NORTH CAROLINA'S STATE ROAD 209 FROM HOT SPRINGS TO LAKE JUNALUSKA N.C.

You remember the last ride report? I left out of Erwin TN. and followed TN. SR 352 South to the North Carolina State line, where the SR number turns to SR 212.  I followed SR 212 until I came to where the road T's into US 25/70. This time, I traveled north on US 25/70 until I found SR 209.  I was on my way to Maggie Valley, North Carolina.  A nice little town dedicated to tourism and support of Cherokee, N.C., a town with a huge gambling casino owned by the Cherokee Nation.  Cherokee is also the "gateway" to The Dragon.  A famous State Road rambling it's way over a few mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina.  Most people start their ride at "The Gap" and then continue on to explore other great roads in the area such as the Cherohala Skyway.  I've been here several times, and I always enjoy the roads.


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Coming down this way though was a new direction for me.  I'm still learning the back roads of North Carolina and my beloved Tennessee.  I'm always so grateful when I am able to find roads that stimulate my senses.  State Road 209 is another one of those roads that will give you great pleasure.  It's not really a road that requires great skill, although the twists and turns of the climb up and down the mountains can be robust.  It's more of a wonderful ride with pleasurable sights.  The landscape changes quite a bit in just a few short miles! From great stony outcrops, to overlooks of valleys carpeted in lush green forests, the sound of the inevitable creek or river winding it's way through the valley making it's way up to where you stand...silently awed into submission.  Your heart is soaring, and your brain is just taking a vacation. This is what riding does for us when we are solitary riders.







There comes a time once your close to the end of your ride near Maggie Valley, where the lands become flatter.  Farms crop up.  Cattle, plowed fields, ramshackle out buildings, sun bleached wood planks and sagging barn doors.  It's all in a few hours of riding. 





This is a road where you can take your time, amble along and not have a care in the world.  A few times, I was approached from the rear by traffic, but there were plenty of "pull-outs", areas where the slower traffic could pull off the road and allow the speedsters to continue on without us.  I laugh at these people. I guess the locals have "been there, done that" and are annoyed by us "LOOKY LOUS".  I figure that is one of the casualties of living in a beautiful area and never really seeing it...is you have to deal with those of us who do see it.. and love it.





There is so much to this road for us to enjoy. As always, it only takes an attitude of "I was going nowhere when I started, I"ll be going nowhere when I get there!"  Take your time to smell the aroma of the wood, the stone, the creeks and rivers.  Take time to admire the complexities of your surroundings as well as the road.  You'll be glad you did!

Once I arrieved in Lake Junaluska, I made my way to Maggie Valley and the famous "WHEELS THROUGH TIME" museum...I've written one segment of that for you and it should be posted soon...I expect 3 segments.  You won't believe your eyes!

Davey Crocket Days at His Birthplace...

I left my home setting my wheel westward...back once more toward Greeneville TN, with an intention of turning north on SR 70 and then looking for some new roads to explore.

I'm sure we all have heard of the saying, "The best laid plans of men and mice..."





Everytime I run out this way, I see the sign that points the way to Davey Crocket's Birthplace State Park in Limestone TN. Every time I pass it, I think to myself, I should take the time....

TIME by Erik on Flickr

This time, there were signs advertising the fact this weekend was "Davey Crocket Days" at the park. I have some time to think it over before the left turn across two more lanes of traffec on 11 E. I weigh the possiblities of some really fantastic pictures of early settlers life with unknown roads...I decided what the heck, the oppritunites aren't going to get much better than this. To not stop would cause me to kick myself later...I hate bruising my own butt....

Photo by: ehoyer Flickr

The die was cast. I turned down the street marked for the state park. I came across many great photo ops...I wonder what happened to them? My camera has gotten wet one too many times...it saves the pictures it wants to now...But this gives me another excuse to come back. This road has some very good photo ops.

But I am now in the park, and I'm walking toward a log cabin. This is an estamate of what they figure Davey was born in...it was what was popular for the day...and it's furnished in the same manner as what you would have found in the pioneer day as well.






As is quite common with these types of affairs, I found myself following my nose...BBQ food was being served. But I had already told myself I would not spend more then twenty bucks this entire day...I wish I had gotten the pork sammie...it was only four bucks. I didn't do half as well after leaving the park in search of food...

Photo by: blk3953 on Flickr

Veering away from the food, I head down the hill toward the river...I find an encampment of pioneers...look at the charactors I found camped down this way...








This next lady? She was making buttons with thread. It's amazing the handy work by our ancesters...can you imagine working half a day to make a button?





Then there was this woman weaving pine straw baskets. Her grandmother was Choctow Native American...taught her to do this. She gives lessons...I have her card...I think I will try my hand at it. Her work is museum quailty.




I came across several trapper camps...this is one....














I almost missed the Native American camp just down stream....








I'm starting to walk back to my bike, when this guy blows a cow horn...and shouts "Kings Mountain Regiment, fall in"

Then this little demostration of long rifles happens...it was pretty neat...








It's time to go...I'm still moving toward Greeneville on RT 11E. I sure didn't get very far before I came to this little "store". This guy collected Texeco Memorbila. I had to get pictures of my bike out by his pumps...very cool.





Leaving Texeco behind...I ride through Greeneville and find RT 70 North...this is the lower half of 70 that I haven't been on yet...this was worth the ride...




Once I came into Rogersville, I found a another RT I haven't been on before...this is SR 66 north...a nice 21 mile stretch of twisty road and switch backs...very tasty road for this rider...You'll enjoy this ride...


Moving on down the road, I came across this church...well it's no longer a church...it's now "HEAVENLY BIKE SHOP" I wish the sign would photograph better...ah well...I know what it is...and now so do you!





I left RT 66...but before I did...




Headins East now on CR 94 East...another wonderful road...until I realized I had circled back around to Rogersville! Ah well....

It's getting late, and I have supper to cook when I get home...

See ya another time...I do hope we meet on the road sometime!