DAY 1 - SUNDAY – JUNE 13, 2004
As planned, we met at Fire
Station 31 with a departure time set at 6:30am. After some visiting and a
group prayer, the kickstands went up at 6:45am. This year we had a smaller
group with 5 bikes and 7 people. The riding experience ranged from 30 years
to 6 months. The morning was soon sunny and warm with the weather for the
week looking pretty good with sunny days and possible afternoon showers.
This group does enjoy a good meal so after only 45 minutes of road time, we
stopped in at one of our favorite spots, the Kuntry Kafe in St. George, GA.
Harvey could not go on the trip this year but he did ride this part with us.
He had called ahead and the staff was waiting for us. After a hearty
breakfast, we took some pictures and hit the road again. Our plan was to
ride the wooded area around the Okefenokee Swamp through Fargo and onto Hwy
441, which would take us north to Dillard, GA. After 50 or so miles, we
pulled over in Pearson, for some rest and a water break and then it’s off
again. In Dublin, we made and unscheduled stop to check out one bike that
was having shifting problems. We made some “in the parking lot “ repairs
and were able to continue. A short stop at the Hardee’s while in Dublin for
some snacks, and it’s back on the road. The rest of the trip north was
trouble free just stopping for rest and water breaks. After about 420 miles
and lots of sun block, we arrived at the Dillard House about 6pm. After
checking in and a short rest, we headed for the restaurant to chow down.
After dinner, we relaxed on the porch of our building in the rocking chairs
and recapped the day’s ride over coffee. Then it was off to bed looking
forward to the next day.
DAY 2 – MONDAY – JUNE 14, 2004
DILLARD, GA
After cleaning
the bikes, day 2 started with kickstands up at 8:15am, but we didn’t get
far. After only 3 minutes on the road, we stopped at the Cupboard Café,
which is just north of the Dillard House on US 441. We rate this restaurant
5 stars for food and service and stop there whenever we are in the area.
After a great breakfast, we were ready to roll. This day took us out of
Dillard, on 246 to 106 then to US 64 through Highlands, and Cashiers NC,
then south on 281/130 into South Carolina. The roads were gentle and
rolling through the countryside. Turning east on 11 took us around Devil’s
Fork State Park across Lake Keowee then north on US 178 took us back into
North Carolina and on to Brevard, where we stopped at the Cardinal Drive In.
This is a fun little place where you order your food by phone from your
booth. We were here last year and enjoyed it very much. The weather was
still perfect, so after lunch it’s off again north to US 276 which started
up through the Pisgah Forest, along Wagon Road Gap ( El. 4524ft.) , across
the Blue Ridge Parkway and down in Waynesville, North Carolina, where we
stopped for the night at the Oak Park Inn. This is a friendly Motel located
on Main Street in Waynesville. The town is filled with great little shops
and restaurants and we did some shopping while there. Today’s ride took us
on a variety of road types and through several tunnels. Our new riders did
great. Although one said as we went through the tunnels, he could hear
something that sounded like “ pull over – pull over “. After some shopping
in Waynesville, we actually walked to our dinner spot. Bogarts Restaurant
located on Main Street, just one block from our motel, proved to be a great
place for food and fun. After dinner, we gathered once again on the porch
in rocking chairs enjoying coffee and relaxing. Soon it was time to settle
in for the night and look forward to tomorrow.
DAY 3 – TUESDAY – JUNE 15, 2004
WAYNESVILLE, NC
We woke up this
morning to find that it had rained during the night. After drying off the
bikes and some coffee (the office kept a pot going for us), we headed for
another of our favorite places to eat. Out of Waynesville, NC, we headed
east on US19 to Candler, and the Miami Restaurant. Always a fun place, the
waitresses were in their usual playful mood. The locals quickly made a
place for us and always want to know about those “Red Bikes”. We enjoyed a
great breakfast, lots of picture taking and each of us received a new Miami
Restaurant coffee mug and Richard had some patches for them. With the
streets still wet, we headed up the twisty and curvy 151, which took us up
the mountain. The fog started about half way up and did cause us to be
especially careful as we made our way to the Blue Ridge Parkway, which we
would stay on for most of the day. The fog was not too bad and we cruised
along the Parkway across Mt. Pisgah with stops for picture taking and
snacks. We passed through the Cherokee Indian Reservation and on across New
Found Gap (El. 5048). The Parkway ended at US 441 and took us into
Cherokee, NC, where we stopped for lunch at Hardee’s. While there, the
Firefighter Bikes attracted the attention of a Canadian Fireman vacationing
with his family and friends. We had a good visit talking with them and they
wanted pictures of us together on the bikes. Back on US 441 we headed for
Gatlinburg, and elected to take the bypass around and move on the Pigeon
Forge, TN, where we stopped for refreshments. The sun was out and the
sunblock was on. We picked up US 321 and headed for Townsend, TN, where we
would spend 2 nights. This is where we got the first hard rain. We had all
checked in and were walking back to the bikes when the bottom fell out. We
only had to ride about 100 yards to our rooms but that was enough to get
good and wet. After some time to dry off and change clothes, the rain
stopped and we walked across the street to the newly opened Victoria Station
Restaurant. They seemed to still be working the kinks out and had run out
of some things on the menu but we all still had a good time. After dinner,
we once again got together outside our rooms for coffee and good fellowship
swapping stories and talking about the day. We were able to get the same
rooms as last year, which gave us the huge overhang under which we could
park the bikes and sit. Soon, it was good night all and see ya’ tomorrow.
DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY – JUNE 16, 2004
TOWNSEND, TN
After the morning
wipe down on the bikes, we discussed some plan chances for the day. Richard
was concerned about the temporary repair of his shifter that we made in
Dublin, and Ron needed a 1000 mile service on his bike. So we put the
scheduled ride for the day on hold and it was off to the Harley Shop in
Knoxville. We would salvage what we could of the planned route later. A
“Harley Shop Stop” is always fun because each dealer is different and
besides, everybody needs something. While we were shopping for goodies,
Richard and Ron headed for the Service Dept. Bad news came quick. Two of
the mechanics had called in sick that day and it would be hours before they
could even look at the bikes. The guys tracked down the service manager and
explained that we were traveling and he agreed to replace the shifter shaft
for Richard and do a partial service for Ron. So after less than 2 hours,
we had the shifter fixed, fresh oil and ready to roll. Hats off to Knoxville
Harley Davidson. We skipped breakfast this morning so while in Knoxville,
we pulled into Shoney’s for brunch. With the day slipping by, but still
having good weather, we headed for Cades Cove. It proved to be very warm
but the crowd was light as we made our way around the 11-mile winding road
at Cades Cove. We saw deer grazing several times and stopped at the halfway
point for some water and explore the gift shop and homestead nearby. Once
again, the bikes attracted a lot of attention so after lots of pictures and
visiting with folks, we headed back to the motel to relax and do some
laundry. This evening, the group split up for dinner. Several went to
Maryville, in search of a steak house, some went back to the Back Porch with
friends also vacationing in the area, and the remainder got some chicken to
go and propped up their feet at the motel. Another good day. Nite All!
DAY 5 –THURSDAY – JUNE 17, 2004
TOWNSEND, TN
After our morning
ritual of wiping down the bikes, it was time to load all the luggage and say
good-by to Townsend. We intended to ride the Foothills Parkway today but
alas, it was closed for maintenance so plan B was put into effect. Now it’s
US 321 to Maryville, where we picked up US 411. With the weather perfect,
we all enjoyed a easy ride through the country to Madisonville, TN, then
south on 68 to Tellico Plains and the entrance to the Cherohala Skyway.
After a few miles on the Skyway, we took a turnoff to Bald River Falls. A
7-mile winding road along the river took us to a beautiful area in the
Cherokee National Forest where we found gorgeous falls. While we enjoyed
the scenic beauty and taking pictures, Richard and Dee made their way down
the hill. After taking off their boots, they soaked their feet in the cool
water. While all this was going on, Linda had made her way down on the
other side of the bridge and had walked out into the shallow river to
collect a souvenir rock to take back. After all the exploring was done,
it’s back to the Skyway. We traveled through the mountains which took us
out of Tennessee and into North Carolina. The Skyway has plenty of ups,
downs, curves, and twists enough to satisfy any rider. We saw dozens of
other riders who always had a friendly wave. After turning south on US 129
which took us through Robbinsville, we made our way to what was suppose to
be a scenic road and would take us along the Nantahala Lake, over the
mountain, and back to US 441. Wayan Road turned out to be quite a
challenge. About half way through, we encountered road improvement that had
loose gravel on the road for several miles. After some anxious moments, we
came out at 441 and headed to Dillard for the night. Everyone wanted to eat
before checking in so we stopped once again at the Cupboard Café and they
welcomed us back like family. After a great meal and lots of jokes about the
road conditions we saw that day, we bought a pecan pie for later and headed
to Dillard House. During our evening get together with pie and coffee, one
couple announced they would do a one day trip back while the rest would stop
another night on the road. Another great day done. Now it’s off to bed.
