Nottely River TVA dam, Christmas Eve, 2025

Like much of the rest of the country we’ve had unseasonable weather over the winter holidays, and that good fortune remains with us through today when the temperature is expected to reach 70- or more degrees.

As you know, that’s nearly perfect motorcycle weather.

So the bike has gotten out of the stable a bit — on Christmas Eve I rode a loop through the Georgia mountains and across TVA’s dam on the Nottely River, where I took the selfie you see here.

Today, while a pot of slow-cooking venison roast simmers on the cabin counter, I plan for go into Cherokee and onto the route through the Smoky Mountain Park, where I hope to get a photo of the elk you can sometimes see grazing there.

Here’s wishing myself some luck on the elk . . . Stay tuned.