Day Trippin' with MountainNate

Stunning up here.


The road out.



My first ever mud on an Adventure bike. I know I know, rub it in.


Thought it was cool. I'm a simpleton.

Made it to NC 197 after traversing through Beauty Spot Gap. If I remember right it's about 10 miles from end to end. Took off onto 197 until I found Sams Branch Road. It looked like someones driveway but it was a main thoroughfare. Got to the end.


Went left on highly traveled (j/k) Huntdale Rd.
Yes it's an actual road.


Mainly stays beside the river and railroad tracks.
Nice little pulloff in case you have traffic behind you....


Made it to Hunting Dale Rd. It's a different road! Don't forget to add the ing.
This took me to 19W. Amazing road that runs beside the Cane River.
Took me back to 19E through Bakersville then to Hwy 80 then on home I went. Didn't take many pics after hitting Hunting Dale Rd. I had fooled around all day and I was hungry and wanted to get home.

This trip really set in motion my desire to share my playground with other motorcyclists in hopes that they can enjoy these amazing roads and vistas also.
Ride on!

Thanks for sharing your pictures and stories! I enjoyed them.

On a whim I decided to hit the mountains last Saturday. Took a nice ride on the backside of Lake James via 126, South Mountain Institute Road, Lake James Road, and Hankins Road. Truly becoming one of my favorite areas to ride. Took 80 to the BRP. 80 has been repaved by the lake and they decided to line the shoulders with gravel/dirt. It's an absolute mess and slicker than snot in the curves. Be careful on the first 4 miles from 70 if you do ride the road, after the lake it's just as fun as ever.

Once to the top I took the BRP over to 226A where I stopped at the ever wonderful Little Switzerland Cafe for some ice cream. Talked to some locals who said in the next few weeks things would start to get real busy.

Yep, it's leaf changing time! Millions of people will come to the Parkway to view the leaves changing. Experts are saying this could be one of the best years yet due to our very dry spring and hot and dry summer. Leaves will start turning at the highest elevations around mid-October and usually continue for about 6 weeks slowly moving down the mountains to the lower elevations. Amazing sight to witness.
I can't wait!

Leaf peepers. Nice pic tho.

I agree! I avoid the "Parkway Parade" as us locals call it. I'll be on the backroads and side roads that have better views instead of being tailgated by the family that just has to get to the next pull-off for another picture....

At least they stop at a pull-off- I've come across some that just stop right in the road- I mean there can't possibly be anyone else on the road except them, right?

Being from WNC, I always refer to it is the "center of the universe". Your thread here does much to prove me right. Thanks for bringing me home for a bit.

So cool and I am happy she loved it! My wife just picked out her helmet last week....hopefully we'll be able to grab it by the end of the month!

I will be up that way next week. I can't wait to get out of Florida!!

I'm adding your ride to my list. Thanks Nate

Had the Wee Strom inspected at the local shop up the road yesterday. Young guy says how many miles on that thing as he is entering info into the computer for the DMV records. I say 53,954. He turns around with a suprised look on his face and said did you say 53 thousand? I said "Yes." He says "Damn dude that's awesome, I love seeing bikes with that kind of mileage."

Apparently high mileage bikes are non existent around my immediate area.
I told him "It's just now getting broke in."

Went ahead and ordered my first ever personalized plate also today.

Hi Nate, thanks for taking us along, and thanks for the fantastic pics.
I would be grateful if you included more info on your routes, and especially the nonpaved roads: which roads you took the pics from, road suitability for big bikes vs not big, knobbies vs. non-knobbies.
Thanks

Headed up in November. Thanks for the RR and ideas!

Hey no problem. I've been trying to reference the roads more lately in my posts. If you have questions about any already just reference the post number and I would be glad to tell you what roads they are.

[QUOTE="MountainNate, post: 27557065, member
Looks like you can go tubing. May have to start taking pics like redbud
![/QUOTE]

Absolutely beautiful day in the Carolina's here today. Decided to head up to the Parkway. The air was crystal clear and the humid air that has been around for over 3 months was gone. You could see for miles. It made me fall in love all over again with the BRP. Took 80 out of Marion, NC up to the parkway. Passed under the Parkway on 80 and went to Seven Mile Ridge Road. Made a right onto there and encountered no traffic at all. Seven Mile turns into Chestnut Mtn Road and comes out on McKinney Mine Road. Took McKinney Mine Road back to the BRP and 226A interchange. Went south on the parkway back to highway 80 and down highway 80 then home. Lots and lots of riders out today. 61 degrees and sunshine on the parkway was perfect.







(If you can't view the 4 pics I loaded with this post please let me know.)

Decided to play around with some picture processing stuff on the computer. Came out pretty good I think.

Nice photos! Glad you got out yesterday. I would have hated to miss riding in that beautiful weather.


Numa