DATE: 01 Dec 2008, 3:09 pm / MOOD: Eager to ride

Ive not been online much lately..... its not that i havent had the free time, i've been unemployed the past two months. Sitting here whining in a blog about it just didnt seem the way to cope tho.Not with harleybrat's Dakota suffering thru his illness and those others less fortunate than i.  

Thanksgiving has just past and i have plenty to be thankful for:

that i planned ahead and had adequate savings to pay bills during this time

that i have my health and able to look for work

that i have friends, locally and afar that care

that i have a cage that runs(at the moment) and a couple of bikes if it does break down

there is a roof over my head and it is full of furry creatures that give me unconditional love 

 

 

I took Koty back to camp today from his holiday homestay and left there to go to a "job overview" that will hopefully turn into gainful employment.  Koty will be coming home again in just 10 days and again 8 days after that for his Christmas homestay.  He has worked hard on himself and has gotten into his transition peroid early, by three months. And so if he continues to improve he will be graduating in three months and be home again for good.  That i am very thankful for. 

i hope everyone has had a great turkeyday and have a very happy holiday season ahead.  Just dont lose sight of what Christmas is about.... 

Even if you dont have money to buy lots of gifts, the best gift you can give is of yourself.

Ride safe and stay warm

LSS 

 

 

  

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DATE: 10 Aug 2008, 4:04 pm / MOOD: Tired

We set out this morning for a ride. Our friend Jeff backed out,Too much Moonshine last night made it too early; and Shelly was taking his mother to church. So it was just me and Dave.

We headed up 21 to Sparta, made a stop for gas and after a bit of discussion, we took off for 221 to head towards Grandfather Mtn. We followed 221 back round to Boone and out towards Linville. I hadnt traversed part of this route before and  the twisties between Boone and Linville were a real treat. The scenery was spectacular as always round these parts, and even tho the sun was shining i kept on my hoodie all day. It sent shivers down my back when we encountered a group riding in shorts and tanks.....

The first pit stop we made on 221 was at the Blue Moon.We had been riding nonstop since the gas-up and my hands were getting numb from the vibration.  If you are out on 221 and get a chance, stop in at the Blue Moon.... some unique antiques, handmade soaps and other novelties, as well as ice cold drinks and snacks.

Not far down the road, i pulled us over for a quick photo shoot of a roadside water fall  and a couple memorial photos of a beautiful butterfly sitting atop a wildflower. I say memeorial photo because we had been and would continue to be pelted with these lunatic insects during the entire ride.    

We rode on and the next pit stop was at the entrance to Grandfather Mtn, where encounterd a group of fellow riders sunning themselves on rocks akin to a bunch of lizards..... after chatting with them a bit we headed on to find something to eat.

At Linville , we took 105 back into Boone and stopped at Bandana's for vittles.....and to pick the butterfly parts out of various places. I had wings in my helmet and other crusty parts on my gloves and cables. Just from what i had counted as we rode, we'd taken hits from over 30 of the crazy lil beasties.

We had eaten here at bandanas once before and the BBQ had been adequate but this time i was disappointed in the baby back ribs that had to be cut apart with a knife.I was hungry and so knawed thru em anyway.

Dave wanted a back way home .... so i lead us back down to 194N towards Jefferson. Its a great lil twisty road ive been down  several times..... there are pics in my gallery of a covered bridge that USED to be seen from here, but as we passed by today, the cover had been torn down :(

Onward we twisted until the fated encounter.....  Up and around we were going, past a fairly populated stretch of road, when it happened.  I happened to catch out of the corner of my eye some movement off to my left, but it was a bit too late, for by the time it registered that something was running into the road, i only saw a yellowish orange blur and felt my handlebars jerk.  I let go the throttle and twisted my head back to see..... but couldnt.  I made it up round the next couple curves til i found a church parking lot to pull into before i fell apart. I had just hit a cat..... first time id hit anything alive on my bike(well anything other than the aforementioned butterflies and other inscets) . Dave pulled up and confirmed that it was dead and hadnt suffered as he had seen it ricochet back the way it had come. He lit a cig for me and after a couple of drags, i started Stella up and turned back to see if the owner could be located.

A girl and a dog were huddled by it as we glided back past the spot. As we walked up , and elderly lady came out. They both consoled me with reassurances that there was nothing i could have done to avoid it as they had been witness to the tradegy.  The lady said she didnt know exactly whos cat it was but would have her son take care of burying it.  And so with the arrangements taken care of aleast, we took off towards home again. 

At the end of 194 we took a left back onto 221 towards Jefferson. A couple miles down we took a right onto 163 towards 16 and the Moonshine Inn..... a quaint lil bar that used to be called the Overlook, for it has a fantastic view from the back windows and the deck.  After a cold one, it was on down 16, cutting across some back roads and into the drive way and home.  

   

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DATE: 16 Jul 2008, 4:35 pm / MOOD: Eager to ride

I still have to get my trip to KY written about but we are pavin another ramp at work and its 12 hour days.

Stella has been down since my trip, i rode the rubber off her and shes been sittin in the carport for two weeks but that is gonna change tomorrow.  

Thats okay its given me and SCARlett time to get back in the groove and for me to decide what i want to do to her..... will take some time but shes gonna get forward controls, a new tank, prolly a new seat, new exhaust and new paint too.   like i said it will take a while, and some mulah but shes gonna be a new gal.

there are some pics up from the Kentucky ride....... tryin to decide which direction to ride next i get a chance and gas money.

Til later

Safe journeys, smooth roads and awesome adventures

LSS    

 

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DATE: 30 Jun 2008, 5:08 pm / MOOD: Satisfied

I took a lil ride this weekend. All by my lonesome, all the way to Kentucky and back in two days.  I've got the first half written, still have to download and go thru the pics.  Hopefully have it all here by the end of the week.  

Work was a bear today since the other truck driver quit Friday afternoon....which leaves only me to drive the 2 dump trucks, 3 water trucks, the fuel truck, the lowboy, the prentice truck, the boom truck, etc.

Hope everyone had a grand weekend and has a safe and happy 4th 

Safe Journeys,  Smooth Roads, and Awesome Adventures Til Later~ LSS   

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DATE: 23 Jun 2008, 8:48 pm / MOOD: Satisfied

The day started early, with making a breakfast of biscuits and gravy and forlornly looking for the missing furry child with no luck. After breakfast and a comedy show to lift my spirits, Dave headed off to work and i headed out the door to find what adventure would greet me today.

Last night, i had again checked my trusted map site and plotted a route with untravelled roads. On the way out of the drive way, i met a tortise making his way across my path and stopped to see him on his way. Down familiar Longbottom Road, the wild daisies and brown eyed susans seemingly waved to me in the light breeze as i passed by. The pavement was still wet from the night's thunderstorms in the shady spots and even tho the sun was shining, it was chilly enough to raise goosebumps in these spots. So at the end of Longbottom, i pulled to the shoulder and donned my jacket, knowing it would be welcome as i was headed for higher elevations.

I turned north and headed up the winding 18 mountain, passing by Stations Inn and on into Laurel Springs to take a left onto 88 West and into unknown territory. It was not disappointing with scenic views and twisty turns. The groups of orange daylilies that dotted the ditches and hillsides were stretching out their blooms to the morning sun amid a rainbow of other wildflowers. As i rounded one curve, i was greeted with the view of a small dam where white water was churning before settling back into the gently flowing river. I pulled off in front of the guardrail and killed Stella's motor and enjoyed the rushing sounds of the water for a moment before retrieving the camera to snap some shots. I lit a smoke and enjoyed the spot further until it was finished and the butt was tucked into my lil trash box. I consulted my jotted notes and figured i was close to the TN border and the next road on my journey. I jumped back in the saddle and fired up Stella's engine once again.

On we twisted and lost in the ride, i thought for a moment that i had missed the turn, but as i rounded yet another curve there was the road sign for Roundabout Rd. It was a nice, although narrow, little country road. I passed a white clapboard church where bathing suit clad children were playing through an obstacle course of wading pools and blowup toys as the other church goers watched on still in their Sunday finest . Further on, there was a father throwing a ball with his son, while a mother was pushing the pigtailed daughter on an old tire swing hanging from a huge hemlock tree in their front yard.

I was so engrossed in these sights and the country side that i was surprised when i leaned right round the next curve where the road suddenly narrowed into one lane.

"Woah!?!" I exclaimed aloud as i had to immediately recover and lean left. Stella's footpeg scraped the surface and assured me that even thought it looked as if the pavement had turned to gravel, it was still indeed paved. This is when i learned why its called Roundabout rd, because it takes you round about the top of the mountain and back down the other side.

I glimpsed some astonishing vistas while navigating its switchbacks and hairpin turns and dodging the oncoming pickups and cars. I tried in vain to find a shoulder to come to rest on in order to capture some of the views, but the path was only wide enough for the narrow strip of pavement i was sharing with the other motorists. So i started looking for the next leg of the days exploits, only to find at a crossroads that Roundabout turns into Stage rd at some point down the mountainside.

A bit after this discovery i noticed that there seemed to be a major road running parallel to the one i was on. I finally arrived at a stop sign and realized the road was TN167. I made a right and travelled 100 ft or so to reach 167 and took a left which eventually dumped me out onto 421 in Mountain City.

I took 421 North towards Shady Valley, with a quick stop to fill the gas tank before i was off to ride parts of the Snake. As i ventured on up 421, i saw rain clouds on the horizon. Oh well, i had escaped a good drenching so far this riding season. I supposed my luck was about to run out but as we glided on, a sprinkling was all we encountered.

Just before i reached Shady Valley, i saw a sight that made me giggle. What looked to be someones laundry hangin in the yard, but this wasnt normal laundry! {you can see a pic in my gallery}

As i proceeded down into the Valley, i encountered a rider on a crotch rocket who started tapping the top of his helmet as he passed by me. I checked my speed and was doing the posted 35 and didnt think much of it. I arrived at the Shady Valley store a few minutes later to find it packed with bikes and trikes and their riders, and was apprised of the meaning of signal i had just received.

I pulled up in front of the porch swing and killed the engine. As i reached up and slid my lid off , the fellow occupying the swing told me i was going to get popped for that and continued on to tell me he had a couple weeks before with a future fine of $144 plus the cost of a new helmet before he could move his trike. Of course that brought explicatives spewing forth from me, which were met in kind by the owner of the bike i had parked beside. He had just been popped by the Tennessee Highway Pig-trol for speeding plus a helmet infraction.

I went inside the store for some refreshment and then settled down in a rocker on the porch to rejoin the conversation. It seems that for the past 3 months Tennessee's finest have been harassing motorcyclists at the Snake. Before 10 minutes had passed, there were at least three various police cars passing thru the intersection from different directions.

The fellow that had initially greeted me is from Bristol and was under the impression that we have no helmet law here in NC. I corrected his mistake. We continued to commiserate over the subject of biker rights and other things. He and his lady offered to follow me out of the Valley since we were going the same direction, towards Bristol, so that if i was stopped, i would not be stranded.

A short while later, we all saddled up and headed out of the Valley. I saw the bar of lights stretched across the top of the Sheriff's cruiser and my butt immediately puckered. I checked my mirror to find my newly made friends had my back as the car disappeared round the curve we had just come round.

Onward we rode and i watched my speedo with obsession until the highway flattened and straightened a bit. We came upon a signal light at a bridge construction zone and i took the opportunity to thank them profusely for the "protection". We also wished each other safe journeys and said our fairwells as we knew our paths would soon diverge.

They did, only a few miles later, when i turned right onto TN 435 to visit Bristol Caverns. The caverns, if you are not claustraphobic, are something you will just have to experience for yourself. They surpass Linville Caverns by far and i have no words nor pictures that can compare to their magnificence.

A 15 minute wait for the tour to start, and an hour down into the cool of the underground historical site and i was back in the heat of the sun and the saddle again. I retraced my route back on 435 to 421 til it met TN 44, which turns into VA75 at the state line. I followed 75 to Abingdon to pick up 58 which would take me thru Damascus for the second time. The first was Memorial Day weekend with Dave, Shelley and Trish. And i had planned my route in a circle so i could visit this beautiful lil mountain community again. I also had an ulterior motive, to make several stops along the way to snap pics of numerous barns adorned with quilt squares that i had missed previously. But alas, it was not meant to be.

Outside Damascus, i felt the air cool very fast as the sky darkened before me thru the canopy of trees. I knew my luck had finally run out and i was in for a soaking ride home.

I recognized the store at Whitetop as a friendly stop we had made Memorial Day weekend so i glided to a halt in the lot to the prime spot beside the steps leading up onto the porch. I slid out of the saddle and my lid and retrieved my jacket from the travel bag once again. I tucked my camera and phone safely inside to protect them from the comming moisture and went inside to make use of the facilities and find something to drink. As i exited the screen door, i heard a little girl exclaim to her papa that it was raining ice. Wonderful. Hail.

Thankfully it only lasted a few moments, but was followed by a brief downpour that i watched from under cover of the tin roofed porch while i waited for a slice of pizza from the oven inside. When it was ready, i devoured it and washed it down with a Sobe green tea. I thanked the girls inside for paper towels to dry Stella's seat as i disposed of my trash, strapped the bag to the luggage rack and made off to follow the storm that had just passed. It didnt take me long to catch up with it and ride through it, straight into a bigger one.

My legs were quite wet from the spray of the front tire by the time i rode into the thickening raindrops. It felt as if my face was being attacked by a swarm of yellow jackets made of ice. Then came the most comfortable feeling of a river of ice water making its way down my legs and into my boots to pool at my toes. Still i smiled and enjoyed the ride.

There were quite a few butt puckering seconds as i traversed this twisty wet unfamiliar road, most of them involving cars taking their half of the road from the middle. A couple of cages passed by, and i could see the warm, dry occupants thru the swish of the windshield wipers. The first was a lady in the passenger seat that clasp her hand over her mouth and pointed at me in surprise. Her eyes became even wider when i did the same back to her. ;) The second was a pick up filled with teenagers who were pointing and laughing. My reaction to this was to throw my hands in the air, throw my head back and cackle back at them.

Onward i trudged through the rain to find 16 south that i knew would lead to 93, 221 and Sparta. Sometime just before reaching 93, the rain had stopped but i was still well soaked and dripping as i stopped for a rest under the shelter of an Exxon station that was closed on sunday. I sat dripping from the saddle and frustratingly tried to light a cigarette with my numb fingers.As I called home to leave word i would be back shortly, i watched the rain catch up to me again. I stowed the phone and crushed out the remnants of the smoke.I tossed the butt into the trashcan as i fired up Stellas vtwin and we sped off thru town and down 21 trying to out run a second soaking.

We were successful in our endeavor, but heard a loud clap of thunder just as we reached the 21 end of Oklahoma Rd. I dodged left down this wonderfully winding short cut. At the end of Oklahoma, i turned right onto John P Frank Parkway. Had i taken a left, i would have been in Stone Mtn State park.

The parkway allowed me to get the speedo up to 70 for a bit of drying during the couple miles to the end, which is just round the curve from the driveway! I killed Stellas motor and coasted down part of the driveway and under the carport. Home finally!

I patted her tank and thanked her for an absolutely marvelous day before literally squishing my way into the house as i stripped out of my dripping clothes and into a hot shower. It took thirty minutes for the needles to leave my fingers and regular feeling to return to my hands.

My Sunday Adventure took 8 1/2 hours and only 265 miles but i was refreshed and rejuvenated for the week ahead.  {i have added some pics to my gallery from this and recent rides for your viewing pleasure}

I wish you all Safe Journeys, Smooth Roads, and Awesome Adventures Til later~ LSS

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DATE: 21 Jun 2008, 6:29 pm / MOOD: Satisfied

I woke up this morning and dawlded about the house for a bit drinking coffee and playing with whats left of the Kitty Clan.{Nubs, the queen, has disappeared two weeks ago now. I believe she found a new home that would feed her since she was put on vittle restrictions. But now Tiger has been gone for two days,  hopefully he is just out on a  walk about like Damien was a couple weeks ago}

After looking at the radar and not seeing the promised rain showers appear, i got my arse in gear and lit out on Stella, Destination: Pilot Mountain and Pilot Mountain State Park.  They are just south of Mayberry(Mt Airy) and north of King, about 50 miles one way from here.

Looking at Yahoo Maps, it gave me a route of major highways of course..... looking closer, i saw it was a straight shot through the country from here. So i made my own, shorter and much more scenic route by draggin the cursor round a bit.  I jotted down road names, rolled up a jacket and off i went.   

The sun was shining down from a baby blue sky littered with wispy clouds. It was a beautiful day for exploring. Some of the roads i had travelled previously and some i hadnt. The scenery was gorgeous and i took my time in order to take it all in. When i turned onto Ararat Rd, i got my first glimpse of the day's destination, poking out into the sky from behind the tree line, Pilot Mountian.  

I checked Stella's gas gauge at a stop sign. It read 1/8 of a tank. So, I decided i might better stop in town for fuel first.  I drove round a bit, right down main street of Mt Pilot, as its called in the Andy Griffith Show. I finally pulled into a Shell station on 268 to fill her up.  I had just stuck the nozzle in the tank when i looked up and saw a covered wagon pulled by two Morgan horses. I whipped out the camera and snapped a shot just in time and finished filling up the tank. I rode back through town again and took off up the mountain where the view was outstanding. I got some pics and then was back in the saddle to ride again.

I stayed on the course i had ridden in until i got to familiar territory and then veered from the course to do some exploring down unknown roads. I rode in circles and loop de loops discovering a couple short cuts and some great riding roads, until the clouds started to thicken and the sky darken.  Then i headed home to get some things accomplished round the house that needed doing.  

Tomorrow is another day and hopefully the weather will hold out for another day of discovery.

Safe journeys , smooth roads and soothing rides to you all

Til Later ~ LSS   

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DATE: 20 Jun 2008, 3:25 pm / MOOD: Eager to ride

The first couple of miles to work this morning i was gritting my teeth and even yelled "I should be riding DAMNIT!".  I was caged in the green machine because a stop at the grocery store on the way home from work was a must and the list was too long to pack on the bike. Little did i know there would be another reason to be caged today.

After this initial display, i relaxed and enjoyed my coffee, a cigarette, and some tunes that i usually miss out on whilst journeying to the job site. I arrived and was questioned as to why no bike today by a couple of co workers and i was delighted when Rodney informed me we were quittin at 2, i might get in a ride anyway!

The work day was uneventful. But i did notice  on every trip out to the work zone, a fellow standing at the beginning of the guardrail  at the entrance ramp to 421. Standing beside a olive green rucksack,he was wearing jeans and a green tshirt. He had long gray hair neatly pulled back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. I could tell he used JUST FOR MEN hair coloring by the jet black caterpillar of a mustache.  After three water trucks and three hours, i figured he was waiting for someone and resolved to stop and ask him if he was still there when i was on my home.......

{ last week there was a stranded trucker just down 421 from the yard.It was one of those sweltering sunny days. Rodney wasnt at work that day and i couldnt get anyone else to pick him up and was forbidden to do it myself by the asst supervisor, who cited that it was out of our work area... although i passed him seven times making my rounds.  I did see him later at the gas station i asked to take him to, and apologized to him. He complimented Stella, as i was ending a phone call. We had a nice lil chat and i found out, as i suspected, that he was a fellow biker.  If i had had an extra lid with me, id have given him a ride back to his truck..... he said Hell, he'd even ride bitch for that!   I didnt get his name but his moniker was Mr Clean.}  

The last trip out with Rodneyto retrieve the fuel truck from the pit, he was walking back to his spot after getting a drink at the gas station. On my way back out and towards the store and home, he had resumed his position. I hauled the green machine onto the shoulder, and pulled up beside him and asked, "Are you waiting for someone?" 

"Noone in particular," he replied,"just trying to get a ride northbound."

"Well, im going north," i said as i hit the button for the rear passenger door to open and started shoveling my work gear over ontop of the console.

{before some of you have a coniption over me picking up a hitchhiker, i did inform Rodney of my intentions in case things went awry and called him after dropping the dude off to let him know every thing was copecetic} 

It was a hard thing to get a ride from 421 to 77 at his current location because of the lack of traffic. I questioned him about his journey and reasons for it..... He had just started and was heading back home to Montana before he "wore out his welcome".  We had some nice conversation and by the time i got to my exit, i decided to take him on up a couple of exits to the truck stop where he would have a better chance of catching another ride.

On the way to said truck stop, i saw on the south bound side of the highway a couple of bikes pulled off the side of the road. Looked like they were having troubles.  So i dropped James off at Brintles and wished him a safe journey and headed southbound.  Sure enough, there they still sat, on the guardrail in the shade by now. The bikes leaning on kickstands and one with the seat removed.  Again i pulled over to the shoulder and immediately noticed the Michigan tags on the bikes.  They waved and smiled and one got up and walked towards the green machine.  I opened the door and popped my head out and asked " Having problems?"  

"Yes Ma'am" replied the dude, plainly older than i.  

"You aint from round here are ya?"  i said as i laughed. "Nope" he replied.

I asked what the problem was..... He needed a new coil but his buddy had one and was on the way.  They were headed to the SmokeOut.  I gave him some information he inquired about and then i gave him my number, and told him if they had further problems and ultimately needed a trailer, to give me a call. They thanked me profusely and i again headed on.

I was emmersed in food shopping finally, when my phone rang. I grabbed it out of its holster, expecting it to be Dave, and was pleasantly surprised to see it was my friend Mutt.  He was on his way to Gastonia to a chrome shop and was commin to visit afterwards since he'd be so close.  Gastonia is a bit closer than Myrtle Beach, lol.  So now its time to get supper cooking and wait for company. 

I hope you all have a great weekend as i am hoping too.  

Safe Journeys, Smooth Roads and Soothing Rides to you all, no matter the mode of transportation. 

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DATE: 26 May 2008, 4:05 pm / MOOD: Elated

Just back in from a 772 mile round trip..... my arse is spread tween SCARlett and Stella , and i think even my contacts are encrusted with bugs!

It was fabulous and i'll write all about it as soon as i have time ...... now its time to get horizontal for a while before work tomorrow.

Hope everyone had as marvelous a Memorial Day weekend as we did.

Safe Journeys  Smooth Roads and Soothing Rides til Later ~ LSS

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DATE: 24 May 2008, 8:02 pm / MOOD: Satisfied

We were awakened this morning to the pitterpat of raindrops fallin through the trees outside the bedroom window. It wasn't unexpected, afterall we had planned to go riding. The weather forecast last night had promised that it would clear up by mid morning, and this time it didnt disappoint. While watching a movie, I kept a keen eye out the window and jumped in the shower as the rain let up. By the time we were both dressed and ready to head out the door, the sun was out and the temps were rising.

Dave made a call to our friend Shelly to plan a meeting place and time .... Thurmond Grocery in about 30 mins. The bikes were warmed and checked for leaks from the servicing we had given them yesterday afternoon. Everything was peachy, so we saddled up and headed out into the wind.

We arrived at the meeting place on 21 and had ample time to fill the tanks and take a gander at the Rustic Furniture that Mr. Dale LaRue had for sale. Beautiful hand hewn log bed frames, bar stools, benches, tables and chairs. I've spoken to him before and covet one of his works of art for my dining room.

Whilst talkin with Dale, we heard the rumble of Shelly's 1600 Vulcan Mean Streak commin up the highway. He and his fiance(pronounced Fe- Nancy by Shelly) Trish had arrived for our trek to where ever. We had originally planned to head towards Boone and go from there, but the radar looked as if we would head in to showers, so Shelly took off in the lead up 21 North.

The sun was out but the air was still a bit chilly, nothing a light jacket wouldnt combat though. We meandered up 21 through Sparta and took 93 West just out the other side of town. There were bikes galore out and lots of classic cars that were pleasing to the eye as well. Shelly turned us on to 58 West and after a bit we pulled into the parking lot of the Log Cabin restaurant for a smoke break and to discuss which way to head next. We settled on heading towards Damascus, Va. We had already crossed the state line, and Dave has relatives that live in that area, so he was in the lead on SCARlett when we took off again.

If you ever get the chance to ride Hwy 58(Jeb Stuart Highway and A.L Philpott Memorial Highway), just do it. It is a great motorcycle ride if you like twists and turns and panoramic mountain views. Dave lead us to Hwy 91 where we turned right to go into Damascus, a tiny mountain community that now gets most of its income from mountain bikers, the pedal kind. The old railways were taken out a few years ago and made into awesome pedal bike trails.

We arrived with our stomachs knawing on our backbones so we were searching for food. Dave's last trip there was a couple years ago, and he directed us to a small diner that had good food best he could remember. But alas, we arrived 30 mins too late to enjoy their menu as the grill closed at 2. The friendly clerk advised that she had eaten some rather tasty vittles last week just down the road a ways, so that is where we headed, to the Iron Horse Campground

(www.ironhorsecampground.us).

IF you are ever in the area taking in the gorgeous scenery, stop in for a meal and a stay. It rivals Uncle Roy's Riders Roost and like i said they have food too.

Within 10 mins of parking our rides in front of the restaurant, we were greeted by several locals, one of which was a co owner of the campground. We ordered our food and took our drinks outside to enjoy the afternoon sun at one of the tables under the porch. Trish and i took off to check out the cabins by the river and when we came back our food was waiting for us. And what food it was!!!

We had ordered fried pickles for an appetizer and before those were finished, the meal was set before us. Cheeseburgers almost as big as the plates they were on, piled high with fixins. Onion rings for me, jalapeno poppers for Trish, and fried mushrooms for Shelly. Thankfully Dave hadnt ordered a side, cause he had to help me with mine and i still had half my burger left when i was done!

The guys chatted with the owner a bit and went to check out the cabins for themselves before we headed out again. We went back thru town and turned down 761 or S Shady Ln to view Backbone Rock, in the Cherokee Natl Forest just over the Tennessee state line. Its a huge rock jutting up out of the mountain that has a hole carved in it. The road now runs under it, but it was originally carved out for the railway. It is a site to behold.

While we were there, we ran into another couple on a bike..... and after talkin to them a bit, found out they are here on the site too. Terry is the one that hooked Larry up with his Girlfriend! We exchanged places to go and things to see and promised to keep in touch via BW before heading off on our seperate ways into the wind again.

Shelly was in the lead again to take us back to Damascus to catch 91 again, but this time to Mtn City ,Tenn. We made another pit stop there just before we turned onto 421 S to head towards Boone and on homeward.

We made a pit stop to gas up again and Shelly bestowed me with my biker monkey, complete with leather jacket and hat and a god awful monkey howl! We strappe dhim down to Stella's luggage rack and were off again.

Outside of Boone on the 4 lane, it was time to play a bit. we raced back and forth past each other on the nearly deserted road, riding hands free down the mountain, flappin our arms and shaking our butts at each other like idiots. Comin back into Wilkesboro, i was in the lead, and took us down the well ridden route back here where we enjoyed a recap of the days ride and a toast to friendship and the open road.

Now its time for a shower and some sleep .... up early in the morning to head out into the wind again. This time just me and Dave heading south west for an overnight. I cant wait to see what tomorrow brings!

Safe Journeys, Smooth Roads and Soothing rides to all ya'll this weekend

Til Later~ LSS

oh yeah, of course i took pics and will post them on my page as soon as we get back Monday and i get them sorted into a slide show!

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DATE: 24 May 2008, 6:55 pm / MOOD: Happy

Hope everyone has a safe and wonderful Memorial Day Weekend.   And I'd like to send out a  big THANK YOU to the vets and those currently serving our country to keep us all safe and free.

Wish i had time to send all my friends a personal comment but this will have to do ... the weather is wonderful and the wind is callin to me.  

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