Riding The Back Roads Of The Back Roads

Thursday morning, Jan. 26, 2017.  Temps, 43 with a high of 53 for the day.  Second ride of the year.  Leg and knee feel good so it's time to take a ride.  Met up with my riding buddy, Paul, at McD's.  I was early and was talking with the Elderlies when he arrived.  He grabbed a cup of coffee and shortly afterward we garbed up (put on all the winter wear) and hit the road.  No plans of where to ride, just turned here and there and went so far back in the mountains that they didn't even pipe sunshine.  Thought I heard the banjos playing several times.

The sky was nice and blue with some big puffy white clouds.  The air was fresh and cool making for a great day in the saddle.

This was one of the better back roads we rode on.  Most were so curvy that I didn't have time to take a picture.

Then we hit some of the old goody roads that we've ridden many times.  This one ran along the side of the mountain with farms to the left in the valley.

You can notice the do not give up much land as the barn is very close to the side of the road.  These roads have 8' wide lanes.  Many have far less.

Small house but room for a garden and a small pasture.

Another one of my "Keep America Beautiful" pictures.

Smooth sailing, little to no shifting and just easing down the highway.  Nice to feel the breeze on the knees.

In this direction the clouds seemed to be getting darker and why are we still riding toward the dark clouds?  Just taking a small chance so that we can get another road in on today's ride.

Lots of muddy fields and pastures with the rains and snow we've been getting.  Good thing the hay is in a rack or it would be trampled into the ground.

This is a pretty large farm as it is used on both sides of the road.  The road is a ridge between two valleys.  And that house is quite large.

Road has a few wet spots as it did a little raining last night.  And you have to watch water run-off from previous rains.  Trying to ride the dry parts.

Another turn and we're running along the Little Pigeon River heading toward Walland, TN.

Lots of little houses along this stretch and some very vividly painted.

A nice shot of the sun reflecting off the water in the river.  A little muddy due to the rains.  When the silt settles it is very clear.

Some of the houses along this area.

Some are rented out for tourists and some are lived in year around by owner.

Coming up to the bridge.  Turn right you hit US 321 in Walland community. But turn left and you're still running along the river to the next turn off.

Getting closer to the mountains of the Smoky Mtn. National Park.  But they are still far off in the distance.

Rambling along the byways with views that are fit for a post card.

Rolling hills pasture land.  You can certainly tell where the vehicles have been traveling.

A church in the Walland Community.

Then we made a short stop for a cup and rest before hitting the Foothills Parkway between US 321 at Walland and US 129 at the East end of The Dragon.

Two scenes from the Foothills Parkway looking Westward.

Nearing the end of the Foothills Parkway.  Hanging a right turn here, no Dragon today.

US 129 in this area runs along the side of Chilhowee Lake.  Which is still a long way from being filled with water after the lowering this summer.

Just to give you something to look at besides trees.  Land side of US 129 heading West.

Then we start getting closer to US 411 the road gets narrower and more houses pop up.

My step falls picture.

Mistimed this picture but this machine is used to clear the right-of-way.  At the end of that telescoping boom is a buzz saw.  Machine has 6 wheels to help it get about off road.

But to heck with work, we're out here to have fun and keep those two wheels turning.

And turn they did.  Big roads, little roads, wide roads, narrow roads and sometimes we've even ridden on almost no roads.

Sun is having a difficult time trying to get its rays between the clouds.  Drives my camera crazy but looking at the road, it just seems to disappear into the woods.

Just a compilation of sky, clouds, mountains and earth.  He sure knew what He was doing putting all of this together.

Paul wanted to stop at this small cafe/store at an intersection of the highway so in we went.  Very friendly Lady running the place and it has all sorts of stuff hanging on the walls.  Paul was taken by the deer, hog heads mounted and hanging on the back wall.  I was more into the hot coffee and Coconut Creme Pie.

Heading back to the house we passed the Univ. of TN Ag Farm site.  Couldn't tell what it was but it was very green and healthy looking.

Old house that stands at the junction of two highways.  Reasonably Majestic.

One lonesome tree in the middle of the pasture.  Not much shade for a bunch but it's there anyway.

A big farm on one of the last roads of the day.  Lots of work by some folks to give us food daily.  A lot of people do not realize how much work goes into making that pot roast from the farm to the table.  Been there, done that.

Door to door, only 118 miles but a bunch of fun it was generating them.  This was the second ride for me this year and I sure enjoyed it.  Still getting back to being one with the machine and then it will be even more fun.

So until the next Valkyrie Adventure I hope you and yours takes some time to be together and enjoy this great country we have.  Believe me, it is not all riots, killing, and hating as is demonstrated on TV.  There are some great folks and great places here in the USA.  I differ on political issues with some people but that does not make me want to take to the streets in protesting.  Instead, why don't we just make ourselves happy so we can help make others the same.