more about vacation

The next morning we woke up bright and early. Unfortunately the sun did not wake up early! LOL It was a dreary morning but we were not going to let that spoil our fun. After a breakfast of waffles(which I made) we loaded up and headed out. Our goal, The Smokies. First stop was for gas, while there another bike showed up. The guy on it was from Florida. He had come up with a group of bikers was showing them the area. We got to talking and he gave us a copy of his map called Mad Maps. I highly recommend you to get one for any trip, not just bike trips. Off we went with the goal of Cherokee, North Carolina as our next stop. Into the mountains we headed once again. It was cool and we had to wear long sleeves. I was prepared for this and had brought jean shirts (so I forgot tennis shoes, I am not perfect all the time! LOL). The cruves were breath taking. There were lots of hills with a 7% grade on them and runaway truck ramps every few miles it seemed. We rolled into town and of course had to stop at the casino. You can't go to a town without one and not go! LOL After dropping $10 in a couple of slot machines (only thing in these casinos) we headed out. Soon we came to the shops on the reservation. It has been a long time since I have been to the reservation. I was disappointed at how many items that looked like they were Indian made but were from China! It was just like most other tourist traps. There were a few items in this one store that were Indian made. I would have loved to of had a bracket but with a $350 price tag I just really could not justify the cost! After a bite to eat in a fast food place ( I think it was Hardies) we got back on the bike.

Over the mountain we went into the Smokies National Park. There we stopped at the ranger station and took a  tour of a homestead that they had set up there. By this time the sun was out in full force and we were ready to ride again. After making the necessity stop we hopped on again after I reversed the bike ( I push it backwards! I am reverse gear) and headed out. This time disaster stuck. Pat dropped the bike and I got my foot caught underneath. He raised it enough and I got off the bike. Now this bike will not lay all the way down because of safety bars on it so I was not trapped under it. Some men came over to help him upright it but until the women came over it was notbudging. LOL The women pushed on the bike and up it went. They were not spring chickens either! This bike weighs 900 pounds plus with all our stuff on it. It landed on the back of my ankle right above the heel. O man it hurt! We got back on and as soon as we cam to a spot where I could get down to the water we stopped. I stripped offmy boots and sock and stuck my foot in the water. But not before Pat beat and poked holes to make sure no snakes were there. That water was ice cold! It no time at all my foot turned red and then was working on blue. It still hurt somewhat but I knew it would be okay. Off we go to Gatlinburg!