Fall Trip 2018- Day Six

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

The front of the Sunrise Cafe. 

Gary takes a picture of Curtis with his bike as we say good bye. 

     We all got up at 6am to get ready to leave. We were packed and on the bikes by 8:15 on our way to the Sunrise Cafe in Brevard. After a good breakfast we said good by in the parking lot, and then set out for  our destinations.

Two sport bike fly past me as they accept the challenge of The Tail of the Dragon. 

     While Gary was heading back to Atlanta, and Curtis to Chantilly VA, I decided to ride to Deal's Gap in western North Carolina and ride the Tail of The Dragon. This is a famous, perhaps infamous, road, route 129 that goes from North Carolina into Tennessee. It has 318 curves in 11  miles, most of them 20 or 15 mph turns. Motorcyclists, and sports car enthusiasts drive this and see it as a test of the skill of the driver and the motorcyclists. Believe me it is!

Matthew Johnson poses with his 900 cc Kawasaki along the side of  the Dragon.

     After I rode it in the north bound direction, I rode back south and stopped at an over look to watch the bikes, and cars, go by. I set up my little chair and watched the action. After a little while this rider pulled up and got off of his bike. His name was Matthew Johnson, and we talked for 45 minutes or so. Matthew played basketball for a small college, and even played against Kentucky, my university, during the time Rick Petino was coaching there. A very pleasant, well spoken person. Meeting people like Matthew enrich the motorcycling experience.

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning.

     The route to Deal's Gap included about 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. What a spectacular site! Sun and clouds, mountains stretching off to the horizon. It is no wonder so  many people drive the Parkway every year.

My bike sitting out in front of The Peddler in Boone North Carolina.

     When I arrived in Boone I went directly to one of my favorite restaurants The Peddler steak house. After a superb dinner featuring filet mignon and a great salad bar I rode to my motel. Tomorrow 160 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke Virginia. It an exceptional ride and I can't wait!