Bryson City North Carolina to Erie Pennsylvania

It was a dry morning. El Nomad and Solo headed out for Colorado and Bassman and Laura were on the road to Arkansas before we left at 7:00 AM. We headed east on US 74, stopping at the Rest Area near Waynesville to check the trailer tie-downs. All was in order.

I wondered why the GPS had tried to take us over US 19 instead of 74 and then tried to route us to Lake Junaluska. As we approached I-40, I realized that it was trying to take us home via I-75 and Detroit. No matter how many times I say that using a GPS is an art, not a science, I find that I often neglect to check the map after punching in a destination. When will I ever learn?

The Great Smoky Mountains

As we headed east on I-40 towards Asheville, I saw the hugely oversize load we had encountered yesterday going over the mountain on US 441. It was parked at a weigh scale on our side. I'm not sure if it was there by choice or otherwise.

It started spitting a bit of rain as we went around Asheville on I-240, but the Sunday morning traffic was very light. We headed north on I-26 up over Buckner Gap and into Tennessee at Sams Gap. I let the engine braking hold us as we descended the other side. After going though Johnson City, we stayed on the Interstate to its end at I-81, then took that northeast into a headwind.

Kudzu along I-81

Pretty Virginia countryside

I made a fuel stop in Glade Spring, Virginia. The $3.109 sign at the Petro caught my eye but the Marathon at $3.099 had easier access. I also got a coffee to go. As soon as we pulled back out on the highway, we were surrounded by traffic. I have no idea how that happened since it was quiet a few moments before.

It started raining again in Marion and was coming down steadily as we exited at Wytheville. turning north on I-77. We  cleared both tunnels and entered West (By God) Virginia without any problem. This is where the rain stopped again and the road started to dry.

Climbing to Bluefield WV

Most of the northbound vehicles had Pennsylvania plates. I wonder if those folks who attach luggage racks to their trailer hitch receivers know that it is illegal to obscure their licence plate? I was pleased to be passed by a Denny's charter coach. These buses are based on Highway 24 north of Guelph, Ontario so it was a touch of home.

We stopped at the WalMart in Fayetteville, WV where I bought a card that added 400 x 2 minutes and twelve months to my Tracfone. I now have almost 1,300 minutes and am good until November 2015. Then we crossed over to Mickey D's and ordered McNuggets and a burger to go. Sandy had her blueberry/pomegranate smoothy as well.

I tuned to the NASCAR channel on the satellite radio to listen to the race from Watkins Glen. Now that I am leading the VROC Fantasy League for the season, I have everything to lose. We stopped at a Rest Area near Fairmont for a bathroom break and another Denny's bus pulled in. Most of the passengers were Asian and the driver told me they were heading back to Toronto from Greensboro, NC.

Entering Pennsylvania, we stopped briefly for fuel in Waynesburg. This would be enough gas to get us to the Service Centre in Angola, New York tomorrow for our last top up prior to crossing back into Canada. Despite it being Sunday afternoon, the traffic around Pittsburgh was relatively light. There was a sign north of the city that said roadwork would be starting tomorrow. We played leapfrog with several more Denny's buses.

Near New Castle, a southbound bridge was down to one lane. Traffic was lined up for five miles behind this. Better them than us. Once again, we dodged a bullet.

Interesting tractor

Ohio River

Chrome skinned Cadillac

Yet one more Denny's bus

Southbound traffic backed up at New Castle

We made one more stop in a Rest Area just south of Grove City, Pennsylvania. There was an ambulance collecting one of the travelers from an SUV. The other passengers were elderly ladies. I didn't find out what the problem was. I called the Super 8 in Erie to be sure they had a room and made a reservation. Then another Ontario bus, this one out of Owen Sound, pulled in and the passengers, mostly Asian again, headed for the restrooms.

I asked one young lady what was up. Apparently, Market America (shop.com) had hosted a gathering in Greensboro, NC with 30,000 attendees. The largest contingent was from Toronto and, for some reason, it had been promoted heavily in the Chinese community in Ontario. Just another multi-level marketing scheme from what I could find.

Ambulance in Rest Area

Owen Sound bus

As we pulled into Erie about 7:35, I noted that the truck had turned over 80,000 miles today. Not bad considering it had 33,099 when we bought it in June, 2012. We stopped at a Subway located in the Pilot truck stop at Exit 27 and got sandwiches to take to our room. Across the street on the way to our motel, we saw three large enclosed trailers hooked to heavy duty pickups. There were also motorcycles in the beds of the trucks, indicating that these were probably Harley's following their owners back from Sturgis, SD via commercial transporters. Then again, with my trailer behind me, who was I to judge?

We checked into the motel, a lot  cheaper this Sunday night than on a Friday or Saturday. I was tired and just read a few pages of Harry Turtledove on my Kindle before going to sleep.

Today's Route (652 Avalanche miles):
 

Interactive map

Bryson City WWR8 - Wayah Road and Franklin

The forecast rain was nowhere to be seen this morning. Wrong Turn & KT, Phillip, Jaime & Caleb and Butch & Teresa pulled out early heading for home. Some of the rest rode out for breakfast while Sandy and I stuck with out raisin bran and toast. I missed biscuits and gravy plus bacon and eggs (although not so much grits) but my arteries thanked me even if my taste buds didn't.

Further checks of the weather radar showed nothing of significance on the horizon, so we decided to go for another ride. Our second visit of the year was drawing to a close and we still hadn't taken our first run across Wayah Road. Flip, Blain, Rainman, Southern Draw and Missouri riders Watchmen, Liz, Rick and Theresa decided to join us. Wayah Road runs from the Nantahala Gorge to Franklin and, despite reports of some gravel in the corners, carries a five star rating.

We left the Lodge and Flip led us down US 74 into the Gorge. Just before we got to the two-lane winding part, some twit in a pickup towing a boat poured on the coals to stay ahead of us. Then he drove slower than we liked through all the curves. Some people's kids. No matter, we figured we would be done with him when we turned on Wayah, so we cruised along waving at rafters and people riding the scenic train out of Bryson City. There is something for the bucket list.

Heading out US 74

Pretty flowers abound

Looking back on US 74

A river somewhere

We came to the turnoff to Wayah Road and, just our luck, the pickup and boat turned ahead of us. With the road tightening, his speed decreasing and Flip riding his ass, the truck finally pulled over and let us go by. Wayah deserves its reputation. In addition to some loose stone, there were a lot of splintered branches lying in the road. To compound the experience, it had rained here recently and some corners under the overhanging trees were wet. Some sections were winding and some were just plain tight. Those parts reminded me of Wolf Pen Gap in Georgia, sans the double row of cats' eyes in the centre. I went easy due to the wet and only had the back tire slide once.

After forty or so miles of twisting and turning, we arrived at the main road into Franklin. I misdirected Flip at an interchange (yes, he has a CB too) but, after a U-turn in a church parking lot, we rode into town and stopped at a gas station to decide what to do next. While there, we met a group of lady riders from the Lansing Michigan area who were heading home tomorrow. It started to rain so we followed Blain to Mulligan's Sports Bar & Grille, where it immediately stopped raining.

Mulligan's - Franklin NC

After a satisfying lunch, Flip, Blain and Rainman decided they would continue on US 64 and return to the lodge via NC 215 and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Missouri crowd plus Southern Draw opted to take the more direct route back, following me north on NC 28 (aka Moonshiner 28).

I led at a moderate pace as we went through the curves and graduated to the tighter turns as we crossed some ridges on the north end. Liz was right behind me on her blue Vaquero.  I could see her in my right hand mirror and hear the lean popping as she backed off going into the corners. SD brought up the rear and said he likes following me because I am a steady leader. I took that as a great compliment. As Red Green might have said, if you can't be fast, be steady.

NC 28 aka Moonshiner 28

Not a lot of clearance in some places

Lots in others

In NC, one curve leads to another

As we got into Two Rivers, Flip called to say that they were at Dry Falls on US 64 where Blain had a flat tire. Plugging wasn't an option because he had tube tires to go with his spoked wheels. Kathy was getting set to take their Suburban and trailer out to retrieve him, but Southern Draw and I said that we went out with him and we would bring him back.

We hooked my trailer to the Avalanche and the two of us set out on our rescue mission. The power cord for the GPS car mount wasn't working (maybe I shouldn't have left it mounted in the hot windshield for three days), so it was a  good thing Bill was along. We took US 74 the other way to US 441 south, a four lane road that led to Franklin with one huge hill and many fewer turns than 28. As we got to the bottom of the grade on the other side, we saw a huge load about to head up northbound. That was going to be a trick. On the way, Bill and I got a little quality time to talk about this, that and the other.

In Franklin, we headed east on US 64 towards Highlands, a very twisty road for a trailer. About 40 miles after leaving Two Rivers, we came to the Dry Falls parking lot and the guys (and gal since Renata was riding behind Flip). The tire had gone down while they were down looking at the falls, a lucky thing considering some of the drops off the tight corners on 64. A sudden loss of pressure on that road would not have been nice.

The lot was full so I just pulled up in the middle and dropped the ramp. After adjusting the Condor chock depth for the Harley's bigger diameter but narrower front wheel, and relocating the tie-down loops, Blain rode the bike in and we tied it down. Although a few other drivers looked to be on the edge of snarky, we were in and out in just over five minutes.

Blain ties down the back of his baby

To get back to Bryson City, we just retraced our path. I got to know Blain a lot better as we drove along. He is a genuinely likable fellow and it was my pleasure to help him out after all that he has done for others. As we got to the bottom over the grade on 441, we saw the large load just getting there. For some reason, it was exiting the four-lane and going onto a narrower two-lane road. I'm glad we weren't down there.

When we got to the lodge, I pulled the trailer around back of the motel and we unloaded the bike in front of Blain's shop. Then we  found most of the folks were going to the Bar-B-Que Wagon in Bryson. This was the place we had seen Badger and Susan a couple of days earlier, but we had never eaten there. Because the trailer was still connected and the evening was pleasant, we took the bike.

Saturday night at the BBQ Wagon was busy. Very busy. there was no room to sit inside so we commandeered some outside tables and then we went in to order. There was a special BBQ sandwich (pulled pork), fries and a drink combo, so I ordered two for Sandy and I. They were quite tasty.

Solo from Colorado at the BBQ Wagon

On the way back to the lodge, I noticed that the bike had turned over 250,000 kilometers on the clock. Not bad considering it was still running just fine.

Another milestone

The entertainment tonight was bluegrass. The group wasn't a formal band with niceties like a name, but they gathered to play local venues when they felt the urge. It added a nice mountain touch to the evening. I don't watch the TV show Moonshiners so I probably wasn't sufficiently awed to find one of the stars, a fellow named Mark Rogers, kicked back in one of the chairs listening to the tunes.

As the boys played, I worked on fixing the GPS power problem. Thinking it might be a blown fuse, I took the plug apart and checked it. It seems that all it needed was to be taken apart and put back together. We were good to go.

Our bluegrass entertainers

My boy Bill with Mark Rogers of Moonshiners

As the sun went down, Sandy and I packed our suitcases and loaded them in the truck. Then I pulled the trailer out onto the asphalt and loaded the bike. When all was suitably tied down, I put the truck back on the grass and went back to mingle.

The last night of a rally is bittersweet as the glow of camaraderie is offset by the sadness of everyone leaving the next day. The bonus this time was that a lot of us would be gathering again in Arkansas in another five weeks. Still, things were subdued as the rain started to fall again.

Last night of WWR8

Mad Kaw concentrating

Signing the sign

As the evening wound down, we reflected on the great job that Southern Draw and Southern Charm did in putting this Wandering Rally together. It is a big challenge to organize the event that commemorates Wolfman, but they did him proud. Also, more probs to Blain and Kathy and Two Rivers Lodge for once again hosting us in first class style.

With a long day ahead of us tomorrow, Sandy and I retired to our room at 10:30 and to bed soon after.

Today's Route (92 motorcycle miles):

Interactive Map

The Rescue Route (86 Avalanche miles):

Interactive Map

Bryson City WWR8 - (Mostly) Rain Day

We woke up to thunder and rain. Mal & Yvette had to leave today to get back to Alabama and catch a flight home to Colorado. CheapB and Wanda left with them. A few others suited up to ride into Bryson City and have breakfast with them. Sandy and I had raisin bran and toast in our room again, a more cost effective and healthy (albeit less tasty) option when compared to traditional southern breakfasts.

The rain eased after a while but radar showed it would be back before long. That took the joy out of planning a ride today, so we just sat outside and visited with the others. At lunch time, Blaine and Kathy got out some of the leftover food from the Meet and Greet last night and fired up the grill. We enjoyed a fine lunch. It's hard to find hosts as good as they are no matter wherever you might go.

Teresa & Butch wiping the Nomad down between squalls

Wrong Turn and KT back from breakfast

Southern Draw selling armlengths of raffle tickets

Some bikes didn't even get uncovered

After several waves of rain throughout the day, we started making plans to head into Cherokee to the Chestnut Inn (formerly the Holiday Inn) for the banquet. I had offered to take Phillip, Jaime and Caleb in the truck. Unbeknownst to me, Sandy had also offered a ride to Laura and Bassman. The truck seats five, but we can squeeze in six if one is small. We had now committed to seven. Since the rain looked like it had let up until later in the evening, Phillip and I took the bikes while Bassman drove the Avalanche with the others.

We followed the Avi to Cherokee at a very slow pace, wondering what was going on. When we got to the hotel, Laura was laughing as she told us Bassman hadn't realized the truck speedometer was in kilometers. As he got up to 50 MPH, he looked down and saw the needle at 80. Figuring it was a very fast truck, he slowed down. Way down.

VROC at the Chestnut Inn

The banquet consisted of a seafood and prime rib buffet. The only thing that was extra was the crab legs. The staff came around and asked if we wanted the legs but Sandy and I declined. Poor Phillip hadn't realized that seafood was on the buffet. He was allergic and was starting to react to the smells, but managed to get through the evening without having to resort to his EpiPen.

I managed to get through a couple of servings of prime rib cut from the rarer end, along with a healthy helping of veggies. I skipped the salads as I usually do at a buffet. My stomach capacity is finite and it only makes sense to focus on the big ticket items.

Waiting for the food to come out

Rainman and SixPack Jack

Southern Draw selling a few last minute raffle tickets

When the meal was done, Southern Draw and his lovely spouse, Southern Charm, began the after dinner segment. The raffle prizes were arrayed on a long table at the front of the hall. I need to extend thanks to Riders of Kawasaki and, even more, to Kawasaki USA and the many local businesses and VROC members, for their contributions.

Before we got to the raffle, Bill called a series of names and had those people come up to the front. These were all US military veterans and he wanted to acknowledge them and thank them for their service. He presented each of them with beautiful knives from his extensive collection. I also received a Buck Creek knife for being the first one to sign in at the rally.

Acknowledging the veterans

Southern Draw then reprised his rendition of Vince Gill's Rest High On That Mountain in honour of Wolfman and all the members we have lost over the years. As he sang, I closed my eyes and let a slideshow play out on the back of my eyelids. Wolfman, of course. And Gunslinger, Kilo, Chuck Burt, Chunk, Snake and so many others. More recently, there were Gator, Lonnie and April. By the time Bill's mellow tones faded away, my eyes were kind of wet. It hurts to lose friends but the joy of knowing them makes it worth the pain.

Finally, it was time for the raffle. SD called out numbers and people came forward to pick up their prizes. Some weren't paying really close attention and needed to be nudged to check their tickets. Still, there were a lot of happy riders who left the hall with armloads of swag.

Southern Draw calls another winning number

After the prizes were drawn, there was supposed to be music at the Chestnut featuring Somebody's Child (Southern Draw's son and his fiance). In a moment of brilliance, they suggested moving the venue back to Two Rivers. This saved the attendees having to decide whether they wanted to stay here or go back.

Jaime decided that she and Caleb would go back in their sidecar outfit with Phillip, while Bassman drove Laura and Sandy back at a faster clip than he had come up. I hung around for a while talking to some people and then got on the Wing to head back alone. Leaving Cherokee, I got behind a slow moving SUV and decided to pass him on a short straight stretch where nothing was coming the other way. Because it was a solid line, I leaned on it and left them way behind. I also passed a couple on a Harley before arriving at the Lodge. Wouldn't you know it, the SUV pulled in behind me driven by the son of a member. Dirt Digger said there was some mention of crazy-ass riders:-)

We mingled in the parking lot and in front of the rooms to tunes from Somebody's Child. Joker, in an attempt to bolster the amount to be donated from the raffle, got people to pledge money if Susan ZMean1 would wear a pink T-shirt. That was amusing because Joker had already been modeling the very same shirt. Real men can wear anything, I guess.

Joker, secure in his masculinity

Now Susan is wearing the shirt

Some people have stuffed animals

Pecos wearing a shirt that is just plain scary

The rest of the evening was laid back and low key. Sandy and I finally wandered off to bed around 11:30.

Bryson City WWR8 - Hanging Around The Lodge

I had planned to ride a south loop today but, instead, I stayed back with Sandy. Flip led the ones who wanted to go. We didn't do much except chat and visit during the morning.

Phillip, Yvette, Mal, Sandy and  Kudzu

In the afternoon, a few of us decided to go to Bryson City for ice cream. Phillip, Jaime, Caleb, Mal, Yvette, Butch and Teresa joined us. When I got to Everett Street, the light was red so I stopped. Then, seeing nothing was coming, I turned right. For all the times I have done this, I never noticed the "No Right Turn On Red Light" sign. Phillip pointed it out to me.

Returning to the bikes, there was a couple from the Georgia coast admiring the sidecar. We had a pleasant talk with them. Sidecars are one of the greatest ways to meet new people. Then we went down to Clampitt's General Store to get Caleb an elastic band balsa airplane just like CheapB had.

On the way back to the Lodge, Sandy and I saw a couple of familiar bikes with Florida plates at the BBQ place, so we stopped in to say hello to Badger and Susan.

Caleb getting ready to go to town

Parked on Everett Street

The Pop Shop - an old fashioned ice cream place

You meet the nicest people with a sidecar

Going to buy an airplane

Badger and Susan

Back at Two Rivers, the Meet and Greet started at 5:00. It was the same menu that Blain and Kathy prepared for the Freedom Riders back in June. Hamburgers and hot dogs, beans and potato salad, followed by three kinds of cobbler and ice cream.

I presented Blain and Kathy with a plaque prepared by Danielle on behalf of the Freedom Riders commemorating the 2014 President' Ride. The photo was taken at the Dragon sign the day that Blain rode with us back in June.

Everyone digging in

Carnivores rejoice

I think Blain really likes doing this....

Southern Charm and the ever present pink tablet

Mad Kaw and Pecos

Blain and Kathy with the Freedom Riders plaque

Sandy and our oldest son

Badger and Joker - two double digit VROC veterans

Solo and El Nomad from Colorado

The Cornhole Tournament got underway just as the entertainment was starting. Sandy decided not to play so Badger subbed for her. It made no difference because Bill's brothers skunked us in three ends. The game is normally to 21 but if one team gets to seven before the other team gets a point, that's all she wrote. We repaired to the pavilion where Elvis was just getting started. He put on a good show even if a few tunes, like Proud Mary and Sweet Caroline, weren't traditional Presley standards.

Elvis by the river....

The audience

All smiles

Playthang and Scooter

Greg and Badger

Caleb's flyer

Phillips and Jaime (aka Caleb''s parents)

Our boy Bill

El Nomad, Badger, Joker and the infamous Kudzu

Mal and Yvette looking cozy

Beauty and the Beast (Renata and Flip)

When Elvis wound down after distributing many scarves (mostly to the ladies), we had a short round of Karaoke. Southern Draw started, followed by Renata, Lucky Al and an inspired tune by Flip. Southern Draw finished with a rendition of Go Rest High On That Mountain dedicated to those we have lost. There were some tears, mine included.

Southern Draw in his element

Renata doing Suds in the Bucket

With the music done, most of us adjourned to the long skinny verandah in front of the rooms. Phillip, TBone and I were talking when we noticed everyone else had turned in, so we called an end to the evening. It was about 10:30.