Cades Cove
( Smokey Mountains National Park )
We packed up the coach, trailer and bikes and headed down to Sevierville, TN to spend a few days at a campground. The whole idea was to get some riding in up in the Smokey's, and ride we did. We logged a couple hundred miles wondering around the National park and really enjoyed ourselves. We went during the week which meant much less traffic and congestion, not only in the mountains but in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg as well.
We arrived late Tuesday evening during a down pour but the next morning we had perfect weather and it stayed that way during our entire stay. Honda had their big National bike convention that week called the Honda " Hoot " but we stayed clear of Knoxville and preferred to just ride and relax up in the mountains. On Wednesday we headed up to Clingmans dome via the main road in the park which winds its way up and over the Smokey's. But on Thursday we decided to pack a thermos of coffee and a lunch of barb b que sandwiches and chips and ride over to Cades Cove. We got to Cades Cove by first riding out HWY 321 to the Wear Valley area then headed back into the foothills and into the park. This road was very narrow but it was a good paved road and it held its own beauty. This road wound around and connected to a nice picnic site on a stream accessed by riding over an old wooden bridge. We decided to rest and have lunch here and shoot some pictures. It was quiet, peaceful and relaxing and Ally had a ball with her new camera.
Right outside the picnic area was Cades Cove Rd. and we headed towards Townsend. This road wound all along the foothills with very few grades. What made it such a gorgeous ride was that the road wound along the river providing many scenic views. The river traveled on the right side of you while woods and the stone walls of the mountain were on the immediate left. Cades Cove Rd. is probably one of the twistiest roads on the Northern side of the Smokey's. It is loaded with very tight blind curves but the road is a breeze to ride as long as your paying attention and observing the speed limit. Myself, I was in the lead position I so I adopted a riding practice this summer that probably saved my hide on this day. Instead of riding to the left of the lane as most leaders do, I choose to ride on the right side, placing me on the inside of the tight turns to the right or on the outside during left turns. The whole idea is to keep your bike off and away from the center line as much as possible. It saved me when we entered a tight blind curve and low and behold, just around the bend and half way through the curve a Honda Gold Wing appeared. He was riding with a passenger came and also pulling a trailer. As soon as I seen him I counter steered to the edge of the road on the right as he had his motorcycle fully in my lane. Not just a few niches but nearly the entire motorcycle. I got around him and would have probably beat him senseless if he had stopped. Thankfully for him ( and me ) he kept going.
We then headed towards Townsend, TN to pick up The rest of the ride was uneventful, very scenic and enjoyable. I have posted the picture below of the area where we had our picnic. I also included a map of the area. Hope you enjoy them.
Cades Cove
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| Ally next to our picnic area | Rocks under the Water |
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| A view of the stream | This stream is actually run off from the mountains |
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| I enjoy watching the water take its own path down stream | A shot of the bridge we rode across. Notice the older couple standing together. They were enjoying the sites together |
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| Its amazing to know that these rocks were once probably jagged mountain rocks. | Time and the forces of nature have worn them down as you see here |
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| The Bridge shot from down below | I often wonder just where this water ends its journey |
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| The bridge over calm waters | Map of the Area |