As we wound our way through Cherokee National Park, there was one of those butt puckering moments.  Our lane was ending and as Chessie was carefully edging over, some idiot cager almost side swiped her..... I watched him back off and then, just as she crossed over the line, he sped up and my heart came up into my throat. Never did his brake lights even flicker. It happened so fast I had no time for any kind of warning.  Luckily, Chessie felt the odd wind currents from the SUV and corrected just in time.  

After watching the SUV disappear into the curves, we pulled over for a much needed nicotine fix for our nerves.  Not far from our pit stop, 67 split from 321 and Chessie and I also parted ways, yelling our farewells over the roar of our engines.  She turned around and head back home as I split off  with 321 and headed back towards  Boone.  I stopped a couple of time along the way to snap shots of the spectacular vistas that I had oops'd while riding on the way up. I did get better at taking pics while riding , though, as the day progressed. 

It was slow going back through Boone and the evening traffic jams and the exertion and cold started my left shoulder to aching and I greatly appreciated my overpriced sale purchase of the jacket I was wearing.  After meandering my way through Boone and back to 421, I was glad to be able to open up the throttle on the way back to Wilkesboro.

I arrived home about 6 15 and 200 miles later  and was warmly greeted by Koty, Buddy and the Kitty Clan.  I went out and helped Koty get the lawn mower started and showed him his error in his previous attempts.  Then I limped on in the house, gave Chessie a call to find her dozing in front of the TV with her feet up, downloaded the 154 pics of beauty and blurred white lines, bike and body parts, and the ache in my shoulder has subsided somewhat. 

Now I’m off to soak the rest of the aches away and then I’ll get a slide show up of our day.   It was a most satisfying day and I am eager to ride with Chessie again!  I've certainly been blessed to find a compatible riding partner so soon. Now if I could just find compatible employment.....that search resumes on the morrow, as well as the search for new rubber.