Day 7 BRP, Maggie Valley, Bearhunting

Day 7 The Parkway, originally uploaded by Gail S.

What a gorgeous day! A little chilly and plenty of sunshine. After an early morning at McDonald's blogging and posting photos via the Wi-fi, I went back to Indian Creek Campground. Sid and I hiked around this versatile campground following creeks, discovering waterfalls, identifying mountain flowers, meeting folks. It was so nice to have no plans for the day.

Day 7 Sid at our Campground, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 7 Mountain Flower Carpet, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We drove the truck up a one-lane road running near the campground. It was steep, gravel-covered, remote...did I say steep with lots of switchbacks (aka hairpin turns)? Voila! We found ourselves on the Blue Ridge Parkway just a few miles from the Maggie Valley exit.

So, we decided to explore Maggie Valley starting with a "country vittles" lunch. We explored Ghost Town In the Sky with the unbelievable Cliffhanger roller coaster that literally hangs off Buck Mountain, at an elevation of 3300 feet. Unfortunately, the theme park opens for the season next weekend. That didn't stop us from driving around the mountain roads until we found ourselves at Cataloochee Ranch near the ski area.

After a pleasant drive back and a nap, Sid took off on the bike, and I went into Cherokee for some bearhunting. Yep, thar's bears in them thar hills. Don't worry, I was hunting the big painted bears scattered throughout the Cherokee Reservation displaying the considerable talents of local artists. Take a look at a sample of the bears I shot with my camera below. Tomorrow, we will break camp and start making our way west toward home. More to come.

Day 7 Eagle Dancer Bear in Cherokee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 7 Pottery Bear in Cherokee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 7 Patriot Bear in Cherokee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 7 Smoky Mtn Bear in Cherokee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 7 Sequoyah Syllabeary in Cherokee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 6 First Day on the Bike

Day 6 Sid on the Parkway, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Wow. I can't believe we haven't ridden our bike for the first 5 days of our Spring 2010 "Bike" trip! We took a ride up on the Blue Ridge Parkway where the weather was distinctly different from the foothills to the top of the mountains as shown in the photos below.

Day 6 It's Spring on the Parkway, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 6 Snowy Blue Ridge Parkway, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We stopped where beautiful wood ducks joined us for lunch on the side of the Oconaluftee River in Cherokee. It was a glorious day. Being on the Blue Ridge Parkway felt like coming home. We have visited it every year since buying our bike in 2006. I could live here!

Day 6 Lunch on the Oconaluftee River, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The day ended perfectly with a ride through Maggie Valley to Waynesville, NC. Old friends, Kathy and Larry Stringer, skydiving enthusiasts and fantastic folks, drove from their Hendersonville office to dine with us. We laughed, told stories, learned about skydiving, shared memories, caught up on families...it was a delightful evening.

Day 6 Dinner in Waynesville, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 5 Great Smoky Mountains, Wears Valley, Gatlinburg

Day 5 Snow in the Smokies, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 5 dawned cold and rainy, guess we will get on the motorcycle tomorrow. We jumped in the truck to take a day trip through the Smoky Mountains to Wears Valley near Pigeon Forge, Tennessee. Our friends, Rick and June, just purchased a cabin (click for info) overlooking this beautiful valley. They plan to rent it to vacationers who are attracted to the mountains, the rivers, nearby Dollywood, outlet malls and touristy Gatlinburg.

The sun came out just as we reached this mountain hide-away with breathtaking views of the mountains and the valley. The cabin is so cozy with rustic decor and comfy furnishings. I took a few photos before we headed on to Sevierville for a stop at Lowe’s Hardware store.

Day 5 Wears Valley (TN) Cabin View, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The rain started back as we entered Gatlinburg, which has a pancake restaurant on every block. Sid and I hadn’t been here together in 33 years. It looks much the same. We even had a glimpse of a black bear in the woods along the side of the road - just like 33 years ago! As we drove through the Smokies back to our campsite, we were stunned to discover it was snowing at Newfound Gap with about a half inch accumulation so far. We stopped for a photo or two, along with many other delighted and cold tourists. Sid exclaimed each time we passed soggy motorcyclists on the road. Been there...done that...thankful for our camper and truck.

Day 5 Velvet Antlers, originally uploaded by Gail S.

On the road to Indian Creek Camp, we saw two elk resting in a field, undisturbed by tourists stopping to take their photo. I wish my photos showed their velvety antlers shining in the afternoon sun. Tomorrow, the forecast is for sun. We will break out the bike for the first time on the trip.

Days 3 & 4 Indian Creek Campground in Cherokee, NC

Day 4 Indian Creek Campsite, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We are so happy with the rustic Indian Creek Campground, a 78-site camp between Bunches Creek and another creek. This place is a gem with secluded, wooded sites for campers and tents. There are even cabins for rent.

Day 4 Cooking Breakfast, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The day was rainy and chilly, perfect for nesting in our camper and heading in to Cherokee to visit the Museum of the Cherokee Indian. Folks, I could have spent all day in this fantastic museum learning about the history of this land and its people. We heard the legends of old, the tragic story of the Removal (aka the Trail of Tears) of the Cherokee and other tribes following the discovery of gold on their lands in 1830, and the subsequent establishment of the Cherokee Reservation in North Carolina. Put this museum on your list of things to do in Western North Carolina.

Day 4 Museum of the Cherokee Indian, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 4 Museum of the Cherokee Indian, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We had plenty of time to see the Oconaluftee River, a fisherman’s paradise. Even in the rain, there are folks of all ages fishing for trout in this river that runs through the Reservation. For the price of a fishing permit, you can stop along the public roads to fish in the river and the Trout Pond on Big Cove Road. We saw several people with stringers of sizable fish.

Day 2 Wedding Day

Day 2 Wedding Day, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Originally planned as an outdoor wedding, the wet, chilly weather caused our nephew’s wedding to be held at the rustic barn at the Fillauer Lake House in Cleveland.

Day 2 Bride and Her Mom, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 2 Bouquet, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 2 Wedding Toasts, originally uploaded by Gail S.

After the reception, we finished the evening at the historic Delta Queen Hotel (formerly a steamboat). The tight quarters of our stateroom prepared us for camper living. We left Chattanooga heading for Cherokee, NC, an extensive Indian reservation bordering the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Although we have been through Cherokee several times, we have never stopped to enjoy this picturesque destination. We plan to set up camp and spend the next 4 exploring the area. The drive along the Ocoee River was, thankfully, uneventful. Pulling our 26’ camper/toyhauler is a bit nerve-wracking, especially on two-lane highways through the mountains. Don’t worry, Sid never went faster than 45 mph. The poor travelers behind us weren’t thrilled, but we reached our destination safely with only one wrong turn which took us about 30 miles out of our way.

Days 1 and 2 Chattanooga

Chattanooga River at Night, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Our Spring 2010 trip started with a rehearsal dinner and wedding in Chattanooga where we stayed on the Delta Queen steamboat on the river overlooking downtown. Our nephew, Adam, and his lovely bride, Emily, tied the knot at the historic Fillauer Lake House in nearby Cleveland, Tennessee. It was a beautiful, sweet wedding. We had a great time on the steamboat, at the wedding, visiting family, meeting new friends.

Hitting the Road for our Spring Bike Trip

Hitting the Road, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We are off on the bike for a new adventure. Since we are camping, we won't have internet access every day. We will update when we can. There's nothing like visiting our country on two wheels. Love it!

Our Camper/Bike Hauler, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We can't handle those long trips on the bike anymore. So we bought this camper that has a "garage" for the bike.

The Camper Kitchen, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The Camper Sleep Chamber, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The Camper Garage, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Dear Lord. We are used to living in a spacious house on 6 acres. We will be living in this camper for the next 10 days. Please don't let us kill each other as a result of all this togetherness...Amen.