Friday morning, August 25, 2017. Temp, 61 degrees F. High for today, 84. No rain so it's time to ride. At 6:43 a.m. I had completed my morning chores and pushed Redbug out of the garage for a good morning ride. Wore jeans beneath my riding pants and a rain liner beneath my summer coat. After a few minutes of riding I could have used a long sleeve shirt along with the rest of the duds I had on.
This was the route of the day, starting at my house and riding up Boyds Crk. Hwy. to TN 66, left to I-40, East on I-40 to the exit for US-276. After a short run on 276 I would turn back West to return to TN the slow and more difficult way. Warning, NOT a big bike road as there was a lot of rough areas and loose gravel. And I ride big bikes too.
Looking at the beginning of the sun rise sitting in my driveway.
This is my favorite old schoolhouse up Boyds Creek Hwy. from my house.
I hit I-40 heading East still watching the sun slowly come to life.
That early morning color cast reflected on the clouds says no rain today.
More daylight now and it won't be long before Ole Sol will be bright and shiny.
This was close to Dandridge,TN crossing the end of Lake Douglas.
Sunrises and sunsets are some of my favorite pics. Now that my schedule has changed I'll be seeing more sunrises than in the past.
Off in the distance you can see a layer of fog or low clouds hanging over the road and close to the mountains. Those cool mornings give some fog pictures as the wind currents are calmer in some of the valleys.
A bit better view of the fog in the foreground. Thank goodness it was well above the ground this morning.
Then the sun finally gets over the mountains and changes the affect on everything. On the NC side of the mountains I did notice some trees starting to change color.
Looking at the mountains is grande from any viewpoint.
Makes you think the road ahead just drops off at the end.
Starting to get into the gaps, that stretch of I-40 that weaves its way through the mountains. I'm sure a lot of rock was moved in making this highway.
The speed limit is slow for the big rigs and a bit slower for other vehicles due to the curves. It is a great ride on motorcycles.
Redbug and I was just enjoying ourselves in the big sweeping curves and feeling the chill of the early morning air.
That orange sign is to notify large trucks that they can turn over easy in a curve ahead.
Lots of trucks on I-40. One of the main Coast to Coast roads of the USA. This morning was no different.
Later I found out there were even more big rigs, all in the right lane as directed by the signs. Even the left lane was stopped. After a while I found out why. A very heavy load, looked like the stator for a generator, was being hauled by a rig that had a truck in the front, umpteen wheels and then a truck pushing from the rear. They were maneuvering it off to the side of the road for some reason.
One of the few spots where only a few vehicles was on the road. And the fog in the air looks like the woods are on fire.
I took the exit for US-276 which will take you to Lake Janaluska where you can go left to Waynesville, NC or right to Maggie Valley, NC. But I was going to neither.
First, though, I needed a cup of coffee, the first for the day. Shortly after I left I-40 I pulled into the Local Market/BP Station for that morning treat.
And low and behold, in front of me was a Beemer towing a trailer from Louisiana. Seems the folks were from Lafayette, LA heading to Jacksboro, TN to get some new tires for their trailer and then be in Tuscaloosa, AL for night time. That had better be some very swift tire changing or they will run a lot of headlight time tonight.
After my coffee I mounted my steed and we headed about a block to Bob Boyd Rd. where we made a hard right. This road took us through some nice farm land heading west toward the mountains.
Cows in the meadow? Not here, they were on the side of the hill as there wasn't a meadow for them.
This was a nice ride, good curves, nothing harsh, and scenic.
Some fine stone work to keep this front yard from sliding off into the highway. I would hate to make a mistake here as the stop would be very abrupt.
After a few miles we came to the beginning of the gravel. This road is gravel on the NC side of the mountain and would remain this way until we hit the state line going into TN.
It had a lot of loose rock like it may have been recently covered for the summer season which made Redbug's tires dance around. Could have used some knobbies here.
Since we were at the bottom of the mountain, we would be climbing up and going down a lot until we hit TN.
My gentle steed at rest while I took in the scenery.
Sassy little critter but eats very little.
This would also take us by the entrance to Cataloochie Wildlife area where a lot of the Elks hang out. This was an elongated "S" with the gravel seemingly well packed.
My average speed across was about 10 miles per hour. Occasionally you could get up to 25 but most of the time it was around 15mph.
Don't let the pictures fool you. In many of the curves rain wash had rub boarded the road's surface so you had to hug the top in some places and the inside of the curve in others. Oh, forgot, the word "rub board" was a rippled object that many of your grandmothers used to clean clothes before washing machines came out.
In some places the dirt had been worn or washed away and in its place was slick stone, some with lots of lumps.
Tires filled with a lot of air and semi-highway tread don't particular crave being ridden on large crushed rock.
And your eyes had to adjust to the shady spots and then all of a sudden you were in bright sunlight.
I have crossed this road from the TN side in my dually and in the van but not on a bike. I had rather ride uphill on gravel than downhill due to better control. That's my reason for going to NC and riding back to TN.
There were several places where the rock outcroppings were really craggy.
Those lighter spots on the road's surface are smooth stone, not mud holes.
And at one point along the route I came across this small waterfall.
I crossed another bridge after this one but it did not have any superstructure. A one-laner for sure.
This is the stream the bridge was spanning.
This is a road that you can take and enjoy at a slow leisure pace, taking time to enjoy the scenery or listen to the sounds of birds. Whatever turns you on.
A lazy little stream making its way down the mountain.
I made a right turn not too far from here as instructed by my lady friend (GPS). I didn't think this was right so after a mile or she started telling me to turn around. About that same time I spotted a pick-up ahead with 3 dogs tied to the top of a dog box and an elderly gentleman standing at the rear. I pulled up, killed the engine, and asked him if this was the correct road to Cosby, TN.
The gentleman's name was Larry. He said no, that I needed to turn around and go back to the intersection and take a right. We started talking with each other and it turns out that he had a brain tumor removed. He started apologizing for taking to long to form his words and sentences. I assured him that he did not need to apologize to me. He had just turned 60 and had become a Christian at 56 years of age. There in the middle of nowhere we met and enjoyed a meeting not planned by
us. When your mind is open to meet others and no prejudices are held, feelings become bountiful and words flow like that small stream pictured above. I shall remember Larry for what he has been through and the time we spent in the wilderness talking about the great wonders of this world.
Such a pretty scene, smoky mountains in the distance, green lush knoll in the foreground and quietness like you've never heard. Peace may be in the valley but I assure it was peace on top of the mountain today.
Looking a bit into the sun, the color fades but the haze over the trees remains.
Now back in TN near Cosby with apple orchards on both sides of the road.
Coming into Gatlinburg from the Cosby side. You start to see the tourist stops.
Anyone need a wooden object. Get anything from carved bears to lawn furniture.
The closer you get the more stops you have.
And finally, the last pancake place leaving Gatlinburg for Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and finally Seymour. It was a great ride. It offered some nice people, cool air, wonderful scenery and an enjoyable time by me. It was 170 miles of tight fisted seat grabbing bouncy riding along with some smooth miles in the beginning and the end.
The end of another Valkyrie Adventure. Ride/drive safe and enjoy life.
More daylight now and it won't be long before Ole Sol will be bright and shiny. 
Sunrises and sunsets are some of my favorite pics. Now that my schedule has changed I'll be seeing more sunrises than in the past. 
Off in the distance you can see a layer of fog or low clouds hanging over the road and close to the mountains. Those cool mornings give some fog pictures as the wind currents are calmer in some of the valleys.
Then the sun finally gets over the mountains and changes the affect on everything. On the NC side of the mountains I did notice some trees starting to change color. 
Starting to get into the gaps, that stretch of I-40 that weaves its way through the mountains. I'm sure a lot of rock was moved in making this highway. 
The speed limit is slow for the big rigs and a bit slower for other vehicles due to the curves. It is a great ride on motorcycles. 
One of the few spots where only a few vehicles was on the road. And the fog in the air looks like the woods are on fire.
And low and behold, in front of me was a Beemer towing a trailer from Louisiana. Seems the folks were from Lafayette, LA heading to Jacksboro, TN to get some new tires for their trailer and then be in Tuscaloosa, AL for night time. That had better be some very swift tire changing or they will run a lot of headlight time tonight. 
After my coffee I mounted my steed and we headed about a block to Bob Boyd Rd. where we made a hard right. This road took us through some nice farm land heading west toward the mountains. 
Cows in the meadow? Not here, they were on the side of the hill as there wasn't a meadow for them. 
After a few miles we came to the beginning of the gravel. This road is gravel on the NC side of the mountain and would remain this way until we hit the state line going into TN. 
Since we were at the bottom of the mountain, we would be climbing up and going down a lot until we hit TN. 
Such a pretty scene, smoky mountains in the distance, green lush knoll in the foreground and quietness like you've never heard. Peace may be in the valley but I assure it was peace on top of the mountain today.
Now back in TN near Cosby with apple orchards on both sides of the road. 
