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Thursday, January 23, 2014

Dragon Tails and Normal Life


Have you heard of the Tail of the Dragon?
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It's an 11-mile stretch of 318 mountainous curves on US 129 in our area that motorcyclists from all over the world come here to "slay". (Yeah boy.)
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There are a lot of accidents on the road during warmer weather because some ride it hoping to take home bragging rights on how fast they took those 318 curves.

We've started to drive it several times, but each time there was too much traffic to enjoy it so as the weather has been too cold for the normal crowd to be there we decided to do just that.

 Gate & fence to a business along the way.
GOOD FENCES GATE SEEN HERE!!!
True, there were lots of curves... and this day lots of ice on the rocks along the side of the road...

And a few more dragon tails, but not much else. Oh, there were 100-foot drop-offs at the edge of the road, but my thoughts were unless you have a death wish, it's really not so pleasant of a drive. If you'd like to experience it via youtube click here for a safe ride from your chair.

Safely home, I made up a batch of pepperoni rolls. Any yeast bread recipe will do. After the first rising roll the dough into walnut sized balls then flatten...

Place a couple of sandwich-size pepperoni slices on the dough.

Roll...

 and seal the edge of the dough.

Then bake for about 15-20 mins. at 375º F until golden brown.
They make a great snack. I put them in Goodman's lunchbox for his afternoon break.

Normal is good. ;) Have a great week, y'all!


Linking up with.....        

50 comments:

  1. I've been on that road. I think someone blacktopped a drunkard's path. haha Your photos are beautiful. I'd like to go there again. Shoot. I want to live there.

    Oh. Those pepperoni rolls look wonderful. I'd love to have something hot and fresh-baked right now. But in order to do that, I have to shovel a path to the Blazer ... and I'm not going to do that in 15-degree temps. I'll have to do a portion of it in a few hours though. I figure half-path today and the other half tomorrow will get me to Walmart before I run out of food. haha I'm just not as eager to shovel snow as I once was. :-) I much prefer to sit at the window with a cup of hot coffee and my knitting and watch the birds flit around and peck at their food.

    Wishing you a wonderful day!

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    1. I don't blame you for not getting out in that snow,LesleyAnn. I'm sitting at the window with a hot cup of coffee today myself, even though we have no snow. The temperature alone is inducement enough to stay put.

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  2. sweet and happy jay. :) i like how the business places adopt the dragon tail motif. :)

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    1. Oh yeah, there's even one dragon tail made of motorcycle parts from wrecks on the road.

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  3. No thank you to the road but I will take the rolls! A slice of cheese would be good on the meat too I am thinking...

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    1. JES, yes cheese is a good addition if you like it.

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  4. normal is good-those mini rolls look perfect for a guys snack-I can think of all kinds of little variations-thanks for the idea.
    Hope your winter has not been too rough-we are really cold again today-but a warm up for the weekend-always a welcoming bread.
    enjoy the rest of your week Kathy

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    1. Kathy, it's been colder than normal for us, but we can't complain knowing what the northeast is enduring. And of course, you've had it rough out your way, too.

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  5. Your rolls look yummy!
    Blessings,
    Laura

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  6. Hi Toni! I played one minute of that you-tube and was so dizzy I had to stop it. LOL! I've been in TN so many times growing up, surely I must have been on that road at some point, but I don't remember it being called that. What a doozy of a road! Yes those rolls look delish! Good hot snack for snowy days...we have about 5" and I've been stranded at the top of our hill all this week. Must get out tomorrow though so I hope I can make it. thanks for your post.

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    1. My goodness, Deb, I hope you can get out today. We have the cold, but the snow evaded us again.

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  7. I don't like mountain roads with curves at all. Not only they're dangerous but I get motion sickness just reading about them! So I won't be checking the video (but thanks for sharing it anyway). I'm glad you came back home safe and sound from your adventure trip. ;-)
    I'm loving these rolls and I haven't still tried them. Thanks to you now I know how the rolls I ate during my college days were made: I didn't know you baked the bread stuffed. Yum yum!
    Stay warm!

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    1. Believe me, I understand not watching the video, it's insane to travel fast on that road. The rolls can be made with frozen dough, if you can get it in your country,and with any cooked meat and cheese.
      Have a great weekend!

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  8. Wow, Toni,
    That reminds me of the approach we took into Boone, N.C ( we were working at the Samaritan's Purse headquarters and shoebox effort). It was all switchbacks, and we were all a bit sick to our stomachs with the trailer behind us...Turns out 2 of us were getting the flu, and the drive in just made it feel worse. Memories are made of such things :)
    Your bluejays 'what-not' is all laid down! :)
    Have a wonderful weekend and rest in the beauty of the Lord!

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  9. Thanks for sharing, Toni. I am always interested in places outside my own backyard. It's amazing what is entertaining to some folks.

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    1. Thanks, Kay, that trip was an all out disappointment.

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  10. We've driven that road a few times on our visits to the Smokies...always in a four-wheeled vehicle, though. Usually, there are photographers stationed at the worst curves, photographing the riders as they come by. Then they presumably sell their photos to the riders via the internet.

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    1. You're right Linda, the hype is all about the money, I'm sure.

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  11. Beautiful scenery and sculptures along the way at least. A little mustard with those rolls-I'd like 2 please:)

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    1. Hmm...I haven't tried them with mustard. Good idea!

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  12. Those rolls really look good! It was interesting about the "Tail of the Dragon" road. I love your photos of the ice on the banks. Great shots. Looks like a very pretty drive to take in winter when there isn't as much traffic as summer or fall.
    Stay warm and have a blessed weekend.

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  13. Thank you, Brenda. You have a blessed weekend, too.

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  14. Hello, WOW I have never seen the Dragon Tail road.. It is certainly very very curvy. The ice frozen to the cliffs are very pretty. It would be the most interesting road to travel.. The snack you created looked very good. Nice to chat again.. Hugs Judy

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  15. Oh how fun! I will be headed over to YouTube after I am done writing you :) Your pepperoni rolls look so yummy! My son would love this - thanks for sharing. Have a beautiful Monday.

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  16. Oh goodness, I wouldn't like that drive at all!! I'm such a baby. Maybe I'll check out the YouTube, but maybe not!! Your pepperoni rolls look delish and would be a wonderful snack. Yum! xo

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  17. I would need some dramamine for that one. Your rolls look and sound so easy and fun. Kiddies would love to help make and eat them!

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  18. I just wanted to stop and wish you a good day. I hope the weather has warmed up and you made it fine through last week's Artic Blast and if you got a lot of snow. I always enjoy visiting your blog and appreciate your commenting on my blog, too.

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  19. Glad to see you visited DRAH :)
    I hope you got more snow than usual...keep taking the gorgeous bird photos. Maybe the Lord will send some different species that you usually don't see much!
    May the dear Lord bless you today with courage and an abundance of wisdom, peace, faith, and joy. May it permeate your whole family :) I appreciate you!

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  20. I think that drive would make me very nervous!

    The pepperoni rolls look yummy. :D Have a nice weekend!

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  21. Wonderful rolls, they look delicious. We have similar roads around me. The BC coast has quite a few windy and treacherous roads. Can't figure out why anyone wants to speed. Have enjoyed visiting and will be following via email Carole xox

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  22. Stopping by to see if you're snowed in! :-) Have fun!

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  23. awesome addition to good fences! just love that dragon gate! thanks for linking up!

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  24. Love the recipe for the pepperoni rolls! Thanks.
    Visiting from Good Fences.

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  25. What an incredible ride!! Great gates and cool Pepperoni rolls. Beaut post :D)

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  26. What a cool gate! Sounds like you did the smart thing to ride it when it was cooler. Looks like it was a sunny day.

    The pepperoni rolls look yummy. Might have to give that a try.

    Nice capture of the Blue Jay. :-)

    Visiting from Good Fences,
    ~Lindy

    My fence

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  27. I've not heard of that road, but it does look twisty and tricky! I like the dragon motifs of the fences/gates--cool!

    My husband would LOVE those pepperoni roll. :-)

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  28. The dragon gate is really cool!

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  29. Interesting gate for sure! Now that's a drive I would enjoy, but think I would prefer to try it during the off season for drivers. Not a fan of traffic. Think I'll try those rolls!

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  30. Not my favorite roads to travel. Beautiful country.

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  31. I'm a big fan of s curves, but not sure I would want to tackle that many in one drive! The pizza rolls look yummy!

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  32. That is quite the road! The dragon's tail gate is really neat. I don't think I'd enjoy the drive with those drop offs. The road reminds me of one we travelled in British Columbia and I was so scared.

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  33. Hi The curses in the road look great in the photos but a bit too hairy for me. That gate is very unusual. Have a great weekend

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  34. Great photos, and what an amazing gate that is!

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  35. Love that dragon gate! The pepperoni rolls look so good.

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  36. Mmmm, I would eat these sandwiches. They look very tasty!
    Greetings from Poland

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Thank you for your comments!