Oconee- Cherohala Trip

If you Coulda, you Shoulda been on TLCMC'S ride to Tennessee and North Carolina Saturday. It was outstanding.

Riding to a merge at the start point in Ball Ground Bob K. and Bob S. cut an eerie path through chest high ground fog that alternately rendered windscreens and visors opaque, then clear. Not so on the "slab" (I-575/515) as an open and empty road with 70 mph limits got them  to Blue Ridge unhindered. After a quick stop, they took Ga 5 and Tn 68 to the junction with US 64. This is a beautiful stretch that heads west over to the Oconee River. The river was "on" but no canoes or kayaks were shooting the rapids. Strange, as they saw many folks in wet suits walking around the Guide and Rental facilities that line the route.  Seems the Feds, like at Nantahala, don't allow anyone on the river until later in the day. Too bad.

When past the rapids the pair turned up (shhh, don't tell anybody) Greasy Creek Trail (Tn 30) for a run north, along the creek to the old town of Reliance, where they crossed the Hiawassee River on Tn 315, heading for the side door to Tellico Plains. If you've not ridden this alternative to Tn 68 you should give it a try. It's little used and a great bike road through, what some call, banjo country.
Arriving in Tellico Plains the pair checked out what's new at the Visitor's center and loaded up on the latest free publications, and got advice from the attendant (his advice, try some of the gravel roads that are throughout the Forest Service areas).
The summer-like temperatures had Bob K. ditch his Harley leathers for shirt sleeve riding. This didn't last long as at the 3000 foot level it went back on, not only for the cooler air but the fact that they frequently passed through clouds at the higher elevations. At one point it was fog-line navigating. Visibility couldn't have been more than 20 feet. In spite of the occasional limited visibility, the views, with the sun breaking through and lighting up the hillsides, were memorable.
After the turn around at Santeetlah Gap they worked there way back to River Road for the ride up to Bald River Falls.
The river was up and scores of white-water boaters were taking advantage of this unusual  opportunity.

After gassing up at the Exxon in Tellico Plains they headed down Tn 68, enjoying the twisties down to McCaysville,. From there it was the boring leg on Ga 5 and the equally boring and crowded 515/575 (got to find a better way).