Cherokee, NC, Blue Ridge Solo Ride

Today is October 30, 2017.  I've been a bit out of sorts lately and haven't felt the urge to communicate very much therefore no Valkyrie Adventure stories in a while.  Still fills a bit strange to put things into words but need to step up and get back on the horse, as they say.

This ride was on Oct. 19, 2017.  As I remember it was a very pretty day and not too cold nor too hot.  Anyway, I decided to take Sweet Thang out for a run with no where special in mind, just ride.  So I pushed out of the garage that Thursday morning and headed toward Sevierville, TN and so the story begins.

I headed out for Sevierville on US 441. Practically no traffic today at this time.  And that was a good thing.

Coming into Sevierville, the sun was well up in the sky casting shadows on everything.  However, if you look in the center of the picture you can make out the steeple on the dome of the Sevier County Courthouse.

After riding through Pigeon Forge I continued on 441 for Gatlinburg.  Usually I try to avoid it most of the time just to save time but today had no clock ticking and the traffic was scarce to boot.

Rolling into Gatlinburg, I checked the restaurants on the right where the recent fires had damaged one, The Alamo.  It's under construction and should open in a few months.

Then you get to see the main drag through the center of The burg.  A fair amount of tourists but it's still early in the day.  Most are probably still trying to get out of bed.

This stretch of road through the SMNP is serenity on days like today.  Quiet ride, thinking of the number of times I've been through here and at the varying seasons of the year.

One of the most photographed sites on the drive to the top.  Here and at the Chimney's overlook.

Could not ask for a clearer sky.  Sure gives those bumps in the background a nice backlight.

Then comes the Chimney's Picnic area which at one time was a campground.  It's also a nice place to stop off at in the winter when it snows.  Good place for the kids to play and very scenic too.

The Chimney's Overlook.  Sad to see the charred trees from the fire that killed 14 people and damaged 1700 buildings/homes.  It will take decades for this area to get back just some of what it lost as these trees are mostly hardwoods and don't grow as fast as evergreen trees such as fir or pine.  But then I must move on before I start preaching on bad kids and lousy politics.

One of several tunnels you will go through heading for the top of the mountain.










Leaf color is running late this year but you can see some of it peeking out from all of the greenery.

A second tunnel heading for the top.

Every once in a while you ride out from beneath a canopy of green trees to see the sun highlighting those leaves that are just starting to turn.

Not much water in the streams this time of year unless it is right after a rain.

Riverbeds are pretty dry and most all streams along here can be crossed without wading water.

Heading on for Newfound Gap the sky just gets prettier and bluer.

Alum Cave trailhead.  Cars are parked everywhere there's a spot to put one.  And sometimes they don't always get completely off the paved roadway.

Finally the Newfound Gap parking area.  I just love these old split rail fences.

Lots of vehicles today.  People circling for a parking spot like a vulture over a dead carcass.  Then I noticed a group of bikers parked.  One fellow motioned me over to park behind his bike and moved an orange pylon to make room for me.  Nice dude.  Come to find out, he's from Dallas-Ft. Worth area and some of his other biker friends were from Covington and Baton Rouge.  They come here every year, meet up and ride.  Nice bunch of folks.

I was parked behind this bike.  Sweet Thang trembled a bit having to share space with a HD but I told here it wouldn't be for long.

After a pic or two all of us bikers pulled out heading down the mountain for Cherokee area.

Mountain pictures are always nice to look at regardless of the angle or distance.

Fall colors start at the high elevations and work down.  I guess that's a good reason for calling this time of year "Fall".

Love the blue sky and the artist paint pallet of colorful leaves.

Oconalufke Visitor Center on the Cherokee, NC side of the mountain.  So I need a bite to eat and maybe a bit of petrol to make sure of my riding distance.  Don't know the direction nor distance yet.  Maybe after a cup of coffee and a biscuit.

After my stop in Cherokee I decided to ride up the Blue Ridge Parkway for a way to check on the leaf color.

There are many tunnels on the BRP depending on how far north you ride.  Same number if you're heading south.  Some short, some long.

The tree growth makes it seem like you're riding in a skylite tunnel.

A camper pulled over at one of the many turn outs along the BRP.

The pictures tells the story.

Straight or curvy, just keep the color coming.








A single pine tree seems to point the way.

Thus the name, Smoky Mountains.  How much better can it get.












Other visitors enjoying the scenery.














After some more miles I decided to leave the BRP and head it back to the house.

Back among the churches of many faiths

the farms with their silos, barns and sheds

and even included are the old tobacco barns now used for other things, like storing hay and stuff.

Whether the road curves to the left or the right, goes over hill or through the valley










it will soon eventually bring you back to the house.

This was a great ride with some beautiful views and a ride that was much needed for peace of mind and food for the soul.

Miles ridden, I don't remember.  Time spent, hours.  Memories thousands.  So until the next Valkyrie Adventure story, may God Bless you and yours.