2016 is off to a great start! Day trips in our cars is my favorite thing to do. Niffers, Tuskegee Air Museum, and now Mt Cheaha. A great “day trip a month” start to the year.
Mt Cheaha is one of our favorite places to go. The roads for central Alabama can’t be beat. The weather turned a little cool for top down driving – except for Tom of course. He never put his up. Maybe he doesn’t have one? Early weather reports indicated rain, so we turned weather over to Russell and he again did an outstanding job of clearing the skies.
I think I counted 10 cars and 18 people after we got through Wetumpka. I could see Fred’s Porsche chomping at the bit. He did a great job of holding her back & not embarrassing the MGA in the lead. Directly up Hwy 9 we motored, until I could see the coffee floating in Debra’s eyes and made a much welcomed pit stop.
Here I owe an apology. Thinking all those folks standing at the cars were waiting on me – I took off – promptly leaving half the caravan at the station. Thanks to Blitz & Amanda for letting me know. Soon we were together again and hit a new road for us. Co Rd 31 out of Ashland is a really great road with lots of hills & curves. This cuts out the Lineville red lights and dead ends on Hwy 49 just before the roller coaster. That’s what this road always feels like to me. It just isn’t long enough.
At 281 we went to one scenic overlook. (Made me miss Marion) At the overlook was a rally, Canines for Vets. This group was doing a charity run for service dogs for wounded veterans. They had traveled from as far away as Michigan and Jacksonville Florida. GPS coordinates had them doing a scavenger hunt over several states.
Climbing the mountain was next. Try as I might, the hill overpowered the A. 2nd gear at 4,000 rpms got us to the summit. Food was plentiful and the view was great. No clouds or fog on this trip. A quick climb of the Tower and we were off to High Falls. This is a three tiered waterfall involving crossing a stream, climbing boulders, two rickety sets of stairs, and some gorgeous falls. Blitz went mountain goat on us – bounding and bouncing from rock to rock and partially climbing a rock wall.
Leaving the falls, I had one or two more nice back roads in mind. A right out of the falls and right at the end will have you on a great scenic ride with plenty of rolling hills and curves. Drop down 77 to Co Rd 7 for yet another scenic drive with a stream alongside the road.
About now I was looking for a rest room and made another mistake. A quick inspection of facilities, and the ladies of our group didn’t want to use this one. So with threatening looks from some anxious ladies, I hopped in the A to hurriedly get to the only decent pit stop I knew of. My apologies to Bob, didn’t see him and left him gassing the MGB.
At the Kelleyton pit stop – THE RACE WAS ON! Sharon bailed from the Porsche with a determined look in her eyes. I told Debra – you better move. She hurriedly tried to exit the A, but couldn’t. She still had the seat belt fastened. Sharon the Speedster ruled the throne 🙂
I hope everyone had as much fun as I did. As Tom said – “I can see how a ride up here would clear the mind. If only we could go maybe 15 mph faster”
Love that train of thought.
David
Photos by Cathy, Georgia & David