North Carolina Bust

Ocoee Lake










Bee in the Helmet










Waiting in Huddle House

Heath and I had a great weekend planned for a trip through the mountains of Tennessee and NC. We expected some rain and went prepared for that. But we were not totally prepared for what was to come. Leaving on Friday, we had a nice day for riding. Leaving Cookeville, we traveled down Hiway 111 to 285 just before Spencer, traveling alongside Cane Creek. A really nice ride. Then Hiway 30 thru Pikeville to Dayton. Dayton is a nice little town and deserves a return visit. Taking Hiway 60 down to Cleveland, we hit 74 taking us through small towns with neat names: Ocoee, Ducktown, Belltown, Wolf Creek, Hothouse, and eventually to Murphy, NC. This took us along the Ocoee River and Lake; a really beautiful ride. We found a really nice campground in Murphy and got a "primitive" cabin. Expecting rain, we didn't want to pitch a tent. The primitive cabin was dry and clean, but no water or electricity; perfect for us for a one night stay. Rain showed up during the night and continued to wet us down as we got packed and headed off for the day. About 10 miles up the road we stopped at McD for breakfast where my bike refused to start. Trying until the battery was about gone, we finally called a tow. A local shop gave us free reign to work on the bike in the dry. We worked for about 3 hours to no avail; there was no fire in the hole. Making a very tough decision, I sent Heath on his way home alone; and called Betty to hook up the trailer to the truck and come get me. I waited in the Huddle House here for about 5 hours, waiting for Betty to arrive. I think she never looked so good as she did that evening. We loaded up the trailer and buttoned down the bike; all went smoothly. Heading home, about 2 miles down the road....flat tire on the trailer!!! No spare!! Too late to get a tire from anyone, anywhere. So we spent the night. Then Walmart on Sunday morning to re-fit the trailer with new shoes. But not before a last "Murphy" event at the Best Western breakfast. They had a nice vat of waffle mix which would deliver a pre-measured amount for a perfect waffle. Pushing the button, I proceded to strip the nozzle right off the vat. Suddenly and quickly, the entire contents of waffle mix was on the counter and floor!!! Remember the town we are in.... MURPHY, NC. Well we finally made it home, at which time my bike promptly started up; as it did on Monday morning, and has run perfectly ever since.


So much for the great ride through the Smoky Mountains. Well, all the more reason to plan another trip!!