Day 12 - Monday, July 15

The forecast looked good, but I woke to cloudy skies - then it poured during breakfast. I was glad to be at the Hampton Inn where my motorcycle was under cover and I could enjoy a nice breakfast while I waited things out. Once again I began my day with the rain suit on, but it never rained real hard after that. Nevertheless the clouds threatened all morning as I rode north toward the mountains. About 1:00 I reached the southern entry to the Smoky Mountains in Cherokee, NC. I removed the rain gear for lunch and didn't need to put it on again. 

The road over the mountains into Gatlinburg is 35 miles of winding curves and rising and dipping hills. It really gets fun when the hills and curves happen together, which is most of the time. I stopped several times to take in the awesome views. Looking down at the misty valleys makes one feel on top of the whole world. This overlook happens to be right on the NC/TN line where the Appalachian Trail cross the highway. 

Gatlinburg was surprisingly uncrowded, I thought, for mid-July. The next 50 miles were not fun as it became quite hot and I had to contend with the traffic of Pigeon Forge and Knoxville. Near the end of my day I was treated to another stretch of beautiful, park-like riding through shaded hills and twisty turns. I've developed a fondness for picturesque churches wherever I go. This one leaped out of the shadows at me as I rounded a bend. 

Finally, a few miles before my destination for the night, my road crossed over the Norris Dam, built in 1936 and one of many in the Tennessee River Valley system. 

I stopped for the night at Lake City, TN - Another $35 room and a Mexican restaurant, neither with WiFi. It was a pretty good day, especially as it ended in sunshine.