It was a very hot ride today and tomorrow looks to be the same...stops were only made for water, wetting our clothes and taking a break from the heat. We traveled through 3 states today and tomorrow we are home!
Today, Con and Terri get a chance to add their thoughts to the blog. This is their first long distance motorcycle trip. They have both taken to it like fish to water as the saying goes...we have so enjoyed doing this trip with them. More adventures will come, of this I am sure!
Con:
Not having traveled much in my lifetime I always hoped I would be able to see more of the beautiful continent we live on and over the last two weeks we did see some beautiful sights.
Sometimes it was too hot and sometimes too wet, but being able to share it with the woman I love and with two good friends made everything perfect. There's more perfect trips in our future.
Favorite State: West Virginia - Mountains
Favorite Stay: Big Lynn Resort, Little Switzerland, NC- We found this quite by accident. Supper and breakfast were included, but we were late getting there so they didn't even let us check in first, they took us right in for supper. Roast beef & gravy, veggies, rice, salad and dessert. The views were amazing and the full moon over the mountains...everything was magical. Things lined up.
Terri:
To say we had a great 17 days and one more to go, with Cindy and Larry is an understatement! We have had so many great giggles.
For me, being a passenger and not a rider, I must admit I was a bit nervous of this trip. I shouldn't have been at all. Having Con as my chauffeur was awesome. He sure took great care of me and made me feel safe. Love you Babe!! I sure do love mountain air!
Here's to planning our next trip...next month????
Getting to know Cindy and Larry more as have these past few weeks has been really nice. Thanks more than words can say for all you both have done to make this trip so great! xox
Favorite State: Vermont - loved the mountains and the ferry.
Favorite Stay: Riverview Motel, Bethel, Maine - It was our first night and we relaxed after a full first day of riding. After the walk to dinner and giggles I was more relaxed for the rest of the trip.
Monday, 6 August 2018
Sunday, 5 August 2018
Day 15 & 16 - Cheat Days
So because we were way in the mountains, the Adirondacks to be exact, we had no cell service and very limited, if any, wifi.
Most of the riding of the last two days has been mostly that, riding. So in the interest of time and continuing our journey, you get two days in one...sounds like a great deal doesn't it!
Day 15 started out with rain gear...it wasn't a heavy rain but a steady one. We have been amazingly fortunate in some ways and unfortunate it others, that we have missed the forecasted rain. We have managed to dodge all the horrific cells but the humidity and heat were what we were left with. This can be very draining day after day. So much so that often times if it "showers" we don't even stop to put on rain gear.
By noon, rain gear was off, and the sky had brightened up. Our ride today took us into Lake Placid. Beautiful resort area and of course home of the Winter Olympics in the 1930's and 1980. Ski jump is still there as are the Olympic training facilities. This area is so busy that even the smallest of motels is charging any where from $300.00 a night and up. Needless to say we found one just outside of Lake Placid in a little place called Upper Jay. We got the last two rooms which they called "vintage". This means that they haven't quite finished renovating at this very quaint motel lodge but the rate reflected that and the rooms were very clean and comfortable despite no A/C. Originally we thought we may not survive the night however it cooled off considerably through the evening/night.
Day 16 started out warm and sunny and stayed that way all day (except for about 20 minutes at the end of the day). We headed out for Essex to catch the ferry across Lake Champlain to Charlotte...destination was route 100 from Warren, VT to Killington VT. Even route 17, which we took to get there, took us through some real twisties up into the Green Mountains.....We had a fabulous day riding and finally got cooled off as we approached our final destination for the day, with a little shower from Mother Nature....sure felt good!
We managed to get a room at the Hollow Inn in Barre which seemed fitting...this being our second to last night on the road, we stayed here on our second night on the road...We called Gabbi and Luigi to pick us up and had another fabulous dinner at Cornerstone.....I think this area of Vermont and New York deserve a car trip...we can do more shopping!
Bangor for our last night is our destination today. Sad to have such a wonderful trip come to an end. We have enjoyed travelling with Terri and Con. This kind of travel is not for everyone so we feel very fortunate to find another couple who enjoy this kind of travel as much as we do....heat, rain, and the great outdoors.
We have seen lots of sites, lots of animals as well....it has been another really great riding trip. So love the adventure of motorcycle travel.
Most of the riding of the last two days has been mostly that, riding. So in the interest of time and continuing our journey, you get two days in one...sounds like a great deal doesn't it!
Day 15 started out with rain gear...it wasn't a heavy rain but a steady one. We have been amazingly fortunate in some ways and unfortunate it others, that we have missed the forecasted rain. We have managed to dodge all the horrific cells but the humidity and heat were what we were left with. This can be very draining day after day. So much so that often times if it "showers" we don't even stop to put on rain gear.
By noon, rain gear was off, and the sky had brightened up. Our ride today took us into Lake Placid. Beautiful resort area and of course home of the Winter Olympics in the 1930's and 1980. Ski jump is still there as are the Olympic training facilities. This area is so busy that even the smallest of motels is charging any where from $300.00 a night and up. Needless to say we found one just outside of Lake Placid in a little place called Upper Jay. We got the last two rooms which they called "vintage". This means that they haven't quite finished renovating at this very quaint motel lodge but the rate reflected that and the rooms were very clean and comfortable despite no A/C. Originally we thought we may not survive the night however it cooled off considerably through the evening/night.
Day 16 started out warm and sunny and stayed that way all day (except for about 20 minutes at the end of the day). We headed out for Essex to catch the ferry across Lake Champlain to Charlotte...destination was route 100 from Warren, VT to Killington VT. Even route 17, which we took to get there, took us through some real twisties up into the Green Mountains.....We had a fabulous day riding and finally got cooled off as we approached our final destination for the day, with a little shower from Mother Nature....sure felt good!
We managed to get a room at the Hollow Inn in Barre which seemed fitting...this being our second to last night on the road, we stayed here on our second night on the road...We called Gabbi and Luigi to pick us up and had another fabulous dinner at Cornerstone.....I think this area of Vermont and New York deserve a car trip...we can do more shopping!
Bangor for our last night is our destination today. Sad to have such a wonderful trip come to an end. We have enjoyed travelling with Terri and Con. This kind of travel is not for everyone so we feel very fortunate to find another couple who enjoy this kind of travel as much as we do....heat, rain, and the great outdoors.
We have seen lots of sites, lots of animals as well....it has been another really great riding trip. So love the adventure of motorcycle travel.
Friday, 3 August 2018
Day 14 - Melties.....
Today we headed out fresh...everyone got a good nights sleep as we were all in bed by 9 a.m. The heat and humidity had finally taken it's toll.
During this trip I have spoken a few times about providence...defined as "the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power". In our case it seems to come in signs....finding the right hotel by accident as the "sign" presented itself as an example....wrong turns are another way...
This mornings' "sign" just seemed a perfect backdrop to our trip and to our attitudes as a group. Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!
Again we headed out under threat of rain....so far so good! We have managed to negotiate around the major cells and have very little rain on our ride. Not sure we can do it all the way home but at least we have narrowed down the majority of them during our trip with full rain forecast to just a few minor wet moments.
We had some great roads and a stop in Binghamton for lunch at Wendy's, started todays' giggles....you see, there are about 3 chocoholics on this trip...some are worse than others....one in particular seems to be afraid there may not be any chocolate bars at the next gas station or stop...needless to say there are always lots of chocolate bars on board. When we stopped at Wendy's this particular person thought they may like to have a "melty" for dessert..considering they are called "frosties" we assumed that she was looking for another one of those bars.......or as we now refer to them, "melties"......
We ended the day in Utica, NY after seeing another "sign"..namely the Holiday Inn one! We had a great supper and happy hour, a few more giggles and then off to bed.
Little D wishes everyone a good night......and yes Fred, Little D doesn't have to take a bath and gets his own bed...just sayin'!
During this trip I have spoken a few times about providence...defined as "the protective care of God or of nature as a spiritual power". In our case it seems to come in signs....finding the right hotel by accident as the "sign" presented itself as an example....wrong turns are another way...This mornings' "sign" just seemed a perfect backdrop to our trip and to our attitudes as a group. Carpe Diem - Seize the Day!
Again we headed out under threat of rain....so far so good! We have managed to negotiate around the major cells and have very little rain on our ride. Not sure we can do it all the way home but at least we have narrowed down the majority of them during our trip with full rain forecast to just a few minor wet moments.
We had some great roads and a stop in Binghamton for lunch at Wendy's, started todays' giggles....you see, there are about 3 chocoholics on this trip...some are worse than others....one in particular seems to be afraid there may not be any chocolate bars at the next gas station or stop...needless to say there are always lots of chocolate bars on board. When we stopped at Wendy's this particular person thought they may like to have a "melty" for dessert..considering they are called "frosties" we assumed that she was looking for another one of those bars.......or as we now refer to them, "melties"......
We ended the day in Utica, NY after seeing another "sign"..namely the Holiday Inn one! We had a great supper and happy hour, a few more giggles and then off to bed.Little D wishes everyone a good night......and yes Fred, Little D doesn't have to take a bath and gets his own bed...just sayin'!
Day 13 - Hot, hot, hot.....
We left Keyser with a forecast of rain....the humidity and the heat however, turned out to be the real challenge.
We managed to dodge most, if not all, the rain. We did get a bit but the little bit we got just cooled us off for a little while.
We made a quick stop in Bedford PA to check with the visitors bureau to see if there were any stickers. We didn't find any there but what we did find were a lot of interesting things to see, none of which we had time for this trip unfortunately. We were trying to beat the rain and get some distance in because the forecast shows more rain for Friday and Saturday depending on how far north we get.
One of the sites we didn't get to see was the memorial for 911 Flight 93. It is only 25 minutes west of Bedford but would mean 3-4 hours out of our way. We will put this on our "list" of sites to see on another trip. We did get to see the "Coffee Pot". These type of tourist attractions were, and still are, very popular with tourists. You only get to see them, however, when you take a trip off the large highways and interstates. These can be found in Canada and in the US...we have the Canada Goose in Wawa, the Lobster in Shediac and I believe there is a Nickel in Sudbury as well...just as examples.
The Coffee Pot was built in 1927 and was originally a lunch place according to Roadside America. We didn't stop but we got a picture.....as we turned around in a the parking lot across the street to head out in the "right' direction. Bedford looks like a really interesting place to visit though and will definitely put it on the list for the next ride through...covered bridges, GPS tours, Orchards and Wineries and they even have their own Magnetic Hill called Gravity Hill!
The rest of the day took us through some beautiful countryside with a quick lunch at family restaurant that spanned 3 generations of family. We had a great homecooked meal there!
Lots of corn fields, horse and buggies (this is also Amish country) and a few dark clouds.
Despite the threat of rain, it was more hot than not! It can make you think crazy thoughts, like "do you think I could fit under that thing?" Will have to wait another time to answer that question.....
We ended the day early in Williamsport. A cool shower and air conditioning were very welcome.
We walked a couple of blocks to a great restaurant called the Bull Frog Brewery and were treated to a great meal, beer and some live Jazz music. Around the time we were heading out we were also treated to a huge rain storm which meant a $5 cab ride back to the hotel. We also saw some great artwork just outside the restaurant as well!
The hot weather and beer also meant an early night for me which is why you are getting this post now and not yesterday! It also meant another bath for Fred...or are those tan lines?
Cheers folks!
We managed to dodge most, if not all, the rain. We did get a bit but the little bit we got just cooled us off for a little while.
We made a quick stop in Bedford PA to check with the visitors bureau to see if there were any stickers. We didn't find any there but what we did find were a lot of interesting things to see, none of which we had time for this trip unfortunately. We were trying to beat the rain and get some distance in because the forecast shows more rain for Friday and Saturday depending on how far north we get.
One of the sites we didn't get to see was the memorial for 911 Flight 93. It is only 25 minutes west of Bedford but would mean 3-4 hours out of our way. We will put this on our "list" of sites to see on another trip. We did get to see the "Coffee Pot". These type of tourist attractions were, and still are, very popular with tourists. You only get to see them, however, when you take a trip off the large highways and interstates. These can be found in Canada and in the US...we have the Canada Goose in Wawa, the Lobster in Shediac and I believe there is a Nickel in Sudbury as well...just as examples.
The Coffee Pot was built in 1927 and was originally a lunch place according to Roadside America. We didn't stop but we got a picture.....as we turned around in a the parking lot across the street to head out in the "right' direction. Bedford looks like a really interesting place to visit though and will definitely put it on the list for the next ride through...covered bridges, GPS tours, Orchards and Wineries and they even have their own Magnetic Hill called Gravity Hill!
The rest of the day took us through some beautiful countryside with a quick lunch at family restaurant that spanned 3 generations of family. We had a great homecooked meal there!
Lots of corn fields, horse and buggies (this is also Amish country) and a few dark clouds.
 |
| I wonder?..... |
We ended the day early in Williamsport. A cool shower and air conditioning were very welcome.
We walked a couple of blocks to a great restaurant called the Bull Frog Brewery and were treated to a great meal, beer and some live Jazz music. Around the time we were heading out we were also treated to a huge rain storm which meant a $5 cab ride back to the hotel. We also saw some great artwork just outside the restaurant as well!
The hot weather and beer also meant an early night for me which is why you are getting this post now and not yesterday! It also meant another bath for Fred...or are those tan lines?
Cheers folks!
Tuesday, 31 July 2018
Day 12 - Almost Heaven, West Virginia!
Yes it may sound like a line from a song and it is...but I typed it as an address because this is definitely a destination.
We left Roanoke this morning heading for the 220 going north. This took us on the interstate for about 5 km and then on the first part of the 220 was 4 lane for about 50 km. It then narrowed to a beautiful 2 lane road which took us through Douthat State Park and George Washington National Forest.. The Douthat State Park was like being in the middle of forest with no one around. Occasionally you would come out to campsites or a lake, cabins but for the most part it was just forest. As we rode through the State Park we also entered the National Forest. It was like riding through solitude, cool and relaxing, quiet and serene.
We stopped for gas and lunch in Monterey, Virginia. The girl at Hull's Hideaway was very helpful and gave us a recommendation for our stop of the night in Keyser, West Virginia. Shortly after leaving there we crossed from Virginia into the state of West Virginia.
We spent the rest of the afternoon riding through West Virginia...these roads were the best of all the roads we had ridden since we left...rolling hills, sweeping turns, tree canopies, open meadows, huge farm fields and farms and the occasional small town to stop for a bum break....add that the temperature for most of the day was a steady 23...it was Heaven.
Larry said it best - if you wanted to create a road for someone who loves to ride motorcycles, this is exactly what you would order.
We made one more stop in Petersburg at the DQ for a bum break. We met a lovely man at the DQ who asked us where we were from. Apparently he was originally from Chicago and thought it was funny that he didn't detect an accent from us. Not sure if it is because we have adapted our speech or we didn't add the obligatory "eh" at the end of each sentence. Glad to hear that we were from Canada, he announced that he was going to charge us Canadian tax on our ice cream, which apparently works out to a 5% discount. He really was lovely.
We stopped for the night in Keyser, arriving at the Keyser Inn just in time to relax, pick up a few "supplies" next door at Sheetz, start the blog and then....the rain came. We finally ordered a pizza that could be delivered (long story) and settled in early for the night. Hopefully we can get out before the rain in the morning....Faith & hope!
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| 220 |
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| Douthat State Park Waterfall |
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| Approaching State Park Gate |
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| Babbling brooks! |
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| Gate at Douthat State Park |
We stopped for gas and lunch in Monterey, Virginia. The girl at Hull's Hideaway was very helpful and gave us a recommendation for our stop of the night in Keyser, West Virginia. Shortly after leaving there we crossed from Virginia into the state of West Virginia.
We spent the rest of the afternoon riding through West Virginia...these roads were the best of all the roads we had ridden since we left...rolling hills, sweeping turns, tree canopies, open meadows, huge farm fields and farms and the occasional small town to stop for a bum break....add that the temperature for most of the day was a steady 23...it was Heaven.
Larry said it best - if you wanted to create a road for someone who loves to ride motorcycles, this is exactly what you would order.
We made one more stop in Petersburg at the DQ for a bum break. We met a lovely man at the DQ who asked us where we were from. Apparently he was originally from Chicago and thought it was funny that he didn't detect an accent from us. Not sure if it is because we have adapted our speech or we didn't add the obligatory "eh" at the end of each sentence. Glad to hear that we were from Canada, he announced that he was going to charge us Canadian tax on our ice cream, which apparently works out to a 5% discount. He really was lovely.
We stopped for the night in Keyser, arriving at the Keyser Inn just in time to relax, pick up a few "supplies" next door at Sheetz, start the blog and then....the rain came. We finally ordered a pizza that could be delivered (long story) and settled in early for the night. Hopefully we can get out before the rain in the morning....Faith & hope!
Day 11 - Yawn....Internet
So it was a day of interstate...or as Larry (and now Terri) always refer to it...the internet! Both are highways I guess....
Not a lot of pics or big stories today, so sharing some other pics from along our trip!
Funny sign at the Fontana Dam...can't use washrooms due to "power outage"...for real?
Told this trooper that I didn't envy him his job (it was some friggin hot)
At Otter Peak Resort.......fun energy games in the shower and old in the wall disposal systems!
Random shots!
Have a great day with lots of blessings!
Not a lot of pics or big stories today, so sharing some other pics from along our trip!
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| At Fontana Dam? |
Funny sign at the Fontana Dam...can't use washrooms due to "power outage"...for real?
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| Welcoming committee at the Tail of the Dragon! |
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| Shower Games! I won! |
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| Old razer disposal....no clean out thought! |
Random shots!
Have a great day with lots of blessings!
Day 10....this day was definitely a 10!
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| Heading to the Dragon! |
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| Approaching Fontana Dam |
This dam is one of the largest east of the Mississippi and holds a "significant" amount of water back. It is a huge dam.
We later travelled the 28 below the dam on the road we had just seen well below it. Our destination was to the junction of the 28 and 129...Deals Gap. The beginning of the Tail of the Dragon. Motorcycle Mecca, motorhead madness....there are all kinds of bikes, cars and other modes of transportation through this road...318 curves (some soft, most not) in 11 miles.
After buying the shirts, the stickers, the signs, the "stuffies", we decided we would have a quick lunch before we made our way.
The Tail was not dissappointing. We all made it through, we were all thrilled and we all had a fabulous time. The online pics are going to be amazing!
The day was filled with curves and twists but the tail was by far the most challenging for sure!
After the tail we headed toward Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg...we made it somewhere after Pigeon Forge but just outside of there somewhere...truth being told, it was hot...so very hot....42 degrees when standing, 35 degrees when riding...none of which included the humidex.
Providence again stepped in on a stop to check our maps and brought us to a Hampton Inn which just happened to share the parking lot we stopped in, and just happened to have a pool, and just happened to be next to the craft beer store and just happened to be next to someplace to eat and just happened to have a laundry....and was not expensive.....and we got Rockstar Parking!
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| Fred likes his hot bath after a long day! |
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| Little "D" got his own bed! |
Little "D" finally got to relax in a real bed !
Yup...I would say today was a BIG FAT 10!
Sunday, 29 July 2018
Day 9 - Good-bye Blue Ridge, Hello Smokey!
After we left Little Switzerland, we headed south again on the Blue Ridge. There seemed to have been quite a bit of road construction but nothing huge. We had some great runs and made a few stops, one being the highest elevation on the Blue Ridge at 6053 feet.
We went through tunnel after tunnel...there are 26 in all. What was really crazy were all the butterflies....so many of them and they would settle into these beautiful white flowers, sometimes sharing the space with the honey bees. Blue pattern on top and an orange brown one underneath their wings.
Eventually as we neared the end of the parkway, we moved from Virginia into North Carolina and out of the Blue Ridge Mountains and into the Smokey Mountains. We were sad to see the end of the parkway, but we were all looking fowrard to what was still going to be a big day tomorrow.
We stopped in Cherokee for lunch and a little bear hug...
As we were leaving Cherokee we had to stop for some foot traffic....3 adult elk and 3 little ones....just like ducks at home crossing the road, except a little bigger! The hillsides were covered in vines, all over the trees and ground...it was just like the leaves melted into the side of the mountain....
We made our way out of Cherokee heading to ourhotel to be closer to the 129 for the next mornings' ride. We found a great little place on the 28 in Fotana. THe Fontana Resort was amazing. We spent a quiet evening (by tequila standards), got to bed late and allowed ourselves a little sleep in for the next morning....we would need our rest!
...but not until Terri was done playing with the puddy cat!
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