Having been notified I am accumulating too much vacation time, I skipped work Friday took some state roads to the Blue Ridge Parkway at Linville Falls and rode the Parkway part of the way. Cloudy, damp and wind gusts in the 50 mph range made for some high pucker factor moments on the Linn Cove Viaduct but I managed some pictures at an overlook anyway.
I later got off the Parkway to some lower country for improved conditions but ended up back on it later in the day. Much better!
From Highway 614 on a loop I did off the Parkway.
Having managed to successfully turn a 4-hour ride into an 8-hour ride, I arrived to an empty campground.
Soon Brian (DSKYZD) arrived and after he set up, we departed for supper. We were nearly done when in walked Carlos (Arbreacames) and joined us. A few minutes later, in walked Michael (machew01) and our group was complete. Back to the campground where Will, our host had the group fire going and joined us and the only other campers, a couple on a HD for some campfire story telling and conversation.
The next day we awoke to 32 degrees and after bisquits and coffee supplied by Will, in true Hobbit fashion, we set off for 2nd breakfast, ending up at Tuggles Gap. This was as much a way to let it warm up as it was to eat!
Then we started riding! Scenes from the road:
Too cold to take anything off. Check out the Power Rangers!
Brian lead to a road he had wanted to check out, a thing gray line on the Virgina map. Turned into a steep winding, lane and a half track with a lot of sharp technical turns. As Michael said "Not bad for a goat path!"
I rode ahead and at great danger to myself, but with no thought to my safety, perched on the top of an embankment to shoot some pictures on one of the straighter sections of this road!
Brian:
Carlos:
And Michael:
We rode Highway 52 to the top of Big Walker Mountain. Michael checks out the view:
Four amigos on Big Walker:
Back to Willville after supper for more campfire fun.
Michael and Brian:
Carlos:
No Ranger Love sightings (inside joke) but their were other sightings of interest but since what happens on the trip stays on the trip, I won't tell.
Next day we headed our seperate ways after what was probably the last camping trip of the year. I thank the guys for the great company and thank Doug for providing this board which enabled me to meet all the fine folks I have discovered though this place!
Link to all the pictures:
http://h2oman.smugmug.com/gallery/2037035/1
Enjoy!
Nevermind.
