On Wednesday, August 13, 2014, we took another Day Ride. Our destination was the Blue Ridge Parkway and Soco Falls in North Carolina.

 

Jeff talks about our plan in this short video:

We left our home in North Knoxville at 9:45am. It was cool and the skies were blue. We both wore light weight jackets and half helmets.

We took Alcoa Highway to Maryville, then 411 south. We stopped to fill our tanks and get a snack, then proceeded south on 411 to Madisonville. In Madisonville, we took 68 heading through Tellico Plains and into Coker Creek. We stopped along the way for a few photos and to layer up on this cool August day.

Jeff talks about our ride so far in this short video:

We continued south on 68. Just before Turtletown we took 123/294. 294 took us to Hiwassee Dam. Hiwassee Dam is yet another spectacularly beautiful site with beautiful well kept grounds. Here are some photos from our visit:

Here’s a short video at the dam. The audio isn’t good, but it’s gives you another view of the surroundings.

Put Hiwassee Dam on your ‘to visit’ list. It’s gorgeous!

After our stop at the dam, we continued on 294 which took us to 64/74 just west of Murphy. We then rode through Murphy stopping briefly for a few photos:

We then took 64 east. 64 is a beautiful road that winds through the Nantahala National Forest and eventually into Franklin.

When we reached Franklin, we were 165 miles into the ride and it was just before 3pm. We found the Kountry Kitchen and stopped for a late lunch.

After lunch, we rode through Franklin, then took 441 north into Sylvan and then to the Blue Ridge Parkway.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is spectacular with some of the best views of the mountains.

Jeff starts us out with these two short videos:

Here are some photos of the Blue Ridge Parkway:

Video from the Waterrock Knob Visitor Center:

After our stop and gawk at the Visitors Center we traveled a short way to 19 to see Soco Falls.

Soco Falls is just 1.5 miles off the Blue Ridge Parkway. Parking at the head of the trail is a very small gravel pull off with room for seven or eight cars. We hiked the short distance to the falls overlook.

Jeff shoots video of our trek to Soco Falls:

After Soco Falls we took 19 into Cherokee where we stopped for a snack and break.

After our brief stop we took 441 out of Cherokee and came across a bunch of folks pulled off to the side of the road. They were watching a small group of fifteen or so Elk located only a few yards off the road. We pulled over to gawk too.

Standing so close to these beautiful creatures was an amazing moment for us and everyone else along the road. Friendly Park Rangers were there keeping the Elk away from the crowd. We felt very fortunate to get to view these grand creatures.

After visiting with the Elk, we continued north on 441. It was getting late in the day with cloud cover and downright cold. We pulled over again at the Newfound Gap overlook to layer up.

After layering up with heavier gloves and fleece face masks we took 441 over the mountain and back into Tennessee. We took 73 through the mountain to Townsend where we stopped for gas and to shed a few layers.

From Townsend we rode through Maryville and back to Knoxville. We got home at 9:15pm and our total ride was 328 miles. What a great day!

We wrap up the day in this video:

You can see our entire list of Day Rides HERE.