Day #67 October 16, 2007

Day #67
Tuesday October 16, 2007
Front Royal, VA to Waynesboro, VA
122 miles today (27,285 - 27,407)
12,940 miles total
34 states total

ONLY 122 miles traveled today, but oh what miles they were! I rode the 105 mile length of the Skyline Drive, overlooking the Shenandoah Valley. Virginia is an especially beautiful state. The Shenandoah Valley is just awesome. I have no new words to describe the views, and I know the old words are just worn out. The hilltops (mountains here) are just covered in trees in all kinds of colors. The view from up on top (the Skyline Drive) revealed just a patchwork quilt of woods, farms, small towns and open fields. The riding, with a 35 mph speed limit along the entire 105 mile length forces you to take in the scenery. I couldn’t ALWAYS stay at 35, but it did force me to really enjoy the riding today.

I had lunch at one of the ridgetop picnic areas. The pullouts, viewpoints, and picnic areas are numerous. The black bear warning signs are pretty prevalent though. I met a couple, Chuck and Becky from here in Virginia. They had lots of questions about the trailer and my trip. Becky later said I had inspired Chuck to keep on pursuing that motorcycling dream. I think Becky is after 55 acres in the country, so Chuck may have to dream a little longer.

Later in the day at a gas stop, I met a couple, John and MJ, also from Virginia.
He had a sister who lived in Florence, OR for about 3 years. MJ said John couldn’t do a long trip like mine as she just couldn’t be without him that long. But they do ride together, and they know some of what I’ve been experiencing. John has ridden all the roads I intend to take, including Tail of the Dragon. He said the views only get nicer as I go further south toward NC. HOW is that possible!?

The day finished off with one of my riding buddies, Nate Gayle, calling me to check up on me. Nate, you would be speechless seeing some of the views and vistas I have seen today. Just awesome.

It was a VERY good day today.