Grantsville MD Rally 28

 

Getting ready for rally number 28; Grantsville, MD

August 30, 2022

We leave in 3 days!  So, packing needs to begin soon.  Just put a new front tire on my bike and everything else was checked in the spring.  Don hasn’t ridden much at all this year so his bike is good to go; just hope he is.  Riding isn’t what it use to be.  Not sure how I’ll make out with the pain in my hip and leg and Don’s surgery is healed but still has issues.   Getting old is not for sissies that’s for sure.  We will be riding to the rally this year since it is only 234 miles from our home.  Not planning to play around on back roads or shortcuts, taking 301/50 over the bridge and then off on 97 then 70 and 68 west to Grantsville.  Brittany will be watching the kids for the first 3 days and then Shawn.  Figured we would leave at 7:30AM Saturday; not as early as in the past but since we don’t have as many miles to travel but we will have to stop every hour. 

September 3, 2022 – The bikes are gassed up, trailer hooked up and packed and bikes packed.  Had prayer and then pulled out.  First stop the Hardee’s just before the Bay Bridge; we ate a biscuit and waited for a few minutes to see if anyone was joining us.  We left there around 8:50AM and just as we got across the bridge I noticed a dozen or more police cars with lights and sirens on heading towards the bridge.  We made it across just before a major car pile up right on the bridge.  God is good.  We rode for about 100 miles before we decided to stop and fill up with gas and just stretch our legs.  Checked the google maps and we had exactly 100 more miles.  Traveling all major highways running 65 and 70 mph we covered the last 100 miles in about 2 hours and arrived at the hotel around 1:25 and they had our room ready.  We saw Scott pass us and then we passed Bill and Sandra but we all pulled in at the same time.  Bob and Cathy were already here.  Not long after we got settled in Roger and Ginny arrived as well as Gary and Ruth and finally Dave and Kelsie.  This year our group is small; six had to cancel due to health issues at the last minute.   We went to Castleman’s restaurant for dinner; we rode with Gary and Ruth in the truck.

September 4, 2022 – temps in the low 60’s this morning as we pulled out of the parking lot at 9:30.  Gary led us over Backbone Mountain some beautiful wooded roads and through some very old little towns.  Sky became dark and threatened rain but we headed back to the hotel and missed the rain.  Got back around 1:45 and some walked down the hill to Katie’s for ice cream.  I’m having way too much pain in my hip to do much walking at all; in fact, I have to use a cane most of the time now.  This is getting to be a real bother.  Ruth suggested I talk to my doctor and ask if it might be bursitis.  She said it sounds just the way she felt and a cortisone shot helped.  Might do that.  Plans tonight are to have subs and chips here and Gary has a slide show and a meeting planned.  Should be very interesting.  I have spent the last 3 hours doing payroll.  Deb felt she was not ready to handle it alone so I had to bring it with me.  This is the one thing I said I would not do. 

September 5, 2022 – rained all day – not a soft rain but rather a heavy down pouring all day.  So we jumped in trucks and took off and traveled back roads around WV.  The view was beautiful what we could see.  We went to a small museum in Grantsville and had a guided tour and details about a B52 carrying 2 thermonuclear bombs that crashed in the worst blizzard of 1964 right here in Grantsville.  An amazing story which was never publicized.  If those bombs had exploded it would have wiped out everything from here to the Atlantic ocean.  They have a count down from 10 to 0 when they are to drop a bomb and they were at 4 when the plane went down.  We ate at Castleman’s Inn – food was good.  The Castleman’s Inn was built when the National Road was the main way to travel through the area.  Stagecoaches stopped, drovers stopped, families stopped.  Meeting tonight.

September 6, 2022 – still raining!  Trucks again.  Today we went to Flight 93 and the Que Creek Mine rescue.  Flight 93 is just as amazing as always and just as emotional as every time I visit.  I cannot walk through the museum and watch the TV or hear the voices of the passengers without crying.  To think about these 40 people knowing they were going to die and deciding they would take things into their own hands and stop the terrorist is amazing.  The Que Creek mine disaster was so fascinating.  The location was on this man’s farm, he was one of the rescuers and all the miners were friends of his, school friends, church friends, the rescue was a personal thing for him and you could feel that in his film and talk.  He ended by telling of the one man who wanted to be taken out last because during the whole ordeal he found God and wanted 5 more minutes to pray.  Bill said he was a so so church goer, thought he was a good person but the ordeal brought him face to face with God and he realized that Jesus is our only rescue.  It was so good to hear him give just a few words of testimony.  I mentioned that it had to be God directing them when they drilled to put a pipe down to give them air and they drilled exactly in the right spot the first time – 240 feet down.  Bill smiled and said yes it was God directing them because they had no way to know where the men were.  When they later reopened the mine they had to drill and missed what they needed 3 times.  The hole they drilled had to be exactly plumb and they used a level and thought they had it right so the rescue tube could go down to get the men one at a time.  It worked perfect but later a mine engineer went down there and had someone up top use a laser to center and the laser beam never touched the floor.  That tube should not have been able to travel up and down the hole – but it did.  Praise God for his hand on these people. 

September 7, 2022 – looked like rain so some of us still went in trucks but a few decided to take their chances and go on bikes.  The sun came out and those of us in trucks were a little envious.  We went to Whispering Pine a very unique gift and furniture store.  Furniture well made by hand, I purchased another wind chime and a couple of items for the kids.  We did more riding on country roads then returned to the hotel.  Dinner was planned to go back to Castleman’s but a couple of people didn’t like that so they went off on their own.  The rest of us decided to go to Penn Alps where we are going to have our banquet.  It was very good.  Walked through the village but no shops open; we did walk up on the Castleman’s Bridge.  After dinner I asked to have a short board meeting and we discussed changing the rally to 3 days Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.  Arriving on Sunday and leaving on Thursday.  Everyone was in favor of the change; makes sense in the economy and we are all getting older.  We also will move the rally date to the second week in September to get away from Labor Day.  Gary said he and Ruth are looking at Elkins WV for next year’s rally and everyone liked that idea.  We also discussed and approved a ByLaw change.  Removing the 2 term limit on Board of Directors members.  I will bring this up at the next meeting so the full membership has a chance to discuss before we put it in the By Laws.

September 8, 2022 – weatherman was calling for no rain so we gassed up the bikes and headed out – in rain.  We were going to Ft. Necessity and then to Bradocks Tomb.  Only 30 miles away but it rained the whole time.  Even if the sun came out it was still raining.  We ate lunch at Bradocks Restaurant and the food was great and a lot of it!  As we left the sun came out and was a beautiful ride back to the hotel – a whole 60 miles today!  Game night tonight after dinner. Ok I cannot completely give justice to describing the game Ruth and Gary had planned.  The time they put into this was amazing.  First we divided into 3 teams and Ruth gave each of us a decoding wheel and we practiced decoding a few messages.  Then the fun began.   Each team decoded a message which led us to a place in the parking lot.  There we found a box and inside was an envelop with our team number on it.  Opening the envelop we found another message to decode and an item we had to take with us.  This went on for about 4 different boxes.  Each message led us to the next but it was also a question about something we learned or should have learned in our trips and Gary’s lessons each night.  Last we each had to throw one bean bag in the corn hole toss to earn points.  I dropped the bean bag in the hole.  The last challenge was someone on each team had to whistle Yankee Doodle but first they had to eat 2 crackers.  Our team came in second, only 1 point below the winners.  It was such a fun night. 

September 9, 2022 –Heading home tomorrow, which is kinda good since the weather is to be sunny tomorrow.  Don and I headed out this morning on our own going to Whispering Pines and then rode a loop back to the hotel.  Nice ride over some back roads together.  Gary led a ride this morning but only about 4 people went with him.  The banquet is at 1PM then packing up and Ruth has a movie at 7PM.  And then this year’s rally will be over.  Ken and Lois left yesterday and Bob and Cathy and Jim and Kim will leave right after the banquet.  Our group this year was pretty slim with only 17 total but 1 left after one day due to an issue at home, a couple left in the middle and a couple arrived in the middle.  Just returned from the banquet and as usual Gary and Ruth had a nice little skit planned.  The banquet food was wonderful; a seafood buffet at Penn Alps.  Gassed up the bikes, hooked up the trailer and now to pack.  Leon will be heading out with us tomorrow morning.  Hope to leave by 8AM at the latest depending on the fog.  Rally 28 is complete.

 

Day 6 - cutting it short

 

May 26, 2022 – plan was to go to Virginia Beach tonight and then drive north over the bridge tunnel tomorrow, but the weather is calling for a sever thunderstorm to come in with the potential of high winds tomorrow.  Temps are in the low 60’s so we need the leather jackets and the heated jacket as well.  Zoey started out on the bike but after a couple of hours she got in the van. We stopped at noon for lunch, and everyone agreed we could be home by late afternoon (for some) early evening for me if we skipped Virginia Beach and drove straight up the bridge tunnel and home.  Would be a long ride but all good highways. One concern was if the winds tomorrow get strong they might close the bridge – then what would we do?  Everyone tried to cancel their room but the hotel said we were past the cancellation time frame.  I contacted Choice, got Eugene (after 3 or 4 others) and he made it happen.  Gas up and head out to route 64 then 13 north and the bridge.  Zoey was riding with me on the bike.  It did not warm up much today, temps remained in the mid 60’s and then we had a few sprinkles not enough to put on rain suits but enough to make it feel even colder.  Another stop for gas and Zoey got back in the van.  We all took 113 at Pocomoke City because Don had Bill and Sandra’s stuff in the van.  Jimmy could have gone straight up 13 but he wanted to stay with the group as long as possible (he was my tailgunner) and did a great job keeping everyone together and me informed.  Everyone started peeling off as we reached the turns for their homes.  Don and I got home at 7pm.  420 some miles.  I sent a text message letting everyone know we were home safe and asked them to reply which they did with the time they arrived home.  Don kept one trip meter set in the car and we traveled 1440 miles from start to finish.  Do I have any regrets?  Yes one especially.  I wish I had taken the time to stop at one or two overlooks on the BRP so Zoey could have gotten a good view of the valley below and the feel for just how high up we were.  So we are now going to plan to take the truck, go to Gordonsville and clean off grandmom’s grave and then ride part of the parkway and make a few stops.  Just a Friday, Saturday and Sunday later this summer.

 

Day 5 - leaving the mountains behind and heading east

 May 25, 2022 – I’ve got to begin with what happened last night.  Zoey had been feeding the ducks and geese and some kids came by and were laughing at her.  Then we turned the lights out around 9:30 or so and suddenly we heard something hit the glass door on the patio.  We also heard people talking and laughing.  We got up and looked and it was a walnut so we assumed the wind (which there wasn’t much) had blown it over so we tossed it out in the yard and went back to bed.  A few minutes later we heard a couple of loud bangs and we looked again and this time there were 3 rocks on the porch and one was as large as the palm of your hand.  We called the front desk and asked if they had security and the guy said no but he would come down and check the yard.  Of course there was no one but he said if it happened again to call him and he would call the Cherokee PD.  This morning the geese were at the porch railing honking like crazy for Zoey to come out and feed them.  She certainly made some friends.  Then Don was taking things out to the car and left the door open and one of the ducks comes walking right in.  Breakfast and gas and then we pulled out at 9am.  Zoey and I left with only a sweat jacket for her and a long sleeve shirt on me.  It started getting colder with temps dropping to 59 then fog heavy enough to make the windshield wet.  We made our first stop in an hour and a half and right away I pulled out my heated jacket and our leather jackets.  My jean jacket and heated jacket were in the bottom trunk and to my surprise they were wet!  The trunk has never leaked but the rain was so hard the other day.  Bill said his bottom trunk had leaked too.  I put the heated jacket on plugged it up and figured the heat would dry it – which it did.  Zoey rode on the bike most of the day; even went to sleep for a few minutes.  Then for our second stop to eat lunch at 12:30 she decided to get in the van and really go to sleep.  I think we covered about 279 miles today; some mountains, some fog, and finally just some hills by the time we reached Danville.  All on major highways with speeds of 60 to 70 mph.  Temps never did get above 68 all day.  Everyone decided to go to a restaurant just 6 tenths of a mile from our hotel.  I decided I’d walk it with everyone as long as I had my cane, which I carry in the trunk of the bike.  I made it there and back but bringing up the tail of the group.  Of course Zoey didn’t go to an Italian Restaurant – there is a McDonalds 1 mile from the hotel so we made a stop and she stayed in the room, ate her dinner, watched TV and took a bath.  

Day 4 Spent the day in Cherokee

 May 24, 2022 – woke to the sound of the Oconaluftee River rushing over rocks.  The water was very high last night with a full day of rain but this morning it was down slightly.  Ducks and geese with their young are right up to our porch.  Bernie would love this.  Breakfast at 8:30 and then we headed out to the Oconaluftee Village to show Zoey what the Cherokee life was like.  Very good guide with lots of information.  I was surprised to learn this is not a reservation.  The government did not give this land to the Cherokee Indians they purchased their own land from the Federal government after it had been taken from them.  They are a separate nation within the United States.  They have their own government, law enforcement, hospital, schools but apparently no one owns their own ground it is all owned by the Cherokee nation.  Years ago the children were taken from their homes, put in “schools” and forbidden to speak their native language or dress like their ancestors.  Why the white man had to be so stupid is beyond me!  Any way, they are now teaching all their children from the age of 3 to speak the Cherokee language; they even offer classes for adults to learn their native tongue.  The casino is very big and very beautiful and half of the profits from that casino is divided among every Cherokee member and they get a dividend check twice a year. For children the money is put in a trust fund and when they graduate from high school they will begin drawing on that fund.  If they do not graduate they must wait until age 21 to begin drawing the money.  And since it will be a very large sum they will get payments, not the full amount all at once.  After the village we went to a couple of shops but one is very much like the next and we were getting very hot and tired.  Zoey purchased a couple of pair of earrings and then we just rode around and ate lunch at McDonalds.  Back to the hotel to rest a bit before dinner.  The sun is shining and the temps are hot; hope tomorrow is a nice day.  Zoey plans to ride on the bike. The ducks and geese were right up to our porch railing and Zoey and Don were feeding them.  Zoey even got brave enough to hold some in her fingers for the ducks to take.  Went to Granny’s Kitchen for dinner with Bill, Sandra and Jimmy; nice buffet of southern cooked food.  Had a nice time just sitting and talking.  Left Zoey in the room, sleeping, and then brought her nuggets, fries and a soda.  Found her outside down the hill near the river with 2 of the ducks trying to feed them crackers.  These ducks seem to have decided our room is a good place to hangout.  Well time to pack everything up, turn in and get ready for a long day tomorrow.  

Day 3 wet and more rain

May 23, 2022 – Up early and planned to leave at 9am.  Still raining – hard.  Rained all night.   Had to walk about a half a block to a restaurant for breakfast.  As I walked in Sandra motioned for me to come over to their table.  She said they had been talking and wanted to change our plans if I was OK with it.  They were concerned that the BRP would be too difficult to ride in the rain and fog and wanted to know if I was willing to drive directly to Maggie Valley because they wanted to go through Wheels Through Time.  I told them I was leading this ride for them because I have ridden the BRP 3 times so I was fine changing plans.  I agreed the parkway was just too dangerous in this weather.  So off we headed in a soft rain heading for route 40.  Make our first rest stop after an hour or so and the rain started coming harder.  In about 30 minutes of hard rain running down my face shield and pouring into the neck of my rain suite I was wet.  My feet started getting wet and the temps were 63 so it was cold.  Speed limit on 40 is 65 but I kept it at 54 because there are no wipers on a bike windshield or my helmet face shield which makes seeing very difficult.  Trucks splashing water as they pass.  Even at that speed there were times when everyone else was pretty far back.  We finally turned on route 19 heading into Maggie Valley and started looking for a place to eat before going into the museum.  By this time we were all soaked to the bone; well except for Don and Zoey who were in the van.  Spend about 2 hours in Wheels Through Time some in the group had never been there.  Still raining but we had to head for Cherokee up and over the mountain on route 19.  The tail of the dragon has nothing on this mountain road.  Add the fact that the rain was gushing down the mountain and across the road creating the possible hazard of hydroplaning.  Got to the hotel around 3:30 and we have a nice room over looking the river.  Still raining!  The group wanted to go to the casino for the buffet which we found out had been taken out over 2 years ago so all we had to choose from was the food court.  Zoey stayed in the room because we found a McDonalds and she was happy to have her chicken nuggets, french fries and coke.  We had a nice time with our friends and I think she enjoyed the time alone too.  Came out of the casino around 8 pm and the rain had stopped.  Maybe tomorrow will be a nice day.  Everyone is on their own to rest, shop or ride.  

Day 2 - day of challenges

 May 22, 2022 – Day started out beautiful, temps were low and Zoey started out on the bike.  We both had to wear jackets. Not long after getting on the parkway was our first challenge of the day.  There were hundreds of people on bicycles, some sort of marathon, and they were not riding single file.  We had to move to the wrong side of the road and weave back and forth.  I would radio back if there was an approaching vehicle.  We stopped for a break at Peaks of Otters and Zoey got in the van saying it was too scary with the twists and turns and no guardrails and then all the bicycles.  It had warmed up to 75 degrees and it was nice riding.  Next challenge we had the detour around Roanoke but it was well marked but took time.  Back on the parkway we rode for a couple of hours and I knew we needed to stop but couldn’t find  place with gas and I was getting low so knew everyone else was too.  Finally Bill suggested we were close to Meadows of Dan so we pulled off there, got gas and ate lunch.  Back on the parkway and next challenge was a cow out of the pasture and I was concerned it would run in the road.  After Roanoke the parkway opened to fields spreading out on either side.  Many of the fields were fenced with cows or farmers cutting hay.   The parkway meanders over the top of the mountains but I wonder how many mountain folk were displaced to give us the park.  The flowers blooming put a sweet smell in the air, Rhododendron, tulip trees, wild iris, plus a dozen or so I don’t know.  Not long after getting back on it started to rain.  Just a few sprinkles at first but I stopped to put on the rain suits and a good thing because it rained steady for the last 100 miles.  Had a short surprise detour just 15 miles before arriving at Blowing Rock but again well marked.  Azalea Gardens is still as beautiful as I remember.  Seems everyone on the group is impressed as well.  Went dinner at 6, walked to the restaurant which was a challenge for me since it was up hill.  It was mentioned during dinner that a couple of the group needed to stop more often than every 2 hours for a bathroom break.  I don’t know unless they tell me but I’ll try to make it every hour and a half from now on. We covered 272 miles today.

Day 1

 May 21, 2022 – first day and it was hot!  We have 11 people in our group on 6 bikes and one van.   Zoey left the house on the bike at 6:45 am then got in the van after 60 miles when we stopped at Hardee’s to meet everyone.  Then when we stopped for lunch at the inwood restaurant in Gordonsville she got back on the bike. 200 miles down at this point. Hottest part of the day.  From Gordonsville it was only about 40 minutes until we entered the Blue Ridge Parkway.  Temp dropped from 94 to 83 on the Parkway.  I had forgotten how tight the curves were and Zoey asked why there were no guardrails so people don’t drive off the edge.  It was beautiful riding on the top of the mountains.  Got on the parkway at 3pm and rode 45 miles to our first exit by 4pm.  Had a small accident getting off the parkway; Ken ran into the back of Bill’s trailer.  They straightened out the hitch and bungie corded the trailer led and we arrived at the hotel around 5pm.  God is good because down the road not very far was a bad accident which we might have been right in the middle of if we hadn’t been delayed by the little bump.  So tired and hot.  Took a quick shower and we all headed to IHOP for dinner. Covered 300 miles today.  Plan to leave at 8:30am if there is no fog on the mountains.

Blue Ridge Parkway One More Time

 

Dates for our trip May 21-27, 2022

Planning Stages

Like most trips, this one was born out of a conversation around a meal with UTR members.  It was said “I’d like to ride the Blue Ridge one more time before I get too old” and my quick response was let’s do it.  I had planned to follow Bill and Sandra Venable, but he had other plans.  I was to plan the trip and lead it.  Ok just four of us.  We agreed on the dates in May.  Last time we did this trip we took 14 days; this time we are planning to do it in seven.  Since we have toured most tourist stops on the ridge this should be doable.  More and more people said they wanted to go so we are at about 14 people (8 or 9 bikes).  I really don’t know who is going; guess I should ask soon.  I found hotels, mapped the route, located mile posts with gas.  Don will not be able to go with us this time due to health issues.  My first trip to tow the trailer without him to help me hook it up but there will be no reason to unhook it once he helps me here at home.  Fifty days to go and I’ve reviewed the mileage charts, mapped out the route, checked and double checked the hotels reservations and made the packing lists. 

April 21, 2022 – 27 days to go and I’m still checking the route.  I wish the detour was fixed; I hate getting off in Roanoke and then finding our way back on.  But with such an active park the detour should be well marked.  Still not sure who is going on this ride.

May 15, 2022 – 5 days to finish getting ready.  Don has decided he will go with us but in the van.  Makes packing a little easier for me and no need to pull the trailer.  The price of gas is climbing every day so that is going to take a huge chunk in the budget.  Zoey is going with us so she can ride in the van or on the bike whichever is her choice.  I’m betting the van most of the time. Had to change all my hotel reservations from king bed to 2 queen beds but that’s not a problem.  Got snacks and water cereal and plan to make hardboiled eggs.  Not sure how Zoey will manage to eat since she is so difficult.  But she has never seen the Blue Ridge Parkway, Cherokee, Virginia Beach or the Bridge Tunnel so I want to share these experiences with her.  I’ve got to get cash and pack, packing in 3 all suitcases on wheels because Don cannot lift much and neither can I; Don’s made ice and he will pack the cooler and the snacks.  This will be 1400 miles round trip, riding every day.  With my back and bad hip, I’m afraid this will be my last long trip of this type.  Oh well, at 74 it’s not bad!

UTR Rally 2021 Hillsville VA

 

UTR Rally 2021 Hillsville VA

The distance from home to the Holiday Inn Express is 455 miles.  At first we were going to tow but decided we would take 2 days to get there and ride.  The rally dates were also changed to run a Friday through Wednesday before Labor Day.  We had the bikes checked and serviced and packed Wednesday.  We loaded the trailer Thursday and pulled out by 7 AM Friday.  We were traveling alone and had reservations to stay in Altavista Friday night.  We fixed breakfast at home so we rode straight through to our first gas stop almost to Fredericksburg VA.  Covered a lot of miles.  Had lunch at Hardee’s in Gordonsville VA and then stopped at the grave to put something on Grandmom’s grave.  Then off we went about 100 miles again making it to Altavista by 3:15PM.  Ok 312 miles is my limit.  My back was burning and could not move my neck. After resting for a couple of hours and putting ice on my neck we were ready to head out for dinner at Applebee’s.  Way too much food; had to leave about one third but I’ve worked too hard on this diet to stuff myself.  Even brought the scales so we could keep track of our ups and downs.

Day 2 – we slept in a little (at least I did) and left the hotel at 7:30AM.  We only had 153 miles to go and most of it was good roads.  One section of 58 was up and over the Blue Ridge and there were a lot of sweet twists and turns.  We arrived at the Holiday Inn Express in Hillsville at 11:11AM but our room was not ready (didn’t expect it to be).  I moved my bike and Don’s bike wouldn’t start.  Thank goodness Bob and Cathy Fulmer had not gone on the ride today and he had a jumper and they got the bike started.  We went to Advance Auto and they had a battery and even put it in for us.  Ate lunch at Aunt Bee’s and then back to the hotel and Jimmy tested the alternator and it is bad!  No way that bike is going anywhere.  I’ve found 2 possible shops that open Monday morning; both 19 miles away.  Just hope they have an alternator in stock.  I even called Diamonds in Dover to see if they had one and they could ship it overnight but no luck.   Well unpacked and going to dinner soon with some of the group. There are 28 people here.

Day 3 – Sunday was listed as a free day so everyone kinda broke into groups and went off in various directions.  My plan was to ride a small loop first going to Harmon’s Western Outlet then to Old Cranks Vintage Automobile museum then to the Blue Ridge Music Center and back to the hotel.  We bought several shirts and a couple of vests at Harmon’s; the Vintage Auto museum was small but interesting and the music center music was very good blue grass music.  Don rode on the back of my bike and he teases about being white knuckled but it really wasn’t bad except his back was really hurting and his legs were cramped.  Tomorrow he plans to ride in the car with Bernie and Faye.  I’ve asked Gary to hold a meeting each night just so we can discuss the next day’s ride.  I talked to Cathy Fulmer about helping me watch for silly mistakes people make so we can get some little gag gifts for the last night’s dinner.  We have to do something.  At this point we don’t even know where we will go for dinner.  Dave Knight suggested I look on eBay for an alternator and wouldn’t you know I found one.  Checked with Jimmy before ordering it and having it shipped over night to the hotel.  Should be here Tuesday.  That’s it for the night.  

Day 4 – Monday morning and after breakfast we began uncovering the bikes and getting gas.  Don was going to ride with Bernie and Faye and I lined up behind Gary as we headed out to Fairystone Pit Stop to find fairystones.  We stopped at Hardee’s in Floyd for a break and 2 ladies came out and were admiring the bikes and I asked one lady if she would like to take a ride around the parking lot.  She quickly said yes so we climbed on the Silver Fox and took off around the Hardee’s parking lot and the gas station across the road and then back.  She was so happy said I made her year!  She took a few pictures and then left.  I never even asked her name.  I’ve never done that before but it just seemed like the right thing to do at the time. The legend of the Fairystone is fairies danced over the water in this particular area of Virginia and when they head Christ had been crucified, they began to cry and their tears were trapped under the water and the ground.  When it rains stones wash to the surface with the shape of a cross in them.  The legend says if you wear a Fairystone it will keep evil away.  I found a couple of stones but they just look like stones to me; well one looks like it has a reindeer in it.  Anyway I purchased 4 cleaned up and nicely carved stones on chains.  After leaving the pit we rode to Stuart for lunch and then headed back to the hotel up and over the mountains and Lovers Leap which is some very tight curves but fun to ride.  Leaving the hotel in Gary’s truck we headed to Harmons to get a jean jacket for me and let Gary shop for a new western shirt and to wonder through the museum.  Back to the hotel to meet some of the group by 5 and head out to the Crooked Oak for dinner.  Boy I’m eating way too much food.  Back to the hotel for our 7:30 meeting.  Had a nice time talking to Bill and Sandra about church and the Lord.  Call from the kids and then off to bed.  It has been a good day.

Day 5 – Tuesday – it was my ride today and Don decided to ride on the back.  I thought I was taking the same roads I took several years ago when we were here; a nice scenic ride to reach Mt. Airy, NC.  Went 3 miles down 58 then turned left onto 620.  There was no paint on the road but it was blacktop so all was good.  Then a couple of miles in it turned to gravel and dirt.  Then the road narrowed and the dirt was rutted and washed out on the down hill side.  It was funny to see the cows looking at us like they had never seen motorcycles before – probably had not.  Every rut and bump poor Don was yelling and he said “you have not made any friends today.”  This went on for several miles.  Finally up on blacktop again for a few more turns and then I just changed the route to get to Mayberry and we ended up on US 77 for a few miles.  Arriving in Mayberry we went to Wallie’s Garage and the Squad Car tours.  Ruth and I had agreed we wanted Bernie to ride in the squad car and all the bikes would follow.  This is his last rally and we wanted it to be special.  We went to the quarry and all around town.  Back at the station the driver told Bernie to slide over into the driver’s seat and hit the siren and then we got some pictures taken.  Next we went down town and walked around, had lunch at Snappy Lunch where Don and others got the famous pork chop sandwich.  Next to the ice cream shop where I got Moonshine twist (you had to be 21 to get it).  At this point Bernie was trying to ride his scooter up a ramp into a store and flipped it over backwards and he landed on the pavement.  Everyone ran to help him up and I think only his pride was hurt.  Returned to the hotel and the part for Don’s bike was here so he and Bill started taking the old alternator off and they realized the new one had a different connection so the decision was made to wait for Jimmy to come back.  While we were waiting I sat on the bench outside then Sandra came then Gary and within a few minutes we had gathered chairs and had a circle of friends all telling stories and talking about the “great” ride on the washboard dirty road.  I will have a hard time living this one down. Jimmy arrived back from his ride and immediately sat down on the pavement and began working on connecting the alternator; of course Jimmy knew what to do.  Within less than an hour Jimmy had it hooked up and working.  Tested it and it is charging great.  Thank the Lord this has all worked out.  We were in Hillsville in 2011 and my bike had broken down just before the Bay Bridge and I was on the back of Don’s bike.  This year his broke down and he was on the back of mine.  I don’t think we should come to Hillsville anymore.  It started raining really hard so we ordered pizza and all gathered in the breakfast area for pizza and our meeting and then off to bed.  Tomorrow weather is calling for 100% chance of rain (I think it will rain) so we will gather in trucks and go to Floyd and then to the Mason Jar for our final meal together.

Day 6 – Wednesday – it started raining last night and was still raining this morning.  In fact it rained most all day clearing around 4PM.  At 8:30 Gary, Ruth, Don and I headed back to Harmon’s where I got a couple of nice western shirts and Gary got another one. Back at the hotel we took trucks to Floyd around 10:30 and walked around eating ice cream at the Floyd Country Store.  Shopped in several of the stores then we (Gary, Ruth, Don and I) headed out to go to Galax just to ride around because Ruth had not been there.  We had a great time with them talking about plans for next year’s rally.   Back to the hotel around 2 and Don and I went to get gas and hook up the trailer while the sun was shining and then it started to rain again.  This was an off and on thing all day.  Everyone loaded up in trucks at 4 to go to the Mason Jar for dinner/banquet.  Nothing had been planned but Ruth and Cathy did manage to pull together a couple of gifts; maps for me so I can find “good” roads and a sheriff’s badge and small sheriff’s car for Bernie.  I’m almost packed and we will load the trailer in the morning and hope to pull out no later than 8.  Traveling the fastest route to Orange looks like 219 miles 3.5 hours so there is no need to leave too early. 

Blog Entries for Ellicottville NY 2019 UTR 25th Rally

Saturday August 31, 2019

We had planned to leave at 8:30 a.m. and meet 3 more couple in Smyrna but we had to push our departure time off a bit in order to hold mom’s going home to heaven celebration.  The service was well attended but that is another entry.  We did get on the road at 2 p.m. with Bernie and Faye following us.  This year Don and I bought an 18 ft. trailer to tow our bikes.  We worked for a couple of hours on Thursday to get them loaded and tied down.  I began pulling the trailer out of our drive and boy was I surprised at how much I could feel the extra weight.  I mean the trikes are about 1000 pounds each and then the trailer is about 2000 pounds so I was towing a heavy load.  But the RAM did a great job.  I was nervous trying to keep it on my side of the center line but not over on the shoulder.  Going up 896 to Lancaster was a bit of a challenge but I did great; even Don said I was handling it very well.  We reach our agreed upon stopping location, Clearfield PA at 9 p.m. so the last hour and a half or maybe 2 hours was in the dark.  Did fine just a bit difficult to see on the back roads in the dark.  Pulled into a parking spot (well really two parking spots) just fine and this morning there was a car parked so close I could hardly get in the driver’s door but I managed to back the truck and trailer up, move it over some and make the turn. 

Sunday, September 1, 2019

We met up with Bill, Sandra and Ralph and Willia at Clearfield.  Temps were in the low 50s and after about an hour on the road it began to rain.  I was very glad to be in the truck!  Made a couple of stops for potty breaks and for those on the bikes to get out of the rain a bit and then arrived in Ellicottville NY at 11:30 a.m.  No rooms available yet (they were fully booked last night) so we unhooked the trailer, parked the bikes and the 12 people here all jumped in trucks and headed to lunch.  Gary led the way and since we all have CBs it was a pleasant ride with Gary giving us a lot of history along the way.  Back to the hotel, got a room and the rest of the group had arrived.  Dinner was pizza and chips in the breakfast area and then our first meeting at 6 p.m. with a slide show of our travels for tomorrow.  After some time visiting and strapping the trailers down I was in the room and in the bed by 8 p.m. and sound to sleep in a matter of minutes.

Monday, September 2, 2019

Rain!  But with 6 or more trucks/SUVs we made out just fine.  We visited and toured the Dunkirk Lighthouse on Lake Erie; rode around the pier had a great lunch at Demetrius; did a drive-by of another lighthouse; made an ice cream stop and learned some very interesting facts about the area. Gary was born and raised right here in Ellicottville and later in Jamestown just a few miles downriver.    Dinner was on our own and then we had a nightly meeting before heading to bed.

Tuesday, September 3, 2019

Up early to take my shower and found there was no hot water.  Went to breakfast and found out no one had hot water.  My day was not starting so well.  We wiped off the bikes and lined up for a nice day riding, but the weather was still cool and cloudy.  We did have a couple of visitors for the chamber of commerce who wanted to take a picture for the local paper.  I asked the president of the chamber what the industry was in this area; where do people work, and the answer was tourism.  That’s it.  The village is about 1500 residents but they “import” about 5000 employees to cater to tourist; especially in the winter because they get over 200 inches of snow beginning in later October and lasting right into April.  He said they actually have more tourist in the summer but need more employees during the winter to handle the two ski resorts located here.  The weather warmed up nicely.  We visited the cultural center of the Seneca cultural center; the Kinzua Reservoir and dam and the Kinzua Bridge skywalk. Plus, lunch and ice cream stops so it was a full day.  Left at 8:30 and got back at 5:30 and traveled 169 miles.

Wednesday, September 4, 2019

Heading for Canada and Niagara Falls today.  Weather was rainy when we got up and black clouds were swirling overhead so we were heading out in the trucks.  I was to lead this ride while Gary led a group to Letchworth State Park in NY.  I had 9 in my group, 3 vehicles.  Nice trip up and crossing the Peace Bridge was pretty simply.  We traveled on the Queens Way and when we got into Niagara, we found a decent parking location and walked down the hill to a welcome booth to get tickets to Journey Behind the Falls and a bus pass.  The falls are so magnificent and so much power.  Going through the tunnels to stand behind the falls you could feel the power as the water pours over the rocks.  Spray was washing over everything and everyone.  Grabbed a burger at one of the many shops; did a quick look at the expensive gift shops and then decided to ride the bus to the end of the line and then back again.  Saw lots of the tourist area as well as some of the “regular city”.  Met everyone back at the trucks at 2:20 and headed back to our hotel.  Getting back into the USA was not as quick as getting into Canada.  Not difficult; just had to show our passports and answer some questions but they were pretty slow.  Three went off on their own to find a couple of Harley shops before heading back. I’ve walked 9497 steps so far and we still haven’t gone to dinner yet.

Thursday, September 5, 2019

Beautiful day once the fog burned off.  We pulled out at 9:30 heading for the Allegany State Park which was beautiful riding. As always we were given some history facts and I found it interesting that in NY Allegany is spelled differently than in PA where they spell it Allegheny.  Not sure why.  Stopped at the Kinzua Reservoir and the state park gift shop.  Then off to the Horseshoe Inn for lunch and a much-needed rest.  Back on the bikes and maybe 2 miles down the road and we stopped at the Onoville Marina for ice cream.  Back on the bikes we headed back to the hotel for a potty break and then off again to see some amazing iron sculptures.  Very unusual and it makes you wonder what a person was thinking when they came up with these designs.  Back to the hotel for dinner and then game night.

Friday, September 6, 2019

Last day of the rally; listed as a “free day”.  While some rode in 4-wheels to a lunch destination a couple of hours away Don and I walked downtown with Bernie and Faye.  A nice little town consisting of one block of shops that are very expensive.  This is a tourist town and while many come this time of the year to ride the great mountain roads the big attraction is the 200+ inches of snow they get beginning in late October and continuing through March.  There is no pharmacy, no Walmart or any department stores, not even a real grocery store.  There is a small food market (Tops) but I seriously doubt you could do all of your grocery shopping there.  No one living in the village is allowed to have a mailbox but rather must get their mail at a P O Box at the post office.  Almost every home has a sign listing either a room to rent or listing themselves as a B&B.  As I stated in an earlier post, their only industry is tourism.  After our walk downtown Don and I loaded the bikes on the trailer, packed as much as we could in the room and loaded the truck.  This evening was the banquet and we had a great time.  Food was good (just way too much) and then those that wanted to read their interpretation of the Indian drawings that Gary handed out the first night.  I think the drawings were supposed to mean something but what people said they meant was completely different.  Bill Venable’s was the wildest and he won hands down.  Gary handed out 3 pages from the UTR newsletter from 1997 and a group picture of the rally attendees from the first rally.  He said he got the paper from Brad Carter who has been in the club since the beginning.  Bill Venable received the gift for the only person at the rally who has attended all 25 rallies.  Bernie received a gift for the person who worked the hardest to attend this year’s rally.  As always Gary and Ruth did a fantastic job.

Danville and the Tank Museum

Day 8

June 14, 2019

Off we go to Danville VA to visit the Tank Museum.  Set the GPS for the fastest route which normally would be nice roads but for the first 40 miles we were twisting and winding over some very narrow mountain roads; no guardrails, no paint, the only signs were the ones warning of switchbacks and twisties as we climbed up and over the mountains.  Todd was a bit nervous and Don was getting sick.  Finally, we got to 52 which is a nice dual highway.  The tank museum is very large; in fact, it is the largest single, privately owned stock of weapons in the whole United States.  I think Todd found it interesting.  After a couple of hours walking around and taking pictures we headed for lunch and then our hotel.  Very nice Comfort Inn and Suites.  We’re all getting tired and ready to head home tomorrow. We plan to leave early and make a stop in Gordonsville to the grave and then drive home; 364 miles. It’s been a nice vacation.

Full Day Shopping and Rode to Galax

Day 7

June 13, 2019

We had no real plan for today other than go to Mt. Airy and let Todd get a haircut at Floyd’s but the day ended up pretty busy.  Todd brought me coffee while I got ready for breakfast then we spent some time at breakfast talking to 7 bikers from Quebec and a nice couple traveling from Indiana to Nashville by way of the Blue Ridge Parkway in a jeep.  Leaving the hotel we headed for downtown and found Floyd’s did not have a barber today so we stopped at another local barber who has been cutting hair in Mt. Airy for 51 years; same old chairs, clippers and cash register.  Then off we went to the Antique Mall for one more sign for Todd’s room.  A stop at Robby’s to get new cowboy boots but they didn’t have any his size.  So we purchased a couple of nice denim shirts for me and Don (75% off); some slippers for Don and I purchased a hammock with a stand.  It was suggested we go to Harmon’s Western Wear near Galax for boots. Wow I cannot believe we never found this place when we were here with the club; 3 large buildings and more boots and shirts than I’ve seen in one place.  Todd found boots, a shirt and a vest; and Don purchased 2 shirts.  Now it was lunch time so we headed on into Galax to Porky’s for a very nice buffet lunch.  Time to head back to the hotel and on the way to Galax we saw a huge traffic backup.  I knew route 58 would take us directly to Mt. Airy but I set the GPS for shortest and oh my goodness the roads we ended up on.  Great for the motorcycles but a little bit tight for this big truck.  Up and over the Blue Ridge mountains on a back road with no shoulders; straight down the mountainside; no paint and the road barely wide enough for two vehicles.  One switchback after another; tight turns heading down and then right back up.  I was very concerned about riding the brakes and I knew I could shift the truck into manual but wasn’t sure how to do it.  I remembered burning up the brakes in the van on our trip west so I was concerned.  Figured it out and put her in 2^nd gear and still had to hit the brake some because the grade was so steep.  Todd was getting a little tight and while Don wasn’t saying much I think he was ready to get off that road.  It would have been fun but tense even on the bikes.  Like most mountain roads there was no way off until I finally saw a sign to exit for route 77.  When we go off we were just a few miles from the hotel and no one got sick on those switchbacks.  As soon as we got in the room Todd changed into his bathing suit and we headed to the pool for almost 2 hours.  We’ll head out for dinner soon and then pack for an early departure heading for Danville tomorrow to the tank museum.

 


 

Walk All Day Around the Town

Day 6

June 12, 2019

Dwayne and Sherry arrived at 9 AM to spend the day with us.  After hugs and kisses we all pilled in the truck and headed for the Andy Griffith Museum.  I thought Todd knew a lot about Andy Griffith but Dwayne and Sherry have him beat.  After about an hour or so touring the museum we headed downtown and I think we went in every store there.  I purchased a few T-Shirts and something nice for Grandmom Yowell’s grave.  I saw a book that looked very interesting in an antique mall and ordered it on Amazon for half the price.  Todd purchased 4 metal signs to hang on his bedroom walls and Don purchased one he liked.  We ate lunch at Snappy Lunch where hot dogs are $1.50 and bologna sandwiches are $1.25.  We wondered into the Mount Airy Region Museum which was very nice for a small town; I was surprised.  Ice cream at Walkers Soda Fountain and by this time it was close to 4 PM so we headed for the hotel and said our goodbyes to Dwayne and Sherry.  Todd wanted to get in the pool and by the time he got out it was 6:40 PM so we are eating crackers for dinner. 

Where is Andy Griffith

Day 5

June 11, 2019

Left Danville around 8 AM and took the “shortest” route but probably longest time since it was mostly two-lane country roads.  Beautiful country!  Beautiful weather!  Only had 80 miles to go so we actually arrived in Mt. Airy at 11:30 AM way too early to check in at the Comfort Inn.  So we headed down town and stopped first at Wally’s gas station for a tour of the court house, the jail, Sheriff Andy Taylor’s desk and we took a tour around town in the squad car.  Lots of information about the town, the granite quarry, Andy Griffith, and the show.  We learned that the Ford Motor company told Andy they would supply a new squad car every year if he would agree to use only Ford vehicles on the show.  Ford knew the show was going to be a hit and Andy knew a deal when he saw it – couldn’t get much better than free.  Brand new Galaxy 500 rolled off the line, repainted in a flat black; then after a year Ford took the car back, put it back on the line repainted it in the original color and sent it to a dealership as a used car.  No one knew they car they were buying had spent one year on the Andy Griffith show.  The man who gave us the tour allowed Todd to sit in the driver’s seat and blow the siren when we go back to the garage.  He was so proud.  We stopped at his home which is a very small little house where he lived from the age of 8 until he moved away as an adult.  His folks lived there until 1966 when he was doing very well in Hollywood and moved them out to be with him.  The house is now owned by the Hyatt (hotels) and can be rented.  Bet that price is hefty.  We parked downtown and walked around; went into Floyd’s Barber Shop but no barber was on duty.  The man there (Floyd’s son) said he hoped they would have a barber by Wednesday or Thursday.  Gave me his number to call because Todd really wants to get his hair cut at Floyd’s Barber Shop.  We then walked over to Snappy Lunch and ate lunch; stopped at Opie’s candy store and each of us got a small bag of candy from the various candy jars just like we did as kids.  All new to Todd but it brings back memories for Don and me.  Back to the hotel and Todd spend an hour or so in the pool and then we headed across the street to a Mexican restaurant.  Todd was a bit hesitant, but he really like what he got.  Back to the room for the night.

Danville Science Center and more

Day 4

June 10, 2019

We watched out the window last night as dozens classic and hot rod vehicles pulled into the hotel parking lot.  This morning we walked around admiring the shiny cars and trucks.  Breakfast at the hotel and then off we headed to the Danville Science Center.  A large 3 story old building in the old part of town with everything hands on from how gears work to electricity.  Todd got in a “hurricane simulator” which went to 78 MPH wind; a category 1 hurricane.  He said it was hard to breath and felt like little stones hitting his face.  We went in the butterfly building. We walked over to the train station and climbed in a caboose.  The train station is still being used twice a day as Amtrak passes once north and once south.  Then we watched a movie in a huge dome of many of the National Parks – and it was awesome knowing we had been to most of them.  A little picnic lunch on the tailgate of the truck of crackers and slim Jim and then we walked over the bridge of the River Walk.  The whole trail is 9 miles long, so we opted for just a short distance crossing the river.  We noticed that locks – lots of locks – were hanging on the wire on the bridge.  After looking at several closely it was a way the kids were “tagging” the bridge.  The locks had names on them or important dates and/or events.  A nice idea. Back to the room for showers and then dinner.  No rain, thank God for his blessings. We had two or three calls from Zoey and even this morning I “dropped in” to her Alexa (my Kindle is also an Alexa).  She said it freaked her out a little.  Dinner at Golden Corral and over did it again.  The food is so good.  Now to watch TV, read and go to sleep.

Country Roads to Danville VA

Day 3

June 9, 2019

Had an early wake-up call from Zoey.  She talked to Todd a bit and asked him how long to cook a bacon, egg and cheese biscuit for.  She seemed happy but I know she misses him; called him two or three more times – well hangout face time.  We packed and left the hotel around 8 AM heading for Danville, VA about 189 miles.  Heading out of Williamsburg we were on route 31 and suddenly the road stopped at the water’s edge and we had to board a ferry to cross the river.  Pretty cool – stayed in our vehicle for the 2.5-mile trip.  Then for most of the ride we were on 40 which is a very nice back road with lots of hills and curves.  Great on the bikes.  It is still raining; not hard but enough that it would have been miserable on bikes.  Stopped once for a rest on 85 and then arrived in Danville around noon so we grabbed lunch at McD and then tried to find a Walmart.  All they have here is a Walmart Neighborhood Market which we found out to be only groceries.  Next, we headed for our hotel which is very nice, but I had booked on booking.com a room with 2 beds and when the reservation came to the hotel it was a room with 1 king bed.  And the hotel is full – in fact ALL the hotels for 100 miles are full so I understand.  The lady at the front desk was so nice and I’m not sure what she switched but she got us a room with 2 beds, and it is very nice.  At lunch I realized I didn’t have my grocery credit card.  Not like me to lose a card.  When we got in the room, I checked the account and the last charge was to Pat’s Pizza.  I just called them and yes, it is there.  The manager said Shawn can pick it up, so I just texted her; I know she and Zoey are at the movies but hope she calls me soon.  She called and yes, she went and got my card.  Zoey was excited to tell us about the movie.  And then they were going to get ice cream and oh the cone she got!  Large covered with sprinkles. We went to Medos for dinner.  A small local Italian diner; didn’t look like much on the outside but my goodness the food was so good. 

Pictures of Day 2

Williamsburg and Jamestown Here We Come

Day 2

June 8, 2019

Well the day didn’t start too good – my back was out of sorts and I couldn’t get out of bed.  Don and Todd had to help me and then the pain was so bad.  Got moving around, took a shower and had breakfast.  The rain has stopped for now – I’m praying it stays rain free all day because everything is outside.  Todd keeps saying “aren’t you glad I didn’t want to come on the bikes?”  We will head for the Williamsburg Visitor Center in about 30 minutes to get tickets.  Got our tickets, watched a video about John Fry that told some history about how and why the colonies began the separation from England then headed to the shuttle to take us to historic Williamsburg.  Started our tour at the capital and learning about the system of government setup by England.  We learned that Virginia was the first colony to write its own “bill of rights” and it became the model for the new country.  Leaving the capital building we walked up Duke of Gloucester stopping at various houses and businesses to meet some interesting people like Thomas Jefferson.  A turn on Palace Green and we arrived at the Governor’s Palace in time for a guided tour.  What a beautiful place for a person who thought they were as important as the king!  There were hundreds of weapons on the walls; rifles, pistols, swords.  It was a requirement for everyone over the age of 16 to own a rifle or pistol.  Just imagine, now our government is trying to take that right from us. But the budding new country had a different opinion.  Every time I read or learn about how our country began it brings tears to my eyes.  We might be a long way from our founding fathers dreams but we are still the best nation in the world. After leaving the Palace we walked back down Duke of Gloucester and stopped at the Kings Arms Tavern for lunch then back to the visitor’s center to get the truck.  Now we headed to Jamestown Settlement.  After purchasing tickets, we headed to the outside exhibits since we only had 2 hours before closing time.  First stop was the Indian village (the real first citizens) and then down to the wharf to board the Susan Constant.  That was the largest of the 3 ships bringing people from England.  It was really a cargo ship, so people were stuffed in the second deck with cargo.  The ship could only hold 71 people (51 were passengers) and they had to stay below deck in order to stay out of the way of the crew.  It was dark and smelly, and it took them 5 months to reach the strange land.  It is amazing that they didn’t all die.  Next, we walked to James Fort and wondered around it and then we went back to the visitor center and walked through the museum just a little before going to the gift shop.  Back to the truck we headed back to the motel for an hour and then out to dinner.  We are so tired!  According to the fitbit we walked over 12,000 steps (5 miles) today.  Hot shower for me and then to bed.  Talked to Zoey just now on the phone and she was laughing and giggling; she is so much happier than she would have been on this trip. 

Mt. Airy Vacation 2019

Day 1

June 7, 2019

Today is my birthday, 71 years old.  On 60^th birthday I said all I want from that point on was to be traveling (preferred on the bikes) on my birthday.  This vacation was planned all around Todd’s interests.  He has become very fond of Andy Griffith and when I said we had been there he was excited to go himself.  So after months of planning we headed out this morning at 8:45 AM for Williamsburg VA.  We will spend 2 days touring Williamsburg and Jamestown then head to Danville for a couple of days and then over to Mt. Airy (Mayberry USA) for 3 days.  Zoey has no interest in touring these locations so she is staying home with Mom Mom Shawn and they will do fun stuff like the beach, movies, Chuckie Cheese.  We are traveling in the truck, I wanted to do it on the bikes but Todd voted for the truck.  Well just crossing the Chesapeake Bridge Tunnel it started to sprinkle.  Then maybe 3 miles more and it down poured to the point I could hardly see and had to put the flashers on.  I was glad we had not come on the bikes!  We only made one pit stop and arrived at the Econo Lodge in Williamsburg around 2PM.  Got our room right away and it is a nice efficiency with 2 beds, large room, hardwood floors, kitchen area, second floor (outside stairs) on the corner.  Since we had not stopped for lunch we headed to the Cracker Barrell for a late lunch/early dinner then back to the room.  But it is raining so hard Don doesn’t want to take the cover off the truck to get our luggage.  Hope it stops before bed!  Tomorrow we will head to the Williamsburg Visitor Center and make plans to visit Williamsburg and Jamestown. 

Last Day - It is Over

Day 8

September 7, 2018

Last day of the rally; a free day to rest, do a ride we might have missed or just visit.  Don and I rode in to Big Stone Gap and visited the Southwestern Virginia Museum and the Coal Museum; sat in rockers in front of the Visitor Center and talked to a local and took some pictures.  Back at the hotel lunch was at the Huddle House and then worked on the word challenge.  I’m only missing one word but who knows if I have the others right or not.  Gary said the hotel asked him for information on all our rides and what we did so they have something to share with other groups.  That is a real honor I think.  Well as usual the Banquet was wonderful. Great food, wonderful presentation and the program Ruth, Mina and Gary planned was beyond fun and funny.  I won the translation challenge of Appalachia terms with 42 out of 47 correct.  In fact, I was singled out for several gag gifts for different things I did during the week; leading a group, losing my keys, having a jacuzzi in my room.  The mayor of Big Stone Gap presented Gary with a replica rife of the frontier era; a wonderful gift and I really think Gary was touched by their kindness.  Well the trailer is almost packed, we are ready for bed and will leave tomorrow morning around 7 and we have decided to cancel our reservation at Lexington and just drive as long as we can and then find a hotel.  I would love to make it all the way home.