Jaw-Ja Trip #1 (2013) - Visiting my Nephew
I have a number of family scattered throughout the south so it is nice, on occasion an when the weather is pleasant, to head south for a visit. This is just such a ride report.
I scooted outta work on Friday at 5 and did the traffic shuffle all the way to 29. Speaking of shuffle...I felt a bit of wiggle in the rear and stopped to inspect it. Sure enough, I forgot to secure two of the bolts on my rear wheel.:huh Dumbass. That could have been deadly.
Back to the RR. So I'm kicking it cruising along 29 headed as far south as I can make it with daylight. I pick Dyke Rd to bypass Charlottesville in the midst of evening rush hour. I really just don't like other cars on the road if I can help it.
Near Walton Mountain
I fueled up in Crozet, got some beer and snacks, made a visit to Hppyfngy :wave and went up to the BRP.
I always stop here.
The picturesque Christmas tree farm just N of 56.
I decided to turn in early and made a stop for a church I scouted out on googler earlier in the day. Up the gravel road I ascend.
I thought this would be a quiet place to spend the night and hop back on the parkway in the morning. I took some leftovers I had packaged in tinfoil and heated them up on the header.
It was a bit chilly so I put on my hat. I slept comofortably out of the 20 mph wind that howled all night and blew the tree branches into the cemetery. The moon was full and illuminated the scene in a calming blue glow. I did not hear many critters.
The next morning I woke up before the sun, quickly packed my bag, plugged in the electric vest and set on down the parkway.
Otter Creek
Open fields outside Roanoke
I love seeing these Stella 150 2T Side Car rigs. Crack me up :lol2
I stopped at Tuggles Gap to get some gas and maybe breakfast. They looked very busy and I wasn't incredibly hungry so I just got gas and went on my way. The $5 piece of pie will have to wait till next time :tb
Mabry Mill. I couldn't be troubled to stop. Been past it so so so many times
Same with this sign.
Riding is all about seeing what's over that hill...
This French guy had rented a Camaro SS with the 427 and was very happy to show it off and then do a burnout as he left.
Grandfather Mountain and the Lynn Cove Viaduct
I absolutely love this bridge.
The light green of an early spring at elevation.
The Orchard at Altapass
I think that is the highest mileage I've ever received on the GS
When you enter some of these tunnels, it is absolutely pitch black. The transition from bright summer day to darkness is so quick eyes cannot properly adjust...especially with sunglasses :eek
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK GUY!
I followed this dude into some corners for a bit at 30-40 over and he nearly lost it everytime...with a passenger no less. I backed off and let him do his own thing. It was pretty scary.
The scenery above 5000 ft is magnificent. I love the balsalm and spruce
I met up with my aunt and uncle on a Goldwing and ST1300 at Mt. Pisgah. We then descended to their beautiful mountain home from there.
I always love riding with my aunt and uncle :nod
Waterfalls along the roadside
I spent the night with my family and then set out to my sister's place in GA. Leaving their gated neighborhood, there are so many deer with little care for motor vehicles...
Oh Dam. I imagine this was once much more majestic before being dammed upstream.
I rode down to Highlands, NC. This quaint and luxurious mountain town is just up the amazing twisties from Bridal Veil falls. This has been on my list for years so I had to make a detour. It was raining but who cares.
That road was killer.
Self Portrait:
Well what the heck are they looking at?
I pull over to see.
I decided to go for a short hike higher up this stream.
A view of N Georgia from the mountains looking south.
All sortsa strange painted metal shit. Art they call it. Yeah...Art.
Found some dirt around Black Mountain, GA
And out of the rain and mountains down to the hot fields of hay.
Lake Burton
What trip to the south would be complete without a shot of the Baw-ld Peanuts stand
Just tearing up the twisties on 17/75. I remember riding this road with Dad in 2009 and had to make a return visit. What a blast.
After going up and down the mountain twice, I set south to the Alpine-themed village of Helen.
Even the Motels...:lol3
Yup...she about sums it up
Being Memorial Day it was PACKED. The line of cars heading south (from ATL) stretched at least three miles.
:tb Name that car :ear
Atlanta in all it's hazy hot glory
Perfect weather for cutting hay
I had a great time visiting family (pics omitted). We ate well and seeing my nephew grow up is a rewarding treat.
The following day I was back up in the mountains poking around.
Winding around some backroads off Hwy20
Trolling it up
Back in Highlands, NC
Getting lost on some dirt road.
Just as the sun set...I realized I should probably find somewhere to lay my head for the night...
MIddle of nowhere for 10 minutes. Me and my favorite sign machine. We go way back.
Sweet I found a campsite and a beautiful stream.
This would be a great place to camp tonight but I am stupid and crazy. The sun was up for at least another 45 minutes and riding time wasted ain't my mistake. ON I GO
To be rewarded with these spectacular views.
Up to the Spruce Bald but it was too cold...had to head down. It also started raining.
Things got cold, dark and cloudy as the BRP wound higher and higher into the spruce and pine
The cool breeze was welcoming
Alright...now it is finally time to not be an idiot and go boondock somewhere before you hit one of the many deer.
I rode the Mt. Pisgah Hwy (151) down to a nice pull off in the forest.
I set up my hammock, had a beer and leftover sandwich from my sister then went to sleep.
I awoke around 2AM to some bird flying around the hammock. It spooked me at first but then I didn't give a damn and went back to bed...for a few hours. Around 4:00 I heard a distinctive Cock-a-DOO about 15 feet away. WTF :huh
Sure enough there were three roosters in the trees around my hammock going at it. There weren't any houses nearby and I was in the National Forest at 3000ft. Whatever.
Off I go to enjoy the sunrise!!!
Mmmmmm Turkey
Poking up to Craggy Gardens where I made coffee and had breakfast at the deserted picnic area.
I slipped down in the shadow of Mt. Mitchell to this tight valley and beaufitul stream.
Hung out here for quite a while as they cut the grass.
Good job boys.
Well I'll be damned!
No really...most of the population of this state probably thinks I will be
Riding "The Snake" - Hwy 421 is best on a weekday morning when NOBODY is around :thumb
Shady Valley, TN
Yeah I'll take some
The world's shortest natural rock tunnel...I believe. Just outside Damascus
This church was absolutely stunning. The texture of the wood was phenomenal.
SELFIE
I rode Hwy 58 for a while then turned onto some fun back roads and twisties just getting lost but aiming in generally the right direction. I spotted a turn a little bit later for Raven Rocks. WTF!?!? I've been here before but from the North. I stayed at this campground once when I grabbed the VA tag and circumnavigated the state of VA in a weekend. Cool! I'll go take a lunch break over here and snack while I reminisce.
Oh...oh my.
All of them were sealed. Someone was NOT getting lucky :lol2 I can only imagine what the story behind this aftermath is...
I leaned on the precarious bike the wrong way when getting my water bottle and shit went pear shaped
Yeah my bike fell right on top of the condoms but I KCCO'd
Lead Mine
It warmed up quickly so I sped up to run directly into this T-Storm. For better or worse...it worked. NO pics but it sure did rain...
I discovered my iphone cable had been sucked into the wheel. Whoops.
KICKING IT
Up on the BRP enjoying the views.
Making great time when...more construction at Mile 5. Doh!
and a little gravel. YES
Finally headed on back home on 29
Beautiful sunset over the blue ridge.
The T-Storms that missed me left a beautiful fog over the area.
SAY WHAT THE HELL!?!?!
v
My nuvi is on the fritz and sometimes loses signal only to find it again somewhere way way off. Mileage was closer to 1400 for the weekend.
