NC Blue Ridge Pkwy 10/30 - 11/1

[Maleficent]

Better late than never right? :redface1:


We decided to get one more trip in before the Pisgah Inn closed for the season. So we geared up for the cold. The highs were in the 50's and low 60's and the lows were in the high 30's and low 40's. So after a trip to Cycle Gear, Dick's Sporting Goods and Walmart, we were all set. We bought the new AlpineStars GoreTex gloves and Turtle Fur Balaclavas which were great. Then we bought the UnderArmor Cold Gear and wool socks. And at Walmart we got a good thermos to bring coffee, hand warmer packs and Thermacare back patches. We were fine and stayed warm. We actually got hot one day when it got in the mid 60's.

As far as riding, let's say I scuffed in my new Corsa's well. I'm down to 1/4 in chicken strips on the rear and got them off on the front. Since my bike is lowered, I actually drug my boot on one 15 mph corner on Hwy 276. I can't believe the parkway is now a relaxing ride for me and I've moved up to the side roads running off it.

The fall colors were out. The weather was crisp. It was wonderful. We rode some on the Parkway, 276, 215, through Maggie Valley, Cherokee and into Brevard.

Hope you enjoy a few :LT:......

A century ago a very strong wind blew down the trees on the hillsides. The trees began to rot and over time decayed into mounds. It looked like a graveyard although today it is growing back.

Graveyard Fields - End of October this trip

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/GraveyardFields.jpg

Graveyard Fields on our last trip in Mid-September - big difference

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/GraveyardFieldsBig.jpg

The Blue Ridge Parkway was mostly closed this trip. We need to go a few weeks earlier next year. We arrived Thursday, and it was closed about five miles south of the Pisgah. The next day, Friday, another section was opened. As we road along, we were navigating around chunks of ice that had fallen from the rockface along the road. Now we know why they closed it. I actually rode across a very small patch (holding my breath of course).

Freaky Ice :eek:

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/BRPIce2.jpg

Looking Glass Rock - on our last trip in September

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Picture029.jpg

Looking Glass Rock - October 31

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/LGRock5.jpg

Looking Glass Rock Panoramic

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/LookingGlassRock.jpg

On Friday, the parkway had opened up to Highway 215. It was very twisty and we had to take it easy. We also had to be very careful of the shade as there were sections that never receive the sun and had very tiny patches of ice. Thankfully it only lasted less than a mile at the higher elevation. At the bottom of the mountain we found this view. Worth the ride down if you ask me.

Lake Logan - Highway 215

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/LakeLogan.jpg

The next day we took Highway 276 down towards Brevard from the Parkway. I like this road the most as it was very twisty and challenging at the top and then relaxed into mild curves (not sweepers) to keep things interesting.

Looking Glass Falls - Highway 276

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/LookingGlassFalls4.jpg

Why we love staying at the Pisgah Inn.....our view from our balcony. There are no phones so you can sit outside with a mug of coffee and just take it all in and breathe the fresh mountain air and enjoy quiet.
:meditation:

Blue Ridge Sunset at the Pisgah

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/Sunset.jpg

Saturday the colors were out in full. The sky was clear and the sun was warm.

Valley at Overlook North of the Pisgah

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/ValleyOverlook2.jpg

Saturday we took a Clif Bar and Coffee break at this wonderful stream. We spent about a half our just walking around and listening to the water running over the rocks.

Lunchbreak Stop in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park

http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh247/Maleficent_02/Smokies/Smokies1008/BridgeStuart2.jpg

We are planning on going back in the spring. I can't wait!:yahoo:

[Astir]

:thumbsup:

Great pics! Looks like a wonderful ride!

[ridingAK]

Sweet!

[KansasKawboy]

It's a pretty area to :riding:

[indianscout]

Looks like I have another place to add to my bucket list. Great pics!



.

[Luna Tique]

Thanks Maleficent :wootrock: Great photos :thumbup:

[KCDakar]

That is a fantastic RR Dear!:yahoo:
The pics are great. I liked the panorama shots.:thumbup:

[Unforgiven]

It is absolutely beautiful there! I told Maleficent that one of my favorite things I have ever done in my life is riding with her through those mountains. I can't wait to go back in the Spring.

[ridingAK]

I spent a lot of time at Grandfather Mountain when I lived in North Carolina. These pics are all wonderful and bring back such fond memories.

[sweptwingnut]

we have an appointment with a specific curve up there.

:coffee:

:slaphead:

This is gonna be interesting.....:popcorn1:






:D:

[Unforgiven]

No, I'm not going up there to rip through it. I want to ride through it carefully and see if I can figure out what exactly happened. It still bugs me.

[sweptwingnut]

I totally understand Amigo. I would want to do the same thing.

[Unforgiven]

And then I'm going to rip through it! :rofl:

[indianscout]

And then I'm going to rip through it! :rofl:


:rofl:


.

[ridingAK]

And then I'm going to rip through it! :rofl:

:thumbup:

[Luna Tique]

Chances are You won't ever know what happened.

[Unforgiven]

Chances are You won't ever know what happened.

You are probably right. I guess I have to trust Maleficent when she says that there was absolutely nothing I could have done to save it and that I crashed it in the best possible way and location.