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mary jack

It Followed Us Home

We arrived home at around 4:15 in bright sunshine. We unpacked, got into our swimming suits and jumped into the pool for the ultimate reward.

Within 5 minutes, the rain came...AGAIN!!! That 1 cloud that had followed us for the whole trip had followed us home. But we pushed on in typical fashion.

Waiting for Mary & Joe

Thanks to our new Nexus cards Marc & Jan zoomed through the border.

Thirty minutes later after a water and bathroom break, we're still waiting for our companions. This delay, in 30 deg heat, after 18 days will test they're mettle.

Riding the Streets of New York

On the 2-hour ride we noticed:

There were a lot of friendly people waving on the streets and on overpasses.

The streets of New York are a lot like Montreal (full of potholes).

The New York Motorcycle Officers do an amazing job blocking the traffic for the ride and leap-frogging ahead to the next intersection. (We ran lots of red lights)

We were 4 of only 6 BMW's in the ride. We got a lot of looks because we were not just another HD.

We crossed about 5 bridges and 2 tunnels during the ride.

The Gathering of the Blue Knights Suicide Run

For the last big splash before going home we joined the New York Blue Knights for the escorted ride through the streets of New York. Here are all the paricipants for the ride from the North East States as well as Ontario and Quebec.
Mary is exicted, Jan is on the BB checking Steve's email, and Marc is just happy.

Suicide Run

We just finished the escorted ride through the 5 burroughs of New York City.

It was very muggy/ hot. Some of us thought it would rain - therefore full gear, others wore t-shirts - the smart ones.

The Last KOA

Enjoying the campfire at our last KOA.

Buying Beer Before Getting to the KOA

Learning from previous errors, Mary & Marc made a quick detour to get beer. The rest of the team waited at roadside for their return.
Upon arriving at the KOA we were greeted by one of the obviously reluctant KOA ambassadors, possibly due to out gang like fomation.

Timing is Everything

After leaving Gettysburg, we decided to skip the remaining sites and head straight to the KOA in Pine Grove.

That proved more difficult than expected. We hit road construction again and again slowing us way past lunch time.

We stopped at Chili's and had to forego the Margaritas - that was bad timing, we still had 2 hours to go.

Because we stopped for lunch we hit Friday rush hour traffic getting through York, PA - more bad timing.

Gettysburg National Military Park

Visiting the national cemetery and the monument of Lincoln's Gettysburg address.

Packing for the Day's Ride

Outside the Hampton Inn in Front Royal Virginia on the morning of August 6th, all our bags are ready to load.

On the road to Pennsylvania today.

Amazing it all fits and we're packed in 15 minutes. Observers outside the hotel always comment on how smooth it seems - 14 days of practice.

Trip to the Cracker Barrel

Since watching all the Cracker Barrel ads during the Grand Ole Opry, we were compelled to eat there. We had been on the look-out ever since Nashville. We spotted one in Front Royal which was only a short distance from the hotel, down the highway.

It didn't seem worth it to take the bikes such a short distance so we walked down the highway, although there were no sidewalks.

As we approached the Cracker Barrel, we realized it we protected by barbed wire. Mary and Marc, true to their law-abinding nature, insisted on walking the additional half-mile around the enclosure. Somewhat unimpressed with this proposition, Janice and Joe jumped the fence. This gave then additional time to shop at Lowe's.

Cruising on Skyline Drive

Shenandoah National Park

Although not as impressive as the Smokey Mountains and the Blue Ridge Parkway, the road was enjoyable and the vistas looked deep into the valleys showing settlements and farmlands.

We saw alot of wildlife including wild turkeys, eagles, numerous deer munching quitely by the side of the road, and cute little bear cub digging at the side of the road (mommy was likely close by but we didn't stay long enough to check).

Laundry Day

Since we are all wearing the t-shirts from the day at Jack Daniel's, it's time to do laundry. Too bad we can't dry our jackets, they're still wet from yesterday's storm.

We made quite an impression when all 4 of us arrived in the KOA office dripping wet. We left behind a large puddle and a look of disdain on the operators face.

Not the Biltmore

When the rain hit we took quick shelter in a local fruit market and asked for the use of their bathroom to dry up and put on rain gear. In return, we bought 3 peaches and 1 apple. (anyone see a pattern here)

We descended into Roanoke Virginia on a twisty highway with about 8 continous 'S' curves with thunder and lightning all around. We are no longer called 'Team GS', we are now 'Riders on the Storm'.

After 2 hours we arrived at our 2 room KOA cabin, soaking wet, hungry and depressed with memories of the Biltmore. We drank the last of the Biltmore wine, sleep came early that night.

The Blue Ridge Parkway

A beautful start to the day. The fog burned off and we enjoyed countless incredible views of the mountains. The parkway had almost no taffic and was like our own private road.

We had a long day of driving planned as we had stayed an extra day in Asheville. The day seemed to fly by on the beautiful roads.... then the rain

Goodbye to Luxury

We had a hard time leaving the Biltmore. We took a final ride around the grounds in the morning fog 15 minutes of driving to get to the main house from the Inn but it was so foggy that we couldn't see the main house. Then another 15 minutes to get off the property. So much for our early start to the day.

Life at the Biltmore

This is not the Asheville KOA.

Wine and Cheese from the winery.

Finally the pampering.