The Cherahola Parkway is a scenic, mile-high, two-lane highway winding over the Smokies between Tellico Plains, TN and Robbinsville, NC. Earlier this week Ellie decided to take a road trip along it before the forests shed their spectacular, multi-hued fall display of color.
Somehow, I had managed to cajole my permanent girlfriend to explore a new return route home that would take us on the notorious Tail-of-the Dragon. Traversing 318 hairpin curves in 11 miles between NC and TN, it’s heralded as America’s number one motorcycle and sports car road. I was excited, Ellie not so much . . . the things you do for love 😊
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
We delighted in the breathtaking exhibition of our Sovereign’s art on our journey through the mountains, stopped to snap a few pics, and arrived in Robbinsville, NC just as planned. With just about an hour from home and the Tail-of-the Dragon next, my adrenaline began to flow. Checking with Google on my phone to confirm our route home, things suddenly took an unexpected turn ☹. . . Google politely informed me, “You are on the shortest route that avoids all road closures. You’ll arrive home in two hours and 11 minutes.” . . . What???
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
The lingering road closures recently caused by hurricane Helene’s tragic devastation had closed sections of Interstate 40 between NC and TN, and many other roads. Truck traffic was especially restricted, and that definitely included the 318 sinuous curves of Trail of the Dragon. Some ‘adventurous’ truck drivers, seeking to circumvent highway closures following Helene’s destruction, had attempted to do so, and been fined $5,000. . . I wonder if they own motorcycles. 😊
Google’s A.I. had been re-programmed to account for road closures and assumed I was behind the wheel of a massive Peterbuilt hauling a huge trailer (not an unpleasant thought), and not our comparatively diminutive Honda CRV. My A.I. (Authentic Ignorance) had failed to account for this 😊 Now, with the sun setting and Google directing our route home, my adrenaline quickly drained as we began the extended, circuitous, sans Trail of the Dragon trek home.
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
Viewing the Smokies’ spectacular, multi-hued fall display of color in the dark is extremely monochromatic . . . zero-dark-thirty black! . . . except for the two red glowing orbs of an 18-wheeler’s taillights 10 yards directly in front of us we followed at 20 miles/hr. for 38 miles. The skill that truck driver exhibited navigating a narrow, upgraded cow-path, 2-lane road was truly remarkable . . . I know he had to own a motorcycle, or Lamborghini! Ellie said if he pulled over she was going to congratulate him (her?), and recommend they be awarded the Truck Driver Grammy Award.
After traversing uninhabited stretches where undoubtedly isolated Bigfoot enclaves still reside, we finally emerged from the wilderness, and things abruptly appeared remarkably familiar . . . we had arrived back in Tellico Plains, TN! . . . and I thought you only went in circles when you were lost on foot 😊 After a 5* McDonald’s late-night snack, we finally gratefully arrived back home before midnight. The moral . . .
“In their hearts humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps.”
Proverbs 16:9
Enjoy Fall’s magnificent colors . . . in the daylight 😊
Keep Looking Up^ . . . His Best is Yet to Come!
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