Off to a slightly later start than usual, Mr. Sarcasm and I rolled out at 8:30 a.m., headed for breakfast in Blairsville. We enjoyed yesterday's breakfast at the Hole-in-the-Wall so much that we decided to do it again. Of course, this time, we couldn't share the joy with Eddie because he was still cabin-bound by his broken bike. That was a shame, too, because we were scheduled for a 10 a.m. meet-up with Michelle Evans, co-owner of the Copperhead Lodge, for another guided tour of the area.
Right on schedule we met up with Michelle at the Copperhead to start our tour. We learned that we would be joined by another couple -- Sal & Cindy Annerino -- who were staying at the lodge and had been invited to tag along. Sal and Cindy are originally from the Bronx (yes, THAT "the Bronx"), but now call Port Charlotte, FL, home. Sal told me that he and Cindy were enjoying their stay at the Copperhead so much that they had extended a five-day stay into ten days. It was a further shame that Eddie couldn't make this ride because Sal & Cindy also rode a Gold Wing trike.
Michelle led us away from the Copperhead on a northerly track that would take us up into Tennessee and over to North Carolina. Based on Michelle's description of her intended route, I quickly realized that we would be riding the land that comprises the scenic views one gets when looking south from the Cherohala Skyway.
Michelle rode a Harley-Davidson, and brother, let me tell you right now, she RODE that thing! Where Brad had been a careful, sedate tour guide, Michelle put the rubber to the road and got things moving along in a spirited and interesting fashion. Not fast, mind you, nor absent prudence, but spirited enough for the two sport-touring guys following her to be able to smile behind our helmet visors.
Our little band of motorcyclists rolled north through Mineral Bluffs, Ducktown, and onto US 64 west to the Ocoee Gorge where we made a stop at the site of the 1996 Olympics kayaking venue. From there we continued on US 64 until we picked up TN 30 and turned off there into the backcountry for some really quality curve surfing.
TN 30 was a great road and it soon delivered us to the edge of Reliance, TN, where we stopped for a photo op at an old church sitting alongside a meandering, mountain river.
Leaving Reliance, we continued on toward Tellico Plains, TN, via TN 315 and TN 39. Again, these country highways were great motorcycling roads with an abundance of curves and nice views.
Arriving in Tellico Plains, we stopped for lunch at Krambonz BBQ. The food was outstanding and served in such ample portions that it was a challenge just to finish my pulled pork sandwich. When the lady working the restaurant counter put my order down in front of me she asked if I needed anything else. I only half jokingly replied, "Yes, somebody to help me eat all of this!"
After a great lunch we departed Tellico Plains by heading south on TN 68, which turned out to be a gorgeous, sweeper-filled ride down to the point where we turned off onto TN 123 and headed east.
We rode TN 123 for a number of miles until it crossed into North Carolina and became NC 294, where we continued our eastward trek to Hiwassee Dam Road.
We took the dam access road up and over the actual dam, stopping on it's far side to do some photo work. We also made good use of a set of S-curves on the opposite side of the dam to do some more photos of passing bikes. All said, we made good use of this location.
Leaving the dam we returned to NC 294 for a spell before turning southerly onto Sunny Point Road for a few miles of twisty goodness that dropped us back onto US 64.
From US 64 we retraced our route back down to Blairsville and the Copperhead Lodge, arriving at 4:45 p.m., with 171 miles showing on the trip meter for the day's riding. This was a full day of constant movement and navigating some of the best countryside and backroads I have ever seen. Michelle Evans did a spectacular job of weaving us through great riding areas and we were all very thankful for her time and expertise.
Eddie got his bike out of the shop and was happy to have her back in running order with a new battery, a new starter, and a nice little invoice for services rendered to add to his scrapbook. Sadly, this state of happiness was to be short lived.
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