Thursday was, in the beginning, an iffy day as the clouds were heavy and dark. It was around mid 60s when I departed to meet biker friend Paul at the gas station up Boyds Creek for a 7:30 a.m. departure. I donned my clothing and pushed Redbug out of the garage early so I could get there and get a cup of coffee before we departed. In fact, I even had time for a breakfast biscuit. Since I was all gassed up and ready I had plenty of time to enjoy my coffee before Paul arrived.
Our destination today would take me over some of the same routes that I had traveled Tuesday, but this would take me farther up into North Carolina (NC). Our route looked something like this but maybe with an alteration or two.
The bottom portion of the loop was the going part and the top was the return route. We traveled above Mt. Mitchell several miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway, locally known as the BRP.
What the sky looked like from my driveway. Hey, that's why they make rainwear, just don't leave it at the house.
Up Boyds Creek Hwy. toward the meet up point didn't look any kinder to a bike rider.
A little farther from our meet up point it seemed to be looking a bit nicer. Still this can change in a flash here in the mountains.
Yep, my favorite old school house. Pic number 9,763.5.3.8. Thought I'd throw in a bit of the old Star Trek data for the older generation.
We caught the traffic just right when we hit TN Route 66 out to I-40 East. Nahh, ain't no water in those clouds.
Out by Lake Douglas I thought I could see for just a second, a slight glimmer of the sun coming through the clouds. No, I haven't been smoking banana leaves or chewing on native grasses.
North Carolina bound, light traffic, no problems, yet.
Saw these guys parked chatting. I wonder if I could get them to mow my lawn. One pass around the house in a circle and the yard would be mowed along with the shrubs and flowers.
A load of stone entering the interstate. Probably going to some garden or stone center just to make some poor husband's weekend labor related instead of fun related.
Off in the distance the mountains start to appear meaning we were getting closer to the TN - NC state line. Love this stretch of I-40. Have I stated this before? Well, if so, you will probably see it stated again. Nice sweeping curves running through a valley like a White Oak strip woven into the bottom of a chair. Smooth as silk.
Lots of notices for trucks about lane they can use, curves that can cause them to flip over, etc. Speed limit through the mountains is 55 for all except trucks which is set at 50.
We dropped off I-40 at Fines Creek to ride through the country a bit before we made our morning stop. Lots of hay being cut, rolled and baled now. If it continues to rain every few days the farmers will get one or two more cuttings this year.
Those white flowers on the side can mean a wild shrub is blooming or it can be wild Blackberries blooming. You have to get close to see which. However, along with the shrubs are wild Honeysuckle and they both fill the air with the sweet smell of Spring.
There are numerous pink flowering shrubs planted in this area. I'm going to have to stop at one of the houses to find out what it is. Appears to be a pink Peony but I'm not sure. They are very pretty and grow to be quite large.
First stop of the day, Ingle's Grocery and Deli/Bakery where they make great tasting Apple Fritters. And I had a cup of coffee to go with it.
After our break we were back on the road traveling through the country side. This hillside was covered in a wild yellow flowered grass giving a bit of color to a what would have been a plain green slope.
And the sun has still kept itself hidden from view.
Moving on to some more interesting roads makes the trip more enjoyable as these lanes are narrower and scenic.
Paul blazing the trail ahead of me. Hope he's on the look out for Yeti, or the Mountain Monster, etc., and gives me a warning if they are seen. Not that it would do me much good as I'm running about 3 seconds behind him.
One had to be watchful for bicycles today on local roads as well as the BRP.
I know this picture is blurry but it draws attention to making a decision. Do we go North on the BRP or South on the BRP. Both are very scenic and can be challenging to a motorcyclist, RV driver or a plain bicycle at some points. Well, ponder no longer as we made a left turn onto the BRP heading North.
Heading to the mouth of a tunnel, one of many that we will go through today.
No raindrops as yet, but those clouds sure do make you feel a bit uneasy.
Passing by the Visitor Center, with no let up or chance for another cup of coffee.
Another tunnel just off the edge of the mountain. By the way, for an automobile, hitting that wooden railing could possibly keep you from going over the side of the mountain. Hitting it with a motorcycle will probably keep the bike from going over the side but there is no guarantee it will keep the bike rider from being launched over the side of the mountain. Just threw that in for thought.
If I was an artist trying to put a name to this picture I would probably name it "Layers". Kind of like a parfait.
Around each bend in the road, over each hill, the BRP offers some great pictures of the Smoky Mountains.
And the clouds just kept on being a threat for the ride.
Hey, wait a minute. Is that some clear blue above? Is that some sunshine I see? Maybe we are safe for the day.
Oops. Meanwhile back on the other side of the mountain there was a different story.
Some pink flowering trees or vines to enhance the byway.
Another one of those post card views with a capturing of "Wish You Were Here" on it.
Dropped off the BRP onto a NC state highway just south of our destination. This was a pretty old brick farmhouse.
This is more my style. Low maintenance, simplicity, but meets the needs for living.
Aha, now entering the Little Switzerland Zone. Now this little community is not very large. I would put it at about a half dozen buildings at the most. But apparently has some charisma that draws tourists to stay here for a while.
A nice arts and crafts store with lots of things dangling, hanging and showing for the passer-by folks.
And a small restaurant/gift shop to go along with those that need to partake of some nourishment.
A variety of house styles.
Samples of rocks on the left that are or have been mined in this area and Flaming Azaleas on the right.
We visited the Appalachian Mining Museum for a little break. Quite interesting.
And don't let its small size fool you. It is worth stopping and seeing the various minerals mined.
Here Paul is trying to take in all of this information at one time. Notice the dead stare look on his face.
He was trying to tell this guy that he had a BB Rifle that could shoot better. He finally found out the information was about the Kentucky Rifle used by people of the era. And the guy was a statue.
Here we are parked outside of the museum.
After our improved knowledge of the minerals mined in this area of the Appalachian Mountains, we hit the road again still heading for our Little Switzerland destination.
Oh, I forgot to tell you, there is a small stretch of gravel we'll have to take. It was okay because I was riding my "can ride on gravel" bike today. Not a long stretch and in good shape.
Very scenic back here but I think I hear banjos playing or maybe they are just tuning up.
Then this gravel road pops out into an apple orchard.
It was hard to believe they were growing apples on the side of the mountain. And it was an old orchard too.
Seems the gravel road paralleled the BRP here and continued on for a good way before connecting to the BRP.
Spring was just getting started good here in NC on the mountain. Back in Seymour Spring is almost over and summer seems to have set in, temperature wise anyway.
Just love to see all of the pretty flowers and shrubs. Spring is very pretty in the mountains.
Heading back to the house we ran into a little construction area of a few miles. Looks like they are going to 4-lane this highway.
It's difficult to see here but that is a large Tonka truck being loaded with dirt, red dirt and lots of it.
This reminds me of my days working with Entergy, watching a line crew working on relocation of a power line.
No stopping here which allowed us to stay somewhat to our time-table of travels for the day.
We made our way back to US 25, our route back.
It was a great day to ride even if we did have some threatening clouds but no rain. Farm scenes, small towns, even a museum in the mountains added to our explorations. Although there are numerous places we have been there are many more places that we haven't.
Today's ride totaled 335 miles door to door. It included some new roads, some new scenes and a different museum.
All in all, another great Valkyrie Adventure. Two old dudes riding motorcycles looking for new things and places to venture. Beats the heck out of sitting on a front porch in a rocking chair counting cars that go by. Give that some thought.
So until the next Valkyrie Adventure, take stock in your life and see if there's some way you can improve it to get the most of what you can while you can do it. In all cases, be safe for the life you may save could very well be mine.
After our break we were back on the road traveling through the country side. This hillside was covered in a wild yellow flowered grass giving a bit of color to a what would have been a plain green slope.
Passing by the Visitor Center, with no let up or chance for another cup of coffee. 
Another tunnel just off the edge of the mountain. By the way, for an automobile, hitting that wooden railing could possibly keep you from going over the side of the mountain. Hitting it with a motorcycle will probably keep the bike from going over the side but there is no guarantee it will keep the bike rider from being launched over the side of the mountain. Just threw that in for thought. 
If I was an artist trying to put a name to this picture I would probably name it "Layers". Kind of like a parfait. 
Around each bend in the road, over each hill, the BRP offers some great pictures of the Smoky Mountains.
And the clouds just kept on being a threat for the ride. 
Another one of those post card views with a capturing of "Wish You Were Here" on it. 
Aha, now entering the Little Switzerland Zone. Now this little community is not very large. I would put it at about a half dozen buildings at the most. But apparently has some charisma that draws tourists to stay here for a while. 
A nice arts and crafts store with lots of things dangling, hanging and showing for the passer-by folks.
And a small restaurant/gift shop to go along with those that need to partake of some nourishment. 
A variety of house styles. 
Samples of rocks on the left that are or have been mined in this area and Flaming Azaleas on the right. 
We visited the Appalachian Mining Museum for a little break. Quite interesting. 
And don't let its small size fool you. It is worth stopping and seeing the various minerals mined.
He was trying to tell this guy that he had a BB Rifle that could shoot better. He finally found out the information was about the Kentucky Rifle used by people of the era. And the guy was a statue. 
It's difficult to see here but that is a large Tonka truck being loaded with dirt, red dirt and lots of it. 
We made our way back to US 25, our route back. 
