WooHoo!

[OverHillAndDale]

Quick 3.5 day trip to Cherohala Skyway, Tail of the Dragon, Ocoee river gorge, Nantahala and Hiwasee rivers. Maybe Maggie Valley and Blue Ridge Parkway if my butt holds up. I lost a son last February and I'm going to grieve, pray, and enjoy the beauty of this gorgeous region as the leaves start to turn.

If you happen to see an old guy on a white spyder hauling a silver trailer, give a wave.

[Bob Denman]

I'm sorry to heart of your loss. We'll sending prayers your way!
Your Son will be with you on the ride...

[cuznjohn]

sorry for your loss, and i am sure your son will be with you on what sounds like a great trip

[Marcy]

So sorry for your loss. Know that he is riding with you everywhere.

[Chupaca]

's to you and yours but your headed in the right direction..not a chance I would see you but know you would get a big wave...

[PrairieSpyder]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[4 MARIE]

My condolences on your loss.

I bought my spyder as a grief coping tool, and it is certainly better
than a lot of the alternatives.

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

I'm sorry to heart of your loss. We'll sending prayers your way!
Your Son will be with you on the ride...

...............Mike

[Sonnymerrill]

Sorry for your loss Brother, Peace be with you. Always keep the sun in your back and face in the wind !

[ARtraveler]

Also sorry for your loss. Our thoughts and go with you.

You have picked a wonderful place to go and enjoy the ride with your son.

[OverHillAndDale]

Thank you all for your condolences, warm thoughts and prayers.

However, this will be a happy trip. It's impossible to be sad in those beautiful mountains, particularly as the leaves are turning for fall. I've reached the point where I can see this all somewhat objectively and I'm looking forward to my next 20?+ years.

I usually try to avoid anything that sounds like preaching, but since I've opened up (probably said more than was necessary) here is where my peace comes from.
2 Thessolonians 3:16. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way.

[lou49]

Thank you all for your condolences, warm thoughts and prayers.

However, this will be a happy trip. It's impossible to be sad in those beautiful mountains, particularly as the leaves are turning for fall. I've reached the point where I can see this all somewhat objectively and I'm looking forward to my next 20?+ years.

I usually try to avoid anything that sounds like preaching, but since I've opened up (probably said more than was necessary) here is where my peace comes from.
2 Thessolonians 3:16. Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way.

AMEN! NEVER APOLOGIZE FOR TELLING THE TRUTH! RIDE SAFELY!

[OverHillAndDale]

I accompished all I'd wanted to during the drip.

1. Birmingham to Cleveland, TN after work. All interstate, pulled the trailer, uneventful.
2. Cleveland past the Ocoee to the Nanatahala Gorge. Had lunch to Eli and John - two guys I met riding Excelsior-Henderson bikes. I was unfamiliar but it was a motorcycle company that started in the 30's, tanked, was revived around the the year 2000 and stayed in business just long enough to make 2000 bikes. They're works of art. Look at the front forks - external springs with a swing-arm. From there to the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. The Cherohala Skyway starts at an elevation at 900 feet in Tellico Plains, TN, rises above 5000 feet then descends to 200 feet near Robbinsville, NC.IMG_1998.jpgIMG_1999.jpg
3. Day 3 - Great breakfast at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, down through Maggie Valley to Asheville, NC, back to Cherokee on the Blue Ridge Parkway, back to the Nantahala Gorge for dinner of blackened trout. Temperature ranged from 55 degrees to 75, couldn't have been more perfect. Met a fellow I mentioned in another post, "Outfarkle This!". IMG_2007.jpgIMG_2015.jpg
4. Day 4 - Home through Chattanooga, watched the temp climb from 55 to 90.

[Bob Denman]

Great pictures, and I'm glad to hear that you did what you set out to do...

[wanderingman]

I accompished all I'd wanted to during the drip.

1. Birmingham to Cleveland, TN after work. All interstate, pulled the trailer, uneventful.
2. Cleveland past the Ocoee to the Nanatahala Gorge. Had lunch to Eli and John - two guys I met riding Excelsior-Henderson bikes. I was unfamiliar but it was a motorcycle company that started in the 30's, tanked, was revived around the the year 2000 and stayed in business just long enough to make 2000 bikes. They're works of art. Look at the front forks - external springs with a swing-arm. From there to the Dragon and Cherohala Skyway. The Cherohala Skyway starts at an elevation at 900 feet in Tellico Plains, TN, rises above 5000 feet then descends to 200 feet near Robbinsville, NC.IMG_1998.jpgIMG_1999.jpg
3. Day 3 - Great breakfast at the Nantahala Outdoor Center, down through Maggie Valley to Asheville, NC, back to Cherokee on the Blue Ridge Parkway, back to the Nantahala Gorge for dinner of blackened trout. Temperature ranged from 55 degrees to 75, couldn't have been more perfect. Met a fellow I mentioned in another post, "Outfarkle This!". IMG_2007.jpgIMG_2015.jpg
4. Day 4 - Home through Chattanooga, watched the temp climb from 55 to 90.

Just a point of interest. Those bikes you mention were the fore runners on the Indian 4 cylinders bikes. I believe Indian bought Henderson.