From: Marion NC / Lake Norman NC / Panama City Fla
Get well quickly my friend, your input is missed around here.
Sad to hear your dad passed, I’m sure he was very proud of the man you became.
On the lighter side of things, I see you haven’t changed your hair style in many years. but at least you have some, I’m folically challenged and look nothing like I did when I was younger.
Sunday Afternoon Ride above 3000 feet on the Blue Ridge Parkway
First, let me send a BIG “Thank You” to all of you that expressed well wishes for my health and with the passing of my father. You have no idea how much that was appreciated.
After the longest period not riding since I got back on a bike in 2008, we finally saddled up and did 176 miles yesterday on the Blue Ridge Parkway. I asked my wife what she would like to do Sunday and she said she was open to anything. When I suggested riding a big smile came over her face. She really wanted to but not until I suggested it and felt that I was up to it.
Saturday, we worked in the yard all day cleaning gutters and getting up leaves from five large oaks. Sunday was promising to be an even nicer day, sunny with highs of 66 degrees here in the Piedmont of NC. After a light breakfast we rolled out at 11:30am with a temp of 58 degrees. Heading North on Hwy 601 we cruised at a leisurely 55 mph through Yadkinville, Boonville, Dobson up to Mt. Airy. Our first stop was at the fruit and vegetable stand just over the Virginia border on Hwy 52 for dried apples. My wife makes homemade apple fritters with them for special occasions. The sun is bright, and we got a little warm there. Soon we were heading North toward the BRP. At 1600 feet we quickly saw 2000 feet, 2500 then 3000 feet at the entrance of the Parkway. The temp-O-Meter went from 64 degrees to 56 fast. Not cold at all, just cool.
We leaned left and cruised the Parkway Southbound toward Ashville. Soon we crossed I-77 and before long entered back into North Carolina. Traffic was light, we saw a couple of Harley’s and a dozen Adventure bikes. Most traffic was of the cage variety with a few convertibles cruising with their tops down. We stopped at a couple of overlooks and had a nice visit with two guys riding BMW and KTM adventure bikes. They were very impressed with my Clear Water amber spots and had a lot of questions.
Continuing South we crossed Hwy 89, Hwy 21 and soon arrived at Highway 18 in Laurel Springs. Much to our surprise Freebornes was OPEN! YEAH. It was already 2:41pm and we were hungry. There were at least 30 bikes when we arrived and most of the tables were full or dirty. The wait staff said they had been slammed. We quickly got a table and watched a continuous parade of bikes leaving out. I enjoyed my favorite the “Big Tex” with house chips. When we finished there were a few at the bar and maybe four bikes still there. We rolled South to Wilkesboro and watched the Temp-O-Meter rise back above 60 degrees. The cruise back home was nice arriving just before 5pm. The total cruise was 176 miles and the bike ran GREAT! I think she was like me, “Time to Roll”.
Thank you, Lord, for a wonderful day with my wife doing what we love were we love to be.
Last edited by Cosmic Razorback; 12-14-2020 at 01:43 PM.
Soon we arrive at Freebornes in Laural Springs where the Parkway crosses Hwy 18 North of Wilkesboro. This is one of our favorite stops.
We were hppy to see them open and there were about 30 bikes when we arrived.
Pilot Mountain in the background. The sky was clear. Not sure where this haze came from. Stations Inn in the backgound is closed for the winter. When we returned home there was no wind and we burned our leaves from the day before prior to the rain coming in overnight. Yes it was a GREAT day!
11-18-2020 | 06:20 AM
