The crew riding some nice curves.
Sunday began with a hearty breakfast at Joeys Pancake House. The food was excellent and the service was top notch. This pic was taken when we first arrived. By the time we left the parking lot was packed and people were standing outside waiting their turn at attacking the delicious breakfast served at this restaurant.
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Tammy took this picture as we were exploring the Fontana Dam. There is a nice gift shop here. It is always worth the time to stop and stroll around on the dam, reading the plaques and just enjoying the views.
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Sunday afternoon found us pulling in to Deals Gap....home of The Tail of the Dragon. Any self-respecting motorcyclist MUST ride The Dragon if they're within 50 miles of this area. 310 turns in 11 miles allows them to bill it as the "curviest road in America" and frankly after having scraped my pegs hundreds of times while riding it....I believe them!
This is a pic of my parents at the famous Deals Gap sign. There are no telling how many motorcyclists have a similar picture to this!
I always have to take this shot! About midway down the Tail of the Dragon.
The four ugly halves taking a break while riding the dragon.
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We stopped to do a little shopping at Cherokee, NC. You really have to watch out for the wildlife on the Cherokee Indian Reservation, they claim there's bear in the area!
We finished out the day with more riding before pulling back in to Maggie Valley and eating dinner at "The Bear's Den". We were so tired and it felt great to sit and stretch our legs at the table. Riding makes you hungry and the spaghetti plate that most of us ordered was just what the doctor ordered. The Hog Rally had ended and most of the Harleys were gone...the town felt eerily quiet that evening.
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Monday was going home day. Before heading south my dad took us down to a place called "Bald River Falls". He claimed it was a "great photo opportunity". I've posted a few pics of the bikes in front of the falls.....you be the judge.
Dad's Honda Shadow Aero
Our Honda Gold Wing
Kevin on his Honda Shadow ACE
As I sit here typing this.....reminiscing and looking back at the photos, I just shake my head in wonder at how much opportunity for enjoyment there is on a ride like this. You get an opportunity to breakaway from the everyday grind. You got the opportunity to ride amazing machines, to learn to trust them and yourself out on the road. You get the opportunity to spend time.... REAL time with people you love. Be they friends or family. You get the opportunity to experience nature in a first hand way. I know that many have found their own way to obtain these opportunities and I am thankful for that. If you don't currently have one of your own, won't you consider going on a search to find yours?
Monday was going home day. Before heading south my dad took us down to a place called "Bald River Falls". He claimed it was a "great photo opportunity". I've posted a few pics of the bikes in front of the falls.....you be the judge.
Dad's Honda Shadow Aero
Our Honda Gold Wing
Kevin on his Honda Shadow ACEAs I sit here typing this.....reminiscing and looking back at the photos, I just shake my head in wonder at how much opportunity for enjoyment there is on a ride like this. You get an opportunity to breakaway from the everyday grind. You got the opportunity to ride amazing machines, to learn to trust them and yourself out on the road. You get the opportunity to spend time.... REAL time with people you love. Be they friends or family. You get the opportunity to experience nature in a first hand way. I know that many have found their own way to obtain these opportunities and I am thankful for that. If you don't currently have one of your own, won't you consider going on a search to find yours?
7 comments:
You always have just the right blend of words and pictures to give me a wonderful feel for the places you describe.
Thanks Joe...mighty kind of you to say.
Love this post. I had to chuckle looking at the picture of the bikes in the parking lot. There is nothing obscure about a Goldwing is there?
I second your closing sentiments.
Okay, I'm jealous. I just know that if I lived in the US I would love a trip like this. I don't have a bike but it would be a wonderful trip in my little MX5 (Miata) with the top down! All those curves on the Dragon's tail are great driving in my lil roadster!
Glad you had such a great time :)
Thanks RG - comments like that make one want to continue blogging. You're right, Goldwings don't tend to blend in too well - they're honkin' huge!
BK you and your MX5 would fit right in on one of our rides. You see them all over the place up there in those mountains! Put that little red beauty on a boat and float over here for a few weeks. We'll go sight seeing and riding the curves!
Hello Sarch - I've heard so much recently about the tail of the Dragon, so I am glad I read your post about this. Thanks!
Lance I hoped it helped. I know you wouldn't regret a trip to the Dragon on your Triumph.
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