Packing Up!

Only 3 more days until we hit the road for another week of laughing, meeting new people, eating new food, riding new roads and most likely dodging the storms.  I can't wait to try out the new Tom Tom Rider and compare it to the Garmin.  My hopes of riding the Bear Tooth Pass won't be realized this year - but hopefully it will be in our sights next year.  I'll be back when we unpack in Lewisburg!

The End - Back Home

Checked out around 9:30 AM and straight to 26 to Woodsfield - looping back around and onto the Ohio Dragon - 800 to 40 back into Columbus for a stop at Costco to pick up Mark's new spec's.  Then home to rest and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend.

And after 1,860 miles in 8 days - another trip, another batch of memories, roads, neighborhoods, back roads both gravel and paved, tar snakes, misty rain and sunshine.  A little more practice on my u-turns on hills and I'm ready to tackle the wild wild west!

The Map and Stats:
252 Miles
5:45 in the saddle

Full Circle - Lafayette in Marietta

We headed out of the Courtyard Inn in Beckley this morning to a crisp 50 degrees.  The storms had passed - the weather was calling for cool, clear, and zero humidity through the familiar roads of West Virginia.  We decided a blast through to end the trip was a little far and Marietta would be our final destination.  Full circle -back to Marietta.  A quick stop at the tri-intersection stand "Connies" for a hot dog and bbq while we watched dozens of pick-up trucks pass by was a delightful break for a perfect morning ride.

Through West Virginia and we checked into our suite at the Lafayette in Marietta - a cool vodka and gin calling our name - and out evening snack will certainly take us back to the local pub next door.  Sad to be back in Ohio - but another successful adventure coming to a happy ending.

stats168 miles
4:10 in the saddle

Beckley, WV

Tracker failed me once again - Apparently I'm technology challenged on this vacation - and I didn't get her started until our first stop.  It was raining in the morning - so we donned our gear and set out through the Jefferson National Forest.  We made it through the most traffic lights per linear mile so far on our trip.  The twisties were pretty great - however my bare front tire and the instances of fog, trucks, and road conditions hampered our ability to call this a "great riding day". 

Mark's Sena decided to fail on this day - so our trip was quiet.  We pulled into the Courtyard - pulled off our gear - hopped over to Dickeys BBQ and back to our fluffy bed for the evening.  It was a quiet day - but a much deserved sleepy night.

Roanoke

We started out at 9:08 AM.  Many miles on the Blue Ridge.  A yummie breakfast at the River Dog Cafe with a hot cup of joe -- and we were off for another day of winding roads heading north to Virginia.  

Stats:
235.6 miles
5:26 in the saddle

Alberts in Burnsville NC

Stands up approximately 9:30 AM - from the Luxbury Hotel in Maryville, NC - I crashed very early while Mark flipped around the tube.  After a bite to eat at the Brewery - the bed was calling my name.  We headed down to the Dragon through fields of winding roads following a serene lake for miles.  We entered the dragon without my apparent knowledge as the first photographer was passed.  I didn't give a whole lot of weight to the dragon until actually winding around its very calculated naturally sweeping curves.  We stopped at the end and purchased the obligatory sticker for which our refrigerators will be happy.  Back again through the dragon for a few more 35 MM shots that we will be more than happy to support the photographers and their efforts.

Down through the Cherohala skyway and onto the Blue Ridge Parkway for the remainder of the day.  Our goal was to get to a little lodge in the middle of the mountains in North Carolina, owned by a very nice couple, Van & Debbie, and their "helmet phohbic" Gaia.  The inn was quaint, backed up to the Smokey mountains, beautiful views and clear skies.  Heaven on Earth.  After a bite to eat at the golf club next door we settled in for a much needed rest.

Run Forrest - run!

stats:

Snakes & Hippies

On the road at 9:30 AM - after a quick jaunt on the highway, we entered the beautiful twisted back roads of North Carolina and Tenessee.  The roadside antique, general, small quaint picturesque buildings were a dime a dozen.  We didn't miss the confederate flags at all.

We rode through a few pop-ups - but not enough to find shelter.  Hot Springs seemed to be a mecca of throwback hippies trying to find their zen on the appalachian trail, which runs right through the town along with rafting companies.  Fuel was a bit steep in Hot Springs, but when you need it - of course we're at their mercy.

Plenty of curves, meadows, farms, landscape that was spectacular - and we came out to find we were on the "rattler".  I suppose that was a good name considering how many snakes we dodged on the pavement.

One mishap on our route - south of 41 - at the Pigeon River - and we just couldn't seem to get over to Route 32 - to finish off our twisties for the day.  The storm that rolled in and the fact that pavement turned into gravel with a few switch-backs in site - made us re-think our route and safely rode 41 to the next exit where we found our route again - through Gatlinburg, TN - and through the Great  Smokey Mountains National Park.

As we pulled into Maryville, the skies opened once again, just in time to check in at the Luxbury Suites - ready to settle down for a much-needed cocktail, some R&R and kicking up to gear up for the Tail of the Dragon tomorrow.  However - somehow I think our previous days will surely rival tomorrow's itinerary.

 Pigeon River - North Carolina/Tennessee Border

 Smokey Mountains

Our lunch at the roadside BBQ makes for one happy Mark.

The map and stats:

179.17 miles
Saddle time 4:29

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