The Carolina Girl was ready to RIDE! In her own words she wanted an adventure! I gave her a couple of destination options and she selected the Back of The Dragon. We have done it many times, but it was the first time on the SGS.
I have to love this lady. When I told her the highest possibility of rain was in that area she said she did NOT care and she was not packing rain gear.
We rolled out Saturday morning at 8:30 am. In about 15 miles we were eating breakfast for the first time at Ace’s in Yadkinville, NC. Wow, the atmosphere, service and food was excellent. All for $14.17 + a generous tip. We will be back!
Then we headed north on Highway 601, then leaned left onto Highway 67 toward Elkin, NC. Elkin is one of those little towns we enjoy visiting. There are so many good restaurants there that draw us a couple times a month for an evening dinner cruise. We stopped and took a picture in front of one of the many murals.
We continued through town and leaned left up Highway 21. It’s always as if you’ll entered a new world as you cross over the Eastern Continental Divide and pass Toby the beautiful entrance of Olde Beau.
We crossed the BRP, ran through Sparta and in no time were in the state for “Lovers”, Independence, VA.
We rode west on 58 and hit Highway 16. Our next stop was one of our favorites at what used to be known as Fox Creek General Store, but now is Sarah’s Restaurant. We spent about 30 minutes speaking with Mike and Sarah, enjoyed an ice tea and got a couple of BBQ sandwiches to go.
We continued North and rode through Mt. Rogers and crossed I-81 entering Marion, VA. It sprinkled on us lightly as the sun continued to shine. We leaned left toward Hungry Mother State Park and found a very nice picnic table on the lake and enjoyed our BBQ that Sarah fixed for us.
In short order we were rolling on the Back of the Dragon. Beautiful day, the road was in good shape and clean of gravel. Traffic was light in my opinion with a few car clubs and of course the ADV bikers that have to pass in a blind curve. Soon we arrived in Tazewell, VA and stopped for a break. Lots of bikes and cars there.
After a visit, we rolled next door for fuel. I gave the Carolina Girl three options for the return ride home:
1) Back track and catch Hwy 18 to Freebornes.
2) Head east and roll back down I-77 which we have done before.
3) Head west and go to Damascus, VA.
I pretty much knew what her response would be. We love Damascus and their’s an ice cream shop we like to stop at. So Damascus it is.
We explored some two lanes we have never been on before. I think I may have heard violins a couple of times.
The band was playing and people were dancing at Wicked Chicken. We enjoyed listening and the ice cream was refreshing!
The Carolina Girl laughed when I gave her three more route options toward home. She once again stated she wanted an adventure.
1) East on Hwy 58 to Jefferson.
2) South to Mountain City, over to Boone.
3) West to Shady Valley, through the Backbone Tunnel, ride the Snake to Mountain City.
Instantly the SNAKE won out.
That ride from Shady Valley through the snake to Mount City, TN was awesome. Hardly any traffic and we enjoyed it. Rolled down to Boone and then crossed the BRP heading downhill to Wilkesboro.
We arrived back home at 8pm with huge smiles on our faces. Beautiful day, fun adventure, great roads and the bike ran well.
07-17-2022 | 11:03 AM
B.O.T.D. & The Snake Same Day
