Valley Forge in October ride 2018

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

Along DE 82. Beautiful fall colors.

     Yesterday the Weather Channel forecasted that it would be a great fall day with temperatures in the mid 60s. Sounds like a nice day to go for a ride. Since I hadn't ridden the GL500 Silverwing in a while it seemed like the perfect day to do so. The engine configuration is modeled after Moto Guzzi's, with a v-twin cross ways in the frame, but, unlike the Moto Guzzi's, it is water cooled. For people who don't know about this bike it is a 500cc touring bike. It isn't a sport bike or race bike, but it has a fair amount of power, shaft driven, electronic ignition, and gets great gas mileage. A very pleasant ride.

On DE 82. Notice the railroad trestle in the background. Not regular train service, just short excursions.

     I don't like coming and going on the same route so I usually do some form of a loop. This time I went north out of Delaware on DE 82, which becomes PA 82. Great ride. In Delaware the road winds along the Brandywine creek. Once in Pennsylvania it goes through Kennett Square, and then up into horse country. Very scenic.

Creek Road in near Chadd's Ford PA. Notice the "curve" sign in the background. 

     On this day it was not to be. PA 82 is closed due to construction on a small bridge, so I had to choose another route. I rode north on US 1 to the intersection with Creek Road in Chadd's Ford, near Hank's Place, a great place for breakfast. Left on Creek Road, which winds along Brandywine Creek, up to PA 926. Right on PA 926, past US 202 to PA 352. North on PA 352 across PA 3, up to Paoli Pike. Then right on Paoli Pike to Paoli. Onto US 30, a quick left onto North Valley Road near the railroad station, and then back roads to Valley Forge.

The National Memorial Arch in Valley Forge. I like the US flag waving "through" the arch. 

     I sat at a picnic table and enjoyed the day. People running in the park, walking their dogs, or just traveling around this historic location.

Covered bridge near Valley Forge.

     On the way out of the park I passed this covered bridge. Many years ago, when I lived in the area, I was riding with a couple of guys through the park. One fellow had a 360 Yamaha trials bike with knobbie tires. For you who don't know these are designed for riding in the dirt, not on the road. As we approached the turn on the other side of the bridge, at a "brisk" pace, we had to turn and then climb up a small hill. As my friend leaned his bike over his tires lost traction and he fell over. He wasn't hurt, except for his pride, but he bike needed a few parts replaced. Note: take it easy with dirt tires on the street!

On of the many creeks and streams along the roads in Pennsylvania. 

     The route out of the park on PA 23 took me west through Phoenixville. After Phoenixville the road becomes a country road, speed limit 50, scenic views and some twists and turns. Part of the route is called Ridge Road so you are looking down into and over a valley. Wonderful!

The Brass Eagle Restaurant near Gap PA on US 30. Nice people and good food. 

     I rode PA 23 across PA 100, then across PA 82 and on to Morgantown. There I hit PA 10 south through Honey Brook and down to US 30. West on US 30 for about 4 miles and then to the Brass Eagle Restaurant for lunch. After lunch an easy ride west to Gap Pa, down PA 41 through Cochranville to PA 796 south. PA 796 ends at PA 896, which brings me down into Delaware and home. BEAUTIFUL fall day, great ride. HMMM, what should I do tomorrow?

   
   
   

   
   

Poconos Fall 2018 Day 4

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."




     When I woke up Sunday morning the temperature outside was 32 degrees. GREAT weather to be riding a scooter. But that comes with the territory. I had breakfast with the family, and then packed and loaded the bike for the ride home. I had planned to wait until 10 AM for it to warm up some, but the Weather Channel said the high temp for the day was only 39, so I decided to  leave around 9:30.




     As I was putting my riding gear on my son-in-law informed me that there were show showers in the area. Sounds like an adventure to me! I let the scooter warm up for a few minutes, and then set off. It was certainly cold, but I've ridden in colder weather. One addition I've added to several of my bikes are heated grips. When I bought my 2001 BMW R1150GS it came with heated grips. After riding that bike in some cold weather I was convinced.





     With the heated grips set on high I rode towards Hamlin PA. I was probably about 4 miles from the cabin in Hawley when I ran into the aforementioned snow showers. It wasn't snowing very hard but the road was wet, and with the temperature around freezing I was very careful as I rode. Once in Hamlin, south on PA 196, down to PA 423, then over to I 380. Great riding, normally......but back roads in that type of weather make me very cautious. As I rode I was listening to the Eagles' pregame show on Sirius on the headset in my helmet, and I was cheered by the news that the temperature was over 10 degrees warmer in Philly that where I was. My plan was to have a pleasent, somewhat chilly ride home. No rock and roll.





   The speed limit on I 380 is 70 mph, and I went that fast, but I was the slowest vehicle on the road. When you ride a bike you quickly become aware that the faster you go the greater the wind chill. Sounds fundamental, but I assure you that none of the people in the cars, pickups, and trucks that passed me were worrying about windchill!


     This ride is broken into 3 distinct parts. The backroads in the Poconos to I 380, the Interstates- I 380,  I 80, I 476, I 78 around Allentown just for a couple of miles. Then back roads down from Allentown- PA 100, PA 23, PA 345, PA 82, PA 841, PA 896 home. I generally don't like riding Interstates unless I have to, but the way this trip is broken up its no big deal.





     After lunch at the Pied Piper Diner, in Barto PA right on PA 100, I had a nice ride down to PA 23, and then it is pretty much back roads home. Just like on the way up you have to go through Coatesville, but that generally takes 10 minutes or so. The reward is a very enjoyable motorcycle ride through the Pennsylvania countryside down to Delaware. It was a pleasant way to end a terrific weekend in the Poconos.


   

Poconos Fall 2018 Day 3

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

The Barryville Emporium. No telling what treasures are within!

     On Saturday, the third day of the Pocono weekend, I decided to do a variation of the route from the day before. I left Hawley on US 6 heading east. I took a left on to PA 434 which led me back to the border with New York at the town of Barryville, and then turned left onto NY 97 north.

The Barbara Yeaman Eagle Observation Area.

Great map on the side of the building that helps you understand the area.

     As I rode out of Barryville I noticed an observation post on the left, so I turned around to see what it was about. It was an eagle observation post. People could stop there, get out their binoculars to bird watch. On the side of this small building was a map of what they called the Upper Delaware Scenic Byway.

The Roebling Delaware Aqueduct in the background.

This has a great picture on the aqueduct in operation.

          About 4 miles north of Barryville I came to Minisink Ford which is the location of the oldest existing wire suspension bridge in the United States. Roebling's Delaware Aqueduct opened in 1849 as an aqueduct connecting two parts of the Delaware and Hudson Canal. Today it is a bridge for cars and pedestrians. John Roebling and his son Washington are best known for constructing the Brooklyn Bridge which was completed in 1887.

The US Post Office in Cochecton New York. You can tell how rural this little town is by the condition of the post office!

     From Minisink Ford I continued north on NY 97 to Cochecton where I hit 371 west which took me back into Pennsylvania.

The Towne House Diner-Restaurant in "downtown" Honesdale.

     I rode PA 371 west to the intersection with PA 191. PA 371 is a really great rural road. Lots of turns and twists, ups and downs. My only regret was that I couldn't ride it farther. Next time! I took PA 191 back to Honesdale, and had lunch at the "Town House Diner-Restaurant." Today it is distinctly more of an Italian restaurant than a diner, but it still has a diverse menu and I had a tasty lunch.

The park in Honesdale. If you look closely you can see my "stuff" on the picnic table.

A striking reminder of a tragedy that tore the country apart in the 1860's- and then brought it back together.

     After lunch I decided to go to the park in the center of Honesdale and read for a while. After parking I noticed a statue and monument similar to what I've seen in many towns in the South. I went over and it was a monument, erected in 1869, to local boys who had died in the Civil War "...WHO FELL...'THAT GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE, BY THE  PEOPLE, AND FOR THE PEOPLE SHOULD NOT PERISH FROM THE EARTH.'" While many people were fascinated with the series by Ken Burns about the Civil War, I'm not sure we appreciate how much that conflict changed our country, and defined our future.

   

Bob Murray and his dog. What a genuinely interesting fellow! 

     As I sat in the park a gentleman who was walking his dog came over and questioned my about the scooter. His name is Bob Murray, and was originally from New Jersey. Among other things he was a car salesman, and has been retired since 2004. His son owns a local business, so he decided to move up to Honesdale. We had a great conversation that lasted half an hour or so. It turns out he is several years my senior, and in his past he had ridden a motorcycle until an accident convinced him to quit. What an interesting guy. When you travel you meet many fascinating people.


     After my time in the park with Bob it was time to head back to the cabin. After a short ride I arrived and put the scooter up on the center stand. Tomorrow it was back to Delaware.

Poconos Fall 2018 Day 2

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

Overlook for the Jadwin Dam just north of Honesdale PA.

Explanation of why the dam was built, and its construction.

     On the first morning in the Poconos I decided to take a ride up PA 191 out of Honesdale PA, which is 15 miles north of Hawley. As you ride north out of Honesdale it rapidly becomes a two lane, no shoulder road that twists and turns and rises. As I rode up I noticed an overlook with some kind of information display. I turned around and went back to take a look. There had been a series of floods in this area from 1936 through 1955 that caused over $10 million in damage, and cost 24 lives. Because of this history this dam, and another one, were constructed.

BEAUTIFUL swan in a pond just north of Honesdale PA.

     As I rode up PA 191 I noticed a pond on my left, and in the pond a large, white bird: a swan! I turned around; I just had to have a picture. When I was in Germany in 1984 for my student teaching I became fascinated with swans. Beautiful "birds;" the "battleship" of waterfowl.

Post office and general store in Equinunk PA.

Wouldn't you just love to spend a morning rooting around in the Equinunk Emporium?

     As I continued up I came upon the town of Equinunk Pennsylvania. There were several interesting buildings there, including the Emporium and the general store, which was in the same building as the US Post Office.

The end of the road for PA 191. Across the bridge is Hancock New York.

     PA 191 ends at this bridge. After you cross it you are in Hancock New York. In Hancock you take NY 97 south, which is also a GREAT road.

The village square in Hancock NY.

     I stopped in Hancock to take a picture of their "town square." After this it was south on NY 97.

   

Historical marker near Long Eddy New York, just in front of the historical society.

     Once again you are on a twisting road, with changes in elevation, where you lean the bike left and right, choosing the right line through the turn, and enjoying the skill of riding the bike. You pass through little towns, like Long Eddy New York, whose first settler was Joseph Geer in 1800.

Restaurant in Callicon New York. Not my cup of tea, but if you like bean sprouts and twigs in your salad take a shot.

     I stopped for lunch in the small, scenic town of Callicon New York. Chicken salad on "mixed greens." I've had better. After that I continued south on 97 to Narrowsburg New York where I crossed back into Pennsylvania onto PA 652, then on to Honesdale, and on to Hawley. Great ride through some beautiful country.

Village restaurant in Equinunk Pennsylvania.

Pocono's fall 2018

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

The view from the dock of the cabin on Whitney Lake. It is spectacular at sun set.

     Every year my Wife and my daughters go to a wool festival in Rhinebeck New York in October. They stay in a cabin owned by my Son-in-Law's family in the Poconos, and drive to the festival. This year I decided to go up to the Poconos with them. I would ride every day as they were doing their activities, and still get to spend time with my family in the mornings and evenings. Win, win!

A really impressive farm on PA 82 above Coatesville PA.

      Just for fun I decided to take my FSC 600 Honda Silverwing scooter. In preparation I had to get new tires on the bike, and my local Honda dealer, Powersports East in Wilmington, Delaware, got it done for me. My route would be PA 896 to PA 841, to PA 82 through Coatesville PA up to PA 345. Then north on  PA 345 to PA 23 east, over to PA 100. Then north on PA 100 to I 78 near Allentown, to I 476 north to I 80. Then east on I 80 to I 380 north. Up I 380 to the Tobyhanna exit and PA 423. East on 423 to PA 196, north on PA 196 to PA 590 in Hamlin PA. Then east on PA 590 to Hawley PA . The ride is a nice mix of highway and back roads.

A Pennsylvania field that has already been harvested. 

     PA 82 is truly one of the gems of south eastern Pennsylvania. It twists and winds through farmland, with fields already harvested, and cattle and horses in the fields. I goes through Coatesville, which was a significant steel making town, and it still produces some today. As you ride through you pass massive buildings, some still being used, but many silent and empty.

Lake in Tobyhanna State Park. 

     PA 100 is busy with many trucks and some significant traffic. As you ride along you pass through some small towns, and there are sections that are four lane roads that then reduce to two lanes. As I got near Allen town the population grew denser, and it was kind of a relief to get on I 78...soon dissipated by the traffic flow and speed. On I 476 the speed limit is 70 mph for much of the ride, but traffic is moving along at 80 or more! Believe it or not the Silverwing has plenty of power, and there were times where the speedo was at 90 or more ( don't tell my wife! ).

Afternoon stop to enjoy the day... and the sunshine! 

     After I got off of I 380 at Tobyhanna I passed through the town on PA 423, and outside of town is Tobyhanna State Park. I stopped here for a bit to enjoy the sun and read for a while. REALLY nice spot. Afterwards it is a ride on back roads that twist and turn, go up and down hills as you work your way north to Hamlin PA. PA 590 is kind of a major route, but continues to twist and turn, go up and down. A very nice ride of about 15 miles Hawley. A great trip for a fall day!

The cabin on Whitney Lake. The lake is in the back round.

Fall Trip 2018- Day Eight

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

Early morning on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Roanoke Virginia. 

      Up and out early for the last day of the trip. Once up on the Parkway I couldn't help myself; I HAD to stop and take a picture of the early morning up there. Just beautiful!

Yet another wonderful place to stop to take in the scenery.

     The thing about riding the Parkway is that it is pretty much a series of "sweepers," turns that you can take at speed and enjoy the power of the bike. The Tail of the Dragon is a series of 15mp or 20mph turns that are very challenging. Riding the Parkway is a joy, while riding the Dragon is work, unless you are a street racer willing to risk life and limb to ride fast. The Parkway is just more fun, and it stretches for 465 miles, while the Dragon is 11 miles.

Not beautiful by any means, but a GREAT motorcycle!

     I stop mid morning to take a break, knowing full well my time up on the Parkway is coming to an end...as i sat there I looked up at the GS....from some angles it looks gangly and awkward....once you’re riding it comes alive...no longer the ugly duckling it’s quick, responsive, light...unless you’ve ridden one I don’t think you can appreciate what a truly great bike it is...the newer ones are lighter, faster, have a lot more power...the newest ones have a lot of electronic features like so many new bikes have today... Mine has a fundamental simplicity...I truly love this bike...

Just before the Parkway crossed US 60 above Buena Vista Virginia. Beautiful! 

 ...the true beauty of the Parkway is illustrated from where it intersects US 60 just above Buena Vista Virginia. Riding north for the next 6 miles the Parkway is a series of S turns, one after another. I ran through this section in 5th gear at about 60 mph, “dancing “ with the road. Just one great turn after another as the road rose and descended. GREAT fun! 

A last stop up in the mountains, on Skyline Drive, before I ride down to the "lowlands." 

     After lunch at Waynesboro Virginia its back up to the mountains, now traveling north on the Skyline Drive. This is a toll road, but since I'm old I was able to purchase a "senior pass" for a mere $65 which allows me to travel Skyline Drive as much as I like without paying additional tolls. Actually it is a good deal. 

     I rode Skyline Drive about 20 miles until it crossed US 33, and then headed east on US 33 until it crossed US 29. Then north on US 29 until it intersects US 15. North on US 15 to Frederick Maryland, and then my back roads route through Maryland horse country and home. The last day of the trip had the best weather, and some of the best riding. I never get tired of this trip! 

    

My buddies! 

***** Sorry about the wierd font! The program will not let me correct it! ******

Fall Trip 2018-Day Seven

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

Troy's Diner in Boone North Carolina. 

     I got up at 7am, cleaned up and loaded the bike. I rode to Troy's 105 Diner which was just up the street from the motel in Boone North Carolina. After breakfast I put on my fleece and leather vest under my rain jacket. It was probably going to be cool up in the mountains. The weather called for a chance of showers all day up to Roanoke. I was hoping to get out in front of the rain.

Early morning on the Parkway. Sometimes its difficult to ignore the scenery.

     I was surprised, considering the forecast, that there was a lot of blue sky to be seen. When I got up on the Blue Ridge Parkway the view was stunning. I simply had to stop and take a picture. The exit for Boone off of the Parkway is around the 292 mile marker. The exit for Roanoke is around the 122 mile marker. Today I was going to ride around 170 miles or so, hopefully riding the entire distance on the Parkway. I have been riding the Parkway for over 40 years, and I know it is no fun up there in rain and fog. My plan was to stay on the Parkway until I hit rain, and then get down to the low lands if necessary.

I couldn't help my self; I just had to stop and take a picture! 

     As I rode north I was pleasantly surprised at how good the weather was. Puffy clouds, blue skies, comfortable temperatures, just a great day to  ride. My buddy Gary talks about "staying in the moment," and when riding a motorcycle on a scenic, twisting road up in the mountains it is imperative to "stay in the moment." Watching the scenery rather than watching where you're going is a recipe for disaster.

The rest area where I stopped in the morning for a while. 

     Around 10am I found an overlook that had a picnic table. I sat there, enjoying the day reading. A gentleman pulled up in a pickup, and a puppy lept out of the bed of the truck. He put the puppy back several times. We got into a conversation, and he explained he was there to blow the leaves off of the parking lot, but his puppy, 9 months old, simply wouldn't let him get to work. The puppy won the "battle" and the guy surrendered and took the puppy for a walk in the woods. A nice guy, a very pretty puppy. Yet another story from the tour.

The afternoon stop in the picnic area for Smart View. Lots of picnic tables and lavatory facilities.

     There is a good restaurant just off of the Parkway at Fancy Gap, the Lake View Restaurant, mile marker 200. I got there by noon, and enjoyed lunch. After lunch I only had 80 miles or so to the exit for Roanoke. I decided to ride until 1:30 and then stop. I looked at a map, and the weather, and decided I need to be fairly close to the Roanoke exit in case the rain started. Smart View was about 30 miles south of the Roanoke exit, and I pulled into the picnic area. A nice place to enjoy the day.
   

OK. I know this is stupid. This is my favorite bike. I admit its ugly, but, to my eye, it is a "pretty" ugly. 

     Back on the road by 3:00 I arrived at the motel by 3:45. I checked into my room, and then around 6 went to dinner. Now back in my room, working on my blog while the movie All the President's Men plays on the TV. Home tomorrow, but I plan to ride the 120 miles to the northern terminus of the Parkway, get lunch in Waynesboro Virginia, and then ride north on the Skyline Drive to where US 33 intersects it. The it will be US 33 east to US 29 north, to US 15, and then to Frederick Maryland, and then navigate on back roads home. It should be a great day!

Fall Trip 2018- Day Six

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

The front of the Sunrise Cafe. 

Gary takes a picture of Curtis with his bike as we say good bye. 

     We all got up at 6am to get ready to leave. We were packed and on the bikes by 8:15 on our way to the Sunrise Cafe in Brevard. After a good breakfast we said good by in the parking lot, and then set out for  our destinations.

Two sport bike fly past me as they accept the challenge of The Tail of the Dragon. 

     While Gary was heading back to Atlanta, and Curtis to Chantilly VA, I decided to ride to Deal's Gap in western North Carolina and ride the Tail of The Dragon. This is a famous, perhaps infamous, road, route 129 that goes from North Carolina into Tennessee. It has 318 curves in 11  miles, most of them 20 or 15 mph turns. Motorcyclists, and sports car enthusiasts drive this and see it as a test of the skill of the driver and the motorcyclists. Believe me it is!

Matthew Johnson poses with his 900 cc Kawasaki along the side of  the Dragon.

     After I rode it in the north bound direction, I rode back south and stopped at an over look to watch the bikes, and cars, go by. I set up my little chair and watched the action. After a little while this rider pulled up and got off of his bike. His name was Matthew Johnson, and we talked for 45 minutes or so. Matthew played basketball for a small college, and even played against Kentucky, my university, during the time Rick Petino was coaching there. A very pleasant, well spoken person. Meeting people like Matthew enrich the motorcycling experience.

Along the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning.

     The route to Deal's Gap included about 30 miles of the Blue Ridge Parkway. What a spectacular site! Sun and clouds, mountains stretching off to the horizon. It is no wonder so  many people drive the Parkway every year.

My bike sitting out in front of The Peddler in Boone North Carolina.

     When I arrived in Boone I went directly to one of my favorite restaurants The Peddler steak house. After a superb dinner featuring filet mignon and a great salad bar I rode to my motel. Tomorrow 160 miles on the Blue Ridge Parkway to Roanoke Virginia. It an exceptional ride and I can't wait!