The mid-April North Georgia Classic, headquartered in Dillard at the Mountain Valley Inn, kicked off this year’s MSTA rally season. Chad Barker was the host and did another commendable job. In addition to getting us a good deal on a block of rooms at the MVI, he had several preplanned routes available for GPS and arranged for a Saturday dinner at the Valley Café including easy QR-code sign-up. Besides all that, he laughed at both of my jokes!
The rally was Thursday to Sunday but my riding pal, Ken, and I checked in early. I hate to travel nearly 600 miles and only get in three days of mountain riding – something sorely missed in Florida.
Mountain Valley Inn in Dillard, GA
The Inn provided continental breakfasts, but the Cupboard Café was within easy walking distance and their breakfasts were excellent. Lunches were at places we liked along the routes. Our favorite was the Rivers End Restaurant along the Nantahala River on US-19.
Rivers End Restaurant along the Nantahala
Dinners were mostly in Dillard though we had a few early meals elsewhere. There were two Mexican restaurants within walking distance. We preferred La Cabana’s light entrees. The Vally Café across the main road was very good. We saved it for the rally dinner on Saturday which was well attended.
Two good Mexican restaurants within walking distance of the hotel
Florida had a good turnout including Terry, Jay, Wayne, Mike and another fella, whose name escapes me, from the southeast… and me, of course. There may have been more. Ken and I hooked up with Terry and Jay Friday afternoon at TWO in Suches. Then we got in some spirited riding that afternoon and all-day Saturday.
TWO in Suches
All of the roads we were on were in good shape. However, damage from last year’s Hurricane Hellene was still evident in many areas well east of Dillard and mostly on the north side of the mountains. For example, we saw no damage riding US-276 north to the BRP from Brevard, but on the north side toward Waynesville, we saw where swollen streams had widely overflowed their banks causing downed trees and severely damaged buildings. Also, along US-1, 23 and 441 through south and central Georgia, there were lots of downed pecan trees and heavily damaged structures.
The Blue Ridge Parkway itself was also closed in areas. We had planned to take SR-215 up the mountain from Rosman and then the parkway about 15 miles north to the Mt Pisgah Inn for lunch. But a section just north of 215 was closed so we took US-276 up from Brevard. And I noted on Google Maps that a couple of sections in the Cherokee and Maggie Valley areas were also closed. At least we got in 3 miles of it.
Blue Ridge Parkway near the Pisgah Inn
Lunch up at the Pisgah Inn, BTW, was very good as usual. And the views up there are amazing. We got there well after noon and got seated right away. They do get busy, so reserve if you plan to be there at peak times.
The highways we especially enjoyed were SR-60 between Suches and Morganton, Wayah Rd from US-64 over the mountain to the Nantahala Gorge, the spectacular Cherohala Skyway between Robbinsville and Tellico Plains and the Richard B Russel Parkway (SR-348) from SR-180 over to near Helen. I could go on and on. SR’s 28 and 180 quickly come to mind as do US-19 over Blood Mountain below Blairsville and US-17 over the mountain north of Helen. And then there’s Warwoman Rd east of Clayton…
Amazing views at the Pisgah Inn