Another Year Another Trip

Winter has come and gone and it is time to begin traveling. Well the beginning actually began months ago while snow covered the ground and the heater was cranking out warm air. Routes were charted and maps created to include everything possible during the 14 day vacation. This year I will mark one more item off my bucket list – travel the Blue Ridge Parkway from start to finish. I plan to take my time and enjoy the ride so I’ve allowed 4 full days before we reach Cherokee where we will spend a few days. Stops along the parkway include Grandfather Mountain and Mt. Airy (Mayberry USA). I’m sure everyone reading this blog remembers the Andy Griffith Show. While in Cherokee we will get to see the Outdoor Drama Unto These Hills which should have been on the bucket list because I have wanted to see this show for over 5 years. There are a couple of rides in the Cherokee area that are on the plans; the Cherohala Skyway and a route Bill read about labeled to be better than the Tail of the Dragon. Our riding buddies for this trip will be Bill and Sandra Venable and our son and daughter-in-law will meet us in Cherokee (4-wheeling it). Abigail has been in the shop for her spring check-up and all is well. Bessie, the wing, goes in the shop this coming week and we know she needs a new front tire. We need to check the trailer out and make sure all lights are working. This will be a new way to travel – not loaded down with 50 extra pounds on my bike. The countdown has begun – 36 days remaining.

The Banquet

Tank Museum

Saturday - the rally ends

We saddled up and followed Mike Brittingham to Danville to tour the Tank Museum. Heading east brought us over the gentle rolling hills of Virginia and easy curves in the road. I have never seen so many tanks, uniforms, trucks and weapons in one place. I find it very interesting how the whole group enjoys such a wide range of interests. Returning to the hotel by 3 gave us time to pack and to prepare for the banquet. The banquet is always so much fun and this year was no exception. The committee had scouted out a wonderful restaurant right across the parking lot and the two little waiteresses were great. Of course, for every joke they dished out this group of UTR members tossed back two. The situation of Andy always being served first was shared with them and they were so careful to make sure he was served last this time. I'm not sure Andy ever did figure out who made that request. Bernadette had a great UTR bingo game where she had a little known fact about each person written in a square and we had to get that person to sign the square. It sounded like an auction as people called out "blue eyes, who has blue eyes" or "March birthday who has a March birthday". But now it is all past for another year and some have gone to their rooms to finish packing. Small groups are discussing what time to leave and head for home. A few have said they are going to gather for one more game of cards, not willing to let this rally end.

Out for a ride

Paint Bank, VA

Glenn and Kathy led the ride Friday to Paint Bank. The road over the mountain and into the valley to reach Paint Bank is 311 and what a road! The curves vary from smooth and easy to hairpin. All at a very steep down hill grade. They are having a contest to name the road much as the Dragon's Tail in West Virginia. Paint Bank is a wonderful little town with less than 25 people now but at one time it was over 2000. They have restored the train depot, a cabin, a house and a train caboose all of which are rented out for visitors. We were given a tour of the town, the buildings, and the mill. The depot is surrounded by a wrap-around porch with plenty of rocking chairs and a stream running all around the property. The mountains circle the whole town so no matter where you turn the view is beyond words. We all agreed this would be a wonderful place for a rally. The general store and restaurant are so well know that people actually fly in by helicopter to get their famous sandwiches. Needless to say several in the group gathered information. After lunch and some shopping in the Swinging Bridge store above the restaurant, we headed out to Floyd for the evening of Bluegrass Music and some ice cream.

Thursday

Bill and Sandra had a full day planned for us. It rained buckets last night and it was threatening this morning, so we pulled out the rain suits and headed for the Blue Ridge Parkway around 9:30. About 20 miles and we entered the parkway at Roanoke and traveled the 35 miles north to Peaks of Otter. The fog hung low and covered the mountain top. The bus to the top would not run until the fog lifted so we waited. Maybe half of the group decided to ride the bus to the top and then climb the 1500 feet to the summit. If you have never ridden this bus, be prepared for a small road barely wide enough for the bus tires and hairpin curves. It was impressive how the driver could handle the bus. The climb to the summit was rugged but well worth the effort! Even with the clouds the view was specatular. Glenn decided to walk the 1.5 miles down the mountain while the rest of us took the bus. He reached the bottom just minutes after we did, face red but all smiles. I give him credit - there is no way I would even think about making that walk. Leaving Peaks of Otter we headed back south on the parkway and then off towards Catawba to the Homeplace. This was the most wonderful restaurant. The setting was a large, old house on 64 acres of rolling hills with cattle grazing in the back field that had been restored. The meal was served home style and the food was excellent and the staff friendly. Bill and Sandra had eaten here last year and their raving comments were right on target. We all left full from the good food, tired from the day climbing mountains and ready to sit around the hotel and play games and socialize.