nga
Active Member
So I was gonna take a ride this past weekend, and thought I may camp somewhere along the way. I was initially thinking Mile High Campground in NC. I hastily threw together some gear, forgot some, and left about 11 a.m. on the 21st. I left Ellijay, GA, rode through Copperhill, TN, and got on TN 68 and rode it until I reached Joe Brown Highway - just north of Coker Creek Elementary School on the right. This road is turns to gravel for about eight miles and then back to pavement, which eventually takes you into downtown Murphy, NC. I fueled up, ate a late lunch, and headed east on Hwy 74. After a brief detour to locate a gravel road (FS 423), that was closed, I made it through the Nantahala Gorge, Cherokeee, NC, and arrived at the Blue Ridge Parkway around five. I was looking for Mile High Campground, but missed the turn off. Traffic was very light - almost none, so I kept riding - it was easy. Here are a few pics to get started:
All loaded up:
On TN 68 - headed north:
Joe Brown Highway:
At the intersection of Joe Brown Hwy and Burrell Mountain Road:
I picked up the pavement here:
The closed FS road I was searching for:
As mentioned earlier, I missed Mile High Campground, so I kept riding. I turned in at the Pisgah Mountain Campground, but it was still early, and the riding was great. I pressed on, thinking I could make the campground at CrabTree Falls - on the Parkway - before nightfall. Now, some Parkway Pics:
Figured I get this one while I was going by:
I pressed north on the Parkway, but soon realized I may not make the campground nightfall. I opted for the Super 8 in Black Mountain - I stayed here in March 2013. This decision proved to be a good one, as I later discovered the campground was closed!
That evening, I headed to the Ale House, another place I visited in March, enjoyed a Shiva IPA - by Asheville Brewing Company, and a large salad - with steak!
The next day, I headed up Hwy 70, where it intersected with Hwy 80 - this road goes under the Parkway and keeps heading West - I think. Hwy 80 is fun - I passed a beautiful lake, rode tons of curves, and got stopped by a preacher - yeah no kidding. Just prior to the preacher encounter, I pulled over to take a few pics, and a guy (the preacher) in a black Honda van drove by and waved - I thought nothing of it, and he probably didn't either, at least at that moment. A few miles up the road, this van eased over to shoulder of the road, as if he was waving me by. As I got closer, he motioned for me to stop. I eased up, stopped, and he stated that he was having trouble with his vehicle, and asked if I could hear it. I replied, no since I had my earplugs in. He gave me his name, and explained he was supposed to preach at Mt. Celo Church that morning. He asked if I was continuing on Hwy 80 beyond the Parkway and I replied no. He stated he really needed to get a message to the church, and I said sure, I'll go tell them. He told me some landmarks to look for, and I headed that way.
Along Hwy 80 - before the preacher:
Mt. Celo Church
After arriving at the church, I entered the sanctuary, where about 10 or 15 people were having Bible study. I asked the man seated in the back pew if he attended the church regularly, and he replied it was his first time. The next guy I spoke with, an older gentlemen, stated he attended regularly. I explained to the man that the preacher (gave his name) was stranded on Hwy 80 - east of the Parkway. The church member stated, "we'll I wonder why he hadn't shown up yet." This guy walked out of the church with me, and headed toward his car, a '39 Ford, which wouldn't crank. He borrowed another person's vehicle, and left for the stranded preacher.
Here's the Ford:
I headed toward the Parkway too, and eventually arrived atop Mt. Mitchell:
A gravel road off the Parkway:
Mt. Mitchell: As I was riding up, a black bear darted out in front of me. It happened really quick, but thankfully it was about 15 yards in front of me, so no worries.
The Parkway was closed just south of Mt. Mitchell:
I headed back north on the Parkway - to Hwy 80, to Hwy 70, and back into Swannanoa. I was gonna eat at a BBQ place; however, it was closed. I choose Pizza Hut instead and decided to dry out:
After lunch, I jumped on I-40 until it reached Hwys 19/23/74 West. I got drenched heading out of Asheville in the worst thunderstorm I have ridden in. I was headed home, so I didn't care. On 74, close to Bryson City, NC, I passed what looked like a great friend - he was headed east on his motorcycle. I quickly turned around, and as I caught up with him, he was beginning to pull over, as he recongnized me too. We chatted for a few minutes, as the rain began to pour...again - that was the highlight of my trip - running into a great friend - near the end of a long ride.
Here are the ending specs:
All loaded up:
On TN 68 - headed north:
Joe Brown Highway:
At the intersection of Joe Brown Hwy and Burrell Mountain Road:
I picked up the pavement here:
The closed FS road I was searching for:
As mentioned earlier, I missed Mile High Campground, so I kept riding. I turned in at the Pisgah Mountain Campground, but it was still early, and the riding was great. I pressed on, thinking I could make the campground at CrabTree Falls - on the Parkway - before nightfall. Now, some Parkway Pics:
Figured I get this one while I was going by:
I pressed north on the Parkway, but soon realized I may not make the campground nightfall. I opted for the Super 8 in Black Mountain - I stayed here in March 2013. This decision proved to be a good one, as I later discovered the campground was closed!
That evening, I headed to the Ale House, another place I visited in March, enjoyed a Shiva IPA - by Asheville Brewing Company, and a large salad - with steak!
The next day, I headed up Hwy 70, where it intersected with Hwy 80 - this road goes under the Parkway and keeps heading West - I think. Hwy 80 is fun - I passed a beautiful lake, rode tons of curves, and got stopped by a preacher - yeah no kidding. Just prior to the preacher encounter, I pulled over to take a few pics, and a guy (the preacher) in a black Honda van drove by and waved - I thought nothing of it, and he probably didn't either, at least at that moment. A few miles up the road, this van eased over to shoulder of the road, as if he was waving me by. As I got closer, he motioned for me to stop. I eased up, stopped, and he stated that he was having trouble with his vehicle, and asked if I could hear it. I replied, no since I had my earplugs in. He gave me his name, and explained he was supposed to preach at Mt. Celo Church that morning. He asked if I was continuing on Hwy 80 beyond the Parkway and I replied no. He stated he really needed to get a message to the church, and I said sure, I'll go tell them. He told me some landmarks to look for, and I headed that way.
Along Hwy 80 - before the preacher:
Mt. Celo Church
After arriving at the church, I entered the sanctuary, where about 10 or 15 people were having Bible study. I asked the man seated in the back pew if he attended the church regularly, and he replied it was his first time. The next guy I spoke with, an older gentlemen, stated he attended regularly. I explained to the man that the preacher (gave his name) was stranded on Hwy 80 - east of the Parkway. The church member stated, "we'll I wonder why he hadn't shown up yet." This guy walked out of the church with me, and headed toward his car, a '39 Ford, which wouldn't crank. He borrowed another person's vehicle, and left for the stranded preacher.
Here's the Ford:
I headed toward the Parkway too, and eventually arrived atop Mt. Mitchell:
A gravel road off the Parkway:
Mt. Mitchell: As I was riding up, a black bear darted out in front of me. It happened really quick, but thankfully it was about 15 yards in front of me, so no worries.
The Parkway was closed just south of Mt. Mitchell:
I headed back north on the Parkway - to Hwy 80, to Hwy 70, and back into Swannanoa. I was gonna eat at a BBQ place; however, it was closed. I choose Pizza Hut instead and decided to dry out:
After lunch, I jumped on I-40 until it reached Hwys 19/23/74 West. I got drenched heading out of Asheville in the worst thunderstorm I have ridden in. I was headed home, so I didn't care. On 74, close to Bryson City, NC, I passed what looked like a great friend - he was headed east on his motorcycle. I quickly turned around, and as I caught up with him, he was beginning to pull over, as he recongnized me too. We chatted for a few minutes, as the rain began to pour...again - that was the highlight of my trip - running into a great friend - near the end of a long ride.
Here are the ending specs:
