| Author | Message | ||
     Jerry_haughton |
i took the day off and went riding today, for me, for Matt. the passenger floorboards were down all day, and we both had a great time. we checked out a good chunk of the Blue Ridge Parkway today, about 155 miles when it was all said and done, not only the Parkway but some pretty tasty side roads, as well. he liked it a lot when we'd drag the floor boards going around corners. the amazing rock church in the first pix is the Bluemont Presbyterian Church, right on the Parkway at milepost 192. we spent over an hour there, and were the only visitors. the church is one of the original "Rock Churches" founded in the late teens and early 20's. the old hand-hewn log cabin was pretty cool, and quiet. we had to drop off the Parkway, down onto the piedmont, to find it. not long afterwards we visited Laurel Hill, birthplace and boyhood home of Civil War Confederate Major General J.E.B. Stuart. the Stuart family farmhouse is long gone, but 71 acres of the original homesite are open to the public, and includes a self-guided interpretive tour. we stopped up the road in Stuart, Virginia to grab a mocha, but the coffee shop was closed. next door, however, was a small music store, and we hung around there for over an hour, just us and the shopkeeper, talking about music in general, guitars, the South, the Parkway, and what it means to be alive. it was a very nice visit, and we left with a bluegrass CD by Kenny Smith called "Studebaker" - can't wait to give it a spin. it was getting on in the day, and i'd promised Matt i'd have us both home by dark, so we humped up into the mountains again, on another twisty green-lined gem of a road, and ended up at the Tuggles Gap Restaurant and Saloon at MP 165 on the Parkway, where we sucked down some suds in the warm afternoon sun and shot the shite with a couple of fellow free spirits. i only took a few photos at Mabry Mill, altho we spent over an hour there. it's still early in the season up here, and tho the restaurant and gift shop are finally open again for the season, we pretty much had the place to ourselves. this place is amazing, and Matt said he definitely wants to come back. and as promised, i had us home by dark. the day started gloomy, and threatening rain. i didn't care; the weather matched my mood this morning. i didn't take any additional gear with me, and didn't give a flying rip what the weather had in mind, i was spending the day on the bike, and getting my head back in shape. and as the day progessed, the skies cleared and my spirits flew, up and down and around on some of the prettiest mountain roads you'll ever want to see. like i said, the passenger boards were down all day, and i know that Matt was with me and having a ball. next time, he says, he'll be riding his own bike. can't wait to see what he gets.  FB           (Message edited by jerry_haughton on May 09, 2007) | ||
| Vortec57 |
Beautiful ride, can ya tell us more about it? | ||
| Rotzaruck |
FB, I'm slow, or maybe the drugs still got me. Had to look twice, then I caught on. Very Nice Ed | ||
| Nevrenuf |
great pics jerry, wish i had my bike up here in chattanooga to ride around and enjoy the area. and nothing like a good ride to clear the mind, hope your doing alright. | ||
| Road_thing |
Great pix, Jerry, thanks! rt | ||
| Bcordb3 |
FB, Looks like a great ride, thanks for sharing. | ||
| Oldog |
Thanks for Sharing Jerry, I have My passenger pegs down too.. | ||
| Prior |
Jerry, Thanks  . I was out for a bit myself this morning, saw the sun rise along the river, watched a few barges lock though and even caught a glimpse of a few eagles soaring high above. I do wonder what Matt is riding... Alex | ||
| Ulywife |
FB - thanks for sharing - beautiful pics. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
thx everyone, here's a few more. FB           (Message edited by jerry_haughton on May 10, 2007) | ||
| Ragnagwar |
Beautiful!!!!!!!!!!! Thank You! | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
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| Sleez |
beautiful words, beautiful pics, beautiful sentiment. thank you | ||
| Icon12r |
I can only imagine what a view like that must be like in person... I'm sure Matt enjoyed it, Thanks for sharing.  | ||
| Bomber |
funny, innit? I was riding to work this mornin -- got an early start, and was treated to the sunrise comin outa the Lake (Michigan) -- scattered clouds and fog rising outa the water made it an on-again, off-again view, it was a bit chilly, but, while diddy-boppin down LSD, I was thinkin of Matt, his family, the kindness shown by those on the board, and, though I was looking forward to a fairly stupid day at work (which is, of course, why they pay me), I was smilin and generally pleased with myself by the time I got to the Loop -- all pegs down, of course -- thanks for the company on the ride, Matt! | ||
| Djkaplan |
"...I have My passenger pegs down too..." Next time I do my favorite little loop around here, I'll have my passenger pegs down just in case. It's really the only thing I can do right now. | ||
| Twig |
Thumbs up Jerry, that was my favorite pic. Perhaps at Fox? something turnout? Can't quite remember. Great thing you did yesterday. Next time I make a grits run to the Mill, I'll be sure to send a pm in advance. I can show you where my wife's parents cabin was, and elaborate why it was torched. Maybe five miles away from the Mill. Take care Jerry... | ||
| Vortec57 |
Thanks for adding the story. | ||
| Pdxs3t |
Cool stuff! | ||
| Vortec57 |
About to leave work. Although it's not the most fun ride, its WAY more fun than riding to work. Think I'll drop my pegs when I get to the bike. | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Next time I make a grits run to the Mill, I'll be sure to send a pm in advance. that'd be cool, Twig. thx all who have posted. ride in peace, Matt Ware. FB | ||
| Matts_mom |
Jerry, What a beautiful ride! Thank you for taking Matt with you -- I know he was smiling! God bless you! Lori Ware |
