Kickstand Lodge

This past weekend, August 24 - 26, I took my airhead out for a weekend in the Nantahala National Forest.  She had been feeling neglected since I had ridden my hexhead GS on the trip to Mexico and the American west.  Friday afternoon I rode to Kickstand Lodge in Stecoah, NC and set up camp.

On Saturday I took one of those rides to nowhere in particular.  You just ride and when you see a road you have never seen before you take it depending on the GPS to get you back to the campground.

We did have a strange rain event on Saturday evening.  All of a sudden there was a torrential downpour that lasted about thirty minutes, but the sun continued to shine the whole time.  It was the first time I ever worried about getting a sunburn and drowning at the same time!

Next week I am back in Stecoah at the Iron Horse Motorcycle Resort presenting at the Horizons Unlimited Traveler's Meeting.  Check back to see how it went!

35th Dan'l Boone BMW Rally

August 9-13 found me at the 35th annual Dan'l Boone Rally sponsored by the Tarheel Travelers BMW club out of Charlotte, NC.  This is a laid back little affair that I enjoy attending each year.  The location is only two to three hours from my home depending on the route I take.  The most direct way is ride the Blue Ridge Parkway from Asheville to Boone.

The first night I spent in my tent reading my Kindle (The Mosquito Coast by Paul Theroux) and listening to the rain.  There was heavy rain that night, but the NOAA weather reports promised a better day on Friday.  The NOAA weather report lied.  Friday evening we were treated to another round of rain.

My camp during a sunny period

Friends arrived from Athens, GA and we had a good reunion.  On Saturday I led them on a ride that included the original Mast General Store in Valley Cruces, NC, a ride down Highway 421 (the Snake) to Shady Valley, TN, through the shortest tunnel in the world to Damascus, VA, and then back to Boone.

The post office inside the Mast General Store, Valle Cruces, NC

Shady Valley Country Store, Shady Valley, TN

I do not consider myself a "rally rat" by rallies are a good destination to keep up with old friends and meet new ones.  I really don't have have any other rides planned for a while.  My next "appointment" is the Horizons Unlimited Traveler's Meeting (USA East) in Stecoah, NC in September.  There I will be presenting my trip to Mexico and the American West.  

Guzzis in the Blue Ridge Rally - 2012

No, I don't ride a Guzzi but their rallies are a lot of fun.  Spaghetti, lasagna and Chianti.  This rally is held the first week end August at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground in Cruso, NC.  Usually there are more BMWs at this rally than Moto Guzzis but this year may have been different.  There were more of these Italian steeds than I have ever seen in one place.

There was a little rain Friday and Saturday morning but eventually the weather cleared and the temperatures were perfect for camping.  Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground was crowded.

On Sunday I took the Blue Ridge Parkway back home to Asheville.  The is one of the views I was treated to.

Somebody remind me why I live in these mountains!

Next week I will be heading to Boone, NC for the annual BMW Dan'l Boone Rally.  Check back for a report next week!