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| Silent, ghostly survivors from the past give us a glimpse of life then. |
Farther and farther we went. I have often remarked that sometimes the journey can be more rewarding than
the destination. I don't know if that is the case on this trip. Together, they added up to a great
experience. If it is true that every detail of a man's past contributes to the kind of man that he will become,
then I'm sure that I am a better man for having made this trip. The people that we met were wonderful. They were
all unique, yet collectively, they were a montage of what we represent as Americans.
From the newlywed couple, well into their into their sixties in Maggie Valley (clog dancers in love) who
took such a shine to us, to a Vice President of a major corporation, spending his vacation with his suit and
tie replaced by a bandanna and a Sportster, everyone we met had a story. Each of them gave us a memory. On
a previous trip, we ran into a group of around 60 bikers from all over Europe. They had got together and shipped thier
bikes here so that they could ride in the United States. I am proud of the rides and the scenery that this country offered
them. I am more proud of what I suspect that they experienced from us as a people.
Excuse me. I do tend to ramble on.
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| The mountains change hourly as the day's shadows cross their face. |
A web page describing the trip would not be complete without something about the music. The Blue Ridge Parkway
weaves it's way through the mountains where Bluegrass had it's beginnings. It is still there, echoing through the mountains.
Find it. A musical heritage museum. Signs along the parkway that offer hand-made dulcimers. Either bluegrass
music was made for this area, or this area was made for bluegrass music. You know the scenerio: A bonnet-clad
old granny, rocking on the porch, smoking a pipe and plucking out banjo-sounds just like it's exactly
what she was meant to be doing.
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| Other warriors from distant kingdoms eagerly prepare for the assault on the Dragon. |
From Cherokee, which is close to the southern end of the Parkway, we took Rt. 19 south to it's intersection with
Rt. 28, which heads north and then west to Deals Gap. Route 28, in itself is a great road to ride. Hilly and full
of twisties, it's a dandy warm-up for the Dragon. At it's intersection with Rt. 129 is the Deal's Gap Motorcycle
Resort. Here, you can meet some great motorcycle people, buy tee-shirts, decals, tires and most anything except cigarettes
or beer. The resort lies on the North Carolina end of the Dragon. Have fun. Be safe. Don't cross
that yellow thing on the middle of the road.
to the Dragon...
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