Catchin' Up

   Spent the weekend with our friend Curt in Biloxi, MS. and now the three of us are working our way north and eventually back to Mi. While in Biloxi, we went to the Battleship Park where the USS Alabama is moored. You can tour the ship and easily spend 2 hours wandering all over.  What struck Lew and I the most was the determination and sense of duty the men who served on the Alabama. The ship is huge but the quarters are cramped, hot and dark. I have a new found respect and admiration for all the men who lived and fought for our freedom.  Thank a veteran when you can.

The heat continues in the upper 90's and low 100's. Lew, Curt, and I are making our way up the "Natchez Trace" and are spending the night in Kosciusko, MS. Tomorrow promises more of the same. It appears that we are bringing this wonderful weather with us, so get ready!

It's officially summer

The past couple of days have been riding days. No sight seeing Thursday or Friday.

Thursday morning, Lew got a text message from the guy (Puffer) he hiked the Appalachian Trail with. Puffer is in Panama City, FL. A quick change of route and off we were to sunny Florida. The ride down from Rome was just short of 400 miles.

Spent the night w/Puffer and then made it over to Biloxi yesterday. We made a stop at the Suzuki dealer in Biloxi for a rear tire for my LT. It just wasn't going to make it home. I knew this was a possibility when we left.

Okay. I said it was officially summer ... Thursday we saw triple digit temps and Friday was 99 degrees most of the day.  HOORAY for summer!!!!

Earlier, we rode the dragon. Killboy finally got July 5th photos posted and here I am.

Geoff - Tail of the Dragon: July 5, 2011

A Dam, A Ride, and the Heat

Leaving Fontana this morning, Lew and I made another stop at Fontana Dam. This time we went to the top of the dam and had some good views of the dam and the gorge downstream.

From there we rode up to Cherohala Skyway and had a great ride in good weather. This is one of my favorite roads. Here a couple of scenes from the Cherohala.

Lunch was at a small diner in Tellico Plains at the end of the Cherohala Skyway. After lunch, we headed south and I could watch the thermometer on the bike rise all the way to 95 degrees. We've stopped in Rome, GA. for the night and will continue toward Biloxi, MS. where we will turn north and head home.

BRP, CD, & ToD

Such a busy day and it seems like we hardly got anywhere.  We started in Hendersonville, NC where we left our friends Bill and Carol and ended up at the Fontana Village Resort in Fontana, NC. Not very far as the crow flies, but we packed in quite alot.

First we finish the Blue Ridge Parkway

Despite the damaged sign,
this is the highest point on the BRP

Then it's on to Clingman's Dome. It was a great ride up on a very nice road. Just as we got to the top the fog rolled in and the view was somewhat obscured. I did get to step down the Appalachian Trail for a short bit.
















Next, it was on to the Tail of the Dragon for the 318 turns in 11 miles (I lost count after 198 turns). I did get the T-shirt this time though.

From the Dragon it was on to Fontana Village Resort for the night with a quick stop at Fontana Dam.

Time to find something to eat ... see ya soon.

Catching Up

Well time to catch up on our travels and whereabouts. Friday we left Meadows of Dan, VA. and rode down to some college friends for the holiday weekend. We are now in Hendersonville, VA.

Somewhere along the BRP

The last four days have been sunny, hot and great. The ride down here on Friday included stops at Linville Falls and Mt. Mitchell.

Linville Falls

 Linville Falls was a nice quiet break from the hot weather and very nice. Mt. Mitchell is the highest peak east of the Mississippi River (6684 ft.). The views were spectacular !!

Oh my!

It's all downhill from here.

Rolling Again

After walking all over the mall in DC yesterday and playing tourist, Lew and I left for the Blue Ridge Parkway at 8:00 am today.

Yesterday was full of the usual tourist destinations. The Washington, Lincoln, World War II, Vietnam, and Korean Memorials. The War memorials weren't there when I was stationed in DC 40 years ago and were very interesting. The Korean Memorial is especially powerful. The eyes of the figures are quite haunting.

I apologize for the lack of pictures of some of the memorials, but the photos taken by this non-photographer didn't pass muster.

We did get some photos from today's ride down to the little town of "Meadows of Dan", VA.

The beginning of the BRP ride.

One of the numerous overlooks
along the Blue Ridge Parkway

Years after his thru-hike of the Appalachian Trial
Lew revisits one of crossings of the BRP

The view out of our door at the Woodberry Inn
Meadows of Dan, VA.

Oh the joys of technology

Once again the vagaries of technology strike to make my blogging harder than it should be.

No wifi at the hotel last night, so this is delayed a day.

Anyway, we stopped at "Hot Dog Johnny's" for lunch yesterday. Great place. The dogs are cooked in peanut oil and are delicious. If you are in northern NJ and can get directions, make a point of going.

We made it to DC today and are staying with our friends Mick & Sandy for a few days. Probably won't make any posts again until Thursday

See ya soon

A day at the shore.

From Massachusetts to Rhode Island to Connecticut, nothing but dreary clouds. But NO RAIN today!!

Our main tourist stop today was Mystic Seaport, Ct. It's kinda like Historic Williamsburg, Va. only about tall ships and the history of the northeast sailing fishing vessels and towns. There were several tall sailing ships and a reconstructed fishing village with boat builders, sail makers and other related trades on display. Many were offering demo's of their craftsmanship. Here are a few pictures from the day.

The "Morgan" is being rebuilt.

It's a long way up there

Anyone want to take the helm?

The "Conrad"
Formerly a Danish training vessel.

Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania

We didn't have any WiFi at the motel we stayed in last night so I couldn't post this yesterday. The highlight of the day was a side trip to the "Grand Canyon of Pennsylvania". It is about 40 miles east of Coudersport, Pa. and well worth the trip. It is really impressive. Unfortunately the day was overcast, but the mist in the valleys was very interesting. The pictures don't do the place justice. The depth and steepness of the canyon don't translate well in the photos.

The park at the canyon was establised in the early 1930's and the overlooks, interpretive shelters and buildings were built by the CCC.

Today was rain all day. We rode to the top of Mt. Greylock. A nice road that would be nicer without the rain and dense fog near the summit. I didn't take any photos ... we all know what fog looks like.

A cool site and then a couple of weird sites

Flight 93 Crash Site

Our favorite Urinal (?)
Dubois Harley Davidson
Dubois, Pa.

Our favorite tree. Uncle Sam Wants You!
Just east of Saint Clairsville, Oh.

We made it to Coudersport, Pa. today. The weather was mostly overcast with pleasant temps. All in all a good day.