Falls Creek Falls Ride (continued)

Once there we snaked our way back through the park roads to the Inn and Conference Center where the restaurant was located. It had been a long time since the biscuit this morning and everyone was ready to get something to eat.  We had to search for a parking spot and this was not a small place. Joel made the comment that he was expecting a rustic wood building on the side of a bluff or something but this was a state of the art facility with plenty of parking. The place was packed.

 

We hit the restaurant and had our fill

You can almost smell that mountain air!

Ok, where’s that buffet?

of salad, fish, chicken and BBQ from the buffet with plenty of sweet tea refills. Now, all of us have witnessed or been a part of the obligatory Happy Birthday singing put on by the staff for an unsuspecting customer. However, I’ve never seen, until this day, where the table (next to us) sang Happy Birthday for the waitress, which obviously was not expecting it. Pretty cool I thought.

 

With our belly’s full we took care of the checks  and hit the bikes. Even though, as Mark said, it would have been a good time for a nap.

None the less, a short drive later, we were at the Falls.  Sitting among more than 20,000 acres across the eastern top of the rugged Cumberland Plateau, Falls Creek Falls, at 256 feet, is the highest waterfall in the eastern United States. The drought this year has hit everything and, sad to say, the Falls were no exception. Even though it was an impressive site to look upon, the amount of water racing over the falls was much less than usual and a little disappointing. However, the surrounding area and its majesty was still a site to behold. Besides, it just

Ready to strap on the feed bag!

meant we have a good reason to come back when the water levels return to normal. I’m here to say that I would be the first raise my hand for that return trip.

 

There were other falls to see, like Piney and Cane Creek Falls which I’m sure were every bit as beautiful, but we opted to pass and head on back. With Joel having to make it back to Birmingham and Karen and I pulling babysitting duty with the new grandson that evening, time was of the essence.

 

Back at the bikes, Mark laid out the

The drought has taken its toll on the Falls!

route for the return trip which was to take us out the back side of the park

and down the mountain.

 

If we had quit right here, and drove not a mile further, I would have still said this has been one if my favorite rides to date.  But, the best was yet to come!

 

We headed out the back side of the park and hit TN-30 west, down the mountain. In no time we were into one of the most challenging roads I’ve ridden to date, with constant twists and switchbacks that dropped

Click on any of the pictures to see more pictures from that day.

Back  - Previous Page

A great ending to a great ride, thanks guys!

and rose, coming fast and furious. By the time we were out of one we were hitting another. I don’t think I ever got out of third gear. At one point, I swear I read my own license plate! Did I mention that I love this motorcycle? Taking this road was almost effortless. Coming out of the switchbacks and rolling in the throttle, the Kingpin was like a hungry Chita after its prey. It would just give that guttural growl and leap. Instantly my grin would overtake my ears. It was awesome. Disappointingly,  it seemed like no time and we were down the mountain. The trees opened up to a length of straight road splitting a beautiful lush green valley with homesteads on each side. Thomas Kincaid couldn’t have painted a better scene. We rode like this for a few miles before we made our way out of the country side to the outskirts of McMinnville. As we came to a stop at the traffic light, Juan pulled up beside me. I looked over at him and he was grinning like a mule eating sawbriers (for you non-Southerners, that means he was pleased). Not missing a beat he says, “Let’s do that again!” I couldn’t have offered a better approval.

We took a short break a few miles later and then hit TN-55 taking us through Manchester, Tullahoma, Lynchburg, and back to Fayetteville. The sun was very low on the horizon as we headed west, almost blinding, making me reach for the visor that just wasn’t there. We pulled in to Mark’s place about half past 5:00; a little seat tired and road weary but tickled with the days ride. A big thank you goes to Mark  for an excellent job as Road Captain. The route as well as the pace was tailor made. I’ll be happy to follow the glow of your taillight anytime. Also, a thanks to Juan, Joel and Karen for the wonderful company.

 

It’s a little sad when you come to the end of a good ride. Part of you wants to just keep going. But, its also a good feeling when it comes together like this and you realize just why we started this whole thing. I believe I can speak for the rest of my riding companions when I say I’m looking forward to more  rides like this. Rides where as far as you can see there’s Victory’s nose to tail, little out-of-the-way places to explore, and curvy roads that disappear into the horizon.

 

Let’s make it so!

Our route for the Falls Creek Falls ride