Tamin' the Tail

[garyahouse]

Taming what's been tamed 45 thousand times in a year.. Sorry Gary but the tail sucks dry dik cheese. Crowded , slow, and as far as sight seeing? a pile of dumb *** squid ****..
For my 100th time. It's fukin overated and suks dry dog cok.

Crowded:

Yes sir it was. Each time we stopped to enjoy the scenery, there were a number of fascinating people, doing the same thing we were, there to talk to. There were crowds at the restaurants, and at the gas stations, coming over to ask Kathleen about her Honda and to ask me about my car tire. The Deal's Gap Motorcycle Resort was booked up full. There were people and motorcycles everywhere, and like you, I was a little sad about that. I wish I'd had more time to get to talk to them all. Seems like each person we spoke to was even more interesting than the last... The crowds you speak of are all individual people, each with a soul and an amazing story to tell. At least that's how I see them. And you sir?

Slow:

You are right again. Speed limit on the Dragon is 35, which means that anything over 43 or so would be risky. Many of the slow speed curves require a little more skill and patience because of this slower pace. As a matter of fact, I got a huge thrill out of the fact that I didn't have to risk a speeding ticket to thoroughly enjoy the Dragon. It's a blast to just try to ride along anywhere near the speed limit. And Kathleen, who doesn't like high speeds as she's a beginning rider, felt comfortable at the relaxed pace. Here's something really cool, literally: Almost all of the Dragon is shaded, which really makes for a nice ride. Not exactly sure how all this relates to the cheese you spoke of, but the occasional cattle we saw in and around that area were pretty cool to see as well. And I was happy to be part of the slow problem as Kathleen can't ride very fast. Being a part of her life requires some adjustments. So we pulled over to let others pass a dozen times or more and enjoyed the thank you wave we received most of the time. I'm so thankful that those who waved their thanks when passing by to enjoy some higher speeds didn't seem to feel the way you do. I'd hate to ruin their fun, and I mean that.

Overrated

Perhaps. This overrated (as you put it) Dragon reminds me of the Alum Cave trail that we decided to hike while in the area. Check it out here: CLICKY Judging by the crowd that was there compared to the other trail heads I saw, it was considerably more popular. That may indeed have made it overrated in the eyes of some. It was crowded, and required us to step aside many times to let others pass. This would indeed make it slow as well. But that didn't detract one iota from the fun we had that day. I would recommend that short hike to anyone, anywhere. The scenery was simply amazing. Much like the Dragon, I might add. But then again, fun and enjoyment are more a result of what is in each individual heart... than WHERE we happen to be. For example, I look forward to meeting each of my new remedial reading students next week, as a matter of fact, even though some of their other teachers might dread their presence. What others may see as a waste of time, I see as most definitely worth my while. And if that makes me a little strange, I'm OK with that.

Guess I'm just wired a little different than some.

Gary

darksider #44

 

[bgross]

I've certainly enjoyed you're Ride Reports, Gary.

I imagine that, after all the miles, scenery and adventures, writing all these reports must seem like a dreaded homework assignment: "What I Did On My Summer Vacation."

Well done!

"A++, Ralphie!"

 

[garyahouse]

I've certainly enjoyed you're Ride Reports, Gary.I imagine that, after all the miles, scenery and adventures, writing all these reports must seem like a dreaded homework assignment: "What I Did On My Summer Vacation."

Well done!

"A++, Ralphie!"

It's been said that "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." Could it be possible that the things we enjoy have as much to do with what we ARE as the actual value of what we behold?

Thanks for the fine grade, Mr. Gross. It was a joy to sit in your classroom for the time I was there. You and your wife are some amazing people. No wonder southern California is such a popular place.

Gary

 

[BkerChuck]

Gary,

I too have been enjoying the ride reports regardless of how long they may take to get done. Just as an FYI, I came across another web site from one of the area photographers, mooshinephoto.com, and checked on the date you and your daughter were there. They have some good pics of both of you on their site. As the owner of a Honda CB400F, I was interested in seeing some other pics of your daughter's bike, it just so happens they have several of you as well.

 

[RayW]

Sometimes the lighting wasn't the best in these pictures, but the scenery was incredible. It seemed like it got better and better the farther we went.

What happened?? Did Scooby use some bad language so that you had to gag him??

 

[garyahouse]

Ray:

Looking at that picture again, I would have never noticed that. That was REALLY funny. That flannel shirt seemed like a great idea when we first left as it would:

1. Keep the sun off arms that have already had enough for one lifetime

2. Keep the bugs at bay

3. Keep me warm

As it turned out, almost all of the trail was shaded, there were just about NO bugs (whodathunk?) and once I started marchin' up that mountain tryin' to keep up with that master of physical fitness daughter of mine, getting cold was out of the question. So.. the flannel shirt got tied around the waste. Didn't know what else to do about it. Funny, Scuby didn't say anything about it. But then again, come to think of it... maybe he couldn't?

Gary

darksider #44

 

[garyahouse]

Gary,
I too have been enjoying the ride reports regardless of how long they may take to get done. Just as an FYI, I came across another web site from one of the area photographers, mooshinephoto.com, and checked on the date you and your daughter were there. They have some good pics of both of you on their site. As the owner of a Honda CB400F, I was interested in seeing some other pics of your daughter's bike, it just so happens they have several of you as well.

Chuck:

I did check out the pictures. I sent along the link to Kathy. Also, I noticed something very interesting: On some of the shots of my FJR, the Clearwater LED's are on, and on some, they appear to be off. After sitting here thinking about it and trying to explain this, it finally dawned on me: the dimmer turns them on and off something like 200 times per second. The naked eye doesn't see it, but the high speed cameras on the Dragon do...

How about that?

Gary

darksider #44

 

[Tyler]

But then again, fun and enjoyment are more a result of what is in each individual heart... than WHERE we happen to be. For example, I look forward to meeting each of my new remedial reading students next week, as a matter of fact, even though some of their other teachers might dread their presence. What others may see as a waste of time, I see as most definitely worth my while. And if that makes me a little strange, I'm OK with that.
Guess I'm just wired a little different than some.

Sounds like a pretty good wiring setup to me... B)

 

[FJRMGM]

But you know what? I refuse to be a sad broken down old geezer sitting on top of all my saved-up-cash wishing he'd done this sort of thing more often. I've got the opportunity, and I'm not going to let it get away. Robbinsville, NC, HERE WE COME !!!

you got that right!! Nice ride report and I'll bet that Honda four sounds good! I like that your daughter has a retro bubble-face helmet on!

 

[Redfish Hunter]

Gary, next time you make this trip I suggest you travel due south from Tellico Plains on the western end of the Cherohala. After you ride down a very very good road, you can take a left (east) and re-cross into North Carolina. Very shortly afterwards on your left you will find "The Field of the Woods". Based on some of your statements I think a man like yourself might enjoy it there. I will attach a pic, you may judge for yourself if it is worth your time.

 

[garyahouse]

Redfish,
Ya can't always judge a book by its cover (mine's gettin' worn out) but you can definitely judge it by what it says. Guess you got me figured out.
I'll be back up there one of these days. Not sure when though. Kathy's getting married this winter and I'm not expecting that she'll be wanting to head for the Dragon any time soon, but hey, who knows? And when I do, I will DEFINITELY have to check out the Field of the Woods. Thanks for letting me know, and for the picture as well.
Today in class one of my young ladies just randomly asked if there were any priests at my church, out of the clear blue, as they say. I told her no, that they are typically found in a Catholic church. "I'm Catholic," she announced. I told her, "Here's the reason why." I handed her my iPod, always in my pocket, with 1st Timothy 3 on screen. She read the first 6 verses or so, and handed it back to me without comment. After class I asked her if she understood what she read and how it related to her question. "No," she replied, and headed off to her next class. Looks like we'll have to address that another day.

Gary
darksider #44