Blue Ridge Parkway to Maggie Valley
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Hi All:
Most of these words are from Carol, I added to show a man’s perspective now and then.
Each day has been a little different but still we are still doing well on the bike, amen. We really enjoy exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is such a great motorcycle road. Today the Parkway will share some of its own surprises with us. We got back on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, NC, about 1 mile from our hotel. During our late morning start (a bad characteristic of mine, Carol will soon say) has the sun out but with big building clouds visible. Once on the parkway for 20 miles or so we pulled into an overlook area , one that already has three bikes in it. The riders were all young men on crotch rockets. One was using his cell phone try to locate service while the other two were hovering over a bike. The parking grade was quite steep with a slope running down from the viewing area. Once stopped I quickly told Carol “DON’T MOVE” as I was having trouble keeping the bike upright due to the slope. We finally got parked and off the bike. We stood aside for a few minutes then asked if we could help. It seems due to the steep grade one of the riders had his bike leaned over a little too far after coming to a stop. When he attempted to dismounted he dropped his bike and broke off the hydraulic clutch lever. They all were having a problem as they couldn't start the bike or shift it. I helped them figure out a way around their problems. Eventually after a "bump"start they were off in search of a motorcycle repair place down the mountain. We all had pushed the bike to start it. The other riders had to move fast to catch up. Down the mountain the first rider went with his buddies in hot pursuit. The last we saw of them was their wave "thanks and goodbye" as they were rounding the first steep sharp corner.
We then continued on our ride. At each new overlook stop we will meet additional interesting people. It is fun to be with Carol. Everyone seems to enjoy meeting us. They usually ask if we are newlyweds. We are having fun. At the next stop one nice couple took our picture for us . We in turned did the same for them. We have a nice chat with them while exchanging trip stories. During this trip we have met such interesting people, so much fun we are having.
Amazingly there is little traffic on the BRP. After reading about the crowds we are surprised. As we continue south we are now running from thunder storms. Today we are lucky and will stay dry. Carol is very interested in nature and finds the cloud formations fascinating. Carol Ann even takes pictures of the clouds while we are riding. We see some wet areas on the road ahead of us and we are lucky again as none of it lands on us. Tonight we will end up in Maggie Valley, NC. It is located on route 19. We enter town from a long steep mountain grade. Over the intercom Carol and I discuss how it must have been for travelers during the “old days.” We make it a special point to have dinner at a local restaurant named “Maggies.” Tomorrow will peruse some of the local places including a Motorcycle museum and the house that Maggie lived in. Maggie Valley seems to be a pretty historic town.
After dinner we ride back to our hotel . We are staying at the Comfort Inn which has high speed internet , a new requirement of Carols for our blog. We use the pool and hot tub which felt marvelous. Rain is in the forecast so we park our bike under the hotel lobby front entrance overhang and cover it up good for the expected rain. Tired from our long day we turn in early but happy. A good trip so far. Carol is always excited about the up coming new day. A good passenger she is.
Chriss and Carol
Hi All:
Most of these words are from Carol, I added to show a man’s perspective now and then.
Each day has been a little different but still we are still doing well on the bike, amen. We really enjoy exploring the Blue Ridge Parkway. It is such a great motorcycle road. Today the Parkway will share some of its own surprises with us. We got back on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Asheville, NC, about 1 mile from our hotel. During our late morning start (a bad characteristic of mine, Carol will soon say) has the sun out but with big building clouds visible. Once on the parkway for 20 miles or so we pulled into an overlook area , one that already has three bikes in it. The riders were all young men on crotch rockets. One was using his cell phone try to locate service while the other two were hovering over a bike. The parking grade was quite steep with a slope running down from the viewing area. Once stopped I quickly told Carol “DON’T MOVE” as I was having trouble keeping the bike upright due to the slope. We finally got parked and off the bike. We stood aside for a few minutes then asked if we could help. It seems due to the steep grade one of the riders had his bike leaned over a little too far after coming to a stop. When he attempted to dismounted he dropped his bike and broke off the hydraulic clutch lever. They all were having a problem as they couldn't start the bike or shift it. I helped them figure out a way around their problems. Eventually after a "bump"start they were off in search of a motorcycle repair place down the mountain. We all had pushed the bike to start it. The other riders had to move fast to catch up. Down the mountain the first rider went with his buddies in hot pursuit. The last we saw of them was their wave "thanks and goodbye" as they were rounding the first steep sharp corner.
We then continued on our ride. At each new overlook stop we will meet additional interesting people. It is fun to be with Carol. Everyone seems to enjoy meeting us. They usually ask if we are newlyweds. We are having fun. At the next stop one nice couple took our picture for us . We in turned did the same for them. We have a nice chat with them while exchanging trip stories. During this trip we have met such interesting people, so much fun we are having.
Amazingly there is little traffic on the BRP. After reading about the crowds we are surprised. As we continue south we are now running from thunder storms. Today we are lucky and will stay dry. Carol is very interested in nature and finds the cloud formations fascinating. Carol Ann even takes pictures of the clouds while we are riding. We see some wet areas on the road ahead of us and we are lucky again as none of it lands on us. Tonight we will end up in Maggie Valley, NC. It is located on route 19. We enter town from a long steep mountain grade. Over the intercom Carol and I discuss how it must have been for travelers during the “old days.” We make it a special point to have dinner at a local restaurant named “Maggies.” Tomorrow will peruse some of the local places including a Motorcycle museum and the house that Maggie lived in. Maggie Valley seems to be a pretty historic town.
After dinner we ride back to our hotel . We are staying at the Comfort Inn which has high speed internet , a new requirement of Carols for our blog. We use the pool and hot tub which felt marvelous. Rain is in the forecast so we park our bike under the hotel lobby front entrance overhang and cover it up good for the expected rain. Tired from our long day we turn in early but happy. A good trip so far. Carol is always excited about the up coming new day. A good passenger she is.
Chriss and Carol
