05 August 2009

31 Today - 184 miles

The crickets opened a new bar over our campsite last night. All the local crickets came along and sat at the bar and called out to their mates.
The bar didn't close until about 4:00am when they all went home.
Then the birds started up.

Sheesh! Gimme the New York Taxi honking. At least that was 20 floors down, not just above our heads. Do you get the idea I'm getting sick of this camping lark. Probably just done too much of it over the years.

Today we visited Washington DC and I'd defy anyone to do a quicker visit without actually using an F111. Well, it's nice and all, but it is just a National Capital - with monuments. So we rode in one side, rode past the Whitehouse, Washington Monument and Lincoln Monument and rode out the other side. Done. Well, it did take a little longer than that as we had to wait for 5 minutes for Jack and Linda. They were following the instructions from their GPS and we from ours. We went to the same waypoints, but different ways.

Then it was in to Virginia and we made our way to Front Royal. That's the name of the town we are in tonight. Something to do with an infintry garrison stationed here years ago and the Sergeant barking the order "Front and Center to the Royal Oak", a big tree in the parade ground. That became shortened to "Front Royal" and amused some visiting dignitaries so that became the name of the town. Well it is a good story.

We are in a motel again - double glazing - nice and quiet as I need the sleep. We have a big day tomorrow starting out on Skyline which is the start of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Think of Mt Glorious but going for a thousand kays. We'll let you know how it goes.

31? Well, if you count the coloured-in states in the little map up the top right, we hit the thirty first state today - West Virginia. We did it on purpose too. No real need to, but the state border was only a few miles (34) from Front Royal so we went for a ride there.

Took a few piccies:

Interesting take on stop sign rules

One statue

Another one - taller

A house - white

Um - another house?

Mr Lincoln's house

Now this is a good statue. And good to see the two soldiers hosing it down to keep it clean.


Traveling Bandit

Shannendoah River

Enjoying the ride out to West Virginia without trailers

They even warn when approaching Harley shops.

4 comments:

  1. I am so excited for you all to get into North Carolina, Tennessee and North Georgia. You're going to LOVE the roads. Hopefully you'll have time to visit "The Dragon" and the "Cherohala Skyway." There are so many good roads in that area. Be sure to let us know when you'll be in North Florida. If I get enough of a heads up, I'll get some of the GL1800Riders board members together and we can hook up for lunch!

    Ride safe and keep the posts coming!

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  2. Hi Bartman
    Heading onto Skyline and Blue Ridge from tomorrow morning and should be at Deals Gap on Friday. Will be staying two nights in Cherokee to do the area justice.
    Then probably Saturday in Savannah and on to Titusville Sunday to have a look next day at Kennedy Space Centre.
    But this is not set in stone as we still have a few days up our sleeve. Perhaps Sunday might be good for a hookup?

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  3. I'm sooo envious of you now...I spent 5 weeks in and around North Carolina....loved the Blue Ridge Parkway (saw a mountain lion)...the Dragon was awesome and stayed in Cherokee a couple of times...went to a big bike rally there. No alcohol in Cherokee...need to go to the next town for that...make sure to visit the museum in Cherokee...it is fantastic.

    Louise xx

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  4. Sound's like a plan Clint. I've already got a thread started on the "Florida" section of the GL1800Riders board to get something together on Sunday.

    Seeing that you will be in Savannah Saturday night, chances are you will be coming down I-95 heading towards Titusville. If we can plan it, I would love to meet up with you south of Jacksonville, take you down through St. Augustine, along the coast down A1A and then on to Daytona for lunch. From Daytona, Titusville is only about an hour away.

    Take a look at the Florida board, chime in with your comments on the post titled "Sunday, August 9th - Lunch in the Daytona area" and send me a PM on a good way to get in contact with you (email, PM or phone) and lets see if we can't get something together.

    Ride safe!

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