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!

Day 8 - We are not alone....

Day 8 started out with an early morning get away...the weather was perfect.  Fresh, sunny with lots of potential for a great day.  It did not dissappoint.

We spent all day on the Blueridge, not leaving it until we settled for the night.

In between, we spent some time at Mabry Mill, where we got to see an authentic mill and appalachian home dating back hundreds of years.  We learned how they made appalachian post and lathe chairs from local trees including the woven seat.  These chairs, because of how they were made, lasted a hundred years or more and many are still handed down from family to family.  Life was hard then, although I don't imagine that these people had much opportunity to dwell or think about that.  There were too many other things to occupy their thoughts.


This trip is so much different than the last...last time we had lots of traffic and saw very little, if any, wild life.  This time, not much traffic but we have seen several deer (some who didn't make the crossing of the road), wild turkeys, and another bear.  I happen to be the only one who saw the bear and he was actually quite funny.  I spotted him along the roadside in some tall grass.  The rest of the field had been mowed already, except for this piece of long grass next to the road.  I was in the lead so as I came around the turn I saw the familiar round black head sticking up in the grass...as soon as he noticed that I noticed him, he slowly sank down in the grass and disappeared.  No mistaking that face though!

A little ways further a small deer was starting to cross our path, and as I slowed she turned and ran back into the forest...the damn turkey, not 10 feet further though, had other ideas...his little feet just ran a little faster until he was almost to the other side.  He took off in flight with his tail feather spread...they really are a beautiful animal in the wild.  Not so lucky were the folks who hit one further down the road....not sure if they had stopped to check the damage or collect supper..he was one big turkey!

We passed over the Linn Cove Viaduct late in the day with a quick stop at the center. 

You know it is funny sometimes how you learn things and how providence will sometimes take you by the hand and show you what you need to know.

Our intention had been to make Asheville which was still another hour away and we were all getting a little tired.  We stopped in a spot high in the mountains where we managed to get cell coverage not far from our stop in Linn Cove.  I called ahead to a place we had stayed at back in 2011.  They did not have enough room for us and the costs in that area are now quite high.  I decided to see if we could find something closer.  A couple of phone calls later, no rooms but recommendations for the next place until we found the Big Lynn Lodge. 

At the site of Big Lynn Lodge, used to stand a very large Linden tree.  The Linden tree was native to this region and almost wiped out by disease.  The Linden tree that stood in front of the lodge was also known as the Big Lynn or the marrying tree.  I will let you read the rest of the story in the photo posted below, but suffice to say, in one of these pictures you will see the rest of our group standing below the 2 "sprouts" from that original tree.  All this in a little place on the Blueridge called Little Switzerland.  There is way more history here than I can type in one day.

Marrying Tree "sprouts"

old gates of Little Switzerland

All I can say is that I will stay here again.  Supper and breakfast are included in your rate, as is the phenominal view of the mountains, valley, and sky!

Good night!

Big Lynn Lodge view

Day 7 - One for the Books

So firstly...sorry for the late post...no internet, cell coverage or available wifi last night.  I will explain all of that very shortly.

We headed out of Front Royal finally after 2 fabulous evenings there until the rain left.  There were lot of dogs in the hotel as they were doing training with a bunch of dogs, so I got my dog fix as well.

The day before we spent the day at the Luray Caverns so we wouldn't have to stop as we made our way out to Skyline drive....164 feet below ground.  Today we were going to travel to 3,000 feet above ground.

Momma Bear and one baby

We spent the a great morning with large sweeping roads, climbing to beautiful vistas.  Part of the way through I spotted a couple of bears up on a hill close to the road..it looked like a female with a cub...I told Larry so we all turned around to get a look (second one for me because no one else had seen them), and then another look on the way by again...Momma Bear had not one, but two cubs and they were digging into what looked like an ant hill for their mid morning snack.  She was cautious to the traffic but not so much as to leave.  Earlier on we had also seen a group of about 4-5 deer in a small field next to the road.

We came off the Skyline at the end of the park to gas up, un-gass and get a bite to eat.  Found a wonderful little store who directed us to the nearest gas station but not before a stop to a local brewery just off the main track.  We had a awesome meal.  We weren't quite sure how to take our server...she was a bit |"Mother Superior" for someone so young and not so holy....unless you count the piercings.  Despite that we filled our bellies and then we were off to take on the Blueridge.

We spent the rest of the afternoon running the hills, stopping to look at the blue tinged valleys and mountains, breathing in the fresh air on the parts of the road that felt like a rain forest with high canopy of trees closing off the sun and trapping the moist clean air.  There is no other feeling like it.  It is what has brought us back again bringing friends to share in the adventure.



We stopped at Otter Peak Lodge for the evening.  This is right on the Blueridge Parkway.....there was not cell coverage, internet and very weak wifi.....not a big deal because it has a beautiful view of the lake from every room...deer wandering the grounds, river otters and snapping turtles in the lake and lots of fish, hungry fish.......man those things can snatch pieces of bread so fast you would think it was their last meal.

After a nice shower to clean off the days heat and dirt, we made our way over to the lodge for supper.  We chose the lounge to eat in (imagine that) and had a window overlooking the lake.  We got to watch all the action in the lake with the otters playing and families enjoying some of the activities.  We tried lots of new things, mostly drinks, a bottle of wine and some shrimp and grits...yum!

By nights end, we were all exhausted.....riding these roads are exhilarating but they are also taxing...the good thing is you don't realize how much until the end of the evening, you just can't keep your eyes open for one second longer.......

They say a picture says a thousand words...let me summarize our first day on the parkway for you...

Day 6 - Gooney Run to Luray Caverns.

So last night the decision was made to stay another night here in Front Royal....that decision was unanimous given the forecast.

We did however, think that a run through Skyline Drive to Luray Caverns would be a great idea...not only do we get to have a great ride but we can see the caverns again and then we don't have to stop when we head out.

The morning was fantastic...great breakfast, and then we were off...a few dribbles of rain but nothing much.. we had better visibility on one side of the mountain than we did on the other but we got to see a bit...there was some cloud coming over the mountains which really made the lush green forest look almost eerie or ethereal...I think more ethereal...

Casual Observers

Creeping clouds!

TheValley

We made it to Luray and not only did we get to see these beautiful formations but one little fella in our group, Tyler aged 4, really made my day....I love talking to little people who always have something real to say....you know the kind of things that make strangers laugh like crazy and make parents cringe and look for a hiding place.  He had lots to say and all of it I found immensely amusing.

Ghost of Pluto

Reflection pool

Lunch and a visit to the car and toy museums which were also on site.  One look at the sky when we exited the toy museum told us we best get our butts in gear.  We made a group decision to just wear our rain coats and not pants because 'we are pretty sure we will run out of it"....famous last words.  It didn't take long as we made our way back onto Skyline to realize we would not just run out of it but most likely run right INTO it....and into it we did....it didn't take long to develop a lovely pool of water in my boots...right boot first, left one followed suit shortly thereafter.  I found it faintly amusing to see a sign in the middle of the Skyline run back which said "Gooney Run Overlook"...yup I would say these running Gooney's definitely overlooked!

We gassed up, got some liquid refreshments and headed back to the hotel.  Rockstar parking for our beauties, a slow squishing walk through the lobby, stripping our riding gear off in the bathtub to control the amount of water that would eventually spill out, change into bathing suits and a dunk in the pool AND hot tub solved all the little issues of riding in heavy rain through the mountains.

Rockstar Parking!

Supper of happy hour apps and one very large LIT - long island ice tea, and my day was complete.

Early tomorrow, Skyline and Blueridge....the sun will shine and we will ride!

Tomorrow.....

All in all, an absolutely great day!  So lucky to be riding with like minded friends...rain is not an obstacle to travel, it is part of the experience and a chapter in your story.

Day 5 - Faith, Hope and Lots of Luck

Well the last three days...what can I say....the forecast was showing huge cells of thunderstorms and heavy rains...needless to say there has been a ton of flooding in the areas we have travelled through, most often after we have left however for the most we have dodged the water works.

Every day for the last three we have left where we stayed and arrived in rain.  In between it has been hot and humid which was actually worse than the rain itself.  A lot of stop and go again today.  We only travelled 222 kms but they were tough ones with the humidity.  That said, we travelled through some nice areas with interesting history.

mosaic tile wall

Churches

Fountains

Who slept here?

Tonight we are staying in Front Royal and by the look of the things we may do a down day here before we head out to the Blue Ridge Parkway.  The forecast still isn't looking great.  We are staying at a great spot with a fabulous restaurant, indoor pool and laundry facilities...so we now have clean clothes...thank God for small miracles and clean undies.

....and Fred got his bath.

Fred enjoying a hot bath after a long day!

This is what we look like at the end of a long day and a few "reward" drinks...this is what happens when someone (Terri) says "suck in your gut" when absolutely no guts were pictured in this photo.

Day 5 - Suck in your gut...apparently only Terri and Larry feel they have to!

.....and then there is the chuckle for the day.......suck in your gut, muffin top!

Day 4...Did someone say rain?

Sometimes you just have to go on a little faith....that and a little technology and weather watching helps.

We set out on route 11 and followed it all the way to Harrisburg, PA.  It was raining when we left Scranton but nothing really hard.  The humidity on the other hand was another matter.  We didn't even put on our rain suits...we were really looking for that rain to cool us off.

We were soaked from the humidity and the slow ride through towns and lights...So.  Many.  Lights!  As we finally made our way to the part of the 11 that got up to 55 mph, the sun came out which was just perfect.  We made our way covering more ground in less time that it took us getting away from Scranton...we dried off and cooled off at the same time.

After a stop for lunch at Burger King, we started looking at the weather again...it was 3:30 pm and we had travelled just under 200 km in 4 hours (yup...some of those areas were REALLY slow).  After assessing how far we still had to reach Front Royal (another 200+ km) and the weather cells in the area, we decided we would call it a day and booked a room in Harrisburg.

Some rest time and a good supper at the diner next door and it didn't take long to realize that the stop was needed....we were all ready for bed by 9:30 p.m.

So when you have a long day that doesn't really get you far, you need a lot of humor, and of course the company of good friends with the same sense of humor....we are lucky to have a lot of both!  Travelling despite the weather is not for everyone..luckily it is for everyone on this trip!

Front Royal or bust today!

Day 4....guys were supposed to look tired, not giddy!

 
A little restaurant humor we found along the way!

Day 3 - What's a little rain...

Sorry for the day's delay in posting....it was a long day with a wet ending...

We headed out in the morning after a quick continental breakfast.

We ran into a little rain along the way and stopped to put on our rain suits....Vermont is beautiful, rain and all.  We made a little stop for some coffee and were surprised to meet another rider from home.  Seems Doug has done a lot of the same travelling we have done...there was some slight disturbance from an overly aggressive young man who apparently was under some sort of influence or just didn't like the fact that we seemed to be enjoying ourselves...we just ignored him, not wanting to engage or ruin our day.  We set out again in the rain to get some distance.  The roads were great and the rain not that heavy. 

Wild Life

We stayed on the most of the morning on Hwy 14 through Vermont down to Hwy 4 until we crossed into New York State...we did some familiar sites along that route and by this time we were able to remove our rain suits and enjoy some nice weather.  We even saw a little "wild life"...




We then moved over to Hwy 29 and 30 which took us through the Pepacton Resevoir (another familiar site) and then on 17 which took us into Pennsylvania. 

We then decided we could make it to Scranton although it was getting a little late...it was only an hour away, theoretically..we made a reservation at our favorite stop, excited to share this great little spot with our friends......We set out on the 370 in search of the 171.  By this time it started to rain very hard, it was getting late and we were all a bit...tired.  We stopped to put on our rain jackets and check our GPS and phones to make sure we were on track..the 171, so it seemed, was less than 500 feet away, just over the little knoll we had stopped on.  On the 171 we headed for the 6 and then the 11 which should take us right into Scranton....needless to say, that 1 hour seemed like 2 but was actually almost 3, a result of several stops just to make sure we were on the right track.

By 8:30 p.m. we finally arrived at Lackawana Station Rennisance Hotel..checked in, changed and headed across the street to our little Irish pub for a bite to eat.

Lackawana Station Hotel Lobby

We were both tired and exhilarated by the day...nothing, not the rain, a raging young man or being dogged tired, could take away the fabulous ride we had today...586 km...most of it in sunshine, smiles and sweeping turns....and of course the soft beds in a fabulous little piece of history certainly made all the hassle of the last part of the ride, worth it as well.  Just look at these smiles....

The Gang - Day 3