Slow Ride to Birmingham - South of the Mason Dixon Line

Log Entry #16

The Blue Ridge Parkway is a green belt oasis that is over 450 miles long.

The lack of commercial vehicles and cross traffic make riding this road an unforgettable experience.

The only down side of the Parkway is the 45 mph speed limit.

After two plus days of great riding and sight seeing, the Parkway ended at the The Great Smoky Mountain National Park.

The road then leads into Gatlinburg Tennessee.

I thought I could find ample lodging there but was greeted with a huge crowd.

It reminded me of Jackson Wyoming only about 5 times bigger!

I called it a day in the town of Maryville Tennessee which is only a short ride down Hwy 129 to the Tail of the Dragon.

The next day I rode The Dragon, Moonshine 28 and the Cherohala Skyway then on to Summerville Georgia were I called it a day.

The next day I crisscrossesed the borders of Alabama and Georgia riding some nice country and finishing up in the Taladaga National Forest.

Today I visited the Taladaga Motor Speedway and took a tour of the track grounds.

The 31 degree bank turns are over four stories high and require a minimum speed of 85 mph to keep from sliding down of the track!

The rain helped bring the temperature down. I stopped at one of the few diners  on the Parkway for lunch.

Meatloaf, mashed potatoes and Gravy!

The landscape along the Parkway is incredible!

Pulled of the Parkway for a cup of coffee and found a pooch pal to keep me company!

I can see for miles and miles and miles!

This herd of elk held up traffic at the entrance to the Great Smokey Mountain National Park.

Harley Davidson owns the Dragon!

Location - Location - Location!

Deals Gap, the other end of the Dragon.

Killboy photos is across the street from Deals Gap and has a photo service with a least 5 photo stations located along the dragon.

The mythical "Dragon"!

What's up with the speed limits around here!

Lot of beautiful scenery along the trail.

Little River Falls Alabama.

This Civil War pig iron foundry was built by slave labor in 1865 and was used to cast cannons and other weapons for the Confederate army.

It was damaged by the Union army shortly after it began production than repaired after the war.

Cowabunga Dude!

Random tank along the road.

Lot of theses things down here.

Camped here, highest point in Alabama.

A nose bleeding 2,500 feet!

I wana go fast!

If you ain't first your last!

Ricky Bobby Inc.

Dale Earnharts championship 1980 Monte Carlo!

Sweet Big Block!