For
several years now, I've dreamed about riding my motorcycle to
far away places where the roads are not so traveled and where
they wind slowly along side and through the hills. Well
- I dream has been fulfilled and I only now wished it was longer
as it was one fantastic ride. WOW...
I
have always heard so much about the Blue
Ridge Parkway from other riders and now that I'm living in
Florida, I almost forgot that they aren't that far away.
Over the holiday's, I was invited by Candice to visit her parents
home in South Carolina in the small town of West Union.
It's located in the Western most part of the state next to several
major state and national parks. When looking at the maps
on my computer, I noticed that they were located very close to
the Smoky Mountain National Park. Once I heard this, I
posted a message on a motorcycle forum dedicated to touring motorcycles
asking if there were any good roads that could be recommended.
I immediately got a rash of responses telling me that I was asking
about motorcycle heaven with regards to beautiful roads.
There was the Blue Ridge Parkway
(a portion of it), the Tail
of the Dragon which is famous for its 318 curves in 11 miles,
the Cherohala Parkway
(a $100,000,000 road that is spectacular, the Foothills Parkway
and 441 which traverses the Smoky's itself. I knew that
I not only had to go, but I wanted to share this experience with
Candice who has never ridden on a motorcycle for any length of
time and never over night. Her response, well, she noted
that she had seen the Smoky's over the past 20 years, but never
had she experienced it so close, seen so much and became so exhilarated.
The senses become totally enlightened by the spectacular sights,
the smells and just the raw beauty of the countryside and pristine
lakes around every corner. The back roads just getting there
were like no other I've ever traveled.
I'm from New England and I never thought I could be riding there.
I'm told that the fall colors rival those of New England.
A
visit to the Smoky's once in your life is a must, if not many
more times. It is pure heaven and being on a motorcycle
is just that much closer.
Enjoy
our journey.
Click
on each picture to view a enlarged view.
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
We
start our drive from Delray Beach, FL to West Union,
SC in our truck with the bike loaded. The bike is
a 2001 Harley Electra Glide. It's a 12 hour
drive and we make good time. From there, we
stay one day and scout out the local area. The
map above is the journey we plan on taking via the
motorcycle into the Smoky's. I can't wait.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
The
roads in the surrounding areas all have a similar
feel. Basically, they're all great and you
really can't pick a bad road.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Once
we get to West Union, SC, a sleepy town near the edge
of the Smoky's, we take a ride to a local, but hidden
wonderland where we explore a place called Stumphouse
Park. Here Candice and I have our backs to the
waterfall in the background. It's really pretty here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Candice
and Phil at Stumphouse Fall from a new lookout.
It had just rained, but still very nice.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Candice
getting caught in the rain, but this time, she's in
her cool outfit that helps to keep her dry.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
Once
back, we are met my friends of Candice's parents.
Left to right: Charlie, Dotty, Phil,
Candice, Sonnie and his wife in West Union, S.C.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
The
next morning, we pack the bike and set off for our
3 day, 2 night motorcycle journey - a first for
Candice. On route, we stop off along the scenic
Chattooga River. It is nearby that they filmed
the movie DELIVERANCE. I can still hear the
ghosts of the pigs squealing....OUCH !!!
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
An
abandoned bridge on the Chattooga River.
Downstream, the water gets rough and there are many
rafting company's offering white water rapids treks.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
We
hit the road again. Here a view from the bike
back at us.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
We
find our way over to the Blue
Ridge Parkway. This is a road that I want
to come back to and ride the full length. The
Smoky's are in the background and we climb to about
5800 feet. The riding is great.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
There
is the constant haze created by the fog that covers
close to the trees. Now you can see why they
call it the Smoky's.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
We
stop at the "Next to Heaven Horse Stables"
where you can ride horses and do so unescorted.
Candice dreaming of riding the the back of 4 legs
instead of 2 wheels.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
