After lunch at long-time favorite Little Venice in Binghamton with my Great Aunt Mary, it was time to pack for the airport. I'm writing this last post from a hotel near the Syracuse airport where early tomorrow morning Vicki and I will fly home.
With my memory of the early ride already starting to fade I may be the one who most benefits from this blog. That said, the many comments and emails about the blog over the last few weeks helped motivate and amuse everyone on this trip.
My thanks to everyone who has followed this blog on either Google or Facebook. This will be my last post but you can still reach me at kwalter30@tx.rr.com with questions, comments, or if there are pictures you would like higher-resolution copies of.
...Keith, Vicki, Keith (Sr.) & Pat
Friday, August 14, 2009
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Day 32 - 8/13 - Binghamton
Today is the first day of our second month, and it was a trip down memory lane for me.
After a morning walk around the campground lake to work off a little of last night's dinner, Vicki and I headed to Binghamton, my childhood home, for a day of sightseeing and visits.
My luck continues as I connected with my old next door neighbor and best friend Don, who not only was available for lunch, but owns my childhood home (rental property). He opened up the old house so I could grab photos and we could swap memories.
Vicki was rescued from our reminiscing by Susanna who picked her up for an afternoon of visiting and shopping. Meanwhile Don, his brother Jim and I picked up Spiedies (a local dish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiedie) and enjoyed lunch in the park.
Before returning to the campground I managed to visit another old friend I played football with, and captured photos of my old schools and church. Unlike most photos, I actually added descriptions to today's photos.
After a morning walk around the campground lake to work off a little of last night's dinner, Vicki and I headed to Binghamton, my childhood home, for a day of sightseeing and visits.
My luck continues as I connected with my old next door neighbor and best friend Don, who not only was available for lunch, but owns my childhood home (rental property). He opened up the old house so I could grab photos and we could swap memories.
Vicki was rescued from our reminiscing by Susanna who picked her up for an afternoon of visiting and shopping. Meanwhile Don, his brother Jim and I picked up Spiedies (a local dish
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiedie) and enjoyed lunch in the park.
Before returning to the campground I managed to visit another old friend I played football with, and captured photos of my old schools and church. Unlike most photos, I actually added descriptions to today's photos.
 |
| 8-13 Day 32 |
Day 31 - 8/12 - Endicott, NY
Our trip is coming to an end. Today we RV'd the final leg from Pennsylvania to our old hometown of Binghamton, NY.
The campground we are staying at actually sits on a small lake in nearby Endicott - one of my parent's favorites. It seems to also be one of Bo's favorites as he couldn't wait to jump in and swim with the ducks.
Vicki managed to connect with our longtime friend Susanna who several years ago began studying to become a priest. Although we met and became friends on the west coast, as fate would have it, she now is Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Endicott.
Susanna made the time to come visit at our campsite and then invited us to join her at St. Paul's ice cream social where Mom and Dad knew a number of people and the local zoo was participating by bringing animals for display.
Tomorrow will be our only full day in the Binghamton area and our last full day in the RV.
The campground we are staying at actually sits on a small lake in nearby Endicott - one of my parent's favorites. It seems to also be one of Bo's favorites as he couldn't wait to jump in and swim with the ducks.
Vicki managed to connect with our longtime friend Susanna who several years ago began studying to become a priest. Although we met and became friends on the west coast, as fate would have it, she now is Rector of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Endicott.
Susanna made the time to come visit at our campsite and then invited us to join her at St. Paul's ice cream social where Mom and Dad knew a number of people and the local zoo was participating by bringing animals for display.
Tomorrow will be our only full day in the Binghamton area and our last full day in the RV.
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| 8-12 Day 31 |
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Day 30 - 8/11 - Wapwallopen, PA
Today we broke camp getting ready for our longest travel day....almost 200 miles.
The campground was beautiful, but well off the main road. We almost thought we were lost, but then found it next to a stream.
They had ducks and fish that you could feed, even out of your hand. They had miniature golf which we tried to play after dinner, but they had closed it early. Good thing, because we got back to the motorhome just in time before another huge storm rolled through.
..Vicki
The campground was beautiful, but well off the main road. We almost thought we were lost, but then found it next to a stream.
They had ducks and fish that you could feed, even out of your hand. They had miniature golf which we tried to play after dinner, but they had closed it early. Good thing, because we got back to the motorhome just in time before another huge storm rolled through.
..Vicki
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| 8-11 Day 30 |
Monday, August 10, 2009
Day 28 - 8/9 - Front Royal, VA
Today was a lazy morning....all of us slept in and had a leisurely brunch by the pool.
Pat and Keith said they'd be by at 3:00 for an early dinner and then take us back to the motorhome to hit the road again.
We all went to Wegman's to shop for dinner....it was love at first sight...what a store! Dennis grilled hamburgers and corn on the cob and Jeannie made salad with vegies from their garden.
Pat and Keith (and Bo) got the deluxe tour of their newly-remodeled home and acreage. A perfect ending to a delightful (but brief) visit with my sister and her husband.
On the way back, we stopped at Spelunker's for frozen custard.
..Vicki
PS..should you make it to the last photo it is not just black, if you look very closely you will see my attempt to capture a firefly;)
..Keith
Pat and Keith said they'd be by at 3:00 for an early dinner and then take us back to the motorhome to hit the road again.
We all went to Wegman's to shop for dinner....it was love at first sight...what a store! Dennis grilled hamburgers and corn on the cob and Jeannie made salad with vegies from their garden.
Pat and Keith (and Bo) got the deluxe tour of their newly-remodeled home and acreage. A perfect ending to a delightful (but brief) visit with my sister and her husband.
On the way back, we stopped at Spelunker's for frozen custard.
..Vicki
PS..should you make it to the last photo it is not just black, if you look very closely you will see my attempt to capture a firefly;)
..Keith
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| 8-09 Day 28 |
Day 29 - 8/10 - Falling Waters, WV
Monday it was time to leave Virginia to visit our former Reverend and his wife for lunch and hopefully a visit to their unique home. The drive between campgrounds was only about 60 miles, so before leaving we took a final walk around the Falling Waters Campsite to enjoy the woods and free-running cows.
Arriving early, the Falling Waters Campsite turned out to be a bit of a disappointment, it was relatively expensive with few amenities and no pull-through sites.
The lunchtime visit turned out to be a bit of an adventure as we did some unexpected sightseeing in the Middletown, MD area before finally parking and waiting for our hosts to come find us. Fortunately we had chosen to park just across the street from the country club they had planned to take us for lunch.
While the lunch was good, the tour of their home turned out to be the day’s highlight. Pete and Connie live in the custom home she designed and built with her son. The floor-to-ceiling windows look out over some beautiful countryside and create a light and airy interior.
Pete shared his love of making fishing flies and other hobbies with my parents while Connie signed a copy of one of her craft books for Vicki.
Arriving early, the Falling Waters Campsite turned out to be a bit of a disappointment, it was relatively expensive with few amenities and no pull-through sites.
The lunchtime visit turned out to be a bit of an adventure as we did some unexpected sightseeing in the Middletown, MD area before finally parking and waiting for our hosts to come find us. Fortunately we had chosen to park just across the street from the country club they had planned to take us for lunch.
While the lunch was good, the tour of their home turned out to be the day’s highlight. Pete and Connie live in the custom home she designed and built with her son. The floor-to-ceiling windows look out over some beautiful countryside and create a light and airy interior.
Pete shared his love of making fishing flies and other hobbies with my parents while Connie signed a copy of one of her craft books for Vicki.
 |
| 8-10 Day 29 |
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Day 27 - 8/8 - Catlett, VA
Saturday morning, waking up in a "real" house for the first time in almost a month.
Yesterday Vicki's sister Jeannie and her husband Dennis took us from the winery back to their home to spend two nights away from biking and the RV. Their home sits like an oasis on 10 wooded acres in the middle of "nowhere".
To help Vicki get into the right mood, Jeannie had scheduled time at the local spa for both of them first thing this morning. Dennis and I had the chance to wake up a little more slowly and then put the top down for a ride into town.
We met the "girls" for lunch at The Iron Bridge Wine Company in Warrenton where Steph (our waitress) took the shot of the four of us on the rooftop.
Heading back to the house we enjoyed the warm weather in the pool where Dennis showed off his skill at getting dragonflies to land on his fingers in the pool before heading back to The Iron Bridge for dinner.
Dennis has arranged for their friends Brian and Kay to join us, as Brian had ridden his bike cross-country after leaving the Navy. We learned after drinks that Brian had actually ridden over 9,000 miles, first going east to west, before heading up the west coast, only to ride west to east.
Mom and Dad said they had fun exploring Front Royal. They found a great bookstore and a frozen custard place. Dad said he had one of the best prime rib he's had at a restaurant in town.
Yesterday Vicki's sister Jeannie and her husband Dennis took us from the winery back to their home to spend two nights away from biking and the RV. Their home sits like an oasis on 10 wooded acres in the middle of "nowhere".
To help Vicki get into the right mood, Jeannie had scheduled time at the local spa for both of them first thing this morning. Dennis and I had the chance to wake up a little more slowly and then put the top down for a ride into town.
We met the "girls" for lunch at The Iron Bridge Wine Company in Warrenton where Steph (our waitress) took the shot of the four of us on the rooftop.
Heading back to the house we enjoyed the warm weather in the pool where Dennis showed off his skill at getting dragonflies to land on his fingers in the pool before heading back to The Iron Bridge for dinner.
Dennis has arranged for their friends Brian and Kay to join us, as Brian had ridden his bike cross-country after leaving the Navy. We learned after drinks that Brian had actually ridden over 9,000 miles, first going east to west, before heading up the west coast, only to ride west to east.
Mom and Dad said they had fun exploring Front Royal. They found a great bookstore and a frozen custard place. Dad said he had one of the best prime rib he's had at a restaurant in town.
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| 8-08 Day 27 |
Day 26 - 8/7 - Front Royal, VA
Most mornings on travel days we take our time getting ready and packing up, especially when the next site is a short distance. This morning, knowing that I was going to see my sister, no one was moving fast enough.
But we were finally on the road and seventy miles seemed to take forever! Once we found our site in Front Royal and set up, we hit the road to the Barrel Oak Winery to meet Jeannie and Dennis for lunch.
Jeannie had called us to say the winery didn’t serve lunch, so she and Dennis made a stop at Wegman’s (an East Coast phenomenon that I haven’t yet experienced) for enough sandwiches and condiments for an army!
After a very relaxing and enjoyable lunch on the patio at the winery, and a personal tour by Rick Tagg, the wine maker, we transferred our luggage and went our separate ways; Pat and Keith back to the campsite, and Keith and I to Jeannie and Dennis’s for a short break.
Jeannie and Dennis live in the small town of Catlett, VA with ten acres of forest and a house built for entertainment and relaxation. We were disappointed to learn that they had a birthday party they had to attend that night and would Keith and I be OK having the house, pool, spa, etc. to ourselves for a few hours (darn!).
Sheer heaven!
...Vicki
But we were finally on the road and seventy miles seemed to take forever! Once we found our site in Front Royal and set up, we hit the road to the Barrel Oak Winery to meet Jeannie and Dennis for lunch.
Jeannie had called us to say the winery didn’t serve lunch, so she and Dennis made a stop at Wegman’s (an East Coast phenomenon that I haven’t yet experienced) for enough sandwiches and condiments for an army!
After a very relaxing and enjoyable lunch on the patio at the winery, and a personal tour by Rick Tagg, the wine maker, we transferred our luggage and went our separate ways; Pat and Keith back to the campsite, and Keith and I to Jeannie and Dennis’s for a short break.
Jeannie and Dennis live in the small town of Catlett, VA with ten acres of forest and a house built for entertainment and relaxation. We were disappointed to learn that they had a birthday party they had to attend that night and would Keith and I be OK having the house, pool, spa, etc. to ourselves for a few hours (darn!).
Sheer heaven!
...Vicki
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| 8-07 Day 26 |
Saturday, August 8, 2009
Day 25 - 8/6 - Waynesboro, VA
Yesterday as we completed the Blue Ridge Parkway we continued a short way up Skyline Drive, expecting to begin riding it in earnest this morning. Unfortunately we once again awoke to a driving rain and quickly concluded that riding was not what we wanted to do.
Having driven through Waynesboro the day before, it seemed to offer little in the way of rainy-day activities so in the morning mom & dad headed to Walmart for a little shopping and in the afternoon Vicki and I headed to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello http://www.monticello.org/ in nearby Charlottesville for a little sightseeing.
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has done a really nice job of preserving the estate and the guided tours provide a good balance of entertainment and education. Having forgotten my camera, you will all be spared any photos of our visit (much to Vicki's delight) but their website is well done and worth a visit if you can't come for the real thing.
The one and only picture of the day is from a quick drive-by of the TNT Cafe, our choice for dinner last night. When I travel, my preference is always to try local restaurants, so at the recommendation of a fellow traveler we visited the TNT in the local strip mall.
Walking in we quickly noticed we were the only customers and this certainly is not where you would go for a fancy meal. Linda, our waitress, cook, cashier, and entertainment however was only too happy to help. Twice Linda had to run next door to the local grocery for ingredients to complete our simple (but good) dinners.
Tomorrow we head to Front Royal, VA where Vicki and I will leave my parents for a couple of days to visit Vicki's sister Jeannie and her husband Dennis in Catlett, VA.
Having driven through Waynesboro the day before, it seemed to offer little in the way of rainy-day activities so in the morning mom & dad headed to Walmart for a little shopping and in the afternoon Vicki and I headed to Thomas Jefferson's Monticello http://www.monticello.org/ in nearby Charlottesville for a little sightseeing.
The Thomas Jefferson Foundation has done a really nice job of preserving the estate and the guided tours provide a good balance of entertainment and education. Having forgotten my camera, you will all be spared any photos of our visit (much to Vicki's delight) but their website is well done and worth a visit if you can't come for the real thing.
The one and only picture of the day is from a quick drive-by of the TNT Cafe, our choice for dinner last night. When I travel, my preference is always to try local restaurants, so at the recommendation of a fellow traveler we visited the TNT in the local strip mall.
Walking in we quickly noticed we were the only customers and this certainly is not where you would go for a fancy meal. Linda, our waitress, cook, cashier, and entertainment however was only too happy to help. Twice Linda had to run next door to the local grocery for ingredients to complete our simple (but good) dinners.
Tomorrow we head to Front Royal, VA where Vicki and I will leave my parents for a couple of days to visit Vicki's sister Jeannie and her husband Dennis in Catlett, VA.
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| From 8-06 Day 25 |
Day 24 - 8/5 - Last day on the Blue Ridge
I'm back after a couple of days without internet access!
Wednesday was a bittersweet day as we enjoyed some of the clearest visibility of the trip on our last day riding the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We covered about 15 miles today, bringing our total for the Blue Ridge to just under 145 miles. Not the 469 total we once hoped for, but more than enough to appreciate its beauty and to experience much of what it has to offer.
The day started with a drive south to "insert" us near mile marker 14 so we could ride north to the start of the parkway. Unlike all of the other intersections we had used this morning's intersection was not marked, so we relied on a couple of hikers resting by the side of the road to confirm we had found the Blue Ridge.
Like most days we began with a climb, this time about 1000 feet before enjoying downhills for most of the rest of the ride. True to their name, the Smoky Mountains had low visibility the entire time we had been in NC and it had continued up until today's ride.
Almost from the start of today's ride the visibility was significantly better. The photos won't fully capture how clear the distant mountains looked today. The highlight was probably at Ravens Roost, an outlook near the top of our climb at 3200 feet.
Not only were the views spectacular, but a pair of large raptors danced overhead as we tried to identify the landmarks from the plaque the Park Service mounted in the stone fence separating us from the valley below.
Like the previous couple of rides, we saw many deer by the side of the road, dozens of different butterflies, and many birds riding the air currents above. At about the six mile mark we stopped at Humpback Rocks Visitor Center for one last look at Blue Ridge memorabilia and to view the recreated farm.
The last few miles of the Blue Ridge seemed to go by too fast with mile marker zero showing up before I was ready for it to end. The Blue Ridge Parkway actually starts in the middle of a bridge at the very end of Skyline Drive which continues another 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park.
It is with mixed feeling I write today's post. The journey so far has been remarkable not only for the scenery but also for the time I have been able to spend with both my father and mother. Depending on weather and travel time we may or may not have any more time to ride. While at times writing a blog has seemed like a lot of work, the feedback has been wonderful and I look forward (after some time to catch up on work) to looking back on the blog and comments to relive a little of this priceless adventure.
..Keith
Wednesday was a bittersweet day as we enjoyed some of the clearest visibility of the trip on our last day riding the Blue Ridge Parkway.
We covered about 15 miles today, bringing our total for the Blue Ridge to just under 145 miles. Not the 469 total we once hoped for, but more than enough to appreciate its beauty and to experience much of what it has to offer.
The day started with a drive south to "insert" us near mile marker 14 so we could ride north to the start of the parkway. Unlike all of the other intersections we had used this morning's intersection was not marked, so we relied on a couple of hikers resting by the side of the road to confirm we had found the Blue Ridge.
Like most days we began with a climb, this time about 1000 feet before enjoying downhills for most of the rest of the ride. True to their name, the Smoky Mountains had low visibility the entire time we had been in NC and it had continued up until today's ride.
Almost from the start of today's ride the visibility was significantly better. The photos won't fully capture how clear the distant mountains looked today. The highlight was probably at Ravens Roost, an outlook near the top of our climb at 3200 feet.
Not only were the views spectacular, but a pair of large raptors danced overhead as we tried to identify the landmarks from the plaque the Park Service mounted in the stone fence separating us from the valley below.
Like the previous couple of rides, we saw many deer by the side of the road, dozens of different butterflies, and many birds riding the air currents above. At about the six mile mark we stopped at Humpback Rocks Visitor Center for one last look at Blue Ridge memorabilia and to view the recreated farm.
The last few miles of the Blue Ridge seemed to go by too fast with mile marker zero showing up before I was ready for it to end. The Blue Ridge Parkway actually starts in the middle of a bridge at the very end of Skyline Drive which continues another 105 miles through Shenandoah National Park.
It is with mixed feeling I write today's post. The journey so far has been remarkable not only for the scenery but also for the time I have been able to spend with both my father and mother. Depending on weather and travel time we may or may not have any more time to ride. While at times writing a blog has seemed like a lot of work, the feedback has been wonderful and I look forward (after some time to catch up on work) to looking back on the blog and comments to relive a little of this priceless adventure.
..Keith
 |
| 8-05 Day 24 |
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Day 23 - 8/4 - Natural Bridge, VA
Our final day in Natural Bridge and next to last day on the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Today our wives were kind enough to drive us a few miles north to start our ride at about mile marker 46 on the parkway. If you are new to this blog we started at the southern end of the parkway (mile marker 469) and tomorrow we will RV to Waynesboro, VA which is close to the northern end (mile marker 0).
Today we covered about 20 miles which puts our total on the Blue Ridge at just under 130 miles or about 28%. According to my bike computer we have climbed almost 26,000 feet along the way or almost the height of Mount Everest (not at one time;).
Today's ride included another deer sighting; our first encounter with a turtle crossing the road; multiple streams; an old logging rail line; a herd of friendly cows; and changing landscape as we continue to move north.
Each time I think we have seen it all, the parkway finds new ways to surprise me. Some are dramatic, like the mountain peaks of Otter, others are subtle like the grassy hillsides with cows that seem to appear out of the forest.
One of the constant delights has been stopping for lunch with my father in one breathtaking spot after another, usually with no sound other than the wind and water to compete with our conversations.
Today our wives were kind enough to drive us a few miles north to start our ride at about mile marker 46 on the parkway. If you are new to this blog we started at the southern end of the parkway (mile marker 469) and tomorrow we will RV to Waynesboro, VA which is close to the northern end (mile marker 0).
Today we covered about 20 miles which puts our total on the Blue Ridge at just under 130 miles or about 28%. According to my bike computer we have climbed almost 26,000 feet along the way or almost the height of Mount Everest (not at one time;).
Today's ride included another deer sighting; our first encounter with a turtle crossing the road; multiple streams; an old logging rail line; a herd of friendly cows; and changing landscape as we continue to move north.
Each time I think we have seen it all, the parkway finds new ways to surprise me. Some are dramatic, like the mountain peaks of Otter, others are subtle like the grassy hillsides with cows that seem to appear out of the forest.
One of the constant delights has been stopping for lunch with my father in one breathtaking spot after another, usually with no sound other than the wind and water to compete with our conversations.
 |
| 8-04 Day 23 |
Day 22 - 8/3 - Natural Bridge, VA
Today was a day of highs and lows.
The plan was to enter the Blue Ridge south of Natural Bridge and ride back towards the RV campsite. As it turns out this stretch of the Parkway included both the highest point in VA on the Parkway (3950') and lowest point anywhere on the Parkway (670').
In between those points we enjoyed over 12 miles of downhill riding - by far the longest I've ever coasted.
It was also a great day for picture taking as I took over 150 photos (about 30 are posted below). A few of the highlights included multiple deer sightings and many opportunities to photograph the previously-elusive black butterflies that seem to thrive the entire length of the parkway.
A few of today's more memorable stops included an overlook we shared with thousands of bees creating a great humming sound as the fed on the clover; hearing about the area from a local cyclist/painter as we stood on the bridge overlooking the James River; and bringing our wives back to the Peaks of Otter Lodge/Restaurant for dinner after falling in love with the spot earlier in the day.
We ended up riding just under 26 miles, stopping for the day at the James River Visitor Center near the restored Kanawha Canal Lock.
This continues to be a vacation where each day brings new surprises and unexpected beauty.
As a parting comment, something I had intended to mention in a earlier post was recognition for the great coverage Verizon provided to our cell phones on the Blue Ridge. So of course today, when we tried to call our wives to tell them about dinner, we had no coverage for most of the ride;(
The plan was to enter the Blue Ridge south of Natural Bridge and ride back towards the RV campsite. As it turns out this stretch of the Parkway included both the highest point in VA on the Parkway (3950') and lowest point anywhere on the Parkway (670').
In between those points we enjoyed over 12 miles of downhill riding - by far the longest I've ever coasted.
It was also a great day for picture taking as I took over 150 photos (about 30 are posted below). A few of the highlights included multiple deer sightings and many opportunities to photograph the previously-elusive black butterflies that seem to thrive the entire length of the parkway.
A few of today's more memorable stops included an overlook we shared with thousands of bees creating a great humming sound as the fed on the clover; hearing about the area from a local cyclist/painter as we stood on the bridge overlooking the James River; and bringing our wives back to the Peaks of Otter Lodge/Restaurant for dinner after falling in love with the spot earlier in the day.
We ended up riding just under 26 miles, stopping for the day at the James River Visitor Center near the restored Kanawha Canal Lock.
This continues to be a vacation where each day brings new surprises and unexpected beauty.
As a parting comment, something I had intended to mention in a earlier post was recognition for the great coverage Verizon provided to our cell phones on the Blue Ridge. So of course today, when we tried to call our wives to tell them about dinner, we had no coverage for most of the ride;(
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| 8-03 Day 22 |
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Day 21 - 8/2 - Natural Bridge, VA
Timing is everything, and in today's case, the fact the Fancy Gap KOA didn't have a spot for us, turned out to be a good thing.
Once again we woke to rain, so using today as a travel day was a good decision. Unfortunately, we once again found heavy traffic and got stuck in a long traffic jam slowing our progress.
Reservations are in place and the forecast for the next couple of days is for good weather so with a little luck I'll be reporting lots of Blue Ridge miles the next couple of days. Till then I've included a few pictures of today's travel and the next campsite.
Once again we woke to rain, so using today as a travel day was a good decision. Unfortunately, we once again found heavy traffic and got stuck in a long traffic jam slowing our progress.
Reservations are in place and the forecast for the next couple of days is for good weather so with a little luck I'll be reporting lots of Blue Ridge miles the next couple of days. Till then I've included a few pictures of today's travel and the next campsite.
 |
| 8-02 Day 21 |
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Day 20 - 8/1 - Fancy Gap, VA
Bike riding doesn't get any better than this!
After days of clouds and rain, this morning it was blue skies and bright white clouds and the temperature was cool with no wind.
We were a little slow getting on the road as the packing/unpacking of the bikes when we travel requires some juggling of our bags, backpacks, and bottles between the bikes, car, and RV. The morning's search included a hunt for my bike shoes as I put them in a different "hiding place" after our last ride.
It was nice to be able to ride directly from the RV park to the Blue Ridge Parkway allowing our wives to sleep in..not that they did.
Heading south for the first time, almost immediately after getting on the trail we saw a familiar sight, a steep climb for as far as we could see. Fortunately this climb "only" lasted a couple of miles before transforming into a much more enjoyable series of rolling hills with a few nice flat stretches.
About 3 miles out we saw our first deer on this trip, 2 of them crossing the trail about 100 yards ahead of us. A few miles further 2 wild turkeys landed briefly on the trail before ducking into the brush out of sight.
At 13 miles we stopped at the Blue Ridge Music Center. The center is fairly new and they are still completing some sections, but the setting is beautiful and it looks like a great facility for planned outdoor concerts.
Five more miles down the road we crossed out of Virginia and back into North Carolina.
Not only was today's terrain different, the view and vegetation on this stretch of the Parkway are different. We were surprised when a passing car turned into a driveway directly off the Parkway. We passed several farms the Parks Department leases to local farmers along this section of the Parkway. The forests here have more oak trees and seem closer and more dense than at the southern end.
By the time the storm clouds started gathering and we called to be picked up, we had covered 34 miles, our longest ride since reaching the Blue Ridge. While it didn't have the same sense of accomplishment as reaching the "summit", today's ride was the most enjoyable of the trip (so far).
After days of clouds and rain, this morning it was blue skies and bright white clouds and the temperature was cool with no wind.
We were a little slow getting on the road as the packing/unpacking of the bikes when we travel requires some juggling of our bags, backpacks, and bottles between the bikes, car, and RV. The morning's search included a hunt for my bike shoes as I put them in a different "hiding place" after our last ride.
It was nice to be able to ride directly from the RV park to the Blue Ridge Parkway allowing our wives to sleep in..not that they did.
Heading south for the first time, almost immediately after getting on the trail we saw a familiar sight, a steep climb for as far as we could see. Fortunately this climb "only" lasted a couple of miles before transforming into a much more enjoyable series of rolling hills with a few nice flat stretches.
About 3 miles out we saw our first deer on this trip, 2 of them crossing the trail about 100 yards ahead of us. A few miles further 2 wild turkeys landed briefly on the trail before ducking into the brush out of sight.
At 13 miles we stopped at the Blue Ridge Music Center. The center is fairly new and they are still completing some sections, but the setting is beautiful and it looks like a great facility for planned outdoor concerts.
Five more miles down the road we crossed out of Virginia and back into North Carolina.
Not only was today's terrain different, the view and vegetation on this stretch of the Parkway are different. We were surprised when a passing car turned into a driveway directly off the Parkway. We passed several farms the Parks Department leases to local farmers along this section of the Parkway. The forests here have more oak trees and seem closer and more dense than at the southern end.
By the time the storm clouds started gathering and we called to be picked up, we had covered 34 miles, our longest ride since reaching the Blue Ridge. While it didn't have the same sense of accomplishment as reaching the "summit", today's ride was the most enjoyable of the trip (so far).
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| 8-01 Day 20 |
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