Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO FONTANA VILLAGE

Jeff is ready to ride!
Jeff is ready to ride!

On Wednesday, September 16th, we took a Day Ride to Fontana Village in North Carolina just south of Deal’s Gap.

Jeff kicks off our day in this short video:

We left our home in North Knoxville at 10:00am. It was cool and cloudy so we both wore our light jackets with sweat shirts and our Pilot helmets.

We gassed up, then took off down Alcoa Highway to Maryville. We stayed on 129 heading for the Dragon.

We stopped here for a light snack.
We stopped on 129 at the Motorcycle Pit Stop for a light snack.

After eating and watching all the bikes roll by, we proceeded south on 129 riding the Dragon.

Nice views along the way.
Nice views along the way.

We stopped at Deals Gap at the top of the Dragon.

The Killboy store is a fun tourist spot.
The Killboy store is a fun tourist spot.
The dragon statue is spectacular and popular with the tourists.
The dragon statue is spectacular and popular with the tourists.
Deals Gap Motel is right across the street. A motorcycle mecca!
Deals Gap Resort is right across the street. A motorcycle mecca!

After visiting for a few minutes, we took 28 south- a beautiful road that runs right along the water.

View of the water distribution plant along 28.
View of the water distribution plant along 28.

Then we stopped at the bottom of Fontana Dam for a look.

Fontana Dam is massive!
Fontana Dam is massive!
View below the dam. Gorgeous.
View below the dam. Gorgeous.

We then got back on 28 and traveled a few more miles to Fontana Village. We arrived at Fontana Village around 1:00pm and headed to the Wildwood Grill for lunch.

The Wildwood Grill in Fontana Village.
The Wildwood Grill in Fontana Village.

It is a large restaurant with a huge outside deck. We grabbed a table on the deck and enjoyed the view while we ate. The food and service were both terrific.

Pamo started off with a fresh salad. YUM!
Pamo started off with a fresh salad. YUM!
Our entire meal was yummy.
Our entire meal was yummy.

Then after lunch we walked across the parking lot to the Putt Putt course.

A nice 18 hole putt putt course.
A nice 18 hole putt putt course.
Jeff takes the shot.
Jeff takes the shot.

After playing mini golf, we walked down the sidewalk to a historic cabin built in the 1870’s.

The historic Gunter Cabin at Fontana Village.
The historic Gunter Cabin at Fontana Village.
Built in 1875.
Built in 1875.

Inside the cabin we read the story of the Gunter family. Then we got back on the bikes.

By this time it was 3:30pm. We headed south again on 28 just a few miles and pulled into the top side of Fontana Dam.

View from the top of Fontana Dam.
View from the top of Fontana Dam.
Another view from the bridge.
Another view from the bridge.
The other side of the dam. So serene.
The other side of the dam. So serene.
At Fontana Dam, visitors get a close of view of the dam gates.
At Fontana Dam, visitors get a close view of the dam gates.
Wow!
Wow!
This view in person will make your stomach lurch. It's over powering.
This view in person will make your stomach lurch. It’s over powering.
View from the observation deck over the dam.
View from the observation deck over the dam.
Beautiful!
Beautiful!
Jeff points out where we are on the map on top of the observation deck.
Jeff points out where we are on the map on top of the observation deck.

Of all the dam’s in this area, Fontana Dam is probably the most intimidating. You can walk to the top of the dam and look down into the inner workings of the water release system. It is quite spectacular! Put this one on your list to visit.

After visiting the dam, we got back on 28 south then took 143 west to Robbinsville. We stopped in Robbinsville to fuel up then headed to the Cherohala Parkway.

View from Cherohala Skyway.
View from Cherohala Skyway.
The
The Obadiah Gap at 3740 elevation.
Further on down the Cherohala Parkway.
Further on down the Cherohala Parkway almost to Tellico Plains.
And a final view before leaving the Skyway.
And a final view before leaving the Skyway.

We rode into Tellico Plains then took 68 north to Madisonville. From there we rode 411 to Vonore, took 72 to Loudon, then 70 back to Knoxville and finally back home.

We left this morning at 10:00am and got back home at 7:45pm. Our total ride was 228 miles. What a great day!

You can view our entire list of DAY RIDES by CLICKING HERE.