DAY FOUR - End of the Parkway

Today we headed out on the Parkway for the last day.  We completed the final leg of the 469 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway today.  The views were amazing - mountains are unbelievable.  There are more corners than I can count.  The scariest signs are on the Parkway - if it doesn't make you take note of the speed you are going on the corners then you know the results just by the sign!! Scared the hell out of me!

I drove my speed and probably slowed some people down behind me - but I am still here to write about it and that was my goal!!

We stopped at a Craggy Gardens Visitor Center and spoke with the Rangers there to find out where the highest point on the Parkway was which we stopped for pictures later on.  We stopped for lunch at Mr. Pisgah.  Lunch was awesome - view was amazing.  Another beautiful day on the Parkway. 

We saw deer, wild turkeys and snakes!  There were a few snakes on the road which freaks me out - they must have been basking in the sun.  I couldn't even bring myself to run over them for fear they would coil up onto the bike - YUK. 

When we left the Parkway we headed out to Hwy 74 and headed towards New Orleans.  Today we made it to Chattanooga, TN.  Tomorrow we will head towards New Orleans again and arrive on Thursday.  We are heading on interstates now so no more sharp corners!!

DAY THREE - Memorial Day USA

This morning after finding a car (bike) wash to clean a very dirty bike we headed to Bedford, Virginia where the National D-Day Memorial is.  It is a great tribute to all the war veterans of the US.  The sadness was felt as we rode up the hill to the memorial.  I felt it just like the way I feel it in Trenton, Ontario where the fallen Canadian Soldiers are returned to Canada.  The feeling hangs in the air and consumes you.  It was very fitting on today of all days that we took the time to visit such a special memorial. 


While I was there I spoke to some veterans and was able to take a picture of a soldier that was there with his parents for the ceremony that was taking place later in the morning.  Thank you to all veterans for making our countries a great place to live!

Once we returned to the Blue Ridge Parkway we were surprised at how few bikes and cars on the parkway today.  It was very nice travelling on this unbelievable road.  Curves and views again were unbelievable.  Really riding the ridge seeing both sides of the mountain at the same time is awesome! 

Lunch we spent at Floyd, Virginia at the Blue Ridge Restaurant where we were entertained by the manager Ladonna.  What a treat - 23 and full of sparkle and charm!  Her southern accent was the sweetest - she engaged all three of us and we wanted her to come along for the rest of the trip.  Her smile and energy is infectious.  Floyd truly has a gem in Ladonna.



This afternoon in plus 90 degree weather we enjoyed the rest of our ride.  We had one detour due to construction and ended up in a little bar reminiscent of Route 66 for a quick cold pop.  There was all kinds of bikes parked across the street and three people from the Netherlands were visiting and in awe of all the Harley Davidson's.  There was outside entertainment and they were playing some AC/DC as we were leaving which inspired me to put in my CD so I could listen on the ride.


Tonight we are staying in Boone, North Carolina just off the Parkway again.  Nice little town reminds me of Colorado area.  Supper was great at a little Italian restaurant.  Today we rode about 200 miles.  We have about 100 miles left of the Parkway and then we start heading towards New Orleans.   

DAY TWO - Skyline and Blue Ridge Parkway

WOW!!  Pretty much sums it up.  The Shenandoah National Park - Skyline Drive - follows the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 105 miles.  The views are spectacular.  The road is amazing!  Fresh pavement, lots of curves, wildlife, lots of motorcycles, bicycles and cars.  There are over 75 scenic overlooks as they call them, with beautiful views.  The 35 mile per hour speed limit is slow but very necessary as there are curves the whole way!  The canopy of trees that surrounded the road for most the ride was much appreciated as the weather and sunshine was beautiful.  I would love to go back in the fall some time to see the colors! 


Skip joined us this morning before we headed out onto Skyline Drive.  It was great to see another Route 66 biker.  It doesn't seem very long ago that we were all together on Route 66.  I got thinking at supper tonight that I have been in Illinois, Missouri, Kansas, Oklahoma,Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia and Virginia with Miles and most of those states with both of these gentlemen!  That is 21 states so far - and more to go on this trip!  This is all in less than one year.  Amazing.


After lunch we finished up the Skyline Drive and headed right onto the Blue Ridge Parkway which is spectacular - a little faster at 45 mph but not much.  Most of the corners you still have to slow down but well worth the drive.  Some of the ride is right on the ridge of the mountains where you can see from both sides of the road the views each way.  We went through two small tunnels but they were very neat.  I am sure you could see the smile on my face today as I was enjoying the views, the smells of the forest and the great company.


There are so many bikers on the road and when we stop everyone is so friendly and are amazed that we are heading to New Orleans.  Some people are unaware of the HOG rides that are organized and can't wait to go back home and look them up on the HOG website. 


Tonight we are in Troutville, Virginia and will continue our ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway.  I am looking forward to more scenic views and meeting more bikers along the way. 


Today we rode about 390 km (all on one tank - with about 80 km left!)  I guess when you go slow and coast downhill you actually don't use as much gas.  At one point I thought we were going to run out as we were about 50 miles outside of Troutville and we all thought we had enough gas until we started climbing again.  I watched in horror as my gas was getting used up and the thoughts of walking for gas anywhere was appalling in this heat!  But as we started heading downhill I saw the gas gauge gain back all that was lost!  Crazy!  Tomorrow we all agreed that we are not going to leave it so tight!

DAY ONE

I left this morning under rainy conditions again - which usually means that I will have great weather for the rest of the trip.  So here is hoping!  Left at 7:00 a.m. - which as most of you know is not so easy for me to do in the morning.  Forgot a few things but nothing I can't do without.


Drove to the US over the bridge at Gananoque 1000 Islands and the weather started to take a turn.  The air became warmer and no rain!  Travelled to Mexico, NY to meet up with my biking partner, Miles Ross.  Met his wife (who will be joining us in Memphis), daughter, son-in-law and grandchild.  They were very excited to meet "O'Canda" (my nickname from Route 66).  I look forward to when Patty can join us in Memphis. 


We left Mexico just before noon and travelled quickly down the I-81.  Miles is a fearless leader travelling at speeds of 120 km (just my speed too).   It seemed to take forever to get through New York and then into Pennsylvania on through Maryland, West Virgina and finally to Winchester, Virginia where we are resting our heads before we head out to meet up with Skip who will join us on the Skyline Parkway and the Blue Ridge Parkway http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/ which will be amazing.


Hopefully tomorrow we slow down enough to take some pictures!!  Travelled 1,021 km today in approximately a little over 12 hours on the road.  Bike is running great - butt is a little sore!

Getting Ready for the Tour!!

It is hard to believe that I will be heading out on another motorcycle trip so soon after my amazing trip on Route 66 with the Harley Owner Group (HOG). 


My trip begins Saturday, May 28, 2011 where I will leave home and start my adventure to New Orleans, LA and along the way be joined by some fellow bikers that I met on my trip on Route 66.  HOG members are truly amazing people - willing to let this crazy biker chick ride along with them.  I don't mind riding alone but it is very comforting riding with fellow bikers that enjoy the road as much as I do.


So to quickly introduce the HOG tour that I will be riding on - Rock, Rhythm and Blues Tour.  It begins in New Orleans, LA for JAZZ, then off to Memphis, TN for BLUES, Nashville, TN for COUNTRY and finally Cleveland, OH for ROCK & ROLL.  Sounds absolutely amazing and I am so looking forward to it.  The Harley Owner Group certainly know how to put on a fun filled trip.

• In New Orleans - the home of jazz - will host a welcome party in the heart of New Orleans.  We should have plenty of time to check out Bourbon Street and the French Quarter.  An overnight stay in Meridan, MS with an opportunity to ride the famous Natchez Trace Parkway on the way to Memphis. 
• In Memphis - home of Rhythm & Blues - will host a tour of Graceland the home of Elvis Presley, the Gibson Guitar factory and museum.  We will rock the famous Beale Street entertainmnet district. 
• In Nashville, nicknamed "Music City" we will help the city kick off the 40th Annual CMA Festival by taking part in the opening parade!  Then to lunch at the world-famous Wild Horse Saloon and a performance at the Grand Ole Opry!!  Downtown block party will close our visit in Nashville. 
• In Cleveland - the home of Rock and Roll - there will be an exclusive private party at the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. 

 Sound amazing - I should say so.  To ride with HOG is really to ride in style!  I look forward to continuing a blog again on my trip - if I didn't I would forget so many things once I got back home. 

See you on the road!!