Travelblog-Smoky Mtns

August 2009 we enjoyed a trip on the Harley to the Smoky Mountains.  We traveled through Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and North Carolina.  A fantastic trip:

Kentucky Morning 8/19/09

We left Louisville early in the morning.  It was cool and misty through the rolling hills.  We met our friends, Rick and Julie at the Grand Old Opry in Nashville, TN.  From there we headed east into Tennessee.

Citico Creek a beautiful detour

The next morning we leave Sweetwater, TN and head towards the highlight of the trip, the Tail of the Dragon.  We take a wrong turn and follow the Citico Creek for about 15 miles.  What a beautiful wrong turn!

Tom and Janet at the Grassy Gap overlook on Cherohala Skyway

The Cherohala Skyway took us through portions of the Smokys National Park and into Robbinsville, TN.

Deal's Gap Resort at the trailhead of the Tail of the Dragon

 The Tail of the Dragon is 311 hairpin turns in 11 miles.  It is quite and adventure.  The sport bikes thought it was a race course.  The Harley’s thought it was a roller coaster.

A group of bikers ahead of us on the Tail of the Dragon

Rick, Janet, Julie and Tom at the Tail of the Dragon Overlook

We made it.  This overlook was blisteringly hot but the guys needed a break after all those tight turns.  Down below is the Chitowee Lake and Calderwood Dam. 

Biltmore Entrance 8/20/09

We visited this estate 27 years ago on our honeymoon.  What a treat to see it again.  It is still magnificient!!

We stood in this spot 27 years ago on our honeymoon. Twenty-seven years later the Biltmore looks the same. We don't!!

A lot has happened in 27 years.  We were 22 years old the last time we stood here!!

Flower Carpet on East Terrace of Biltmore Estate

Mountain shadows on the Blue Ridge Parkway

We left Asheville, NC and followed the Blue Ridge Parkway for a very scenic route back to Sevierville, TN and our cabin.

Tom and Rick on the Blue Ridge Parkway

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway there most have been 20 tunnels. Every one of them made Tom cry for mercy.

What a great trip.  We thank our special friends, Rick and Jules for putting it together.  We thank our kids for tolerating Mom and Dad through their mid-life crisis!  And we thank Harley for putting the wind in our hair.