Called the Folkston Caboose people this morning - Caboose was available so I reserved it. Don't Know where Jenny is - haven't heard from her - so got it to myself tonight.
The Lord rested on the seventh day, so I didn't take any pictures on the road today, save one showing the scoot passing the 10,000 mile mark. The rest of the shots are of the inside of the Caboose.
Today's route was just an invert of the ride up - why ruin a good thing. http://tinyurl.com/6vue2fk
I'll get a copule of shots outside tomorrow. Meet a fellow at the Train Platform that just bought the house a just a few doors away, also backs up to the tracks. Not sure what his plans are for it, but he is fixing/remodeling to bring it up to the modern age - place was built in '47 and was owned by one person up to now. The 57 year old sons swing set from when he was a kid, is still in the back yard.
What a beautiful day, sun, and some incredible roads. Left Deals Gap Resort at 9am after a nice breakfast. Rode the Dragons Tail north one last time (makes 3 north and 3 south total). Up to hwy 411, then over to TN 360, down to the Cherohala Skyway. The Skyway is a fantastic road, curves, hills to 5800 feet (if memory serves me right), with a speed limit of 55 mph. That puts you in Robbinsville, NC (about 18 miles south of the Gap), and roughly 100 miles traveled. From there I retraced my route to Augusta, Ga. Long days travel, but 2 thirds of it was in the mountains, absolute spectacular riding.
The route http://tinyurl.com/7wuk6b4
Hope those came out alright, service here is terrible, even in the morning.
The morning portion of this ride was cold cold - could have used my long johns if I still got them. I had my winter gloves on , my hoodie (without the hood), scarf, and it was cold enough to have to put my face shield down.
Not real sure where I'm going now - only heading back, more on that later.
Sorry folks, no internet access last night. The great Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort is a nice place, good rooms, nice grounds, and a nice big pub/restaurant, but no internet. Every time I used my computer on the benches outside my room, people would be asking if there was internet service - guess we've forgotten that we can do things on the computer that don't require the internet.
I left Franklin with some scattered showers in the area hoping I could avoid them. Only caught the slightest of sprinkles, not enough to worry about. I did call Deals Gap Resort from the motel before I let and got the last room they had available, but only for Friday night.
After I got to the Resort and got signed in (but not checked into the room - check-in is 3pm), I decided to run the Gap, 11 miles north then back. Most of the way there was a slight drizzle, until I got within 2 miles of the Resort when it really started to rain. Tops of my pants got wet, and my jacket got well soaked. Not long after getting back it started to rain quite heavily, lasted for about 2 hours before it finally cleared up. Had lunch, dried out a little, and got my room during the rain.
Since it cleared up, with the sun shining again, I took another run at the Dragon. No cops so I really let it hang out (speed limit on the Dragon is 30 mph), hitting some of the curves at 50 mph. What a delight.
At times there must have been 200 or more bikes here, usually in groups ten or so. Seems there are many cars groups come here from everywhere (one group I remember had Indiana plates).
Got quite a few shots for you today, but almost none of the really exciting parts - they require my full attention of course. I need to upgrade my camera equipment to mount on the scoot or helmet. A video camera would be great. Of course the best solution would be a lovely young lady (young at my age is anyone under say 50) Slim (weight counts), small breasted (large makes for to much distance between rider and driver), can live out of a small bag (can't have to much luggage), and of course not be to hung up about sleeping together. Any volunteers, the benefits are great.
The route http://tinyurl.com/breyhmq
Had it all mapped out and ready to leave Augusta, GA by 9am. Seem to be getting up later each day.
Last night I was searching the Deal's Gap area of NC looking for a reasonably priced motel. Use to be one in Franklin, NC that I got the last time I was up here for $35 or $40. It's now $65. Happened on the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort http://www.dealsgap.com/index.html , at $65 total cost. Because of there cancellation policy, I decided not to call and reserve until I got to Franklin, just in case it rained or something. Bad choice, as when I got to Franklin, there was no Boost wireless coverage. I tried a pay phone but that didn't work either. So what to do - it's still 55 miles to the Gap, it's like 2pm - decided the best is to stay in Franklin tonight, go to the Gap tomorrow morning (weather permitting).
Unfortunately this joint cost me $65 even with a senior discount.
Aren't many pictures today - the ride was to fun, and it required all my attention.
My route today http://tinyurl.com/breyhmq was one of the best I've had to date. Little traffic, great scenery, lots of hills and curves.
Again neat little towns along the way. Lots of hills and curves.
First true sighting of the mountains. Expand the picture to get a better look.
I had really good Mexican food yesterday and probably the worst tonight at this dump accross the street from the motel. This little town has more Mexican restaurants than most towns have Chinese.
Hopefully the Gap tomorrow.
You ought to hear the snyed(sp) remarks my little SYM is getting. Just wait!!!!
Wasn't sure what direction I might be heading to - all dependent on what the rain storms where up to. Checking the radar first thing this morning, with storms coming in from the west, heading southeast, the choice was clear, head North as was planned for yesterday.
First breakfast, say goodbye to my motel neighbor, and one last stop to catch the southbound Amtrak.
This turned out to be a really great route (ever saw one woodpecker). Very little traffic, many times I would go 10 miles or more without a single car on the road.
The beginnings of rolling hills - no more flat land - yea.
Did you notice the number of vehicles in these pictures. One.
These two pictures are in Metter, Ga, one of the two towns of any size I passed thru on this route (208 miles).
A lot of these towns have older homes which I really like. They are rarely damaged in hurricanes or windstorms.
My one an only rest stop today was at this gas station/store at the intersection of hwy's 121 and 80. Absolutely nothing else anywhere around. I had a coke (I like pepsi) because he wasn't stocked up yet.
Here's where I landed today (about 3pm) in Augusta, GA. Took a swim and then off for some Mexican food - very good meal for little money. The two restaurants in Folkston are awful.
Still can't hold a camera level.
really modern styling.
As a side note. I though I might tell you that for my entire stay in Folkston I had this lovely lady as my next door neighbor, her name is Penny. On and off over the five days we would see each other and share a little conversation. Seems she was here because her mother was having a heart operation in some hospital in Jacksonville (she was staying in Folkston because she use to live here). She has two boys and a daughter, all grown up now. She works cleaning mostly new homes and businesses. She had a male 'friend' over from Hilliard (few miles south of here) several nights, so we only talked. She did 'kind of' 'sort of' promise to 'share' the caboose with me next time though. http://www.railsidelodging.com/index.php/about/the-caboose
Once again a reminder - if you double click on the pictures they will open full size.
Also please commend on this series. Rather sad that only 19 people at most, usually only 10 viewed this blog
