Same but different

[Pittsdriverwes]

I make a semi annual trek south from Maryland to see family in north Georgia. Sometimes I fly and rent a car. Sometimes I take the bike. Sometimes I drive the slab down and back. This time the weather was a factor so I decided to take my wife's Miata and allow a couple of days to get there so I could travel some of our favorite roads in Appalachia - 220 down to 250 and over to 28. I stopped briefly at Greenbank for a biological break:



I took 311 (the place of DYLJim's close encounter) down for lunch at Paint Bank:



By the way, they've had a kitchen fire and are serving a very limited menu from their prep kitchen. The place was deserted mid-week for lunch.

Back of the Dragon and the Green Eyed Snake led me to an overnight just south of Asheville. The next morning I jumped upon the BRP at sunrise to 30+ miles of open road:



The BRP from Asheville south is where several tunnels are encountered and a great stretch of road. I exited the parkway at one of my favorite roads in Western NC, 215 with is every bit as much fun as any road in the area. Then I paid for all that fun trying to take 64 across through Cashiers and Franklin by getting stuck behind semis for nearly the entire way.

After a nice visit with family and spending Saturday evening watching Alabama hang another L on Georgia (Roll Tide!) I started back home Sunday morning. With appointments at home Monday I put the top up, Bose QC ear phones in, AC on, and hit the slab for 680 miles home. It was worth it to enjoy the two days I spent going south.

I miss the BRPR but this partially scratched that itch.

[wildbears]

Great report!

[955i]

Thanks, Wes. Before old age ruins me, I intend to ride some of these same roads. It's just a little far from rural, (and flat) Oklahoma, for a short quick trip.

[802Mike]

I feel the same about getting out west, but I need to do it while I still can.

[Lee]

We like Paint Bank.

[Susan]

You were in our neck of the woods which has some of the best riding in the country IMHO. From 215 over to 178 is one curve after another. When we were coming home from AHR last year, we were concerned that US64 would be either washed away or blocked off. Happy to say, it escaped Helene damage and pretty much we had it all to ourselves.

[Pittsdriverwes]

I try to jump on 215 between 64 and the BRP anytime I'm going north/south in that area.

[Susan]

We're thankful that the BRP is now open. Things were a bit of a mess.

[802Mike]

That's great news that the BRP is now open.
I plan to be down there for the gathering.
311 is one of my favorite roads.

[Loggiebone]

We were on the BRPW last week from Cherokee to Mt. Pisgah and it was all open...no sign of damage. Got into some of the thickest fog I've been in....happy to be in the hotrod instead of on two wheels. Color was just starting to turn. Beautiful...what I could see of it!

[cabnfvr]

Graveyard Fields area just opened. The only closed section is from Mt Mitchell to Linville. There's still a lot of work going on around here to repair damage from Helene.

[Loggiebone]

I just read a piece that said that because of government cuts (and now shut down) ,that it may take years to get all of it open. Some of the wash outs on the pkwy and I 40 look virtually impossible to repair. The article also was talking about the devastation to local businesses during leaf season where 75% of their revenue is generated. The article also was talking about how the locals were pitching in, alongside the government contractors to help get things done....that's pretty cool!