Cherokee Nation

Cherokee tribe. 

C'mon, you didn't sing along?

That's the most clarity I've had the past couple hours. Am I on the Cherokee Indian Reservation? The Smokey Mountains? The Blue Ridge Mountains? All of them?

Let's go with all of them.

Not much surprising or eventful today in the way of the ride other than starting out in Raleigh with the family...

(The reason I'm holding Wes's shoulders is to make sure he doesn't appear taller than me). 

And a short ride through Ashville. Ashville, a city that is waaay more funky than I remember.

For tonight, I'm camped out at the Cherokee KOA.

Tomorrow, I tackle the Dragon.

Shout out to Keith, Marti, and Samuel, who I met at the campground this evening. Thanks for the recommendation to ride the Skyway and to visit the Opryland Hotel when I get to Nashville.

When Life Gives You A Massage Chair...

Here Comes the Rain Again

Oh good, rain's ahead. 

Reminds me of home...

...and Idaho...

...and Montana...

...and Wyoming...

...and South Dakota...

...and Iowa...

George from Scottsville, Virginia

Scottsville is a favorite little town of mine. Only been through once before, but the downtown business strip just feels homey down to the American flags and touches of historical preservation. 

It's also where George struck up a conversation with me. 

He asked about my ride and I asked about a great place for breakfast. Sure enough, it was the restaurant I just rode by 2 minutes ago. The one with the giant chicken out front. 

I should have figured that one out. Maybe it's time for a new road rule: always eat at restaurants with giant chickens out front. 

OK, can't talk anymore--the food's here. 

Times Like These

In order to write about times like these...

You need to have times like these...

Dave from Sebring, FL

I met Dave outside the Big Meadows Visitor Center in Shenandoah National Park. He was sitting at a bench and working on postcards. 

"That your bike?" I asked. 

"Sure is," he said. And then we were off talking motorcycles and rides and adventures. 

Dave has been riding his Honda VTX around the country for 11 years. He's logged 216,000 miles in that time. That's the equivalent of the Puget-to-Potomac-to-Puget... 32 times. 

I liked his setup. He's got all the bags like my Tiger, as well as the fold-up camping chair. He also has something else: a fishing rod. Now if you're going to go out on the road and relax along the way, fishing is a great solution. 

Dave and I went our separate ways; him to pitch his tent for the night and me down to Waynesboro. Along the way, 

at RipRap Overlook, Evan Reed and his family got to talking with me about the Ride and their trip. He and Janna, Jack, and Evan 2 were driving from outside Tennessee to Northern Virginia for a wedding. 

Just for the record, when you have a 15 minute conversation with them and they offer to pray for your safe travels, you're dealing with good people. Travel safe, Reed family. 

Sweet Virginia Breeze

You know you are in Virginia if...

...the wall around your property was once used in a American Revolution or Civil War battle. 

...if the current humidity matches or exceeds the temperature. 

...when talking about horsepower, it's not about a car but an actual horse. 

...for a weekend getaway you have trouble deciding between the mountains or water but do neither because of traffic. 

What else?