Muddy, Broke and Smoked

Iron Horse Motorcycle Lodge, NC

1.30 PM. 60’s and (surprise) Raining

It’s been quite the trip since my last post, and for this entry, the photos tell the story.

I’ll begin where I left off… at the “Underwater Expo” aka “Mudderland.”

Got Mud?
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Vans
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Truck Campers

John Deere was the hero of the weekend.

Being a volunteer at this year's Overland East, I'd at times work the merch table...

...Or help with teardown...
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Mostly, I just sat enamored with all the beautiful Rovers.

Personal connections and serendipitous meetings are, for me, what these overlanding events are really about. Within the gathering of such an eclectic group, enlightening conversations and shared experiences lead to personal as well as professional growth- and sometimes skinny dips in a hidden pond.

The day after Overland East officially closed up, and I was back on the road…  Well, almost.

I wanted to go, the bike wanted to go, but whenever a turn was attempted, the whole show just shut down, leaving me struggling to maintain an upright position, let alone clear an intersection. Hmm… had to be electrical.

Unsheathing the bundle of wires that leaves the ignition switch reveals...

Surprise! Broken leads. Several.

A little interenetting, and it’s discovered that this is not an uncommon problem with these bikes. From the factory, the wire loom was attached to the frame a little too tightly, and over time, the stress just makes them snap. Fortunately for me, help arrived on the scene… 

Terrible with a set of pliers, and only willing to chase the roll of black tape as it rolled around on the ground, this stray orange tabby still managed to help get the job done simply by being cute.

Orange tabby says, "No time for solder, my friend. Get yourself a kill switch and go keyless!"

With the bike in running condition again, a few of us Overland stragglers made it into Asheville to take in some sights.

And have a beer and bison burger at the Wicked Weed brewery.

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As well as take in a little art.

 

And gain a little life affirmation.

Among our small group, the consensus for evening accomodations was to locate a spot somewhere in the nearby Smoky Mountains. So out of Asheville, onto the Parkway, and into the mountains we went.
 

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BMWs and Land Rovers, great friends do make. Fire and wine and a healthy attitude towards invading other people's privacy helps to keep things interesting, too.

The next day, some exploration was in order. We chose Clingman's Dome, located against the ceiling of the Smokies.

Took the iconic shot of the tower.

 

And of the ramp and stunning view.

It was at the top of this great smoky forest that the ole' red rocketship turned 99k.

We didn't see any bears in the Smokies, but this painted work in Cherokee was hot on my tail...

The time had come for our Overland Extended group to part ways. They were off to points east towards the coast and I, west to the Horizons Unlimited gathering held at the Iron Horse Lodge, near Deal’s Gap and the famous Tail of the Dragon.  

I have arrived at HUNC 2015!