Back Roading to Roan Mtn., 10-18-19

Friday, October 18, 2019.  Haven't been riding much lately except to run errands so this is the longest ride for me in some time.  It was 37 degrees and foggy.  What a way to start a long day in the saddle but suck it up, buttercup and ride cowboy ride.

At 7:45 a.m. I headed out of the drive to meet my ole riding buddy, Paul ant the UShop convenience store about a mile from the house.  He got there a bit before me and was gassing up his bike.  I was riding Red Bug and it was full so I just waited for him.  I had on my cold weather riding gear which included my heated gloves.  I would need them this morning for sure.  High of the day was 60 and that wouldn't happen until well after lunch time.

The view looking at the way out of the subdivision.  Not too bad, I can still see about 2 blocks.

The view as I turned onto Boyds Crk. Hwy. heading to meet Paul.

Mr. Sunshine was going to have its work cut out today to burn all of this moisture out of the sky.

Paul and I pulled onto TN 66 and still not too bad but mist on my visor was as much on the inside as it was on the outside causing some visual problems so I cracked it some, wiped off about 2" on the bottom of the inside and now I could see what was ahead.

We made a very good decision, take the Interstate up to Newport, TN and then hit the backroads.  Now that was a very smart decision.  Notice how much clearer it was compared to the roads we were on.

Crossing the bridge over one of the fingers of Douglas Lake, the western side was smooth and clear.

The eastern side looked as if it was boiling with the steam vapor coming off.  And Ole Sol was beaming down .

We took the Newport exit, road through town and then headed out for Roan Mountain.

Fog on the top of the mountain but the foreground was clear.  Very little leaf turning colors in the valley.

We did a lot of riding in the shade of the trees and you could definitely tell the difference in the temperature when you would ride out into the sunlight.

The sky was so blue that it looked as if an extra layer of color was painted on it.

We changed from one road to another quite often but the leaf color started to become more noticeable as we climbed in altitude.

Fall is definitely here, just a bit slow this year due to the heat and lack of rain.  Now that it is turning cooler the leaves will change relatively fast.

Love these old barns.  Some so close to the highway that you can reach out and touch them.

More mountains in the background.  I think we must have crossed at least 6 mountain ranges today.

Lots of curves and hills today along with a lot of barns.  And we haven't even gotten into NC yet.

Old farm house almost hidden by the trees and shrubs around it.

We did see a lot of red barns and out buildings on today's ride.  There must have been a sale on red paint.

Serenity, that's a good word to describe this picture.  All snuggled in this little valley between all the mountains surrounding it.

We are in NC now and this was the end of a field of Christmas Trees.  They grow a lot of them here in NC.

The air was still crisp but the fog had long been gone as we motored on our way to some high country.

We crossed from TN to NC back to TN back to NC back to TN on today's ride.

There was a lot more color on the NC side of the Appalachians.

Natural beauty is hard to beat.  Just clean pure and pretty.

Riding in the mountains, then through a valley then along a mountain stream and then start all over again.  Ever changing scenery.

Around this curve you can see the stark white rock on the mountain side

and a little farther along you're back to small farms in a quiet valley.

I know we crossed this river at least four times.  It was the Nolichucky River.

And if we were not crossing it we were riding alongside it.

This unusual structure at the edge of the road was the one of the towers that held up a suspension bridge so that the people that lived in that house had a short cut to get to the highway.  It was a pedestrian bridge only.

I bet there's some trout out there that just laugh at fly fishermen because that water is very cold to have to stand there in waders.

And a number of people had their Halloween decorations out on display.

Another almost drive-thru barn.

a nice collection of farm buildings using all the available space allowed by the geography of the land.

Getting close to noon and the views are still just gorgeous.

One small area had stone fences.  Apparently picked up from the land they were trying to farm.  

These fences were on both sides of the highway.

Heading up the mountain side with our goal being Roan Mtn.

Thank goodness the traffic was sparse so that you could take some pics without having to worry about on-coming vehicles.

Finally we reached the top, Carvers Gap, elevation 5512 feet above sea level.  And you could hike on up to the top.

that's a nice hike up there.  Did it once and that's enough for these old bones.

A group of young hikers apparently being led by a park ranger.  Trying to give them info about the area.  The Appalachian Trail crosses here also.

Off in a Western direction was a very soft view of the valley below.

My Trail Master, Mr. Paul, getting ready to depart and head down the mountain to Erwin, TN for a lunch break.  We have spent most of the day in the saddle with a couple of breaks and one that did not have coffee.  

Paul leading the way, heading back toward the house.

Any way you look is a beautiful sight.

A pretty picture around every bend.

Saving some gas now as we head down the mountain.

Way down below and off a distance is the city of Elizabethton, TN.  I have an Aunt that lives there.  One of these days I will catch her home and stop in for a visit, and maybe some coffee too.








Down the mountain and headed for a burger, any burger, as my stomach is growling almost as loud as my bike's exhaust.

It doesn't take as long to go down as it does to go up, just have to watch for the curves.

Down in the bottom lands every inch of land is used.  No junks in this front yard, it's too close to the road.

After eating a bite of lunch at Erwin we head out for home.

We passed a lot of fields of green tomatoes.  I sure hope they make it before freezing temps hit them.  Crops were late this year due to heavier than normal Spring rains.

An old farm house, needing a bit of TLC but still very pretty to me.

There's some beautiful farms in this area of NE TN.

And a number of corn fields that aren't ready for harvest.  But we saw a lot of fields of corn and soy beans that looked as if they should have been harvested last month.

Heading home.  Over hills, over dales, through the valleys we'll prevail.  Seems to have a sound like an old WW1 movie.

An old brick silo where once it stood by a large barn.  All's gone now except the topless silo.  Still standing like a sentinel at the entry gate.

Also spied a missile base.  Look at all of those missiles pointed as if ready for launch.  Another government trick, I tell you.  Trying to disguise them like working farms.

Saw lots of churches, most empty, and a lot of cemeteries, mostly filled, and very quiet.  Some of them need fences.

Caught the interstate for a faster ride back and our 407 exit finally came into view.

A short run up TN 66, right turn onto Boyds Crk. Hwy, or TN 338, and then home.  This morning I could hardly see the road when I rode by the old school house and this afternoon it was back lit by the sun that I could hardly see it again.







We stopped by some small convenience stores and an old General Store on our ride today.  We try to use these in an effort to help keep them in business.  In some areas these facilities is the closest shopping in the area and a long ride to anything larger.  Very friendly people.

I rode 278 miles door to door today and had a very enjoyable time.  Maybe we can make a similar ride next week if not raining.  There's a lot to see in this world and I haven't nearly seen it all even with the extensive traveling I've done over my life time.  Get out of your back yard and go see what's across town.  You may be surprised.

I've just turned 77 and I hope my road is still a long way off.  I've seen a lot, been to a lot of places, enjoyed a lot of good times with friends and family but I'm not through by a long shot.  However, I do not call all of the plays in the game of life so I'm grateful for each and every day.  Stay safe my friends.