Gods Country... The Great Smoky Mountains

The Great Smoky Mountains are near and dear to me for many different reasons. My love for them began as a child and continues to grow every time I visit. I am certain that at some point in my life I will have at least a vacation home there.

My late mother began my love of these ancient mountains by taking my sister and I there on several annual vacations as children. The first time I saw the sun rising up over a mountain was truly magical for me. It was probably the first real spiritual awakening that I have ever had. I remember going to places like Santasland In Cherokee NC (http://www.santaslandnc.com/) and petting a deer for the first time in my life. Very good memories. We also visited Ober Gatlinburg in  GatlinBurg Tn (http://www.obergatlinburg.com/) to ride the Alpine Slides.  What a blast!!  My mom always made sure to buy the picture of my sister and I riding the ski lift up the mountain to ride the slide. 

Fast forward to my adult years and riding my Harley through the mountains and up the Blue Ridge Parkway. Talk about a spiritual experience! The first trip I took up there on my 2008 Harley Road King was in May of 2011. My best friend Al informed me as we were on our way up that while I am a good rider I need to be very very careful because of the sensory overload I was about to experience in what we truly believe is Americas most beautiful place to ride. I don't think I really realized the magnitude of that statement until we rolled up into Maryville,Tn in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains. Coming up over the first little hill and seeing the mountains in all of there mystique on the horizon totally numbed my brain. The hair on the back of my neck stood up, my skin started tingling, and I again experienced another one of those spiritual awakenings. What a first motorcycle trip in the mountains. 

We rode all over those mountains. We of course rode the popular Tail of the Dragon which in case you don't know is 318 switchback curves in 11 miles over 3 mountains. A must thing for us 2 wheeled enthusiasts. While there we also stopped at Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort (http://www.dealsgap.com/) to check out the tree of shame which consists of a bunch of wrecked and broken motorcycles and parts claimed by the dragon. 

The Blue Ridge Parkway is seriously one of the most beautiful roads in America. I have ridden from the beginning in Cherokee, North Carolina up past the highest point in through the middle of Virginia.

The road and the views and the mountains are so special to me that I spread the ashes of my late mother on the parkway in honor of her love of the mountains that she shared with me. Her spirits view forever:

The post is getting really long so I think Ill wrap it up for now. Many many more stories to tell and develop from this my mountain paradise.  Until we meet again.... I Love you Mom and again thank you for the gifts, this one truly is for you.