Tellico River, Tennessee

The Tellico River, about 900 feet above sea level, is a site to see parrelleling the Tennessee side of the Cherohala Skyway (TN 165 ).

Hiwassee Wildlife, Tennessee

While most people traveled to Asheville for the 30th Belle Chere celebration, we hit the road and explored the Cherohala Skyway and the area around Tennessee's Hiwassee Wildlife, with the water so calm, the blue sky is reflected.

Naturalist John Muir, founder of the Sierra Club, explored this region in the 1860s and fell in love with its wilderness beauty.

Majestic Beauty

The Hiwassee Wildlife Refuge covers 1,000 acres and is near Georgetown, Tennessee at the confluence of the Hiwassee and Tennessee Rivers. Known for migrating sandhill cranes in the fall, the refuge was the past home to Cherokee and is a celebration of majestic beauty.

Horse Cave, Kentucky

After a day of exploring Kentucky backroads, we stopped at the cozy Country Hearth Inn in Horse Cave, Kentucky. Home-cooked dinner, hot breakfast, and a whirlpool bath were part of the $60 room.

Corn Fields

We passed acres of corn fields in Illinois and Kentucky. Lush green stalks reaching up proudly to the crisp, blue sky.

Gateway Arch

"(I wanted to) to create a monument which would have lasting significance and would be a landmark of our time...at the edge of the Mississippi River, a great arch did seem right." ~ Eero Saarinen (Arch designer)

Oh, soaring beauty of lasting significance! The St. Louis Gateway Arch was something to see! I took this photo from my perch on the bike.

At a cost of more than $13 million, the engineering marvel took over two years to build. Its 142-welded triangular pieces and 60-foot foundations were constructed to withstand high winds and earthquakes. The Arch has become the internationally recognizable symbol of St. Louis.

St. Louis, Missouri

St.Louis, Missouri

Here we are on the banks of the great Mississippi River. It took us three days to get here and we arrived on St. Louis' HOTTEST day of the year.

Shawn Blanton Rally

We participated in a spectacular bike rally for fallen state trooper Shawn Blanton. Over 4,000 bikers participated and we made the trek from Kearfott plant in Black Mountain to the Eaglenest entertainment center in Maggie Valley amid cheers and waves from folks along the way. Organizers say they raised $40,000 for Blanton’s young widow and infant son; who remains in a critical care unit after being born premature.

Independence Weekend

Happy Independence Weekend! Here we are at the 151 rest area... what a spectacular rode this is. Winding, green, and spiritual.

Another great day of riding through rain and sunshine with Joseph, Christine, and James Wolf.

I never tire of the beautiful trip up and down HWY 151.