Thursday, May 21, 2009

Done in Helen, time to move to Cherokee

We woke up this morning to some ominous looking clouds but doing a quick weather check there was no rain in the forecast or in the area. So we showered, ate, and walked outside and the clouds started breaking up. By 10am it was almost a picture perfect day.

Today's ride was short in comparison to most at only a 174 miles but what it lacked in distance, it made up in beauty. There were long stretches of roads where no cars could be seen and we felt like we were in the middle of nowhere. The trees on both sides of the road were lush and green and the forest looked deep. Quiet and calm the ride was for most of the day. We did have a few little quirks when my planned route ran out of asphalt and turned into dirt. Momma doesn't do dirt unless we have no choice in the matter, and I knew we had choices. So a few simple clicks of the GPS and we were back on asphalt with just a few modifications.

One town we went through, Dahlonega had some very cool looking old buildings and the only one I could ID was the Goldmine Museum. But that wasn't the best part; this town also put out flags along the roadside for Memorial Day Weekend and along side the flags,a white cross, name, and the war they died in. I thought it had class and a nice touch to honor the people they lived with and that died for them and country.

For lunch we stopped in Morganton, Ga. and had Quizno's. Lori had a salad and me a sub. So what do you think we did right after lunch? Ride? Nope, we found the local carwash and gave the motorcycle a bath. She was really looking bad after almost a month on the road. Anyways, $4 later and little elbow grease, she looked presentable but not perfect.

The rest of the day we spent riding back to Helen and we did hit one nice stretch of twisty's that I wished I had a the camera on for, but I figured most of ya'll have gotten the idea. I will record Deals Gap in a few days and whatever strikes me, so my video presentations might not actual be done. We had a small dinner at a local diner in Cleveland, Ga. and then rolled back into the hotel. Oh man, no TV, someone save me the wife might have ideas!!! :0

Tomorrow we say goodbye to Helen and we'll do a slow curvy route due northbound and land in Cherokee, NC. This will be our last official resting spot for the next 4 days of rides. There is a rumor that someone might join us Sunday night, but we will wait to see if the weather, traffic, and other plans hold out for them. Tomorrow we will also pass the 5000 mile mark on this trip and unless something dumb happens, the motorcycle will make it on the tires I left with. There will not be much left, but they will get home. Until tomorrow, take care.

Today’s mileage =  174
Total for the trip = 4944





Day 22 at EveryTrail

Map created by EveryTrail:GPS Geotagging

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