Our Heritage 441 Run - 25th Anniversary Edition
The saga begins in August of 2008. The reason for this trip ties in with the original Stew's Place site. The restoration of my '87 VF700C SuperMagna was long since complete. Ann's purchase of a shiny new 2008 Harley Sportster, an XL1200L, allowed her to ride along with the rest of the family. We all have our motorcycle endorsements, including Nick and Courtney.
While researching various aspects of restoring those classic motorcycles, I came across a group dedicated to the '60s Ford Galaxy, and one of the threads talked about making the so called "Heritage 441 Run". More research turned up more information on this Heritage 441 Run. Long story short, it follows the route of highway US441, mostly two lane highway. It makes for a slower pace, and the ability to take in the nostalgia and Americana of days past.
That prompted making this trip on our motorcycles. All the way to the Smoky Mountains and back. The unknown was a little scary, but having "contingency" plans helped to compensate for all but the most catastrophic event. We made a great start, packed light, and ready to make the first leg of the journey to General Coffee State Park in Douglas, GA. My motorcycle had different plans, blowing a head gasket two hours into the trip. Talk about a catastrophic event!
Well shit. We had just fueled up then rode across the parking lot to the Town and Country Diner. We parked and went in for lunch, allowing my bike to cool. We stuffed ourselves, both ordering breakfast. The service and the food were excellent but our moods weren't the best when we left. I opened up my radiator cap, poured in one of the liter bottles of coolant I brought 'just in case', replaced the cap and tried to start her up.
A Major Setback
Made it to our first destination, General Coffee State Park.
She tried but wouldn't turn over - instant hydraulic lock - meaning at least one of the cylinders was full of coolant. My Maggie was dead. And so, we thought, was our trip. We went back inside the diner where it was cool and called the kids. Ann told Courtney she was going to grant one of her wishes, she finally gets to drive her Dad's truck! She explained the situation and told her to throw the bike ramp in the bed and head our way.
Meanhwile, we sat and drank iced tea while we waited and discussed calling to cancel the trip reservations. Ann had already cancelled the reservation for our cabin in Georgia before I could stop her, forfeiting the $214 deposit. Instead I asked why couldn't we just take her Miata convertible instead and start a day later? I know the idea was to ride, but everything happens for a reason and we were already packed small and light.
Small enough and light enough to adjust the wardrobe a bit for four wheels, not two, throw the packs in her trunk and leave Sunday morning. Sure, we'd miss a night at the cabin, but we were paying for it anyway. Why not get at least one night out of it? Ann called them back and they were more than happy to charge another $110 to re-reserve it for Sunday night. It was worth it though because, as far as we could tell, we were the ONLY ones to spend the night at the park! But I'm getting ahead of myself...
Glen-Ella Inn
Fontana Village. Memorable, but for all the wrong reasons!
Bryson City, The Presidential Suite, And The Smoky Mountain Railway!