Skyline Drive - Blue Ridge Parkway Part-3

Link to part 1: https://www.silverwing600.com/rides-and-stories-f10/skyline-drive-blue-ridge-parkway-part-1-t175.htm

Link to part 2: https://www.silverwing600.com/rides-and-stories-f10/skyline-drive-blue-ridge-parkway-part-2-t176.htm

Day 7, May 29, 2008 – Boone, NC to Brevard, NC (190 miles). Well no plan is perfect, but who cares when you get some awesome roads for the detour. Leaving Boone all dry and happy was sort of a surprise. The day was cool but dry so we did wear some rain gear for warmth only. Kim and I had breakfast in the hotel with a couple from upstate NY. They had sold their dairy farm and purchased a pair of motorcycles and were now on their way back home after a long trip. We know that we will encounter a detour at some point close to Asheville so this trip will not be a complete ride on the Parkway – none the less. The rain gear is welcome as it is quite cool with fog as we set out. Bob is parting company with us today and heading back to SC.

Moses Cone Park

Near Grandfather Mountain where the road actually is a bridge that goes around a portion of the mountain.

The sky is clearing and as we enter the park area of Linville Falls we see 4 deer crossing the access road. We were all in our rain gear and the trek back to the large falls was up hill and quite a trek so we ended up carrying our stuff. Wish we’d taken it off at the bikes. It was really a nice hike and we needed the walk. We chatted with a couple on a Gold Wing who were very interested in our SilverWings. We enjoyed lunch at a nice restaurant which was sitting on the county lines of 3 counties. They served a very tasty country ham lunch.

We rode the BRP as far south as Mount Mitchell (highest point in NC) where the following picture was taken. (This is not the highest point along the BRP – that was an error on my part.)
At this point we doubled back and found a remote road to take us into Asheville, NC as the BRP was closed just after Mount Mitchell

The rest of the day was pretty much just the ride into Asheville and then onto Brevard, NC. Mostly a cool day with a smattering of misty rain and a smattering of bright sunshine.

Day 8, May 30, 2008 – Brevard, NC to Robbinsville, NC (180 miles). The ride north out of Brevard on NC-276 is really a fun route to take. It is a typical low mountain road with lots of twists and plenty of overhead forest canopies. We bought a picnic lunch for when we stopped for lunch and set out. Rode up NC-276 to the BRP and headed west toward Cherokee, NC.
Arrived at the southern terminus of the BRP and claimed success for that section of the ride. Now the plan was to get to Robbinsville, NC via the Hellbender – NC-28. I’d heard wonderful things about this road and the road did not exactly meet the hype. It was a very nice road but not quite as much fun as the southern section of the road which we’d ridden on our last trip. We got into Robbinsville and checked in to our hotel for a nice rest.

Day 9, May 31, 2008 – Robbinsville, NC to Huntsville, AL (375 miles). This is the last day of our ride and while we are somewhat tired we have really enjoyed the trip. It is a lot of fun travelling with fellow riders. We’ve talked about next year and are exploring the idea of a fixed location with day ride outs. It is a bit of a drag packing up each day. Today we’ll retrace some of our steps fiding out of Robbinsville to Tellico Plains, TN via the Cherohala Skyway. The sun is out and it is a beautiful day. The skyway is as always (even in the rain) a majestic road.

Wonderful. Boy I can't wait to plan some trips!!!!!!!! Thanks

Wow! Thanks for the fantastic post! What a great trip. I am hoping to get my wife hooked on riding so we can take trips like that. She will ride with me, but so far she hasn't wanted to get her own bike. I think she would love it if she tried it.

I know what you mean. My husband rode for a season about ten years ago and then told me he really didn't enjoy it...bummer. It is my number one outlet and I just love every minute of it.

I really enjoy riding with Kim, and she very much enjoys riding the scoots on our trips. The downside of the deal is two scoots are twice the cost. Very little to sacrifice in light of how much we enjoy riding.