Part 2 of 2 - Deals Gap to Cherohala and back home.
More on the Cheoah Dam ...
A couple of miles out of Robbinsville, is Hwy 143, and a nice gas station. A right turn takes you to the Cherohala Skyway. I stopped to check the weather. After talking with a few people, I put the hoodie back on for the higher elevations. They said, "It's at good 20 degrees cooler up there."
Between the adrenaline, and the giant biscuit and gravy at Hardee's in Vonore, I wasn't hungry. So I ate a snack, and decided to pass on Robbinsville and a sit down lunch and keep going.
The Cherohala Skyway is 43 miles long, and runs up and over 5400 foot mountains.
The extra layer was good advice. Some pictures from the Cherohala...
There is view after view that is just amazing. I stopped taking pictures of them all and just tried to enjoy the experience.
The weather kept changing. Sunny, then cloudy and rain. Fog. then more sun. When the sun popped out I was more open to stopping for a picture.
The Santeetlah pull off is the highest section, at 5400 feet elevation. Clouds drifted across the road and the rain started back up. There is parking, a picnic area, and restroom.
No one else was there. I used the restroom and looked around. It was quiet. The clouds continued to move past. I noticed the trash can had a bear proof lid like this one....
A few miles later, the Cherokee overlook is on the right. A good view to the north.
Toward the bottom, on the left, was the last overlook before Tellico Plains. It was was panoramic and amazing. I stopped. Two older fellas were sitting on a picnic table, talking. We nodded Hello, then visited for a few minutes. They live in Canada near Niagra Falls, and rode motorcycles from there. We agreed how lucky we are to be out on a day like this and go for a ride.
It was smooth on into Tellico Plains. My first Job with Kraft Foods brought me to the Piggly Wiggly store in 1987. It's neat to be there again, 38 years later.
Going south on 411, the mountains were to the left, and just as beautiful as when I was in the middle of them. Finally, I took a right on Carlock Rd, to 163, Bowater Rd. Then left on 11 though Calhoun to 308, to I-75 South.
The interstate was fast and predictable. Both reasons I'd avoided it so far. I settled into the right lane at 70 mph. The old Suzuki M50 likes 65 more than 75. And I like the old Suzuki. So I took my time. By the math my fuel light should be coming on. I didn't want to stretch it all the way through Chattaooga.
At Bonny Oaks, I got off I-75 and got gas for the last time. Since I never ate lunch, Wendy's sounded good. It was almost 3PM. I called Terri and told her I was an hour and a half from home. We talked for a few minutes.
The last 80 miles were fast and uneventful.
The exceptions being,
1) Hugging concrete barriers next to tractor trailers, at interstate speeds. A little unnerving.
2) The three or so inch wide rut in the center of the West bound lanes of I-24 on top at Mt. Eagle.
3) The worst bump on the whole trip. 15 miles from home. A bone jarring event. Mile marker 117.5. Westbound. The motorcycle went into the air. If I wasn't hanging on tight, they could have sent my helment back the tree at Deal's Gap.
What a day. It was good to be back home.
I may not try the loop again. But, now, I know I can do it.
It ended up being 423 miles.
It didn't seem like THAT far.
Hundreds of biker waves. Friends sending me out with good advice and the right equipment. I was never alone.
I'm off next Tuesday.
Let's check the weather...
and get a flight plan together.