old antique tools and equipment laid out for folks to pick up and look at. He also sells ice cream sandwiches for $0.75 each.
To the left, looking at the front of the store, is an out house, country for bathroom. And it works, too.
A closer look at the sign: Romeo Club.
Which stands for "Retired Old Men Eating Out". There are several chapters across the U.S.
A few more curvy roads,
another barn but this time
equipped with a burro, and a lot of blue sky heads us back towards the house.
A few long straight sections with some old farm houses helps to ease the pain of calling it a day.
We have passed this particular house numerous times and each time four large white longhair dogs races to the fence barking. They are large enough to look like calves. Apparently dislike motorcycles. Maybe even any motorized vehicle.
Today was a great day or maybe I should say another great day. I really enjoyed Jim's stop-over visit with Paul and I enjoyed riding with them. This last picture is similar to the Old West where the cowboys ride off into the sunset. This has more meaning than I would like to admit. Total us up and we're at 228 years. None of us are getting any younger so get togethers like this seem to mean more. It could go on for years and then.....
We rode a total of 176 miles from door to door for me arriving back at the house about 3:30 after stopping off to pick up lunch. Got hung up in a long traffic jam due to construction on a bridge that is taking way too long to complete. Now I read where it won't be completed until June 2016. Bet it slips again.
A great ride with two great friends enjoying what our Lord has given us to see. And scenic it is in more ways than one. So until the next Valkyrie Adventure I hope you will take advantage of family and friendships and remember that most of us like to be treated with love and with respect. They kind of go together.
After a few miles Paul took us on a loop ride that eventually came back to the interstate 
It also took us high enough that we were near the fog again but that soon changed and we were in bright sunshine once more. 
Back on I-75 and still heading North. We would exit at Corryton for the back roads leading to and around Norris Lake. Which, by the way, has one of the few operating ferries in the state of TN, Helms Ferry.
A dark river beneath a beautiful blue sky in one place and a few miles later you're riding along a stone bluff on one side and a river on the other. 
A barn blanket as they are referred to, those paintings found all around the area seems right at home near a high mountain pond. 
Back down in the valley and on some more small back roads. From tree lined lanes to mountain backdrops. Never ending vista changes. 
To the very far edge of this picture is an old ferry barge constructed in 1938. It has a pivoting boat powered by a John Deere tractor diesel motor. They have improved the landing area on both sides of the lake. If the ferry isn't running it is a very long drive around the lake to get to the next town.
We stop at A.T. Cole's store every time we're up this way. He's got a little bit of everything in there and some stuff for sale on the front porch. Lot of old antique tools and equipment laid out for folks to pick up and look at. He also sells ice cream sandwiches for $0.75 each.
To the left, looking at the front of the store, is an out house, country for bathroom. And it works, too.
A closer look at the sign: Romeo Club.
A few long straight sections with some old farm houses helps to ease the pain of calling it a day.
Today was a great day or maybe I should say another great day. I really enjoyed Jim's stop-over visit with Paul and I enjoyed riding with them. This last picture is similar to the Old West where the cowboys ride off into the sunset. This has more meaning than I would like to admit. Total us up and we're at 228 years. None of us are getting any younger so get togethers like this seem to mean more. It could go on for years and then.....
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