Smokin' Joes

March 21st, 2004

       The first group met at McDonalds at Exit 407. Sandee Bible, Larry Johnson, Ed Rockefeller and myself headed off on this brisk morning for Waffle House in Alcoa. Phil and Kim Smith were there waiting for us sitting on their bike and ready to roar. Phil and Kim rode with us yesterday and were down here from Wallins Kentucky for a weekend of riding. It was about 10:15 as we headed off towards Maryville.
    Via the back roads, I got us up to Foothills Parkway. A weather front had come through making for great views and we could see for miles. The Overlook at MM 5 is one of the best so we stopped for a break and photo op. 
    No one was hungry yet so we opted to make the loop in cades Cove. Ed has never been there, so even better. Traffic was light in the Cove and there was deer everywhere. But, it felt like the temperature was dropping. Hmmm, weather forecast is for temps. in the mid 50's....NOT! Larry's trusty sophisticated onboard thermometer never got about 48 and the banks signs all said mid 40's at best. (Damn, this heated clothing had quit working).
    Now, I gotta admit....I mean I gotta tell something on myself. Instead of wearing my leathers, I opted to wear my heated pants and jacket liner. All day long, I felt cold and was getting colder. I kept turning the thermostat up higher and higher but it seemed to be having little effect. Without heat, I was freezing!!!!
    Anyway, we had a good meal at Joe's, as usual and decided to start towards home. Everybody was feeling a little chilly and being in the mountains was not helping. We headed up Little River Rd. through Gatlinburg, the Forge and Sevierville on Rt. 66. Folks started peeling off and most of us, except Phil and Kim,  should have been home by 5:30 PM. 
    Oh yeah, and as for telling something on myself????  When I got home, I discovered I had the heated clothes plugged into the wrong outlet!!! I am still blue in critical areas.