What. A. Weekend!
We have been planning this trip since the start of the summer. Things happen that make you realize just how much we take this life for granted. So, I planned out a few weekends to go various places with the kids and the last one for just the two of us. Wanna know something funny? You don't always realize how much you need to get away, until you do get away. Then when you get back, you need a getaway from your getaway.
Just to tell you a little background story - my husband and I like to ride motorcycles. This was not always the case on my part. When I was young, my Dad's best friend was in a motorcycle accident that left him paralyzed from the waist down. Not long after, the big brother of a friend of my own, was in an accident and hurt severely. It was then that I vowed never to get on another motorcycle again. Then, I met my husband.
We had been together for about a year when my now father-in-law decided to get himself a new bike and sell my husband the old one. He convinced me to ride (with little hesitation on my part) and now you can't keep me off. Now, I do not know how to drive one alone just yet, but it won't be too much longer now. Every chance that comes along, we hit the open roads and let the wind wash it all away. I am convinced there is not many things any better.
This weekend the hubby and I traveled to Robbinsville, NC for a trip on the famous Tail of the Dragon. For those of you who may not know of this road, it is known for it's curves. There are 318 curves in 11 miles, a bikers dream. It is also has an unfortunate reputation of being deadly. These curves are no joke y'all! Your lane is your lane, and your speed is your life. We have made the trip up and down the Tail before, but this time would be different. Every time you come off of this road, you thank God for keeping you safe, and to keep the ones on it safe as well.
On Friday evening, we arrived in the little town of Robbinsville. Let me tell you, this little town has the nicest folks you could possibly meet. We stayed at the San-Ran Motel which is just off of the main road. The rooms were nice, the shower is hot and full of pressure, and they had DirectTV. Now, the wifi wasn't the best, but you can park your motorcycles under the cover and there is even an area to wipe down your bike, rags provided. Mrs. Ann was awesome and we will definitely be staying there again.
Saturday morning: We weren't up and going as early as I would have liked, but I believe that God works all things together for our good. Around 1:30 or so, we finally started out. As you will see below, there is a big loop that you can turn into an all day trip.
We started out on our journey heading up 143 and onto 28. Ladies and gentlemen, let me tell you, that I FIRMLY believe that the only thing more beautiful than riding through the mountains in the fall, could only be Heaven itself. The bright, vivid blends of oranges and reds and yellows and greens and golds, is absolutely breathtaking. Really, Heaven cannot possibly be too far away.
Let the journey continue...
Did we dare? Of course we dared!! AND. IT. WAS. AMAZING. Pictures are soon to follow, but we have to wait for the digital ones to come in. I know you are like, huh? Pictures? Yes, pictures. There is a variety of photographers that are there to take your picture as you make the curves, only the best angles of course. The original photographer of the Tail is known as Killboy. On that note, I must tell you why he gets the shoutout from us, even though we did purchase photographs from some of the others not mentioned. On a late afternoon in June 2014, Matt and I had decided to conquer the famous road. What we didn't realize was how quickly it would turn dark, or how long it would actually take going up. We started at Hwy 411 and 129 and headed up. By the time we reached Fugitive Bridge and turned around, the sun had begun to set and darkness was settling in. As quickly as we could, we made our way over to the Tail of the Dragon and Killboy.com store. By this time, darkness had fully arrived. We met this nice guy while in the parking lot and Matt struck up a conversation with him. Later, we would learn that it was Killboy himself we were talking with. When we told him that this was our first time on the Tail and we that we were about to head back down, he couldn't believe it. There was genuine concern in his voice as he advised us to get going and be careful. Goodbyes were said and we headed back down, in the dark, around those sharp curves, on a motorcycle. I would say we were about a mile into the drive when all of a sudden bright lights came up behind us out of nowhere. Now, he has one of those fancy-schmancy-sporty little racing cars, so we knew it was the same guy. He followed a safe, but close, distance behind us until we had about 2 or 3 miles left to go, then he honked, waved and sped around us. I don't know if he was done at work or not, but I do know that he was concerned enough for our safety that he stayed behind us until he knew we would be safe the rest of the way.
On our way back up Saturday afternoon, we stopped into the Tail of the Dragon and Deals Gap to take a look around. It was there that I decided I needed to boast about our accomplishment of the day. Yes! I rode the FREAKIN DRAGON - 318 curves in 11 miles!
Deciding against making the full circle, we headed back to town, stopping in at The Hub for dinner. Let me tell you that this staff is crazy awesome! They are friendly, upbeat, and fun! The food was ah-may-zeeng and the atmosphere rocks. The owner chatted it up with Matt when he went back later for ice cream. He told him that the back was a 100 year old barn that he completely remodeled and turned into a great socializng space. There is cornhole, an arcade basketball game, and one other thing that I can't think of at the moment.
On Sunday, we decided that we would indeed make the loop. So, we packed it up and set out. Stopping in at The Hub, again, we had breakfast grub and some of the best wake-up java, EVER! If you are ever up that way, you have to stop. Heading back up to the tail, we again made a pit stop at Deals Gap. While chatting it up with some neat couples, I made the decision that I must have my own bike, I just must. About 30 minutes in, a guy FLEW (literally, I have never seen someone haul booty up, stop, and hop of their bike without ever missing a beat) in to the lot, and rushed inside (bike still running) the store. Turns out, someone had gone over the cliff on their bike. I stopped immediately and said a prayer for him. This event, is what made this trip so different. One wrong move, and he was over the cliff. As of this moment, I am unsure if he survived. I pray that he did. *Update - there was an article on the web last night that confirmed my fears that the accident was fatal. 2 drivers were involved, and only one came up alive.*
We headed down the Tail and out to the Cheohala Skyway. What. An. Amazing. Sight. Wait, rewind! Let me go back to Rafter Road, yes, Rafter Road. A wrong turn, a very wrong turn. Y'all...the Tail of the Dragon ain't got nuttin' on Rafter Road! There are no signs, it is narrow, and more loose gravel and sharp turns than I have seen to date. I don't know how we got out of that one, but thank goodness we did!
Finally, back onto the Cheohala Skyway, the scenery was beautiful. It's like God took His and waved it over the mountains and said "Let them be reminded of lifes beauty!" I only wish that I could have captured a photo to share with you all.
It took a little bit longer than we anticipated, but we made it back safely and headed back to Birmingham, Alabama.
It was nice to spend some quality time with my husband and we thoroughly enjoyed our biking trip. Even though it was only two days, it did wonders for us.
