Heading West

While riding from Gatlinburg to Pigeon Forge, we encountered a problem with my bike. While setting at the intersection, where the Harley dealer is located, I noticed that my "check engine"

and "battery" light were on, meaning that something was wrong. We wheeled into the dealership, and the only tech on duty checked it out, and we found that my stater was bad. They couldn't change it out, then, so we left it with the dealer, to make the repairs on Monday. We stayed with our friend, Roy Pennington. We decided to take advantage of our additional day in Wears Valley, and did some sight seeing, 2 up, on Decah's bike. (I did not ride, bitch) We rode around Wears Valley, taking in the sights! We rode the Foot Hills Parkway, which is as beautiful as the Blueridge Parkway! Below, is a photo taken along the Foot Hills Parkway.

After getting my bike back, Monday afternoon, we headed for Woodbury, TN, to visit with our friend, Reba Denny. We spent the night in Woodbury, and then rode on west. The photo, below, is one of our future riders, Rachel, Reba's grand daughter. As you can see, she has a future, on Harleys!

We rode to Jackson, TN, where we decided to crash out for the night. After checking into a motel, we decided to have a Mexican dinner! While walking to a popular chain restaurant, we noticed a Mexican Grille, called COYOTE BLUES. The parking lot was full, so we decided it must be good! We decided to give it a try. Wow, were we in for a pleasant surprise! It wasn't just good, it was great! Actually, it is Cajun Mexican! We had never encountered that cuisine! While enjoying our meal, we met the manager, Casey. We told her, what a treat it was for us. She brought us a sampling of the grits. They were great! Grits, cheese, and green chiles. By now, I'm sounding like a Dining Critic, but Decah, and I were really impressed with COYOTE BLUES! We will, definitely, go out of our way, to eat here, again! Thanks, Casey, for a great meal, and experience!

Blue Ridge Parkway

Today, we rode the Blue Ridge Parkway, from Maggie Valley to Gatlinburg. We really rode the Parkway, so that we could by pass construction on I-40. As it turned out, it was a great ride! We stopped at an overlook on the North Carolina, Tennessee border. Below is Decah, on the overlook.

A photo taken from the overlook!

Another view, from the Parkway!

Decah, relaxing, on the overlook!

D&D, on the state line.

We stopped in Gatlinburg for lunch, actually brunch. We stopped at the Pancake Pantry, where we had one of our favorites, Sweet potato pancakes!

Decah, couldn't pass the opportunity to have her photo taken in front of the Chocolate Monkey.

After enjoying Gatlinburg, we decided to spend the night in Wears Valley, with our friend Roy Pennington. Heading west, tomorrow.

Slaying the Dragon's Tail

WOW, what a great day! started out by riding to Fairview, just east of Ashville. Scott Olofson, of Acme Motorcycles, made Decah, and I a lamb skin seat cover. did a great job! This is a really cool bike shop, with lots of vintage bikes, and items not found at most bike shops! If in the area, definitely worth a visit!

Upon leaving Fairview, we rode to Deals Gap, so we could ride the Dragon. The Tail of the Dragon is one of the most popular motorcycle rides in the U.S. 318 curves, in an eleven mile stretch. Today was the first day the Dragon was open all the way! Many, many bikes on the Tail! Below is a photo of bikes at the Gap.

D&D at the Gap

Below, is a photo of Fontana Lake, taken at the overview, along the Tail.

D&D At the overview.

D, on her mighty stead, along the Tail.

The tree of shame, at Deals Gap. This tree has many bike parts hanging on the tree, that didn't make the ride!

D, beneath a really cool metal art!

Another view of Fontana Lake, as we leave the Tail!

Another great day of riding! After the ride, we went to Maggie Valley, for a great dinner, and went dancing, at a local saloon, and dance hall. Had a great band, so that just capped off a great day of riding, and sightseeing!

Getting Caught Up!

Well a lot of catching up! Since we left Reno, we have traveled over 3,3oo miles on the bikes! What a great 3 weeks! We worked our way east, stopping in Tulsa, to finish up our comunication system, so Decah and I can better communicate while riding. Below is a photo of Kieth Goudelock, who installed, and set up our Autocom system. This is a great system, that we would recommend to anyone! As you can see, he is an avid off-road rider!

After leaving Tulsa, we spent a week at Kirkwood Lodge, on The Lake Of The Ozarks, one of our favorite places! Decah and I were married there, 2 years ago! What a great place! One of our favorites, while at the lodge, is a trip to the Main Street Music Hall, on Tuesday night. The show is always great! This night we met Sara Palen! Well, maybe not really Sarah, but you have to admit, she could double as Sarah!
Upon leaving Kirkwood, we journeyed east, for a week at Maggie Valley, N.C. Another great week, of calling, and dancing! after completing the week of calling, we saddled up, for some serious riding, and sightseeing! we traveled to Chimney Rock, NC. What a ride, and what a treat!

Below, is a photo of Chimney Rock, Taken from Exclamation Point. What an awesome sight!

Decah, enjoying the sites! The lake, in the back ground, is Lure Lake.

Exclamation Point, as seen from atop Chimney Rock. If you notice, midway up the mountain, to the right of the stairway, is an observation point, called the OPERA BOX, a really cool view!

D&D atop Chimney Rock

Decah, relaxing atop Chimney Rock!

As the photo says, Devils Head!

a close up of Devils Head! It really dose look like the Devil's head!

Decah, relaxing, again, on our way to Exclamation Point!

Decah, on her way to Chimney Rock, as taken by me, midway up the mountain, taken from the Opera Box.

Decah, on top of Chimney Rock!

Another view, from the Opera Box.

After our jaunt to Chimney Rock, we hiked to a 404 ft waterfalls, down the mountain. It is the second highest waterfalls, on the east coast!

D&D at Hickory Nut Falls. this is where the 1992 movie, Last Of The Mohicans, was filmed.

What a refreshing end to a spectacular day!

If all goes, as planned, we will journey to Gatlinburg, tomorrow, riding the TAIL OF THE DRAGON, again! We are both, so thankful to be able to enjoy this great country, together!

Sadona & Jerome (Thursday June 3)

Today we rode to Sadona, just south of Flagstaff. Wow, what a ride! In Decah's words, "it was like an adult roller coaster, up, down, and around! The scenery was spectacular! The rocks, that lined the canyon walls, were so red, they looked liked they were ready to explode! Sadona, is a neat town! Lots of tourists. Many specialty shops!

After leaving Sadona, we continued south to Jerome, an old copper mining town in the mountains. Jerome is really a cool town! Many, many specialty shops! We ate at the MILE HIGH GRILLE. One of the best burgers, I ever ate, and for sure, the coldest beer!

Below, D in front of the Spirit Room, one of the oldest saloons in Arizona!

Decah, in front of Nellie Bly, a really neat shop of kaleidoscopes, and teleidoscopes.

D, with a pot of flowers, that attracted her to the shop! She'll have to explain the unique pot!

Downtown, Jerome

D&D, at an overlook, in Jerome

This is an old head frame, that lifted men, supplies, and ore from the many side shafts, that were dug every hundred feet. You can stand on a glass floor, and see the entire shaft! The shaft is 1900 feet deep. Quite an experience!

D, on her "mighty steed", heading back to Flagstaff!

We both enjoyed this day, as much as any! Jerome, may be my favorite old town, now!

Virginia City, is still one of my favorites, But Jerome, is so unique!

Grand Canyon (Wed June 2)

After a great 5 days in the Reno area, we left for Las Vegas, on Tuesday morning. Couldn't have asked for better weather to ride in! Had a very uneventful ride to Vegas. Detoured around Hoover dam, to avoid the delays, at the dam. It was a nice change of scenery!

Wednesday morning, we departed for the Grand Canyon. Again, had great weather for riding! We stoppped in Kingman, where we met a group of riders from Italy. They had rented Harleys in Vegas, and were also riding to the Canyon. Spent the afternoon at the canyon, and then rode on to Flagstaff. By the way, we really found some great eating, along RT 66!

Below is a few photos taken at the canyon. Unfortunately, No camera does the canyon justice!

It was a great afternoon at the canyon! Looking forward to riding to Sadona, and Jerome, tomorrow!