After a couple of false starts yesterday we headed to the Oak Ridge National Laboratory for a tour. Wow! The tour by bus lasted almost three hours but was definitely worth it. We learned how Oak Ridge began as a secret city that was built in a matter of months during World War II as part of the Manhattan Project. We also learned the basics of uranium enrichment and the making of plutonium. I snagged a lot of literature and purchased a book on the social aspects of the secret city.
Following the tour at Oak Ridge we headed for the Tail of the Dragon. We had started to do this early in the day but turned back due to rain. We began the ride with sun and clouds. Just over halfway through this twisty (318 turns in 11 miles) ride we ran into rain. Rain and curvy roads are scary on a motorcycle. We took a break at the tourist trap at the end of the eleven miles before taking another scenic route back towards town. This route, the Cherohala Skyway, was much longer but a bit less curvy. The skyway took us to an elevation of over 5200 feet (one mile) with beautiful vistas of the Smoky Mountains. We were actually riding in the thick clouds at the top of the mountains for awhile. That was cold. We layered on shirts we had purchased as souvenirs earlier in the day to stay warm. Coming down the mountain was a welcome event as the air warmed and eventually the curves eased. By the time we got home we were all exhausted and sore from hanging on so tight. Fun good ride, probably won't be repeated though!
Pictures, pictures, pictures:
This bus tour took us through a good part of the complex at Oak Ridge Laboratory with a few stops.
An actual nuclear reactor, no longer in use of course.
An accurately dizzying view on the Tail of the Dragon. Jeremy was warned to be careful with my baby on his motorcycle.
Another pretty view.
Golda claims to be smiling!
Apparently we were on the highway to heaven.
Another heavenly view. Mountains as far a you can see.
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