Franklin - Chattanooga - Asheville

I decided to take a motorcycle trip to Asheville to visit family. Since I've been in the I-40 area way too many times, I went south to Chattanooga, and then east through national forest. Here's the route:
The bike all packed for touring.
Road, sweet road.
Crossing the Tennessee River near Chattanooga.

I took a break at Taco Bell, which happened to be occupied by the local fire department. This kind gentleman warned me about the police in the next county and told me about the Ocoee River area.
Dam
Peaceful lake
The Ocoee was home to the Olympic whitewater competition, and rafting/kayaking is advertised for miles and miles along it.
Kayakers
Taken on the fly -- a lot of the river was very low, mostly rocks. The road along the river was a lot of fun. Unfortunately my video camera turned itself off, so no helmet cam footage here.
Goforth Creek - a waterfall near the roadside.
Lunch at Burger King with the Star Trek crew.
This pink Fleetwood made me pull over. Then I noticed the store had hand-dipped ice cream.
This gentleman told me the legend of the pink Cadillac -- supposedly it belonged to Elvis. I doubt it. But the rocky road ice cream was good.
Smith Powersports in Hayesville, NC. Nice Aprilias and SVs.
Someone was trading in a Buell Ulysses. I'd like to test drive one.
Beautiful KTM 990 Super Duke.
More sweet road.
Canton, NC -- almost there.
Finally, Aunt Martha's house.
And here she is...
A great ride, all in all. The ride home was better. More on that after I blog about my visit to Asheville.

Rain rain rain rain rain

To those of you who have noticed the lack of updates, it has been raining here every time I've planned to ride. Quirky Tennessee spring weather. But, dear readers, have faith -- the next chapter will come soon.