What a day yesterday, three states! The goal was to drive the Tail of the Dragon. It is route 129 along the Tennessee /North Carolina border. It was not particularily easy to find. It is a motorcyclist's destination. There were quite a few, from touring bikes with two passengers and ladened with luggage to sport bikes with riders in full leather. The tail did not disappoint. There were several places along the road where photos were being taken. These photos are available online.
Today the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Thursday, September 25, 2014
Wednesday, September 24, 2014
Starting odometer reading was 8611, and we added 384.7 miles today. A lot of different roads with some highways in the mix to keep us fresh for the Dragon.
So we started on KY 100, 65, onto TN 52, 109, US 70-40-75-321-95-411, TN 72, US 129, NC 28, US 19-40 into Asheville, NC.
Everywhere we drove today was very green. We crossed a number of rivers, but nothing from geography class. We were actually in the area of the TVA created lakes for part of the day.
We drove the famous 'Tail of the Dragon'. 318 turns in 11 miles. The road leading up to it and leaving were also very interesting to drive. I thought the 63 miles of twisties on 1 were just as challenging.
Tomorrow onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
So we started on KY 100, 65, onto TN 52, 109, US 70-40-75-321-95-411, TN 72, US 129, NC 28, US 19-40 into Asheville, NC.
Everywhere we drove today was very green. We crossed a number of rivers, but nothing from geography class. We were actually in the area of the TVA created lakes for part of the day.
We drove the famous 'Tail of the Dragon'. 318 turns in 11 miles. The road leading up to it and leaving were also very interesting to drive. I thought the 63 miles of twisties on 1 were just as challenging.
Tomorrow onto the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Starting odometer reading was 8121, and we drove 489.9 miles. We started on US 44-60-51-KY 121-286 US 62-24-68.
I forgot to mention that yesterday we crossed the Arkansas River.
Today we crossed the Mississippi at 2:05 and seconds later crossed the Ohio. I didn't see any barge traffic on the Mississippi, but the Ohio looked packed. At 3:05 we crossed the Tennessee and little later the Cumberland. There was a river after that, but I was watching the traffic around me and missed the name.
The intersection of the Mississippi and Ohio also created a lot of truck traffic as the two bridges were two lane and put you in a very small town.
Farming was pretty much as yesterday. Some corn, hay, and soybeans. In Kentucky we saw some tractors pulling tobacco laden wagons and then some tobacco fields. We also passed some drying sheds.
Miles of white three rail fencing, but no horses.
Most of the driving today was on four lane highways. So only glimpses of what lay beyond. I managed to kill a kid's blue wadding pool that was in the highway. Hit it dead center, dragged it a few feet, and gave it to the Mercedes behind me.
I forgot to mention that yesterday we crossed the Arkansas River.
Today we crossed the Mississippi at 2:05 and seconds later crossed the Ohio. I didn't see any barge traffic on the Mississippi, but the Ohio looked packed. At 3:05 we crossed the Tennessee and little later the Cumberland. There was a river after that, but I was watching the traffic around me and missed the name.
The intersection of the Mississippi and Ohio also created a lot of truck traffic as the two bridges were two lane and put you in a very small town.
Farming was pretty much as yesterday. Some corn, hay, and soybeans. In Kentucky we saw some tractors pulling tobacco laden wagons and then some tobacco fields. We also passed some drying sheds.
Miles of white three rail fencing, but no horses.
Most of the driving today was on four lane highways. So only glimpses of what lay beyond. I managed to kill a kid's blue wadding pool that was in the highway. Hit it dead center, dragged it a few feet, and gave it to the Mercedes behind me.
Going thru Kansas yesterday was quite sobering. We took route 160, a two lane road in the middle of absolutely nowhere. There were long stretches of road with just grassland on both sides and an occasional small single story stone home that a settler and his family had once lived in. I can only imagine how tough it must have been to eek out an existence in this area. I played the music from Dances With Wolves to compliment the scenery. Kansas is dust, grassland and wind. Occasionally we went thrusmall towns that had most of it's businesses closed down. No one is around anymore. One town in particular, Moline, Kansas was one I had heard of for some reason. When driving into town it was heartbreaking to envision what a vibrant little town this must have been 60 years ago.
Today was Missouri but on a much busier highway. We got thru it and are currently in Kentucky. Tomorrow we continue east to the tail of the dragon. If we can find it.
Today was Missouri but on a much busier highway. We got thru it and are currently in Kentucky. Tomorrow we continue east to the tail of the dragon. If we can find it.
Monday, September 22, 2014
Starting odometer was 7663, and we did 457.9 miles. We were on US 160-69-166-400 and 44 into Joplin,MO.
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday about 160. In case you doubt the claim for how lonely it is there are road signs saying there is no snowplowing from 7 PM TO 5 AM.
Today was more of yesterday. Western Kansas has gas and oil wells, no rain, and some of the largest wind farms I have ever seen. We passed by 3 huge ones. As you move east, you go through a lot of nothing interspersed with huge farms. Small herds of beef, horses, some corn, soybeans, hay, and another crop we were not able to identify. Large sprinkler systems to water the crops. We also passed one huge feed operation. Probably 10 huge buildings, but only a couple of them were in operation.
I got a ticket in KS for passing in a non-passing zone. It was passing when I started and when I finished, no passing as I went by the other vehicle. Hopefully that will be the only one for the group.
Part way through MO tomorrow.
One thing I forgot to mention yesterday about 160. In case you doubt the claim for how lonely it is there are road signs saying there is no snowplowing from 7 PM TO 5 AM.
Today was more of yesterday. Western Kansas has gas and oil wells, no rain, and some of the largest wind farms I have ever seen. We passed by 3 huge ones. As you move east, you go through a lot of nothing interspersed with huge farms. Small herds of beef, horses, some corn, soybeans, hay, and another crop we were not able to identify. Large sprinkler systems to water the crops. We also passed one huge feed operation. Probably 10 huge buildings, but only a couple of them were in operation.
I got a ticket in KS for passing in a non-passing zone. It was passing when I started and when I finished, no passing as I went by the other vehicle. Hopefully that will be the only one for the group.
Part way through MO tomorrow.
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