The Gamble Family (.Net)

Be sure and read about the entire trip: Planning and Departure, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 and Homeward Bound.

Today, our week-long journey came to an end. After another relaxing evening and another delicious breakfast, we packed up the Goldwing and headed towards home. The ride home was un-eventful except for a brief rain shower that we ran into about 15 miles from home.

This has been a totally awesome week. We have seen so much wonderful scenery that words and pictures simply can’t begin to describe. We have been able to spend precious time alone with each other, not having to think about work or anything else “back home”. This has been the longest journey, both in number of days and in total miles, that Cheryl and I have travelled on our bike. As we pulled into the outskirts of Murfreesboro, I asked Cheryl if she would do it again. Her words were, “Just give me time to wash our clothes and let’s head back out.”

We called this our “Mile High Trip” because much of the time we were at altitudes of over a mile above sea level - 1,440 miles in 7 days, through some of the most beautiful scenery that God put on this earth. This has truly been one of the most enjoyable trips that we have ever experienced.

Be sure and read about the entire trip: Planning and Departure, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 and Homeward Bound.

After a wonderful night’s sleep and a satisfying breakfast at Pinecrest Bed and Breakfast, we headed out to finish the remaining miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Today, we will pass through 17 tunnels and the highest elevation on the Parkway. Our destination for the evening is Townsend, TN.

It’s fun riding along with Cheryl reading the spreadsheet that we prepared. The spreadsheet has been a life saver. As we approach something that we have listed, she notifies me of things such as, “There’s a 1,400 foot tunnel ahead a milepost 399.” We both have enjoyed tracking our progress down the 469 miles of the BRP.

We ran into a few spots or rain and fog again today. It wasn’t anything that caused us any real concern - just the inconvenience of having to slow down and focus on the road conditions instead of being able to relax and enjoy the wondrous scenery. As you can see in the photo below, we entered a tunnel and everything was clear, but once we got to the other side, a cloud moved accross the tunnel opening. In the time that it took me to pull over, get out the camera, and take the picture, the cloud had completely covered the tunnel. There really is a tunnel less than 50 feet beyond the curve.

Tunnel Entrance

Tunnel Exit - Covered by a Cloud

We stopped to view Cold Mountain and Looking Glass Rock. Looking Glass Rock is an interesting structure. The solid rock face, when wet and glistening in the sunlight, looks like a gigantic mirror. We also stopped at the highest elevation actually on the Parkway, which is 6,053 feet above sea level. As I mentioned in yesterday’s post, we had hoped to visit Mount Mitchell, which is the highest elevation east of the Mississippi at 6,684 (just a tad bit higher than Clingman’s Dome in the Smoky Mountains which is 6,643 feet above sea level), but the weather didn’t cooperate with us.

Cold Mountain - Milepost 411

Looking Glass Rock - Milepost 417

Highest Elevation on the Blue Ridge Parkway (6,053 feet above sea level) - Milespost 431

We made a final stop on our journey down the Parkway at the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center. Here we bought our “Official Blue Ridge Parkway T-shirts”. As you know, no journey is complete until you have the t-shirt to prove it.

View from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center - Milepost 451

From Waterrock Knob, we headed down the long descent into Cherokee, NC, where the Blue Ridge Parkway ends. On the way, we encountered another very brief rain shower. Fortunately, this one only lasted a couple of miles.

End of the Blue Ridge Parkway - Milepost 469

After a brief rest in Cherokee (during which time we waited out another brief thunderstorm) we headed towards Townsend, TN, where we spent the night. We were delighted when we arrived at the Richmont Inn in Townsend. The inn is located several miles back in the woods. There is nothing around to break the silence of the Smoky Mountain tranquility. The back porch of the inn faces Rich Mountain, where Cheryl and I sat in the rocking chairs, staring off into the mountain night, and reflected on the 469 mile journey that we had just completed.

View of Rich Mountain from the Back Porch at Richmont Inn - Townsend, TN

Cheryl Relaxing

Be sure and read about the entire trip: Planning and Departure, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 and Homeward Bound.

After a wonderful breakfast at Ragged Gardens, we headed out for the day. Today’s route includes Mast General Store, The Linn Cove Viaduct, Mount Mitchell, and Asheville, NC.

Our first stop, Mast General Store, is located a few miles off of the Parkway in Valle Crucis, NC. There are several Mast General Stores, but the one in Valle Crucis is the original one, established in 1883. We had to take a twisty road to get to Valle Crusis, but the ride was excellent. Once we arrived at the store, I was simply amazed at what I saw. This store touches me in places that I can’t really put into words. My dad worked at a store very similar to this when he was starting out as a young man. The store that he worked at was named Cook Brothers, and it was located in Parrot, GA. I have been in Cook Brothers several times, and Mast General Store is so very much like it. It brought back so many memories of my dad as I walked around, looking at the “old timey” displays.

Mast General Store - Valle Crucis, NC

After leaving Valle Crucis, we returned to the BRP. We road up Grandfather Mountain to the Linn Cove Viaduct. The viaduct is a breath-taking S-curved bridge that hangs over the edge of Grandfather Mountain. It is 1,243 feet long. If you ever see postcards or books about the Blue Ridge Parkway, they almost always include a picture of this amazing bridge. We were able to stop and walk along a short trail that took us up underneath the viaduct.

Linn Cove Viaduct - Milepost 304

Our next stop after Grandfather Mountain was Little Switzerland. This is a tiny community located near milepost 330. The town consist of a post office and less than ten buildings. The community is literally stuck on the side of a mountain. We had an enjoyable sandwich at the (only) local sandwich shop.

As we left Little Switzerland, the clouds started to roll in, and before long, it was raining. We had to ride about 50 miles in the rain and fog. At times, our visibility was less than 50 feet. The rain was not very heavy (thankfully), but it was strong enough that we decided to not make any of our scheduled stops for a while. We had hoped to visit Mount Mitchell, which is the highest point east of the Mississippi River, but the fog and rain at the entrance to the service road were such that we declined that opportunity. Also, there were 4 sections of the Parkway that we were on today that had been destroyed in September 2004 when two hurricanes came up the east coast. The sections have been temporarily patched with gravel. It is quite a harrowing experience to ride across a 100-foot section of gravel on a fully loaded motorcycle, on an hillside, with nothing to your left (no guardrail or shoulder) but a deep valley. As you can see from the photo below, we encountered some very “icky” weather along the way.

Rain and Fog - Milepost 372

We finally got out of the rain as we approached Asheville. We were very glad to arrive at Pinecrest Bed and Breakfast. The hot shower and relaxing furnishings revived us. After a brief rest, we rode downtown Asheville for a look around and dinner, before returning to Pinecrest for a good night’s sleep.

Be sure and read about the entire trip: Planning and Departure, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 and Homeward Bound.

Our destination for this evening is Blowing Rock, NC. Today is simply a day to ride and enjoy the scenery. There are no towns, no monuments, or anything in particular on our scheduled route other than the grandeur of the Blue Ridge Mountains as we ride along the Parkway. The BRP is such an enjoyable highway to ride: It is closed to commercial traffic; there are no billboards to clutter the scenery; and traffic is minimal. You can be riding along through a tree-covered section of roadway and all of a sudden, exit onto a breath-taking curve in which you are literally riding on the edge of a mountain peak with nothing between you and a deep chasm except a 2-foot high guard rail.

Overlooks

We stopped for a while at the Tom Dula overlook (also called “The Lump”). There was a 1/4 mile path that led up the grassy hill. You can find yourself (and your partner) all alone for quite a while in places such as this…

Views From Tom Dula Overlook - Milepost 264

When we arrived in Blowing Rock, our first task was to do laundry. During the planning phase of our trip, we decided that we would take enough clothes for four days, and that we would find a laundromat on the fourth day and wash everything. There was only one laundromat in Blowing Rock, so we went there. After doing our laundry, we returned to the Bed and Breakfast that we had booked our reservation at, and discovered that the room was not air conditioned. (It was 86 degrees with 95% humidity outside). We quickly voiced our dis-satisfaction with the inn keeper and left in search of another place to stay.

Our search for a room in Blowing Rock led us to The Inn at Ragged Gardens. The Inn is a beautiful Bed and Breakfast in a 100 year-old house. The grounds are surrounded by beautiful landscaping and floral gardens. We were treated like royalty here. I highly recommend this place if you are ever in Blowing Rock. And yes, The Inn at Ragged Gardens is air conditioned. We ate a fabulous late-night dinner at the Storie Street Grill. Given that earlier today we appeared to be in for a dreadful evening, this day turned out to be absolutely wonderful.

Be sure and read about the entire trip: Planning and Departure, Day 3, Day 4, Day 5, Day 6, Day 7 and Homeward Bound.

Today is June 6. Our plans are to visit the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, VA, the Chatteau Morrisette Winery, and finish up in Orchard Gap for the evening. Prior to our departure from the lodge at the Peaks of Otter, as I was reading the brochure about the D-Day Memorial, I noticed that the original D-Day was June 6, 1944. Today is June 6, 2005 - 61 years later.

As we approach the D-Day Memorial in Bedford, a sense of solemness overwhelms us. As I recalled seeing the movie “Saving Private Ryan”, and put all that I was seeing into perspective, tears filled my eyes. As Cheryl and I walked up to the archway that is the entrance to the Memorial, we saw several World War II veterans that were on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944. These men had gathered for the ceremony that is to take place today. We had not noticed when we began planning our trip that we would be at the Memorial on an anniversary of D-Day, but as is turned out, here we were. It is so humbling to look into the eyes of someone who crossed that beach in 1944 and tell them, “Thank you.” We walked around the Memorial and also were extremely fortunate to watch the ceremony. Needless to say, we left with a much deeper appreciation to those who so valiantly served and sacrificed on June 6, 1944.

D-Day Memorial - Bedford, VA

After leaving the D-Day Memorial, we stopped in downtown Bedford for lunch before continuing our journey. Our first stop after lunch was the Roanoke Star, which overlooks Roanoke, VA. The structure (according to the marker nearby) is the largest man-made star in the world. It was erected in 1949. The star measures 88.5 feet height, weighs 10,000 pounds, and has 2,000 feet of neon tubing which illuminates it at night.

Roanoke Star - Milepost 120

Our next point of interest after the Roanoke Star was the Chatteau Morrisette, at milepost 171. After missing the un-marked turnoff and making a U-turn a couple of miles down the road, we finally found the winer. We participated in a delightful wine tasting and took a brief walk through the gift shop. We had been told that the restaurant at the winery is exceptional, but it is not open on Mondays.

Chatteau Morrisette Winery - Milepost 171

From Chatteau Morrisette, we continued a short distance to Mabry Mill, located at milepost 176. As you can see from the photograph, the mill is situated in a very picturesque setting. The mill wheel still turns and inside, you can see how wheat was ground and how the wheel was also used to power a huge rip saw. During our visit, we encountered a brief rain shower. The shower only lasted about five minutes, so we our spirits were not dampened.

Mabry Mill - Milepost 179

Our final stop today was The Inn at Orchard Gap (a Bed & Breakfast), located at milepost 194. After having to negotiate a quarter mile gravel driveway up to the inn, we were greated by the owners. Since it was late in the afternoon, we asked where we could find something to eat. We were told that the nearest town that had any eateries was about 10 miles away. Since the skies were looking very threatening, we decided to ride back down the road to a small country market that we had passed about a mile before arriving at the inn. Cheryl and I got a couple of sandwiches, some chips, and some drinks and rode back to the inn to eat. We totally enjoyed our relaxing dinner as we sat on the front porch eating, talking, and enjoying the tranquility and the scenery.

Peaceful Dinner on the Front Porch at The Inn at Orchard Gap - Milepost 194

As we were eating dinner, the storm that we had been watching arrived. This confirmed that we made the correct choice about not going into town for dinner. So far, we are four days into our week-long journey and we have been fortunate to avoid having to ride in the rain.