2015 Ride: Tail of The Dragon, Shenandoah, Flight 93 Memorial, Que Creek Memorial, York Factory Tour

2015 Ride to the Tail of the Dragon, Smokey Mountains, Shenandoah Mountains, Flight 93 Memorial, Que Creek Mine Memorial, and York Factory Tour.

Our plan was to meet in Kentucky.  It was May 2015.  

This trip started on Memorial Day, the day after Rolling Thunder in Washington DC. I got about five miles from my house and started to see groups of bikes and their patriotic riders on the highway. I found myself riding up behind the groups and staying behind them for miles before they exited or I exited. For me it was a neat feeling to see all the men and women riding bikes and sharing the interest of riding. It was Memorial Day Weekend and I imagine most of us rode to show respect for the fallen servicemen and women. Memorial Day Weekend is truly a good day to ride and meet new people and share stories.

I rode route 3 to route 20 through the civil war battlefields in Virginia. It was early in the morning; the sun had just rose showing light rays through the trees. The battlefields were quiet and peaceful.  As I rode through Chancellorsville, the Wilderness, the HQ, a serene filled the air.  Along the ride I could see the freshly cut edges of the battlefield. I could smell the fresh cut grass from along the edges of the battlefields. I passed a few farm trucks pulling wagons of hay. Further south on route 15 I could see hayfields with the large round bails of hay scattered about the fields. The morning sun was shining through the trees. I could feel the temperature cool when I was riding under the shade of the many trees that lined the road. Along stretches of the road without trees, the sun shined down and gave noticeable warmth. I rode by many horse farms. These horse ranches were identified with the large white horse fences. One farm had a yellow fence. It was a relaxing sight and renewed my faith that people continue traditions to live with animals and work with the green space instead of develop it.

I crossed the West Virginia state line and followed the winding road along the New River. The trees were green and the sky clear and blue. Most of the towns along the river were in valleys. As I followed the river westward, I could see Charleston, the capital nestled in the valley. Those roads in West Virginia were fun to ride due to the pleasant landscape and twisty curves.

Once I crossed the Kentucky state line I noticed much of the road was carved or blasted through rock. Much of the roads had rock walls that were smooth and tall. It must have taken many years and lots of hard work to create the first roads through the area. There were many horse ranches in Kentucky too.

I finally met Brad at a small diner in Kentucky.  It began to rain just as we found a hotel. We put our bags away and sat in the lobby looking maps. The rain stopped long enough for us to walk down the street and get dinner.

The next morning we woke and was pleased that the rain had passed and our bikes were dry. We rode sound thru Kentucky and crossed into Tennessee on route 27.  It was a two lane rode with twisty rolling turns taking us through Somerset, Burnside, thru Daniel Boone National Forest.  After crossing the Tennessee state line we continued on route 27 toward Kingston then we went east.  I recall riding along Fort Louden Lake and Lake Chilhowee along route 129.  I have some faded memories swimming at Fort Louden and Lake Chilhowee while I was a child.  I lived near the area for a few years. 

Our ride through Tennessee was fortunate considering the weather.  We followed just behind the heavy rain. The road was wet and we were dry. We confirmed this as we stopped for gas and the gas station attendant stated it poured rain just minutes before we arrived. We were lucky to be behind the rain.  We did get wet from a brief downpour while heading south. It was our lucky day for staying dry despite the rain along the route.

We stopped in Maryville and then headed for the Tail of the Dragon.  This was my first time across the Tail of the Dragon.  It was a rush!  Awesome ride for both motorcycles and cars! 

 

Tail of the Dragon 2015

We stopped in Waynesville, North Carolina for the night. The Oak Park Inn was a nice quite motel whose staff welcomed us.  They even had extra towels labeled to wash off the bikes.  We were within walking distance to the small towns pubs and restaurants.  To our surprise the motel owner, who recommended the restaurant we chose, showed up and paid our dinner bill.  Brad and I are Veterans, as is the owner, so it was a neat experience.  After diner we walked to the other side of Main Street to a sports pub.  It was a good atmosphere.  I recall the Ranges were playing the Lightning and it was karaoke night which was a hit for the locals.  There is photo of the Oak Park Inn sign in Waynesville, North Carolina.  We highly recommend staying at the motel. 

Oak Park Inn Waynesville, NC

The next morning we got a foggy and damp start as we went up the Smokey Mountains.  There were spots and rays of sunlight shining thru the fog in the before noon part of the ride. I imagine the views from the mountains would have been breath taking without the fog.  It was pretty cool with the fog.

Some memories from the ride from North Carolina to Pennsylvania. 

- Stopped at a diner called “Mac and Bob’s” in Salem, Virginia for lunch.  It was hot outside and their ice tea was refreshing.  I recall the waitress fell and broke her thumb the evening before.  She was telling us about it.

- On route 77 we stopped for water at a gas station general store.  It was a ma and pa type store that was usually like to visit.  The clerk had a side arm properly displayed and was very friendly. We stood inside the entrance of the store and joked with the clerks and some customers. The entrance had a rocking chair and television adjacent to a cage full of cigarettes. The clerk would watch television in between customers.  The clerk pulled out a AR-15 to show us how they talk people out of trying to rob them.  Neat experience.

- We rode north through the Shenandoah Mountains. We stopped at the end of skyline drive and stayed in New Market. We ate at an old 50s style diner which had some tasty food. The diner was very quiet despite being full of customers. The special was all you can eat chicken wings. Brad ordered the wings. The waitress delivered a plate of full size chicken wings to our table. It was just as advertised, all you can eat chicken wings- the full size wings. I could not hold back my laughter when I saw the plate of large wings. Brad says the wings were good, although he expected the small wings.

- We stopped in Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania to see a collection of old motorcycles and novelty items.  The collection was in Bill’s Old Bike Barn.  There are some photos of the collection here.

- We stopped in Punxsutawney to see Punxsutawney Phil and have some breakfast.  Photos shown. 

- We stopped to visit the Flight 93 Memorial.  The visitors center was being constructed.  Photos shown of the Memorial.

 

Flight 93 Memorial

Flight 93 Memorial

- Not far from the Flight 93 Memorial, there was a memorial for the Que Creek Mine and Rescue, July 28, 2002.  Photos shown.

Que Creek Mine Memorial

Brad's Bike at Que Creek Memorial

- We had to leave the area due to a string of bad luck we’ve witnessed.  Brad’s bike fell over in the gravel; we stopped at a Harley shop for a replacement mirror when a custom bike fell off the shop lift.  A car accident in the parking lot, we didn’t know what was going to happen next so we rode far far away from the area.  Brad headed west and I went east to visit the factory in York before heading home.

Bill and Brad Flight 93 Memorial

York Factory Tour

Many many miles in the rain!