Prologue: Toronto to Windsor
We were hoping to leave Scarborough around 4pm but fixing little things here and there, packing and repacking clothes – wifey making sure her basic stuff is included, getting the dogs and house ready for my mother-in-law’s stay, we managed to actually leave around 7pm. It just finished raining as well and the plan is to drive in that little window of no rain weather. It was cold and wet, temperature started at 12 deg C that dipped to 3 deg C by the time we reached Windsor just close to Midnight.
Day 1 October 11: It’s a Cold day Shopping and Rain.
We woke up around 6am and left the motel an hour after. We wanted to cross the border before the traffic really picks up. Weather Forecast for the day cold but with glimmer of sunshine. First stop is an IHOP birthday big breakfast near Detroit, Michigan. These should last us for a long time especially travelling long distances. A happy tummy makes a happy wife
We rode thru the Interstate afterwards with the goal of reaching Louisville, Kentucky by lunch time for shopping at the Motorcycle Superstore Outlet store. Slowly the sky started to open up. More sunshine as we rode on to our journey. Once we crossed Ohio the cop cars started to show up more frequently- time to take it easy. We stopped by the Armstrong Air and Space Museum which is along I-75 in Wapakoneta, Ohio as we need Gas as well.
One goal of this trip is to try the different Southern BBQ/Pulled Pork we could try. Reaching Sparta, Kentucky, we stopped for gas and thought about eating at McDonald’s for the sake of free Wi- Fi. But our eyes were caught on one Hog Wild Pig Crazy BBQ restaurant and we never looked back. One of the best bby pork ribs we ever had and pulled pork sandwich. You get a choice of what sauce you put into it- mild, medium, sweet and hot. Ahhh, heaven!
We barely made it to Louisville, Kentucky. With 1 and half hour left before closing, we made it to the Motorcycle Superstore Outlet Store. Wife found a heated vest for 25% off and heated gloves for half price as well as an Alpine star Motorcycle Jacket. Since we don’t have the liberty of trunk space we have to be careful of what we are going to buy. I was disappointed that i didn’t bought the track suit on my size which has a price tag of $300 on my first visit. It was gone already.
The plan afterwards is to ride all the way to Alabama and sleep close to the Barber Museum. But since it is a long way and we were up early, we both decided to find a place to crash in once we reach 8 or 9 pm. Being from the East Coast we are used to seeing deer’s once darkness sets in but lo and behold on the other side of I-65 traffic was slow as 2 horses were in the middle of the interstate!. Wasn’t able to get a picture as we were speeding off on the other side. Rest stop for the day is in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Good thing that we were across The Olive Garden since we were both tired, wife just bought a take-out birthday dinner for us.
Day 2 October 12: Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum
Weather is not in our favor today. There were 2 storm systems on the way and 1 is already passing by Bowling Green. We decided not to leave early this time and have the rain pass us so that with luck we will travel with that little space before the next storm system arrives.
Luck is not on our side though by the time we reach Nashville the storm has caught on us. Riding through thick dark clouds with intermittent heavy rains and wind gusts, we pursue our goal hoping to find that silver lining of sunshine. We can’t wait to reach Alabama where it is sunny and dry.
Once we reach Alabama’s state line it was still a heavy downpour but we could see the blue sky getting closer. We had lunch just on the outskirts of Birmingham where we enjoyed the Chocolate Pie and of course BBQ Ribs.
We reached our southernmost destination for this trip –Barber Vintage Motorsport Museum. You will never get lost going in here- just follow the motorcycles. We were just in time because it is the Annual Barber Vintage Festival. And it explains why we were seeing Vintage motorcycles on pickup trucks along the way.
Day 3 October 13: Deals Gap, Tuckaleechee Cave
We spend the night at Kenneshaw, Georgia. It was a gorgeous fall day – no cloud in sight and just a slight breeze in the air.
We decided to skip Cherohala Skyway and just go directly to Robbinsville, NC so we could check in the luggages and start riding US 129. Upon arriving at Robbinsville, we had lunch at a Mexican Restaurant where their Fish Tacos are to die for. It’s hard to find an authentic Mexican Restaurant in Toronto so anytime we have an opportunity we always go eat Mexican.
My Blackbird needs to have an oil change and new brake pads. I have been stopping in the middle of the intersection frequently during the past few days. We dropped by Wheeler’s to have the much needed maintenance of the Blackbird. During my previous visits here in the Dragon, I have used their service for my other bikes oil and tire change. For a labor fee of $15/hr, I am a happy customer.
The Blackbird is now ready to conquer the Dragon. It will be the first time I’m riding the Blackbird here and with 2-up. After checking in at Microtel, off we went to explore, enjoying the mild autumn weather. Perfect for riding.
Lots of motorcycle traffic though due to the nice weather. We decided to head to Gatlinburg and get our long awaited Moonshine as the sun was still up even though its almost 4 pm. On the way, somebody told us to check out the Tuckaleechee Caves. We were curious enough so we decided to do that and leave Gatlinburg for the next day. We were not disappointed. We just made it before they closed – last customers for the day!
We drove back to Robbinsville in the dark. We were relieved to hear pocket bikes at the Tail of the Dragon Resort. Glad that we made it back in 1 piece.
Day 4 October 14: Tail of The Dragon, Gatlinburg, Blue Ridge parkway
Today’s weather forecast is a mix of clouds with some rain. Everybody was up and early. The Common response in the breakfast room is “ready to do more riding.”
Slowly the clouds have opened up for bright blue sky. With lesser traffic than yesterday, we were able to ride the Dragon without stopping in the pullover sections. At 8 am, there is a considerable number of motorcyclists going up and down the road. Finally the sun was up when we reached the overlook with 2 miles left in the Dragon.
Honda Goldwing cruisers flanked the Blackbird in the overlook, with 3 of them the same red color. We are the odd one out.
As much as we want to stay and play around US 129, we have to make our way home. But not until we have our Moonshine. The road has led us to Foothills Parkway and to Little River Road inside the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Unfortunately, being a warm Autumn Sunday, the Leafers are out in full force! Traffic is crawling inside the park as people slow down in their cars to take picture of the golden colors. Add to that the campers who are trying to leave the park! Although one can’t blame them as the park is rich in colours with the little creeks and waterfalls along the road.
Finally we reach Gatlinburg although we are thinking already of the traffic we were just into as we are going to go back to it after lunch. Downtown Gatlinburg reminds me of Clifton Hill in Niagara Falls with its Ripley’s Museums, restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops. Lunch is at Dick’s- where service is a little bit different. You need to be miserable and foul mouthed to be a server here but it’s all a show. My wife ordered the South Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich and I ended up devouring it.
Behind Dick’s is our destination- Great Ole Smokey Mountain Moonshine. But our hearts fell as the doors to the Moonshine was locked and a small notice was posted on a planter- No Moonshine Sale on Sunday. Oh no!!! The souvenir shop is open though and they have moonshine tasting. We might as well have a little taste of each flavor. We lasted only 3-4 shots as it really hits you and we have a long way to go...
It was foggy and visibility is from poor to terrible, but we still had fun.
