Miles: 256
The resort doesn't get breakfast going until 8:00 which was really too late for us as we were anticipating another great day of riding. Instead we started out early and rode 20 miles to Robbinsville where we stopped to eat at Pop and Nana's Kitchen. It was a nice start getting 20 miles down the road and then Poop and Nana's Kitchen was very good and we enjoyed the company of some other bikers. It hadn't warmed up much as we ate breakfast but we were prepared. We headed out to ride Cherohala Skyway which in my opinion is even better than the Dragon. I don't think we had ever ridden the Skyway from east to west but that is what we did, and I'm not sure which way is more enjoyable but I know I am always happy when I am riding it. We stopped once along the Skyway to soak everything in and look around. Once in Tellico Plains we headed south on TN68 turning east on TN123/NC294 over to US64 which is another great road. We stopped at Hayesville Brew and considered eating lunch as it was 11:30 but nothing looked all that great and there was another place in Hiawassee. When we walked in we noticed a number of Bengals, Reds, and other Cincinnati items and learned that the owner is from Cincinnati. We met her and as it turned out I work with a close friend of hers. Small world! Since we didn't eat we set our sights on Hiawassee Brew just a few short miles away. We ate there and some wings, but they were not that great. The next 80+ miles were going to be great. We took US76 to GA197, and GA356 putting us on the outskirts of Helen. We didn't go into the town as we had our sights set on the Richard B Russell Highway. This would be second visit here this year, but what a great road. We blasted over to US19 and turned south, up and over Blood Mountain and down to Turners Corner. It was a little early for dinner so we didn't stop at the cafe to eat. Staying on US19 took us toward Dahlonega and on a road we hadn't been on in at least 18 years. We stopped on our way in at The Dahlonega Brewery which was a really nice place. It had the Etowah Meadery attached to it but we stuck with the beer rather than the fruity concoction made there. The atmosphere and setting was really nice. As we approached the city of Dahlonega traffic became very heavy as it was approaching rush hour. It was a slow go, but we made our way to Left Nut Brewing as our last stop before our hotel which was very nearby. Before reaching the hotel we stopped to wash off the bikes and hit our hotel that was just down the street. We walked to the downtown area and ate at Zen Ramen and Sushi. Very good noodles especially considering it was in Northern Georgia. Another great day of riding.