To Delaware and Back

6/27/17 So we meet at Delaware around 6:45 Susan lead most of this day.  It mapped out to be 381 miles but we ended up at 450.  I am having a hard time figuring out how the change.  The ride went off the mapped out route quite a few times.  I believe the worst was around Cadiz.  we got onto 151 and then the GPS wanting to get us back to the waypoint tried to take us on gravel roads, which was Mt. Moriah Rd.  Then it tried another and another finally we got onto Bloomingdale-Smithfield Chanel.  This added 20 miles.   We then went through Steubenville and over the bridge.  Once we were over the bridge the GPS wanted us to go back (assuming it wanted to hit a waypoint)  so we turned and went over a grated metal bridge ( Market Street Bridge)  that was very scary because of it grabbing the wheels.  Once we went that way the GPS seemed to say to go back, so we did a loop and back over the grated bridge.  We stopped for lunch to relax and figure out why was were so off.   Was a great place called the Station

Tappen Lake

Grill in Wellsburg, WV.  We then figured to get back on track it was 27 to 844, this takes us into Washington, PA where we connected to 136.  In Monongahela, we missed our turn over a bridge on 136 so we had to do a turn around.  We were on the till we came to 31 and the eventually 30.

  

Classic American Diner in Breezewood, PA                   
  As we got closer to Caledonia State Park I started worrying about bears  The woods seemed so dense and thick.  They assured us the office that they had no problems with bears.  We did hear raccoon though.                      

     

6/28/17  We woke up very cold, the temp was 49   After packing up and heading out we decided to check our tires.  As Susan was down at the front tired she notices a leak, which was coolant.  So we head back into Chambersburg to a Honda shop.  We find a nice Resturant for breakfast ( which had only been open for 3 days), Chriss.  Then headed over to the cycle shop.  So as they fixed her bike we headed out to find some coffee, duh we went the wrong way so we shopped at a dollar store.

They also added coolant to my bike.  

We headed to Gettysburg and enjoyed our time there driving around.  

 We went to the museum to watch a video about Gettysburg and the cost was more than we wanted to pay.    So we head into town for lunch found a nice little place called Pings Cafe

 We did another duh here, we drove around the large roundabout and finally found a parking place and the sign said Parking except between 2-6.  So it was 1:15, we hurried in and ordered quick.  The sushi and salad were great, we paid early and at 2 minutes till I rush out to make sure no one was going to tow our bikes.  Oh my, I ask a resident if she knew why we couldn't park there at 2 and she said you can, looking at the sign she pointed out that is was A.M.,  wow how did we miss that.

So we take off and I am leading this time and get to Lums Pond State Park around  6;00.  George upgrades us (at no extra cost) so we can have electric to charge our phones and scalas.   Thanks, Goerge.

                                                             

  This was the only sign we could find to show the state of Delaware.

We set up and then head out for supper for crab legs.  We ate at the Tap Room in Chesapeake City

Great food!!

We rode around the beautiful, historical, little town.  Got a picture of the sunset behind the bridge.  Which we rode over to get there and back.  Once back took showers and went to bed.

6/29/17  Great sleep, was nicer temp this morning.  We do Mcd's for breakfast and gas up and head west and south.  The heat was out today but all went well we had great back roads and saw many beautiful homesteads.  I was senjoying the country so much I thought wouldn't it be great if we could find a restaurant for lunch out in the country.  Well sure enough up pops this little place in a tiny town of Lovettsville, VA,    Andys.  We both had Ruebens with no bread.  so good.  

Somehow I thought I was following the GPS but we drove over to Harpers Ferry which I had way pointed not to go that way.  Not sure why that happened.  I had chosen to go through a town called Hillsboro because we have on in OH but when I look on the map it is marked as a road is out.  That is right where my waypoint was.  Maybe the GPS figured that out.  Well we made it to Keyser WV and booked our room at the Microtel.  Went to a mexican restaurant that was not the best.    The next morning we headed out around 8.30 am.  Rt 50 is a really fun road to do, very shaded and sweeping curves.

 Sights along the way.  We hit a bit of rain and it looked pretty bad ahead so we gear up.  Stopped at a gas station in the middle of nowhere.  A Very pleasant man talked about how he raised his girls to be independent.

  Lunch was at a Dairy Queen in Ellenboro, WV.   I think it was the first time anyone asked for a sandwich without bread.  I had pulled pork and side salad, Susan had

ice cream.

We rode together until Circleville, she went north on 23 and I continued on 56.  I got home around 4:30.    Fun Trip!

Our trip to Little Switzerland 2017

May 3

We (Susan, Dru, Donna & I) meet up at the Speedway in South Bloomfield on rt. 23 at 10:00.  Was so cold out, about 45 if I am remembering right.  We head out going south on 23 with Susan leading. 

After our first stop for gas and a visit with a truck driver, I suggest we find some back roads because of boredom on 23.  So we put Donna in the lead since her GPS has the capability to follow curvy motorcycle roads.  

Which was great she lead us through some nice road which helped us to go around Ashland, KY, We  were looking for someplace to eat and so she found a bakery on her GPS,(wasn't on mine).  She decided to follow that route and we ended up doing a half paved half gravel tiny road, Up hill and down.

We were laughing and scared at the same time.  As soon as we came to a stop sign Susan rolled up and told her we wanted to head back to 23.  We didn't know she was going for a bakery thought it was her GPS picking out motorcycle roads.  Donna was not able to connect her Scala with our for some reason so that is why we had no idea why she was taking us on this awful road.  

  We ended up eating at the Wendy's that my parents always go to on their way down to their house in the mountains.  

Soon after that 23 becomes much more fun to ride, nice big sweeping curves.  By the end of the day, I did 323 miles.  We stayed at the Holiday Inn in Norton, VA. We parked our bikes under the awning in front of the smoking bench, got settled in and went to  Mi Finca Mexican for supper.    

Rosemarie joined us around 8:00 that evening.  Dru ended up moving hers and my bikes due to a grumpy smoker that gave them a hard time.  

May 4

I lead this day, we did 127 miles, we left at 8:30 so we would miss the rain that was going to hit Little Switzerland at 11:00.We got into a very scary windy patch along hwy 107 and 226.  Many limbs and leaves down on the road and blowing like crazy.  The route we took wasn't the best, I just let the GPS pick the way - 23, 58, 224, 36, 107, 226 also a section called 226A was a short cut it looks like and then back onto 226 and later, onto the Parkway.  We got in around 11;30 it started raining bad at 12:30.

Here is the gas station called North Roan Shell Food Mart, it had beer taps.  On the corner of 36 and 19W.

This how it looked around there when the fog came in.  

We had lunch and then supper on our own there at the Little Switzerland Resturant.  Registration was not until 5:00 so we just hung around and visited the shops down the road and found a wonderful dinner that we did lunch at for the next two days.  Played dominoes that night was fun.

May 5

Woke to a cold and foggy morning.  Had breakfast with the MM and then a talk or two.  

After lunch  Susan, Donna and I went on a ride up the Parkway.  

Was a nice ride, funny thing that happened was Susan was leading and we passed a waterfall,  Susan and I missed it but Donna was able to stop and get a picture.  Susan and I went up to the next Overlook to turn around and as we were turning I said:  " good time to practice our slow turnarounds"  I look up and Susan somehow had gotten the frame of her bike stuck up on the curb/ sidewalk and the back tire was spinning.  It scared the crap our of me I dismounted as fast as I could.  She was gunning it for some reason and eventually, it came off.  We checked it out and only scraps on the bottom of the frame so we head on back to meet Donna at the waterfall.  Well, we took so long Donna thought we weren't coming back so she passed us, and then waited until we checked out the waterfall and headed back to her.   Took a little break to tell what happened.  Susan did really well, it didn't seem to upset her nerves at all.,  

Back at Moxie we had our free drinks and cheese and heard of what others in our group had done that day.  

May 6

Was a bummer we didn't go out and ride this day at all because of expecting rain all day.  It was cold but the rain was on and off till around 5:00 then a downpour.  Here this was International Ride day.  We sat around putting puzzles together and playing Yahtzee.

Dinner was really good and then speakers until 10:00

Starting at the left Tina, Gerry, Rosemarie, Dru, Margaret, Susan, me, Pam and Donna.  Nice bunch of ladies.  

May 7

So we had breakfast and then got ready and headed out.  With the plans to do The Snake we thought we should head out early.  When doing the back roads you just don't know how long it will take.  Rosemarie chose to ride on her own straight to our hotel so she left later and heard all the speakers.  

Being Sunday morning the Mast store in, Valle Crucis NC,  was closed but we got a picture of our stop.  

The Snake was great, a lot of sweeping and tight twisties.  

We stopped at Castlewood for lunch and great little place.  We all loved it, everyone was so friendly. 

We made it to Prestonsburg KY., in good time we landed around 4:30.  Rosemarie makes it in soon after and we ordered pizza and had a good relaxing time visiting.  Also talking about our ride the next day.  

May 8

We took off around 9:30, again Rosemarie wanted to wait till warmer weather so she chose to ride on her own.  She is a good rider and she has a lot of experience riding on her own.  I always feel bad when that happens but we are all strong women and we know we can ride alone.  We rode 23 to Louisa and then Dru broke off so she could get home sooner.  Donna, Susan and I decided to do the back roads. 

We did the 152 great motorcycle road took it into Huntington.  We ate lunch there close to the Marshall University at Sabatino's Sandwich Kitchen.  Then crossed the river and took 775 to 141 which were also great riding roads.  Went on up to Rio Grand and Susan took 35 to 23 home but Donna and I continued on back roads.  160 was a great road took it close to McCarther and then 93 up to 56 and took that to 38 for me and Donna to 42 on home.  

What a trip I hope I will always remember the good times and great friendships.  We really had no bad times even with the rain and cold.  Thanks to everyone for the pictures.  I forgot my camera so got the shots off of FB.