T-Bone and his Mean Streak
After greetings and bike drying, we rode down to the infamous Country Vittles for breakfast. We skipped the All You Can Eat Family Style Breakfast and ordered a la carte. As I was settling our cheque, I saw two Phil Bowie books on the counter. A couple of years ago, I bought an autographed copy of Diamondback here on friend Chunk's recommendation. The novel was set in and around Maggie Valley. In the same series, Killers pre-dates Diamondback and Guns comes after. These were also autographed so now I have the full set.
Sitting in Country Vittles
My western omelette
Sandy's bacon and eggs
Tracy's biscuits, gravy and eggs
The Smoky Mountains
Next on the agenda was Wheels Through Time. This museum features American cars, motorcycles and memorabilia and most of the vehicles are operational.
Wheels Through Time
Aerial view of the main floor
Another angle
Board racer on top with ACE below
Indian Service Car
Police and motorcycles
Patches (for Bob)
Indian powered Eliason motor toboggan
Hillclimber with artificial leg
Harley racing trio
Future projects
I'd take 80 MPG
Military corner
Open wheel racing the old way
Sandy with Coke chopper
On Any Sunday (for Doug)
All this vintage hardware and Sandy took a picture of a cat
And a toy many of us would recognize
On the way out of the museum, we talked to one of the volunteers who was in a wheelchair. He messed up his leg on his Harley Ultra as he was slowing to make a left turn into his driveway. Unfortunately, a well known local drunk came over the centre line, hit him head on and tried to escape. The flight was foiled because the bike was heavy enough to damage the truck's steering. The gentleman hopes to be up and riding again soon.
Back at the motel, we suggested to Tracy that we ride over to Cherokee for Dairy Queen. The ride over US 19 was pleasant and not overly challenging due to the SUV we were following, who couldn't go any faster because of a bike ahead of him. The DQ Blizzard was nice and we talked to an older couple from Texas who seem to spend most of their time on the road in their car.
Harrah's Casino - Cherokee NC
More Cherokee bears
The ride back over the Parkway was likewise fairly mellow. We did pass a few slower bikes and then found another silver GoldWing at a pullout. He was from Oklahoma and was waiting for his buddies, the bikes we passed. One rule is that everyone should ride their own ride. Know your limits and stay in your comfort zone. These fellows were doing just that.
We arrived back at Applecover and sat out by the office swapping tales and having meaningful conversation. Proprietor Derrick joined us periodically. We saw on Facebook that Jim (Wrong Turn) and KT were on their way and expected to be in about 6:00 PM.
Thunderstorms finally rolled in by the late afternoon. The rain was quite intense at times and the lighting close by. The radar showed it wasn't a large storm but it seemed to be favouring our valley.
Sandy, Derrick and Tracy at the Applecover office
Rain pouring down
Mary Poppins?
Tracy drys off after the rain
The rain finally let up. Jim and KT weren't in by 6:30 so the three of us went to Garlic Knots for supper. Sandy and I shared a Hawaiian pizza while Tracy had ravioli for the second consecutive day. While we were waiting for the food, we saw Jim and KT roll past.
Back at the motel again, we found the anniversary couple (it was their wedding here on the BRP last year) unwinding from a wet ride with a bit of tequila. The five of us (plus Derrick) ended up hanging out until eleven having a great time.
Jim, KT and Sandy
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