West Virginia Part II

Day 3
The morning began foggy but would burn off later. I was still plagued by work problems and hoping to shake it soon. Called work and the contacts I needed, ended up in a conference call at 9:30 am in the parking lot of the motel I was staying at. It felt good to get this sorted out before launching into my vacation. I didn't want the problems of work on my mind as I rode my motorcycle.

With work dispensed with and now truly in vacation mode I was ready to try out the first ride - New River Gorge. Started with a visit to the Carnifax Ferry Battlefield. Very interesting place with great signage. I'd like to visit that again.

Moved on to the Summerville Dam. Nice view and the lake is pretty. Realized that everyone drives fast just like everywhere else. Even if I was riding over the speed limit I found someone right behind me. I either sped up or I'd find a place to safely pull over and let them pass. 39 from Summervile is a food road - had lots of fun on that one.

After the dam, headed to Hawks Nest State Park. I really liked 16 but it is technically challenging. The road almost seems to fold in on itself in several places. You can see the scrapes in the pavement where cars have bottomed out. The views were intense from the lookout platforms. Highly recommended.



New River Gorge Bridge was next on the list. It's quite the ride on a bike - it's straight as an arrow but you feel like you are on top of the world. Only a motorcyclist will experience this kind of thrill. You're just not going to get in a car. Maybe a bit in a convertible. The visitor center was OK and worth a look to get some local history. I used CR82 from the visitor center to head south. CR82 is the old route that people used to cross this section of the river. You really felt like you were going back in time. The road is tight and narrow and even difficult for motorcycles to travel on.

Final stop of the day was in Thurmond. Very nice ride out to this old rail town that is being run by the National Park Service. Worth it - go see it.



Wrapped up the day by travelling 61 to 41. Don't miss the Prince Rail Station.


Day 4
I had moved from the motel the day before and had setup camp before leaving for the days travels. This was the fist morning at the campsite and as I began preparing breakfast I realized that I didn't bring camp fuel. No warm food - no hot tea. I headed into town and grabbed breakfast at the Bob Evans. I know, I know - I'd liked to have found a local establishment but those seem to be far and few between these days as the chains and the box stores have moved in and wiped those places off the map. Made a stop at Spral-Mart for the requisite supplies.

First stop is Babcock State Park - wanted to see the Gris Mill. Very picturesque, would like to camp at this park - looked better than where I was staying. Next headed towards Sand Stone Falls on 20. Took a pictures form the overlook but did not go to the falls themselves. I thought I had less time and could have made the stop. But, so many places and things to do.



Went through Hinton - another nice size town with interesting history.

This was a day of misses. I missed the John Henry statue - the parking lot had been taken over by road crews. It would have been a nice break. Then I wanted to stop in Lewisburg but the traffic was crazy! I almost got taken out by an SUV. I motored on back to my camp site and arrived at 4:00 pm.

West Virginia Part I

I'm back from my trip to West Virginia. This is my once yearly big motorcycle trip and I spent a week on the road touring and exploring West Virginia. I took notes on each day of the trip to remind me of my experiences while I was travelling.

Day 1 - Saturday July 12th
I was on the fence as to whether I should go or should I wait until Sunday. The weather forecast looked dodgy and that always puts me in tension. But, I kept fiddling with the bike and loading up the saddle bags. I was thinking I could do the whole trip to Summerville, my base camp in one day. The bike was loaded and the dogs had been walked and breakfast had been consumed, cleaned and put away by 11:00. Finally, I decided to leave. I had lots on my mind including work. Work had not gone well on Friday and I was leaving with a large project unfinished with a deadline for Monday the 14th.

I made it to Erie, Pennsylvania in time for lunch - about 2 hours away from home. Not bad timing. I was ready for some good food - it pays buckets to eat well when you are on the road. I found a Panera Bread store and had a good vegetarian sandwich and a green iced tea. Remember to stay hydrated as well, I thought. With plenty of fuel in the bike and myself - I was ready to head south to West Virginia. I made it to Waynesburg and an Econolodge. The price was right and the room was clean with new carpet.

Day 2
I was close to Summersville maybe 3 hours most - I didn't want to go and sit at the campground all day. I found a brochure to a toy museum about an hour and 1/2 in Moundsville, West Virginia and it looked interesting. I fueled the bike and checked the tires for air. The temperature was 26 degrees Celsius with light rain and overcast skies. The ride to Moundsville was a full immersion into what I would be doing for the next 5 days. Rolling hills and tall mountains with roads that hugged the contours of the land. The strip malls and franchise joints faded away as I rode deeper into the country side.

Moundsville was town that looked like it's heydays had come and gone several times but there was still some charm left in this town. Must be some opportunities still available as I saw a lot of people. I arrived in town early, before the 11:00 am opening of the toy museum - I found a park called Grand View and thought I'd check that out. The park was located high up on a mountain and when I arrived I was surprised that the 'view' was not grand, it was obscured by trees and the park signs were poor in letting visitors know where to go, where to park and what you could do. I used this as a rest stop and motored on.

The toy museum had changed it's hours and the tourist brochures had not been updated. It turned out to be closed on Sundays and not open. I took a few pictures from the outside and decided it was time to head to Summersville. I took Rt. 250, another curvy picturesque road that was a motorcyclist dream. Found a chain joint for lunch and head for the Spral-Mart for food and snacks. Heading into Summerville the rain began, lightly at first. I found the 'resort' and checked in for camping. The rain was falling harder now. Went to the campsite, could barely make out the site numbers at this point and saw what looked like my spot. It was at this point had turned into a large mud pit. I decided to bag camping that night and motor back into town for a motel room.

The rain was coming down in buckets now. The vents in my jacket were wide open for ventilation and the rain was pouring in. I could barely see out my visor and the ride was nerve-wracking to say the least. Finally after what seemed like miles (about 6 miles to be precise) I found a suitable motel with Internet access. While checking in, water was pouring out of my jacket - I couldn't seem to make it stop. I must have took on several gallons of water. Even after I got in the room - the jacket kept draining for another 1/2 hour.

With Internet access I could start to resolve the mess at work and begin to set my mind at ease for my vacation. I still had to deal with those awful negative thoughts in my head. Talk more about that later.

Putting her back together

I disassembled the top part of Ocean to install some modifications and do some much needed cleaning. The ChargeGuard monitor and the ChargeX on-board battery charger both from Kisan have been installed. These were installed on Corrina my F650Cs. After the rape of Corrina by the Budd's BMW - I never reinstalled the ChargeGuard monitor but later did re-install the ChargeX. The ChargeGuard provides the rider with volt/amp/outside temp readings. This will help me to check on the charge level and keep from overloading the bikes electrical system. I don't plan to add much but it's a handy gadget just the same.

Also, my top trunk and top rack have arrived and I've installed that. This includes a third brake light kit - very cool. Always can use more conspicuity. I chose the V46 from Givi - it seems a bit large but I'm sure I'll get used to it. I don't plan on riding with that case all of the time - just use it for touring and my trips to Rochester. It's got plenty of room to hold two full face helmets.

Tomorrow I need to run to the store and get some oil and some other odds and ends for the trip on Saturday. The day is getting closer and I'm really excited about seeing West Virginia. My GPS is programmed with all of the routes. I'll post some pics after I get the bike back together and have her ready for the road.

On the guitar front - it's going well. Ross my guitar instructor seemed pleased with my progress on the rhythm exercises and Wildwood flower. I've moved on to exercise 1A and will start a 6 attack rhythm soon there after. My friend Steve and I jammed a bit in Rochester this week. He's naturally a better rhythm player and I do pretty good on the melody and lead. We might have little group going here. The camaraderie of a shared passion is something to be enjoyed.

You've got a friend in me

The 4th of July weekend is over and I've returned safe and sound from Amherstburg - meeting up with my best motorcycle buddy ever, Sharon. This was the first time we had met in person and it was just like meeting up with an old friend. There was instant recognition. The moment we met we just started talking about the bikes. She rides an awesome BMW F800ST that she has named Jesse. As in Jesse Owens the famous athlete that beat the Germans in the 1939 Olympics.

We met up at about 5:30 at the Bondy House in Amherstburg. I had started at 11:30 am in St. Catharines and arrived at about 3:30 pm in Amherstburg. The B&B did not open until 5:00 and so I just waited outside for the house to open or for Sharon to arrive. The house opened before Sharon arrived and I met our hostess Carolyn Davies. I was shown my room and around the house - this gave me plenty of time to unwind and relax. This was a good opportunity to play my guitar next to the pond and just let all the tensions of the day and the week before go. Carolyn has created a wonderful B&B. I highly recommend this place if you are going to be in Amherstburg. Carolyn is also a rider and she thoroughly understands the needs of motorcyclists.

When Sharon arrived - we just went right for the bikes and stood outside for an hour talking about them and the ride. I feel that was a magical moment of rider camaraderie. This is one of the things that I love about motorcycling - is meeting other motorcyclist and sharing the love of the ride.

....

It's getting late and I should cut the post short. There is much more to tell but it's Tuesday and that means I have to prepare for the trip to Rochester. I won't be riding as I need to bring some large items back with me like the new trunk and rack for Ocean.

On the guitar front - I'll have my meeting with my Guitar Instructor. I'm doing well on Wildwood Flower - still not quite there yet but improving. My rhythm practice is going well - I think I've got the first exercise. I've moved the metronome from 60 bpm to 75 bpm - sounds not too bad.

Today is the day!

After almost three years of talking to my very good friend Sharon - we finally get to meet in person. Sharon and I have been motorcycle buddies and more since we first started to ride motorcycles. We met on the About.Com beginning motorcycle forum (motorcycles.about.com). I will post pics and words after this weekend. I'm so excited, I'm leaving in about an hour and half.

My bags finally did come in and I installed them myself. I have taken two trips with them and have to say they make motorcycle travel much better. The bags do widen the back end of the bike but that is not a bad thing - it does give you more real-estate in the eyes of the cagers behind you. I plan to add some lights to them but I just have to wait for the cash to roll in for that.

My top box is in Rochester and that will be coming home next week. That will be installed for my trip to West Virginia the following week.

On the Guitar front - that is going well. Ross gave me some songs to play and they are the Carter method of Wildwood Flower. I'm playing it using my fingers instead of a pick. I just like the soft mellow sounds of fingerstyle versus flatpicking. Ross gave me some tips on how to play the rhythm using my fingers to complement the soft mellow tone. It's not the same method that Maybelle used but it works for me and it sounds good. Once I get this song down pat I'll make a recording. Ross also recommended a good book for me to work on rhythm practice - Melodic Rhythms for Guitar from Berklee Press. I have good rhythm but working with sheet music I need a lot of work to read the notes and keep in time. This is a good book to practice that with - it's been slow going but is getting better.