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!