After a couple of days relaxing at Dad’s, including eating and drinking too much, a nice ride through the mountains, a leisurely hike, and a political debate or two, Autumn and I left Pigeon Forge about 9:30 am. We retraced our route from Thursday along 321 to the Foothills Parkway. This time we had plenty of sun and time to stop for some photos along the parkway. We’d been using the video camera Tim leant us quite a bit, but we saved a good deal of tape for this return trip, know ahead of time the weather would be much more cooperative this time around. Glad we did.
The day was glorious. While the temperature was still on the brisk side, our rain gear was keeping our bodies warm and the sun was doing the same for our spirits. The Nighthawk was performing well, and we were looking forward to a good day of riding. The Foothills Parkway was mercifully free of traffic, so we decided to let Autumn carry the DV camera and film our travels for a few miles. She captured some great images along the eighteen miles or so to 129.
We put the camera away and sallied forth to joust once again with the Dragon. Since the weather was much nicer, many more bikes were out today, not to mention the occasional pack of sports cars wanting their crack at the curves too. After a brief stop over the Chilhowee Dam with a dozen of other motorcyclists watching them come and go like bees from a hive, we jetted through those magical 318 curves in eleven miles. The sun occasionally shone right through my shield and into my brain, so our progress seemed a bit slower than it was on Thursday, but the ride was just as dynamic and unforgettable. Deal’s Gap bristled with motorcycling enthusiasts, and we mingled for a bit before continuing along 129. Taking 28 further east toward Fontana Lake was tempting, but I knew that we had quite a ride ahead of us as it was. It would just have to wait for another trip.
Just north of Robbinsville was s shortcut to the entrance to the Cherohala Skyway. Fortunately the poor condition of those roads was not indicative of the actual skyway. Those roads were immaculate, climbing over 5000 feet into the eastern Appalachians for a gorgeous 40 miles. Angels followed in the sunlight, and I’m not talking about those that ride Harleys. More DV footage was a must, and Autumn kept the camera going for quite a bit longer this time. We made two stops to admire the scenery, before our descent into Tellico Plains and a southern turn on 68.
Just south of Tellico Plains — I was thoroughly enjoying taking the hilly curves of 68 a bit faster than I did those at the higher altitudes of the Charohala Skyway — we were stopped by an accident. It was probably pretty bad, since along the detour I saw a helicopter heading in that direction. That delayed us for a bit, but as we once again rejoined 68 south, I saw the gray overcast of the Georgia skies awaiting us. It seems like they were waiting for us where we left them on Thursday. We stopped in McCaysville, GA, for a bit of lunch and a break. It was getting late in the day, and we were still a good 200 miles from Macon; we needed to make up some time.
We did, but were delayed a few times on 5 north of Tim’s house. However, when we finally reached I-75, we made it home just as we lost the sun. We were both tired but exhilarated from our ride. Giles was awaiting us with a sack full of Chinese food, so it was good to be home. Thanks to Dad, Sharon, Tim, and Tabatha for their hospitality.
