May 20, 2008, 10:05 PM
I went on down to the annual East Coast V-Strom gathering in Stecoah, NC last w/e. I made a field trip out of it. I left out from home on Weds prior to the w/e. My first stop was to Standardville, VA to hang out with Harry C, a friend from my old neighborhood in Jersey.
[attachment=772]
Harry'place. He owns about 20 acres along the South River in a tight hollow. We call it, Harry's Hollow.
Thurs morning I hit the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway and headed south. I drove all day on this great road. The coolest thing about this road are the curves, each engineered with the same radius. It's very predictable with almost no straight sections. Speed limit is 50mph but with almost no traffic, easily cruise at 60mph. I saw a few deer and many wild turkeys.
[attachment=773]
The views are often and very large.
The rain hit late afternoon but it was light and off & on. At around 5p, it was more constant, the temps dropped, and a thick fog set in.
My planned stop at a campground failed as the grounds were not open for the season. I camped at a nearby picnic area along a stream.
[attachment=777]
Rained all night letting up at 5a next morning. I was packed and riding at 645a. The clouds and rain gave way to sunshine & high clouds.
[attachment=774][attachment=775]
The road was closed for construction near Asheville, NC. I was able to drive as far as Mt. Mitchell. I climbed to the top. It was a good 10F-15Fcooler and very windy.
[attachment=776]
Drove onto the Ironhorse arriving Friday around 2p. Set up my tent and, ran into some old friends & ate dinner.
[attachment=778][attachment=779]
[attachment=780][attachment=781]
Martin caught daydreaming while Tammy plays "catch me if you can".
[attachment=782]
Some like to bike in fine style. Check out the RV.
Saturday most went riding. I chose to ride the Skyway Drive which overlooks the Smokey's. Awesome roadway and ride. I drove it twice.
[attachment=784][attachment=785]
Sat night some sat around the campfire for enjoyment, others out of necessity. It was really cool both Friday & Sat eves.
[attachment=789] Sat's dinner
[attachment=783]
Regina was a very good guitar player & singer.
Sunday was travel day for most. I headed back across US RT441 out of Cherokee, NC up RT I-81 and exited Rt 100 toward WV. I didn't make WV before Sunday's storm hit. I took shelter in a barn in Narrow's VA.
[attachment=786]
The owner Bill allowed me to hang & cook dinner. I almost stayed for the night but the sky's cleared and I departed at 6p for a campground in WV. He sent me off with a warm fresh loaf of homemade bread.
[attachment=788][attachment=787]
I drove some fine roads in the eastern half of WV. These roads were as good and some better than NC. No traffic at all. I was cruising. The sky's were blue and the wind was whipping. The temps were very cool for May.
[attachment=790] A water faucet in WV.
[attachment=791]
This was a nice trip. I want to visit WV again. There are many great spots to set up a camp for a few days and ride day trips throughout the mountains. The eastern half of WV is one huge mountain with beautiful valleys below. Maybe under rated to some but I won't soon forget.
[attachment=772]
Harry'place. He owns about 20 acres along the South River in a tight hollow. We call it, Harry's Hollow.
Thurs morning I hit the top of the Blue Ridge Parkway and headed south. I drove all day on this great road. The coolest thing about this road are the curves, each engineered with the same radius. It's very predictable with almost no straight sections. Speed limit is 50mph but with almost no traffic, easily cruise at 60mph. I saw a few deer and many wild turkeys.
[attachment=773]
The views are often and very large.
The rain hit late afternoon but it was light and off & on. At around 5p, it was more constant, the temps dropped, and a thick fog set in.
My planned stop at a campground failed as the grounds were not open for the season. I camped at a nearby picnic area along a stream.
[attachment=777]
Rained all night letting up at 5a next morning. I was packed and riding at 645a. The clouds and rain gave way to sunshine & high clouds.
[attachment=774][attachment=775]
The road was closed for construction near Asheville, NC. I was able to drive as far as Mt. Mitchell. I climbed to the top. It was a good 10F-15Fcooler and very windy.
[attachment=776]
Drove onto the Ironhorse arriving Friday around 2p. Set up my tent and, ran into some old friends & ate dinner.
[attachment=778][attachment=779]
[attachment=780][attachment=781]
Martin caught daydreaming while Tammy plays "catch me if you can".
[attachment=782]
Some like to bike in fine style. Check out the RV.
Saturday most went riding. I chose to ride the Skyway Drive which overlooks the Smokey's. Awesome roadway and ride. I drove it twice.
[attachment=784][attachment=785]
Sat night some sat around the campfire for enjoyment, others out of necessity. It was really cool both Friday & Sat eves.
[attachment=789] Sat's dinner
[attachment=783]
Regina was a very good guitar player & singer.
Sunday was travel day for most. I headed back across US RT441 out of Cherokee, NC up RT I-81 and exited Rt 100 toward WV. I didn't make WV before Sunday's storm hit. I took shelter in a barn in Narrow's VA.
[attachment=786]
The owner Bill allowed me to hang & cook dinner. I almost stayed for the night but the sky's cleared and I departed at 6p for a campground in WV. He sent me off with a warm fresh loaf of homemade bread.
[attachment=788][attachment=787]
I drove some fine roads in the eastern half of WV. These roads were as good and some better than NC. No traffic at all. I was cruising. The sky's were blue and the wind was whipping. The temps were very cool for May.
[attachment=790] A water faucet in WV.
[attachment=791]
This was a nice trip. I want to visit WV again. There are many great spots to set up a camp for a few days and ride day trips throughout the mountains. The eastern half of WV is one huge mountain with beautiful valleys below. Maybe under rated to some but I won't soon forget.