A specific trip or journey for the purposes of recreation or tourism
Well this vacation was not much rest but sure had a lot of recreation and tourism. Tracey and I could not have asked for better travel companions than our "Harley Family".
Our trip through 9 states in 9 days was not only beautiful but very memorable. Lots of laughs, frustrations with weather, and just great friends.We started out on Sat and rode half the day with great weather but once we reached LA, the rain came in full force. I have to admit we learned a lot about riding in the rain. With the rain it slowed us down and took us almost 12 hours to reach our first destination in Meridian MS. That is the longest day I have ever rode but it was not to be the last one.
The next day we had rain all day and didn't make our destination for Savannah so we gave up the opportunity to eat at Paula Deen's (sorry Paula maybe next time). We stayed in Perry Ga and enjoyed an evening of good food and hot tub conversation. Even if it was Sunday in the "bible belt" and no beer. Still, laughs were had by all, thanks Darlene and Tracey for all the red faces on the wait staff.
From Perry we headed toward Savannah (on the way we had an incident where Ray's bike wouldn't start...sure is funny watching them push a harley!!)and went to the HD for minor repairs and lunch at HOOTERS since Paula Deen's was booked. Then on to Hilton Head Island for a slow tour of the island. This is where Darlene had her mishap with losing her saddlebag and now she is known as "One Bagger".
We made it to Charleston where we spent two nights with no rain. Charleston was beautiful of course. We saw Boone Hall, took a carriage ride around Charleston, went to Isle of Palms for swimming in the ocean and rode in a taxi with MAD MAX..a ride to remember...seat belts a MUST!!!
Wednesday we headed for Anderson SC where my brother lives. We stoped in Myrtle Beach, SC for lunch. In Anderson we had a great visit with my family. It was wonderful to have them drive down to meet us. Sorry Kevin and Mandy couldn't make it.
Darlene and Ray left early on Thurs to hit the Dragon and they took the ultimate challenge and did it in the rain!! Way to go!!
Thursday the rest of us were to take the challenge of the Tail of the Dragon but when we got to Robbinville it was raining and none of us were interested in any wet mountain roads we hadn't already done that day. We rested in the greatest little inn called TWO WHEEL INN, I highly recommend it for motorcycle riders. We each had a garage for at least one bike and great rooms. It was the most fun and relaxing to just sit outside and watch the rain and drink beer (of course had to bring it in since the county was a dry county).
What can I say about the Tail of the Dragon? It was scary, curvy, twisty but well worth the ride. Glad I practiced those figure 8's before I left since that was about how tight the turns are. 311 curves in 11 miles. Didn't have time to look at the scenery except at the overlook. Deals Gap was a nice stop for t-shirts and patches. We will definately be displaying our triumph.
Glad we didn't add to the Tree of Shame.Friday, Tracey and I stayed at Robbinsville while the rest of the group left for home. Terry, Linda, Andy and Mary came up from Anderson to ride the dragon with us and then we went to Helen Ga on Saturday. The ride to Helen GA was the most beautiful of the whole trip. Helen is a small little Bavarian tourist town up in the mountains around some great lakes and rivers. We spend almost 4 hours in Helen just walking the streets and Tracey even got a TATTOO!!
We ate at an authentic Bavarian Restaurant with delicious food.
Then Tracey and I headed for the long trip home.
We stopped by IUKA, MS to see where she used to live then stayed in Corinth, MS for the night, knowing we had a very long day ahead.
We got up at 6am and took 72 to Memphis which was a beautiful road on a early Sunday morning. Saw a lot of corn and oats not much traffic so it was a real relaxing ride (NO RAIN). We finally made it home by 5:45pm very tired but knew we had had a VACATION!!!
