| Blue Ridge Parkway Trip Sept 7th - 14th, 2002 A Daily Journal by Fran Hill |
| 11th |
| Another sunny morning. We chatted with an older couple from Nebraska about our trip. He mentioned how he enjoyed watching all the bikes that drive through on their way to Sturgis each year. The wife asked if women bikers were accepted at those big rallys. When we told her yes, she smiled and said �another victory for us�! I did not expect that answer from her. By 7:15 am we were off to finish the Parkway. Although the views must be gorgeous during foliage season, I think I appreciate having the road to ourselves. They say it is really crowded in October. |
| The views were a little foggy but the temperatures were mild and the riding fun. Around one corner, we came suddenly on a big, rotten tree that had fallen from the face of the mountain above us. There was only a narrow opening through one side, just enough for our bikes. A photo would have been nice, but we did not want to risk having another tree come down while we were posing! No cars will be able to get through until the tree is removed. We reached the highest point in the Blue Ridge Parkway �have to see the photo to remember how high up we were. |
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| The Parkway through the lower part of Virginia and NC has a lot of tunnels through the mountains. They were all fairly short tunnels, but it was a little scary going from bright sunshine into pitch-black tunnels, especially when they were curved. I am not sure how the other 3 managed it with sunglasses on. |
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| We finished riding the Blue Ridge parkway and drove into Cherokee,NC at about 10:30am. WE DID IT !! After buying souvenirs and having a delicious breakfast in the local Indian owned restaurant, we headed north to cross the Smoky Mts. Due to our time schedule we decided to skip Deal�s Gap with its 311 turns. |
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| The trip through the Smokies was a 35 mile stretch of more tight turns and some foggy views. We drove up to Clingman�s Dome, the highest point in Tennessee. The walk up to the observatory would have delayed us too long so we just took photos from the parking lot. Once out of the Smokies, we headed home. We made it to the Tennessee/Virginia border and got rooms in Bristol. There were plaques on the floor showing that the Tennesee/Virginia border ran right through the center of the lobby. |
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| Total Miles- Day 5 �276 |
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