Cherokee History Ride Is History

Brisk 40 degree temperatures greeted the six of us the Saturday morning of our ride. Those that had eletric liners had them on, the others bundled up. To avoid the wind chill of 70 mph on I 575/515 we opted to take slower, more picturesque (and warmer) back roads up to Ellijay, where we stopped for coffee. Bob (the elder), always eager to improve his education, was soon given five minutes of free lecture by the local Dairy Queen parking lot philosopher on how God never intended for two objects to occupy the same space. Don't ask. Lesson learned.

From Ellijay we worked our way up SR 52 to Fort Mountain State Park where , due to prior arrangement, we were waived through the gate like royalty. Our purposes were pit stop, picnic pavilion inspection (for club picnic), taking in the majestic view from the observation deck and solving the mystery of the rock walls. Well three out of four is not too bad.

About noon we descended the mountain, leaned through a few 280 degree turns, and came upon downtown Chatsworth, our destination for lunch, then the Chief Vann House. At lunch our waiter, Trey Starnes, a local TV pastor, said the blessing when our food arrived; a nice touch. At the Vann House we looked over their museum,  followed by a guided tour of the residence, and a short film, all nicely done.

To our next stop, New Echota, we cruised down SR 225 that is also known as the Chieftain's Trail, or somewhat incorrectly, the Trail Of Tears. New Echota was the last capital of the Cherokee Nation, abandoned due to the "removal" in the mid 1830's. Only one of the original buildings, the Worcester house, remains, but typical Cherokee farm buildings and replicas of the Council House, Print Shop, Supreme Court and an original Vann Tavern relocated from Forsyth county, made it easy to picture what it might have been like, back in the day. It was an interesting stop and some said they'd be back with youngsters in their family.

On leaving New Echota we split up. Those looking to get home quickly took I 75 while the rest took a more leisurely ride home in the valley, through Ranger, Fairmount and such, on back roads.

All in all a great ride; near perfect weather, outstanding companions, and time for fellowship.