Ducktown & Burra Burra Mine

April 17th, 2004

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by Terry Elmy

What a day for motorcycling...8 bikes and 14 folks showed up to do the Ducktown ride, some as far away as Rockwood and Morristown AND Kentucky!  All were greeted by perfect weather and an interesting trip.  After skirting through Maryville traffic, the group rode via Old Niles Ferry Road only to get more traffic than expected due a church bazaar!  Bobbie was able to keep Debbie from jumping off to buy things and we cruised out in the countryside toward Vonore.  A brief stop in Vonore at the 360/411 intersection and we were off taking in the rising temps and the wide sweeping curves of 360 to Tellico Plains. 

It was decided to lunch a little early at the Bistro alongside the Tellico River....the hit was the BBQ and fried green tomatoes.  But a few folks couldn't resist the deserts...but I'm not telling (they know who they are).  By this time the leathers were coming off and air vents opened up as the temps kept rising.  Hitting the trail again we cruised down 68 through such metropolises as Dogtown and Coker Creek and finally into Ducktown.  We were greeted and pleasantly surprised at the Ducktown Museum by Ken Rush who was helping Joyce with visitors this Saturday.  Ken gave us a full historical, metallurgical, and business description of the mine from the time copper was discovered to present day.  Ken was a marvelous communicator and he regularly gleans more of the mine history information from mine retirees who still reside in the Ducktown area.  Everyone saw the narrated slide show that contains a wonderful array of old pictures of the mine and community. 

Following the museum visit and brief stop to get gas and a cold drink (it was noted how folks are now hunting for the shade instead of standing in the sun at our stops!), it was off down the Ocoee River Gorge.  The whitewater enthusiasts were out but traffic was not too heavy as can be experienced on mid-summer weekends.  A right turn on highway 30 sent us into some of the more challenging curvy roads and picturesque mountain valleys.  Had to watch those turns as the floorboards were starting to grind. 

Returning to Tellico Plains via 315 and 68 for a last pit stop, we turned back to civilization through Madisonville traveling east on 411 with the wind at our back.  A great end to a great afternoon.