Cherohala East To West--April 16, 2016

As the seven of us (Garrett, Bobs K and S.,Larry, Mel, Steve D and Dave.) arrived at the Chevron, to start our ride to the Cherohala Skyway, we wondered if the gusty easterly winds in Georgia would be a problem in the mountains of North Carolina and Tennessee. They weren't.

Our route to the Skyway was the reverse of the usual, in that we rode east on US 74 and US 129 to Robbinsville and got on the Cherohala at its eastern end. The sun was bright, the sky deep blue and almost cloudless with no hint of growing thunderheads off in the distance. We couldn't have asked for better weather.

After climbing above the 4500 foot level we stopped at Hooper Bald to check out the restrooms (closed) and remember a prior visit and the search for the legendary Spanish inscriptions. From Hooper Bald we could see the road running into Santeetlah summit, our next stop. The elevation at Santeetlah is 5377 feet and is purported to be the high point on the Skyway. We took the obligatory photos and headed down to the paved Forest Road out to Bald River Falls.The falls were brilliant in the sunlight, with the water crystal clear. Kayaks were on the river and the rocks mid-stream carried a lot of fisherman, trout fishing I presume.

By this time it was well past noon and everyone was ready for lunch. We headed for Tellico Plains and Kats on the river. We occupied a table outside which was a delight with the possible exception of the window rattling "life savers" that past occasionally. 

After lunch and refueling at the local Exxon we got on TN 68 headed for Georgia. This is normally an enjoyable motorcycle road with little traffic. This day too, but it also presented a "teachable moment" about traveling too close (our rule of thumb is to leave at least 2 seconds space). Luckily, the car in front of our lead motorcycle had left about that much space behind another vehicle trailering a boat. Without much warning the boat and motor flew off the trailer and covered the southbound lane. We all had time to stop and figure out a safe way around. However it didn't take much imagination to picture what could have happened if we had been following too closely.

Once in Georgia we headed down 515, stopping only in a designated road side "view point" (no view) to say adios, as we soon would take different ways home.

Here are some highlights

All agreed a great ride. Chevron to Chevron about 270 miles and eight hours, all stops included.