Good for you!! That is one of the reasons I moced to East TN!! I ride the Dragon about once a month!! Its a great ride. The Cherohala is also one of my favorites - Don't forget Hellbender.
That's pretty cool having it pretty much to yourself. My wife and I were down there in September of '08 and we rode it at about 4 p.m. on the Tuesday after Labor Day and it was about the same way. Great for a leisurely stroll
Great pics. Road the dragon 2 times. Once in 07, once in 09. Didn't have it as quiet as you with no bikes on it.But love riding in those mountians. Go every chance I get.