The Maggie valley in North Carolina serves as another central point to The Appalachian Moutains where the become better known as the Great Smoky Mountains which are further sub divided between The Cherokee National Forest to the North and The Nantahala National Forest in the South West. However better known as a central base for motorcyclists who flock to this area to enjoy the scenic rides. My family owned motel called simply A Holiday Motel relies on the passing motircyclist who at times provides up to 70% of the revenue and this motel is only one of literally over a hundred in the area. The owners like most other establishments hang out the "Welcome Bikers"banner and go that little bit extra by providing a bucket and cleaning rags for your motorcycle which is parked at your front door.

Another reason for attracting this group is the location of the "Wheels through time"motorcycle museum. Owner Dale Walksier has been featured on shows such as Ämerican Pickers"and has it's own decidated TV channel "Dales Channel".

While displaying a premier collection of Harley Davidison motorcycles it has the unique position of displaying in running condition over one dozen Öne off"motorcycles as you can see in the accompanying photographs. Such as the 1913 Hedstrom Indian Prototype- believed to be the oldest running Indian in the world. Also displayed is a 1914 Elk,1917 Traub (about which there is no history),A Yale, a Wagner a Dayton, the 1939 MWA and the 1914 Flescher Flyer. This is my second visit to this museum and it remains one of my favourities as it is a living museum where not only do the majority of the bikes run but they often leave to either compete or run at events around the country even the öne Offs"bikes.

The museum also has some US cars, a plane powered by a motorcycle engine, snow mobiles, power generators, outboard motors all based on motorcycle propulsion.

Close by is the town of Waynesville and I took a run over to visit two of the businesses located there.

The first was a lunch stop at Netties Bakery on 500 Hazelwood Ave. This small bakery has a reputation for quality home baked products from the breads used in their sandwiches to the pastries and pies. For the United States they are special in that they provide a High Tea service in surroundings that contain for purchase all the finery of English procerlain and fine China from around the world.

What was to be the next brief stop turned into a 2 hour break at Smoky Mountain Steel Horses, 32 locus Dr Waynesville, the area's Indian dealership. Thanks to Kenny, the salesman, my Indian had it's chrome cleaned free of charge when I declined to buy the chrome polish that was only sold in a large bottle. I did however add their dearlership T Shirt and a pair of jacket matching Indian gloves to my evergrowing luggage pile.

No it didnt take 2 hours to look at the dealership but I engaged two young men in conversation about politics, health, drug issues, God, motorcycling and lifestyles in the South. This along with the conversations I had with Richard and his family over dinner at Cherokee and a 24 yr old Chase at the motel, who had already served 4 years in State Goals, gives me a better understanding of the morals, aspirations and life in the South rather then relieing on media or second hand reports. The two boys today were showing a number of tats, which they happily related why and what they meant as a contrast to Richard's two boys who would never think of having a tat but were heavily involved in hunting, fishing & shooting. Chase on the other hand spoke openly about becoming involved in crime, grand larnacy, auto theft as he tried to feed his drug addition. Having served his four years he had come to the realisation that if he was to survive and avoid goal then the drugs had to go.

So while some back home have criticised me over the "life of Southerners" I have done extensive interviews selecting a wide range of people to talk with and "my reflections on the politics and the place of God in the South comes from these real life locals.