APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 9

Appalachia Trip Day 9

 

648 miles (whew!)

 

Brent made pancakes and bacon for breakfast, then we sat on the back porch for a cup of coffee.

Sure enjoyed my visit with him.

 

It was sunny with blue sky and temp in low 70s when I headed out.  Rode for 200 miles (getting a good start) before stopping for gas.

 

 

I finally saw a Sonic Drive-In and stopped to try a peanut butter and bacon shake.  Not bad, but not good enough to every have a second one.  The bacon kept clogging my straw. 

 

The ride southwest through Kentucky on the Blue Grass Parkway was very enjoyable, roads were good and scenery was, also.

 

In Paduca, I stopped at Four Rivers Harley Davidson for a break.  Rode around town a bit to see some of the old, historic buildings.  Would like to bring Toni back to see the National Quilt Museum there.

 

Next, I crossed the bridge over the Mississippi River into Missouri.  It was a good feeling to be back in my home state.  It's a fine state, with good climate, pretty scenery, nice people, and centrally located for motorcycle trips.  I believe I am content here, even though winters are too cold.

 

I hadn't planned to ride all the way to Joplin today, but the closer I got to home the harder it was to stop and sit in a motel waiting for morning to complete the trip.  I kept riding.  Stopped for some tacos at 6pm, and eventually parked the bike in my own garage at 8:20.  Was about a 14 hour day of riding and I was tired, achy, tingling hands, and ringing ears.  Wife and dog both excited to see me and the feeling was mutual.  My own bed will feel so good!  Not setting alarm either.

 

Final tally:  3212 miles, 9 days, and 8 states

 

 

 

 



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 8

Appalachia Trip Day 8

 

380 miles

 

It started raining just as I was loading the bike to leave.  I put rain covers on the gear, put on my rain suit, and headed south.  I rode in rain for 280 miles, some of it quite heavy, all on curvy interstate highways like when you drive past Rolla on I-44.  I got pretty chilled as my hat and gloves got wet and a little leaked into my suit up by the neck.  I pressed on and stopped after riding 175 miles straight.  Got some coffee, warmed-up, rested, and headed back out--git R done!  You know how when a truck passes you and you get covered with the spray?  Well, I got passed 3 times by stock trucks giving me a very special kind of shower.

 

The rain eventually stopped and the sun came out and I got to Lexington and met Brent a little before 3 oclock.

 

 

After a drive through the countryside outside of Lexington, including multiple horse farms, Brent took me to see an old, restored and preserved Shaker Village.  Lots of old Shaker buildings.

 

 

The buildings were filled with genuine Shaker furniture, which happens to be an interest of mine.  Brent was such a good host, knowing what I would enjoy and driving me around.

 

 

This is one of the woodworkers that we talked to and learned a few things from.  I could come back here some day and take more time, it was beautiful and fascinating!

 

 

Next, is was out for a BBQ supper at Butt Rubin BBQ!  Yum!

 

Then we took lawn chairs to an outdoor bluegrass concert.  I bet there were 400 people there, relaxing in the shade and enjoying the bluegrass music.  One of the guys in this group was from Missouri, the rest were local.

 

After the concert, I got a quick driving tour of downtown Lexington, which of course included the Law school and UK basketball arena.  Then a piece of pie at a famous local eatery who's name escapes me now.

 

What a great afternoon and evening!  I really enjoyed everything and my visiting with my buddy.  Thank you so much, Brent, and your lovely and gracious wife, Ruth!  Can I come back again?



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 7

Appalachia Trip Day 7

335 miles

 

 

 

On the road at 630 again.  It was mid 60's and felt quite chilly until the fog burned off, then it felt immediately about 10 degrees warmer.  Kept jacket on till after lunch.  No coffee or breakfast at my motel, so didn't eat till the next town down the road.

 

I rode north next to the Allegany Reservoir for about 30 miles then came to the dam. 

 

Then after a jog west, I turned south and rode next to the Allegany River for about 45 miles.

 

I've realized that I have a lot of photos of roads, must be because for a biker it is so much more about the ride and not about the destination.

 

Had to make an extra coffee stop this morning because it was so chilly.  Saw a basset hound in a guy's pickup at one of my stops and it made me miss my dog. I eventually left the Allegany National Forest and headed northwest through farmland on my way to Erie.

 

I wasn't very impressed with Erie--it is a larger city than I expected, the going was slow, the bike and I both got hot and irritable.  Having spent all my time the last 7 days in small towns and remote areas, I was not mentally prepared for a big city.

 

This is Lake Erie.  Enough.

 

Headed south on I-79 for the second half of the day until I got to my motel in Waynesburg, PA.

I had originally planned to get off I-79 and explore some other roads, but was feeling tired and just wanted to get in and rest.  Heading to Kentucky tomorrow to rendezvous with an old friend, heading towards home now. 



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 6

Appalachia Trip Day 6

 

348 miles

 

 

Got started at 630 again.  Rain was in the forecast, so I covered my gear and put on my rain suit before I left.  It actually started raining on me 30 minutes down the road.  It never rained hard, but rained off and on about 4 or 5 times I'd guess.  Not a problem at all.

 

Pennsylvania is just so green, as I'd imagined it would be.  Was so cool and peaceful! 

 

Stopped mid morning for breakfast at the Diner 22, right at the side of the road and packed with cars and bikes.  Boy, that his the spot!

 

This is a view from I-99.  Even the interstates are scenic.  Things seem so big!  I spent the majority of my morning ride on interstates, then all afternoon on smaller roads.

 

This is a forested stretch of road on my way to Port Allegany.  Also experienced mountainous stretches and country side stretches.  Not many other cars around, again very peaceful and relaxing.

 

Went through a dozen small towns that looked like this.  Houses are older, but clean and well kept.

 

This is a stretch of road after Port Allegany on my way to Lantz Corners.  It's the classic road shares the valley with a mountain stream and railroad tracks!

 

It stayed cool all day and the rain suit never got hot or uncomfortable.  Covered a few more miles than I had planned, but that's because I made a few wrong turns--the GPS was put away due to rain.  I'd say coming to see Pennsylvania was a good idea.  I look forward to more of it tomorrow.

 



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 5

Appalachia Trip Day 5

 

225 miles

 

 

Breakfast was worth waiting for, delaying my start until 730.  No bear visits last night.  Enjoyed my stay in Montebello and learned a lot about hiking/backpacking the AP (Appalachian trail).

 

Was a brisk 46 degrees when I finished the last 27 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The sun was shining and the sky was blue.  All this fresh air I've been getting is suiting me very well!

 

As soon as the parkway ends, the Skyline Drive begins and runs for about 100 miles through the Shenandoah National Park.  It's just as beautiful as the parkway.  I really like the stretches of road where tall trees on both sides make a canopy overhead with only whisps of sunlight making the way through.

 

I saw two deer on the road this morning.  I missed one by only about a foot, a small one that let out a yell as I just missed it.  Whew!  I think the load pipes did indeed save a deer life today.

 

Just one tunnel today, named St Mary's Tunnel.  Lots more traffic today, probably because it is the weekend.  After the Skyline finished, I had a mere 45 miles to go, but it took 2 hours because of a wreck in a valley town with only the one road running through it and no way around.  The refreshed feeling left me as I sat out there in the hot sun in bumper to bumper traffic.  At least I was running ahead of time.

 

Tonight I'm staying in Hancock, MD at the River Run B & B.  It is next to an old canal which is next to the Potomac River.  The building used to be a whisky warehouse.  Sinclair and Sue are taking good care of me.  The guy in the room next to me is from Boston, is a Red Sox fan, and used to ride in iron butt races, so we're going to visit some this evening.



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 4

Appalachia Trip Day 4

 

246 miles

 

Left Galax at 0630--it was 56 degrees and sunny, call it crisp and refreshing!

The Virginia countryside on the way to the Parkway was beautiful, but I took a wrong turn and ended up on a road to nowhere, but not for long, then onto the parkway.

 



 

Jumped off the parkway, went down the mountain to Mt Airy, NC, where they were supposed to have the Mayberry squad car.  Barney must have had it out on patrol, so I got a picture of the tow truck at Wally's garage instead.  Was worth a 30 mile diversion to see.

 

 

 

They had lot's of interesting stuff there including the Mayberry Inn, Aunt Bee's BBQ, etc.

 

 

 

Back on the parkway, it was a very nice morning.  Alternated between wooded sections and fields.

Was chilly in the shade of the woods, and warm in the sun of the fields.  I have seen a lot of wild turkeys over the last two days.  And I saw a black bear run across the road ahead of me this morning, I think.  It was a ways ahead and hey, it could have been a black panther!

 

 

Next stop was Mabry Mill.  Not just a mill, but a whole collection of frontier day cabins, blacksmiths, stills, sawmills, and stuff.  Very interesting!

 

Had to detour off the parkway just before Roanoak.  It seems that the storms the night before blew down a lot of trees forcing a closure.  The ride down to Roanoak was more challenging than the parkway, as were the ride down to Mt Airy and the ride down to Montebello later.

 

 

 



Back on the parkway, the lowest elevation there at James River, I took off my jacket, but soon I was back to higher elevation and put it on again for good.

 

 

 I rode through a valley with Otter Creek keeping me company.

 

 

Now, I'm staying here, the Dutch Haus Bed & Breakfast, near the Appalachian Trail.  They serve guest like myself, and also feed and shelter hikers.  It is so peaceful and restful out here in the county in Virginia.  Yep, I've been sitting on the porch.  And, they said a black bear comes and knocks over the trash cans at night, so I have to make sure no food is in my saddlebags.



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 3

Appalachia Trip Day 3

 

270 miles

 

 Started at 6am again, was 74 degrees in Maggie Valley.  But 15 minutes later at 5000 feet I needed a leather jacket and stocking hat, and it was foggy.  Hence the Smokey Mountains.

 

 

The fog burned off and the day turned gorgeous.  I think I had most every ingredient you could think of for perfect riding:  curves, mountains, scenery, flowers, pine trees, tunnels, and no traffic or trucks.

 

 

 I was starting at the southern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and working my way north.  The southern section has the higher elevations.  Northern you get more hills and valleys.

 

 

 By 10am it had warmed-up enough to shed the coat and hat, but I realized that having only gone 86 miles so far, I had a long day ahead of curves, braking, and clutching.  Hard work and slow going.

Still, every once in a while the elevation would get high and I would be. cold again.

 

 

 Now, I do like tunnels, and I kept a tunnel tally.  Rode through 19 tunnels today!

 

 

Ate lunch in Spruce Pine, NC at Bama-Ques.  I ate here 3 years ago the first time I rode the parkway and remembered correctly that it was good eatin!  The pork is chopped, on a bun, with cole slaw, and a spicy vinegar based sauce.  Oh boy!

 

After lunch, the going was still slow, but had improved due to more straight stretches mixed in with the curves.  But still quite bit to go, and the weather radio warns that severe thunder storms will arrive about 3pm, so I decided to detour off the parkway in favor of regular highways in order to make better time and get to the motel before the storms arrive.  Well, go figure, but the highways around there are even curvier than the parkway and I'm making worse time.  They must haul gravel on these roads because every curve has gravel in it, forcing me to slow down more.  Then, I get behind a semi truck, then we come up behind a lumber truck, then we come up behind a road grader, and then its starting to rain and the radio says seek shelter.  I get a little wet, but make it to a town where I stop to cover gear and put on a jacket before riding the last leg of my journey, and, you guessed it, the rain stopped.  I arrived safe and sound, just a little damp.  Praise God!  Interesting day.



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 2

Appalachia Trip Day 2

 

405 miles

 

 

 

 

It was 74 degrees when I headed out at 6am.  Stopped just up the road at Micky D's for breakfast and coffee, then 45 miles of quiet, peaceful road until I-24.  I decided to listen to country music on the radio today, it seemed fitting, and stations were plentiful in Tennessee.

 

Got to Nashville just in time for morning rush hour traffic, was slow going for a while, but the country music couldn't be beat!  The morning was overcast and muggy, uncomfortable if you stop, but great if you are at highway speed.  Spent the bulk of the day on I-40, but with plenty of green to look at.

 

I left I-40 at Sevierville and intended to turn off quickly to take some scenic roads and avoid the tourist congestion.  But, I missed the turn and ended up riding through Pigeon Forge.  What a nightmare!  Its like Branson traffic but much longer--for instance I passed 3 Shoneys and 3 Cracker Barrels!  They have a max museum, Ripleys, and Titanic just like Branson.  Boy, the bike and I were both red hot, the sun was bearing down!

 

 

After Galtinburg, I road the Foothills Parkway, which was scenic and much cooler.  Whew!

I look forward to lots of nice scenery, cool temps, and peaceful riding in the next few days in the Smokies.

 

After the parkway, I rode over the Smokies via I-40.  There were two tunnels and lots of big, sweeping curves.  Very nice!

 



 

Staying in Maggie Valley, NC at a great little mom & pop place that caters to motorcycles.  Love the rocking chairs!  Only drawback is that there is a Spyder ralley going on and the Spyders outnumber the Harleys.

 

Tomorrow I'll be getting onto the Blue Ridge Parkway and heading north with an eye on the weather.



APPALACHIA TRIP DAY 1

Appalachia Trip Day 1

 

455 miles

 

 

Road Trip!!  Finally, it's time to ride!  Left Joplin at 630am and headed east across southern Missouri on highway 60.  Was warm enough to start without a jacket--the sky was blue, the air fresh, and the sun bright!  Passed a horse and buggy in Amish country, and enjoyed smelling the fresh cut hay.  Later in the morning, the landscape changed to oak and pine trees, and saw mills. I love the smell of saw mills!  It was a peacefull and relaxing morning ride.  Applied first sun screen at 1030.

 



By noon, I had gone 300 miles and was traversing the flat land before the rivers.  Being able to see for miles in all directions is fun sometimes, too.  Crossed the Mississippi River, drove 500 yards in Illinois, then crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky.  South through Kentucky to Tennessee.  Got stopped once for road construction--its pretty hot sitting on a blacktop highway out in the sun, so I was glad I had a cooler on board with some ice water.

 

My stopping point for today is Kentucky Lake.  I'm actually in Tennessee near the town of Paris.

I've got a nice little cabin to hang out in, and, as luck would have it, the St Louis Cardinals game is on TV.  So all I need is a shower and I'm all set.

Lots of miles to cover tomorrow, so will definitely need an early start, but early means cooler temps and hopefully getting to Maggie Valley before thunderstorms pop up, so I'm all about early.