Lanie Gross, general manager of Linville Caverns, sees lots of Blue Ridge Parkway travelers stopping in to visit the limestone cave system that was first discovered in 1822 by outdoorsmen fishing in the north fork of the Catawba River. I take the parkway back to Linville Falls and down U.S. 181 down the mountain toward Morganton after hearing the pipes of a group of cruisers rumble past, but there are other destinations I wish to see and they’re all in the opposite direction. Whatever they are, they won’t be visible in the midday sun - and still no sign of bigfoot. Some scientists conjecture they may be ionized gas or possibly “earthquake lights” caused by seismic activity exciting the quartz in the tectonic plates beneath the mountain. Legend says they are the ghosts of early settlers searching for a lost loved one with lanterns. Too bad I can’t stay until dark hoping to glimpse them. It’s from here that some folks have observed the famous Brown Mountain lights, a mysterious night-time display of flashing orbs science has yet to fully explain. This is a popular motorcycling road for residents of the Piedmont, and the Brown Mountain overlook on 181 serves as gathering spot. Ready to get going again, I decide to detour east to take a glance at Brown Mountain from the overlook on N.C. We also have a covered pavilion area and fire pit where people like to gather.” They’re private from one another, but very conducive to being near each other enough that they can get together and cook together. “We’ve got five cabins from three bedrooms to five bedrooms. We’ve got a couple of restaurants here in Linville Falls, so it’s convenient for a stopping place,” said owner Carolyn Gross. “We’re right along the Blue Ridge Parkway, which motorcyclists like to ride. ![]() The property features a pond and trails that lead to the waterfall. They offer private cabins in a tranquil setting available for a minimum two-night rental. Not far away, Cross Creek Log Cabins offers group riders an ideal place to set up a base camp for exploring the area. Here visitors can descend into the gorge along trails of varying difficulty to see Linville Falls far below. Returning to pavement a few miles north, I stop at the Linville Falls Visitor center near the Blue Ridge Parkway. The vista across Linville Gorge includes Table Rock jutting out from the eastern ridgeline and the ancient river far below. A paved, quarter mile trail takes you to the scenic overlook revealing the majesty of this natural wonder. Bigfoot? No, just a Cooper’s hawk alighting on a limb, probably returning from a patrol over the deep gorge just to the east.įarther along the mountaintop road, I arrive at the turnoff to Wiseman’s View. With most of my days filled with motorcycle commuting through a traffic-clogged city, being able to just stop in the middle of an empty dirt road and connect with the environment seems to renew my spirit and remind me of the magic that adventure motorcycles unlock.Ī rustling noise in the trees snaps me out of my reverie. ![]() I haven’t seen another vehicle since I left the lakeshore, so I stop to take in the view. ![]() Soon I reach the summit and a long plateau along the ridge top. Spring has yet to arrive in these climes, so the bare trees allow peeks back at the lake when the winding road twists to the left. 105, a gravel road running up the mountain and along the western rim of Linville Gorge in Burke County. ![]() With a final check of my map, I mount up and head for Old N.C. I lift my eyes to the hills where I intend to ride and wonder if indeed he’s out there. Reputed sightings of the creature in recent years also prompted the nearby town of Marion to hold a Bigfoot Festival each September. It was accompanied by a blurry video taking from a boat of a shadow behind that tree that witnesses say is the elusive cryptid. I saw a news story last fall about a Bigfoot sighting along Lake James. I lounge by the shore enjoying the warming rays of the sun, the silence broken only by the howl of pick-up truck tires as a few passing anglers transport their fishing boats from the lake. This part of McDowell County, North Carolina, sits on the eastern edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, and I’ve come here for a bit of adventure bike exploring along the rim of Linville Gorge. I find a suitable pull-off and ease the bike off the road to take a break and enjoy this peaceful light show. Ripples of water shimmer through the pines along the north shore of Lake James.
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