78 New Bern NC

      Breakfast featuring Mike's special freezer bag omelets some hugs and we were on our way back to Carolina beach.  That was tough, I don't know how you can get so attached to people that fast.  Maybe its the thought that even with the best of intentions you may never see them again.     

Now picture him on a thoroughbred!

     We took the shortcut thru Southport and caught the Ferry back to the island.  Due to our early arrival we were staged next to another cycle.  Michael, a Marine returning to base on his crouch rocket seemed to have his future well planned.   He loves to race,  after his tour he was going to Europe to race and study motorcycle engineering  I noticed his cycle had been repaired, I asked if he was riding it at the time.  "Yes!" asked if he was injured?  "Naw, just traumatic brain injury, got hit by a dump truck once, that sucked."  I guess when you are younger some things aren't as notable. (or as our daughter said, maybe it was because of the injury.)  Always intrigued by the passenger seat on these bikes I took a picture of the riding position.  Reminded me of Eddie Arcaro.

  Nice visit with a Ferry boat employee during our cruise.  He retired to the area from Massachusetts, rides a Royal Star Venture,  we have converted a few of these and although they make a great trike, they are quite a handful as a two wheeler if you are vertically challenged.  Thankfully Tom moves these around the shop for me.
        It is often strange when you learn something new and then within a short time you hear or see it again.  I makes you wonder what else you've been missing.  At thanksgiving Mike and Dale had mentioned Road Runner magazine and the "shamrock" rides and now today this gentleman suggested I read it.  Better check it out. 

Havana's, got to know them pretty well, easy walk home! 

     Nov 30 2013.    We packed our belongings into the trike and camper, circled the block to take a couple of pictures, and headed out of Carolina Beach.  It had been fun!  A quick stop at Ihop to see if they had found Ruthie's earring, no such luck, she has had a problem on this trip.  Glad I didn't wear any.   New Bern, here we come.   It was 55 for most of the trip,  with the sun shining on us it was very comfortable of course we had our heated jackets on.   The XM was playing Christmas music and at times Ruthie was singing along.   A great day.  As we traveled along I made a mental note to delete two songs from my Christmas play list. (I know it's XM, a mental note, satisfied?)    "All I want for Christmas is a Hippopotamus" and  "Dominic the Italian Christmas Donkey".   I didn't feel the need to mention it to Ruthie at the time. 

We had rode for some time when Ruthie mentioned she was hungry, we happened to be with in sight of a Texas Road house,  having only left overs from McDonald's for  breakfast the morning.  I felt we deserved a real meal for a change.   We were greeted with the smell of baking bread (not thumper biscuits I'm thinking).   On the way in they asked us if we wanted to choose our steak, great marketing.   Alexi our server made us feel right at home.  In between a couple of helpings of the hot buttered rolls she mentioned that a  Italian Christmas tradition she enjoyed was Spedini, will have to try it someday.   Our appetite, or perhaps the smell of fresh baked buttered buns,  got the best of us and we split a t bone porterhouse.  Chalk it up as another favorite.  On the road I mentioned I had overheard Lindy asking the truck drivers brother if he would like to help unload the semi on Monday when they took possession of their home.  I don't think he actually said "are you serious" but I got the distinct impression that he would rather be on the end of the truck with the steering wheel and would not be attending the off loading party.   I took this opportunity to ask Ruthie if she would like to help them out.  You know the answer already don't you?  A phone call to Tom and Lindy and we made plans to meet them at 1pm on Monday.

     Why New Bern?  Back in October we sat in the Pioneer Club with our friend Larry,  and picked some points on the map where we thought we might be on a particular date.  He had offered us some time share weeks that he wasn't using in exchange for part of the maintenance fee.   That's right, just a point on the map, don't care what's there, its the latitude that's important.      At New Bern we were impressed when the freeway flyover's were actually suspended over water.  Cool!        When we checked in the time share was still be cleaned, we were given a run down on do's and do not's.   Looks like it would be costly to have a dog or smoke in a room, major fines.  We found out there was a welcome reception at the recreation center Monday at nine, should fit into our plan, if we arrived there ready to ride we should be able to make the offloading party.  While we were waiting for our room we made a run to the convenience store.  Picked up some breakfast items, popcorn, returned and checked out our new digs.  Very nice, we will be very comfortable here.  Second floor isn't a problem for us, but it is something to remember.   Washer, dryer, screened in balcony over looking golf course, why would we want to leave?  To ride of course.
     Sunday it was just nice to relax, we walked to the restaurant on the grounds, checked out the marina, tried to find if the Minnesota Vikings were telecast.  (looks like bowling took precedence on the local channels). 

     Dec 2nd  5 am   A little computer work while Ruthie's resting.  The spot tracker website only saves the files for 30 days, I download them and save them to make maps for the blog later.  

     Big day today, welcome reception and then back to Ocean Isle for the off loading party.  We estimated it would take us about three hours if we didn't stop.  We dressed for the ride back and headed to the reception, nice folk,  We met Les, what a card.  He said so many Northerners had moved here they called it Yankee stadium, , some call this retirement community gods waiting room,  people like it here, the guy that brings the snow takes it away too. He wants to be buried in his yard, he has his wife's hole ½ dug.   We have lots of  half backs here, Northerners that retired to Florida got tired of it and came half way back to their home.   We found out later that he and Suzanne gave tours of the area, he said they are the Burns and Allen of tours, (comedians). We had hoped to go on one of there outing but it didn't work out,  they had to have at least 6 signed up or the bus didn't move.     Welcome at the community, lots of fun activities and places to go, will have to try and take some in.  We were told to expect a continental style breakfast and was not prepared for the fare we were offered, oatmeal, fruit, bagels, rolls pastry and of course yogurt.   We wouldn't need to stop for lunch.

      10:15 on the road to Ocean Isle to help our new friends unload the semi with their belongings.  A pleasant ride about 150 miles, it started at 46 degrees and was close to 60 by the time we arrived.  As we pulled onto their street we could see the semi and they were already unloading.  Stripping off our helmets and jackets we joined in.  Lindy and Tom had done a great job of marking the boxes and labeling the rooms they were to go in.  The sun had came out as we arrived and it didn't take long for Ruthie and I to take a break and switch into some cooler gear.  We finished around four o'clock and after a refreshment break provided by their new neighbor.  (he had drove by earlier in his mustang, said he would like to help, however he was to light for heavy work and to heavy for light work!) all was forgiven when he brought over drinks.  It looks like this will be a good place for Tom and Lindy.  Our thanksgiving friends Dale and Mike had invited us to spend the night to avoid a cycle trip back in the dark.  Again Dale had outdone her self.  A pork loin with potatoes, onions and celery in a slow cooker. I still think about it.  We were joined at dinner by some more transplants from the North.  Billy and Doll had been in the Carolina's for a few years now.  They were both born on Staten Island, she said it was one of the five boroughs of New York City.  (had to look it up, it seems each borough is a county within the city).   We visited for a while however the moving had taken its toll and we headed to bed, tomorrow we ride back to New Bern.  

77 Sit, Eat you'll like it!

      We enjoyed our little Island paradise for a few days.  Playing cribbage while we waited for our laundry.  More walks on the beach.  A walk out on the pier lined with people of all ages.  On the 22nd Ruthie walked the beach while I worked on a couple of maintenance items on the trike.  Had some lookers as I had it tore apart in the motel parking lot.  Reassembling the trike we went to Michael's seafood restaurant, shucked steamed oysters.  What Ruthie assured me was ground garlic turned out to be raw horseradish, (my eyes still burn and I don't think my sinuses will ever be the same.)   On an exploratory walk I found a senior center, very nice, warm friendly people, books to read and a invite for lunch.  Returned with Ruthie, at our table was Margaret, she works for the city maintenance, she mentioned in her travels around she had seen us our and about and had been keeping an eye on our trike.  Ruthie mentioned her walks on the beach and was searching for a word to describe it, Margaret said Majestic!   Good word, that covers a lot of what we see. 

 

It's called parade rest  left over from Navy days!

     Nasty weather and winds heading our way, A tornado watch all night,  I went down to the cycle and brought our helmets up just in case.  No since taking a chance, most tornado injuries are head injuries and the government says my helmet will save me.  I remember one time when our daughters were young and we lived in a wooded area, there had been storm warning's We came home to find them huddled in the basement with motorcycle helmets on.  Yes Virginia, that was before cell phones.
     We were excited about our Thanksgiving get together tomorrow.   We rode to the grocery store in an annoying little mist  to pick up our contribution.  Some assorted fruit, it would be easy to keep and prepare when we arrived.    A dish to serve it in, we are set.
     Thanksgiving day.  The official start wasn't until two pm however with the distance and our reliance on public transportation (ferry) we decided to get an early start.  The Fort Fisher Ferry saved us many miles of city driving and was conveniently located at the South end of the Island.  As a bonus, a boat + food (vending machines) = another cruise for Ruthie,  It was 32 degrees this morning while I was hooking up the camper, what's with this I don't get it.  All my life while living in
Minnesota the weather man tells how cold it is where I live and how warm it is down South and now that I'm here there doesn't seem to be much difference and sometimes home is actually warmer.  Maybe the people at the senior center were right, we dragged the cold weather down with us.
      As we approached our destination I switched off the "gypsy tracker" out of respect for the New Jersey attendees.  (Strange coincidence that was just an answer on Jeopardy this week and the champion had gotten it wrong.  His question was "What is the Witness relocation program, Alex.")   Lady Dale and Mike were surprised to see us this early, there was very little we could do with preparation as they had it well covered.   The only one that could care less if we arrived was Wolfie the cat, black, she was called Barack for a year before the previous owner came looking for her and told Dale her given name.  An independent cat she had chose to live on the street rather than at her old home.  It was decided that it would be best for all if she stayed with Lady Dale.  

Must be the place!

     While we are waiting to see who shows up I will tell you a little about our hosts.  Mike just retired from a senior editor position with a major men's magazine.   Commuting on his Ducati thru the crowed streets of Manhattan to work.  That and his conquest for speed has led to a very interesting life.  Holding land speed records and acting as a consultant to national TV broadcasts and programs such as Myth Busters he loves to expose hoaxes and false claims.  It is interesting where the conversation may branch off to.  An example,  I was mentioning we had noticed that the BBQ around here was vinegar based and of course he knew of a researcher who had studied the path of BBQ as the settlers and their recipes headed West.  Originally from Detroit, his father was the captain of the largest cargo ship on the great lakes and navigated the same path as the Edmund Fitzgerald very close to the time of it's sinking.  

Is this disturbing to you?

     Lady Dale retired from managing a major metropolitan social club.  You could see from looking around that she had put her management skills to good use.  I think we were prepared if a hundred people showed up and with the warmth in this home I'm sure she would welcome them all.  Together they have traveled on two wheels in the most exotic areas.  South Africa, how would you like to come around a curve and have a pile of elephant dung in the middle of the road?  Dale called themselves "bait on a bike".  Or perhaps find thousands of sheep in the road.  (New Zealand).   A new car was delivered to their home every week for Mike to test drive.   Like us they have a goal of riding their motorcycle to Nova Scotia, they are worse than we are at wandering having started out four times and not made it yet.  They keep meeting other cyclist on the road and end of going to another destination.  
     Inquiring on their successful lives, they both said find something you have a passion for and do it the best you can.  Asked if they had a career path goal and they said it was due to social drift.  To make sure I understood what she meant I emailed Dale.  In a nutshell. When someone or something changed the direction I was going or the direction I thought I was going.   Thanks Dale
  
     During dinner and the next day (Our new friends encouraged us to spent the night)  we met a wide variety of interesting guests.   The quests were as varied as the invitation pamphlet had suggested. There were---
    A truck driver and his brother, a son and his 96 year old father (a slight interesting man that seemed to enjoy the food greatly, I was full just watching him eat, where in the world does he put it all.)  Varied guests from the Old farts motorcycle club including Ben and we finally met his wife Sue (it must be Friday), friends of our hosts from New Jersey and this area.  A couple that had recently gotten married, I'm guessing late 60's,  a homeless couple, just teasing they are Tom and Lindy, staying with our hosts as they are in the process of relocating (from New Jersey)  and were waiting to get into their home.  That's why the truck driver is here with a 55 foot semi full of their things (no one is homeless with Lady Dale and Mike around) a gentleman with (trying to remember) perhaps 3-4 gold chains adorning his neck and perhaps 5-6 large ornate gold rings, (left quite an impression as they would.).  Some were born on an island, neat, Staten of course.   We found some of the couples were frequenters of Gunnison Beach NJ, (I was uninformed, in case you are also... In the 1800's it was the Gunnison battery the last line of defense to protect New York harbor, the service men used to skinny dip there.  Now it is the largest clothing optional beach on the East coast.  On any given summer weekend their may be 5000 naturists enjoying the Sandy Hook area.) 


Looks like this isn't Lady Dale's first Rodeo

     One couple met there.  Knew each other for 10 years and on the first date was the first time they seen each other with clothes. (yup, going blind for sure.)   The couples relocating from New Jersey are trying to escape the deterioration of their neighborhoods, the increasingly high property taxes while relocating to a milder climate and still staying a close proximity to the ocean.  But not to close,  as our hosts had furnished shelter for hurricane Sandy victims during the disaster.  I still think I may have inadvertently stepped onto the set of a sitcom in the Bronx, New Jersey or Manhattan.  Besides the accents even the word phrasing is unique, If you were to mention something you might need or want done, you hear. "listen, I know a quy...   Or I have people.        At one point I thought it would be great to go around the tables taking pictures of the guests.   I like to have pictures to remember details.  I though should I?   I thought of Dale's knife holder out in the kitchen.  Then in my mind I pictured this.  I stood up with camera in hand,  three male guests approach me,  a large man (probably in the "Program") on my left, a nudist in front of me (not a prude, well maybe, struggling with this thought a little) the gold chained man on my right is talking.  He gently but firmly puts his ringed hand on the back of my neck, leans close to my ear, applies a little pressure with his hand and with his new Jersey accent; "listen my friend, that better be a giant cigarette lighter in your hand because some don't appreciate Kodak moments!"  Good enough for me,  I asked him if he needed a light and kept on eating.

Memories!

       The day was similar to living in a hugging exuberant family I or most rural families in 
Minnkneesootaa (as they said) are not used to.  We are food pushers in Minnesota however it is more of a begging or coaxing, like "try just a sliver of cake, or if you don't eat it I'll just have to throw it away. Or it will spoil". Here it is more Sit, Eat, try it, , you'll like it.  And we did, everything, an abundance of wonderful food.  Highlighted by Mike frying the turkey which was an education in itself.  With a propane burner heating a pot of oil,  Not full, very important he says "some people don't allow room for the turkey " and then it overflows.  Key step, turn off the flame before inserting the turkey, I checked and youtube is full of videos of the catastrophes of those that started everything from their deck to their garage on fire when the overflowing oil was ignited by the flames.  And then when they tried to put it out with water it is like a bomb going off. (I think I will be cautions and just wait for another fried turkey invitation.  I spent to much time on my deck).
     A joke from Mike summed up the perceived difference in the New York/New Jersey area.  Let's see if I can tell it right.  "Do you know how many New Yorkers it takes to change a light bulb??  "None of your freaking business, (motioning to his hand holding something inside his pocket.) I got your light bulb right here for ya!"
   Dale has a theory that when you invite good people into your home, when they leave the home remains filled with joy and happiness.  Speaking as one of the guests that left.  It is a two way street.  We felt the warmth of our hosts and their guests.  And to this very minute I feel that warmth.
      Thank you all!

76 I'll take a vowel

     When we checked in Johnny told us he also had a restaurant next door and sushi bars on Carolina Beach.  Not wanting to venture out tonight we slipped next door for supper.   Nikki's, comfortable atmosphere and vegetable tempura on the menu, one of my favorite.  
   Our plan was to settle in to a relaxing routine, visit the beach, local restaurants and wander out as weather allowed.  
Nov 16, 2013  Friday. Breakfast at the Waffle house (one of my favorites) later we walked on the beach Ruthie would be happy doing this every day.  On the other side of the block was an old Presbyterian church made into a restaurant named the Deck House.  We ended up eating here a couple of times.  Wonderful meal.
     Saturday,  We had a plan which included a walk on the beach and a movie however a call from Tom and Colleen, they had drove down to the beach house and were checking to see if we would drive down for lunch.   Of course we could.  We drove to the South end of the island.  We were trying to save some miles and time unfortunately the web site I checked had not changed to the winter ferry schedule.  We did a U turn headed back up to Williamson over to the mainland and back down the other side.  It was nice to see our new friends again.  I forgot to mention Tom's parting gift to me when I left their home the other day.  Anti Monkey butt, who gives that as a gift?  I had just met him!  I thought it was a joke at first.   Then he started his Anti Monkey Butt praises.   Lets hear it from the horses mouth.   From their website:  Anti Monkey Butt Powder is specially formulated to absorb excess sweat and reduce frictional skin irritation. It is Ideal for butt busting activities such as truck driving, motorcycling, bicycling, horse back riding,(could have used this when I trained horses.)  and extreme sports. May also be applied inside footwear, under sports pads, and other areas prone to chafing. Indoors or outdoors, work or play, or on occasions when you sit on your butt all day, don’t let your buns get red, use Anti Monkey Butt Powder instead, plus they have Baby anti monkey butt for diaper rash.   Evidently a lot of the long distance motorcycle riders swear by it.   I guess Tom had my best interest at heart.  We had a very nice lunch at a beach restaurant.   It was fun to catch up with them again.   We were able to cut through South Port and catch the Fort Fisher ferry back to Carolina beach.
     Wednesday, old Farts breakfast, they say the ladies are called fartetts.  We were late that's what I get for depending on public transportation, (ferry) another cruise for Ruthie.   One of the couples had passed out a brochure at the last breakfast.  It invited anyone and everyone to their home .
The pamphlet from Lady Dale read:     Join us for thanksgiving dinner, who will be there?  An assortment of friends who are trying to avoid family members.  An assortment of scooter trash we have picked up along the way.  (probably us) A few people from New Jersey that are in the witness protection program!   Where every table is the kids table.  Sounded like a good time for us, and she promised that Mike would make fried turkey, this would be our first.
     When ever a group like this meets there are always stories.  Last time Lady Dale told of their motorcycle trip to a Honda rally.  She mentioned all these Gold Wing's riding two up  and the huge drinking cup mounted on their cycles.  (it so happens we have a huge drinking cup on our Gold Wing, so I listened a little closer.). she continued.  "we wondered why they all had the huge cups, well, as they pulled out of the lot I seen them take out their false teeth and put in there cups.". First of all their are no false teeth in our cup (however I can't stop but think about it every time I take a drink.  As a joke we carried our huge drinking cup and sat on the breakfast table..  Fun group, looks like we will see some of them again at Thanksgiving.

Largest Ferris wheel we have ever seen at Myrtle Beach!

     Ruthie wanted to ride.  We left the Sunny Side Up Diner and headed South.   Crossing into South Carolina we stopped at the welcome area.  They all agreed we should ride to Brookgreen Gardens.   While there I seen a sign mentioning that South Carolina was the home of barbeque.  We detoured thru Vanna White's home town of North Myrtle Beach.  Continuing south we passed thru Myrtle beach. 

     The gardens:  Originally four rice plantations for over 200 years was purchased in 1930 as a winter home for a tuberculosis patient.  It covers over 9000 acres. .  I'm sure others will find the acres of of sculpture gardens, trails and even a zoo will be the focal point.  Our interest was in the history of the rice plantations.  I had no idea rice was so predominant in our history.  Joshua Ward the original owner of one of the plantations was the largest slave owner in America.   He owned over a thousand slaves and was called the king of the rice growers.
  We chose to do the river tour to learn more about rice growing.   Our tour guide Sid was very informative.  It was estimated that 95 percent of the original native American population died from deceases introduced to them by the new settlers.  At one time the area was covered with bald cypress trees towering over 140 feet tall.  The canopy literally blocked the sun.  The slaves had to clear these trees using primitive tools.  Taking 7-10 years to clear a 45 acre field to prepare it for raising rice.  We found that one fifth of all the worlds caloric intake comes from rice.  They use a unique system of dams and floodgates to control the water level in the rice patties.  It was interesting to find out they used the tides from the ocean to provide the rise and fall of the water level.  The ocean tides will change the water level over three feet as far as 40 miles inland.   I had no idea our country has had rice farming so early in history.  Freedom of the slaves and the loss of cheap labor led to the decline of rice growing.  It is hard to imagine the suffering the slaves endured in changing this wild forest land into rice plantations.   Cruelty from owners, isolation from family, exposure to poisonous snakes,  alligators, and loss of freedom.   I only wish we had not seen the movie "Twelve years a slave" yesterday.  
    On a lighter note Capt Jim pointed out a wood duck to us.   Telling us the babies were out of the nest within  24 hours.  The female calls them out of the nest which may be over 200 feet off the water, they step out without harm.   (don't know why) The next statement he made I have not been able to prove, he might have been setting us up for the punch line.  He said a wood duck can fly into the nest at 35 miles per hour, what stops them??  The back of the nest was his answer!  I don't know, you decide.  True or false?

     To time our arrival in time for the ferry we stopped for supper at Jerome's in Shallotte, Ruthie has fallen in love with the salt and pepper catfish.
     On the ferry we met a young fellow that just bought a 2014 Indian, says it is the smoothest riding cycle he has ever rode evidently the new company has produced a winner. 

75 Old Farts

   Veterans Day. I was feeling a little better and Ruthie thought we should get out of the room.   Within a block we had several choices.    Knowing that restaurants usually do something special for veterans we asked at the door of the first stop.  Nothing, they didn't seem to be aware of the day.  Applebee's was a different story, not only did they have a special in honor of the Veterans.  They had a place setting inside the door in memory of the servicemen and women that couldn't be with us.  The type written explanation was very moving.  
      With my returning energy and budget in mind we thought we better head on down the road.  I did  a quick check on surrounding weather trends, it didn't look promising this far North.  Changing our plans I checked out the motorcycle club lodging situation by Myrtle beach SC,  I sent of a email inquiry and headed down to breakfast.  It wasn't long until Ben gave us a call and

said he would straighten a room for us if we didn't mind, of course we didn't. .  For a change we set the GPS on fastest route and tried to find warmer weather.  It was a 48 degrees when we headed out.   With a little time and the rising of the Sun it started to warm up  It crept up to 70 before it started going backwards.  We were very happy.  One thing we noticed was the amount of trash on the highway, evidently they don't have the adopt a highway program here.  At one point we seen inmates out picking up the road side.  There was the normal my car's having a bad day trash, a bumper here, a muffler over there several road gators ( pieces of broken tires). I pointed out another deer along side the road and Ruthie asked if it was dead?  "Must be unless it's sleeping alongside the road.". A couple of miles down the road I said "There's another one sleeping in the median" I think she hit my helmet, no sense of humor that girl.   Then there was all the trash people throw out with out thinking, from cigarette butts, fast food debris and a sofa cushion. Oh my, the poor fella that lost that is in trouble, when he gets the couch home and the cushion is gone,  he would be better off to take the sofa right to the landfill and say some one stole it.
     We stopped at a fast food place, when we came out this monster was parked beside us.   Kind of intimidating.   I think he did it on purpose the lot wasn't that full.  Back on the road to Shallotte, NC,  locals kept correcting us you pronounce it with out the T's.  Now you try, say Charlotte with out the T's.  Not easy is it.
     Ben had been watching the gypsy tracker and had timed it so he was waiting at the end of the road by his mailbox when we arrived.    A comfortable fit from the start even the house animals accepted us.   I'm not normally a cat person, one seemed to become attached to me.  Jumping on my lap and even trying to get in between me and the computer.  At some point I asked what time Sue would be home.   "Friday he replied". It seems she is a traveling nurse and is usually out of town during the work week.    Ben took us to a local Restaurant "Jerome's Steak and seafood." great food Ruthie kept mentioning how she didn't care for hush puppies, I think she had five.  while we were eating the weather started deteriorating. 
     Ben showed us the weather map, he said the trailer edge was snow or ice.  Tomorrow we were going with Ben to breakfast with the Old farts motorcycle group.  And then off to find a long term place to stay.  He is the pastor of a church just across the line into South Carolina and the reason he had said he would clear a spot for us is they had recently moved from Iowa.  We were quite comfortable for the night except one detail was kind of ironic.  Ben could not have know the teasing we get from our "Harley Davidson" friends.   We were staying in the "Harley" room.  comforter, sheets, curtains and the pillow shown here.  Our Facebook friends got such a kick out of it.  
     Wednesday at the cycle breakfast.  Old farts motorcycle club.  Rules, no rules, any bike, just people that like to ride and evidently go out for breakfast.  The group was fun and diverse.  A good variety of cycles represented, no riders today, to cold.  It seems their was a good representation from New Jersey.  Because of the dramatically increasing tax and of course the weather, people seem to leave if they can at retirement.    This area is perfect since they are still close to the beach.  A little catchup on what the goings on since they last breakfast and they all dispersed until next week. 

Maybe not an RV, my sisters and brother-in-law still call this camping!
Shake down trip Lake City Minnesota.

   During the stay either because of my cold or a reaction to my friend Mr. Cat I was so stuffed up I couldn't breath.  Sudafed kept me going but I knew I had to move on.  Ben had graciously extended our stay while we found something.   
     We spent the remainder of the day riding on checking on a more permanent spot to spend the 16 days we were planning on staying in the area. our host was very generous but it is always nice to have your own digs.  It seemed that the area was spoiled by the summer traffic and the charges they would accept, more of a take it or leave it attitude. Which is fine if money is not an object.  That night I started a phone calling campaign using the maps and internet. Branching out I figured their had to be some lodging that would rather have some income than an empty room.  The camping wasn't working.  Those that would allow our little pop-up wouldn't allow motorcycles (discrimination) or the cost was so you might as well stay in a motel.  One snooty one said "well, you have to have an RV to camp, don't you?  Guess they have been around money.

The Buccaneer!

    In my search we found 3 possibilities, at least 2 of them I thought would be acceptable.  We drove first to Carolina Beach and checked out an older mote,l lots of activity in this area, restaurants, beach, things to do, refrigerator and microwave a competitive price , two rooms available and very friendly.  We had the rest of the day and sunshine so I thought we should check out the other place so Ruthie would have a choice.  On the internet it had looked like the lodging were older houses and as it turned out one was a historical residence and a couple of older local homes she had moved there.  Nicely done they would have worked well however Ruthie opted for the busier beach area.  We rode back to the beach got checked in and moved everything into the room, Home for 16 days.

74 Swinging Bridge

Nov 8


We get it packed every time!

     It was 39 degrees by the time we were loaded to ride.  I probably should discuss the wind chill effect on motorcycle riders.  There are several charts and they vary by a few degrees.  The one I checked calculated 40 degrees at 40mph as 10 degrees.  Kind of strange once you reach temperatures of 100 the wind actually makes it hotter.  Oh well we have gloves and heated jackets and with the winding roads I don't anticipate any high speeds today.
     We had one stop to make on our way out of Ansted.  I had a couple of obstructions in getting started this year on the blog.  Replacing my laptop with the tablet saved a lot of space, however the loading of web sites and information took some time.   The information stored on the word processor and now transferred to this tablet turned out to be unusable.  Computer people will get a chuckle out of this.  It was saved in Works format and my new Word program didn't recognize it.  I had no idea I was so far behind.   There was a conversion program available however I couldn't use it on my tablet or the lodge computer.   Also a dead end on the phone. 

  On one of our day trips I had seen a sign company from my work with copiers I knew they should have what I needed.  The only question, would they do it for me?   William and Crysty from  L& S Designs proved what small town business can be like.  After I explained my problem, that had been part of the problem at some business places, they had no idea what I was talking about.  (I'm glad Ruthie can't comment at this time.)  They invited me behind the counter, pulled a chair up to the computer and let me do it myself.   We ordered a screen printed shirt as a Christmas present for a friend back home.  They said we could pick it up on our way out of town.  Many thanks!

     Riding up and down the Appalachian mountains the temp ranged from 34 up to a high of 44, our speed was reduced due to the twisty roads so the wind chill was negligible.   However as the day wore on I could feel my throat getting a little tight and scratchy, not a good sign. 
    Steve from Hawks nest had suggested our destination,  the swinging bridge restaurant in Paint Bank Virginia  It was in the middle of nowhere but they must have had quite a drawing as there were at least 30 vibrator pads to give to customers waiting for their table.  Because of the time we arrived we were able to be seated immediately.  Apple pie and hot chocolate still trying to warm up .  There  was a porch used in milder weather.  We noticed a BBQ grill shaped like a coal train and many sets of bean bags on the lawn.  I am sure this is a popular spot for people from the large cities, a rural country store, souvenirs from the country and a little escape from the big city and of course the swinging bridge in the middle of the dining room, how unique..
     We crossed into North Carolina on our way to Tom and Colleen's, motorcycle club members
from  Kernersville NC.  On the way in we seen a billboard that said Fix a Friend, I thought it might be an internet dating service, found out later it was an animal hospital where they neutered animals.  You have to be careful out there.  We soon arrived at their beautiful brick home and we were greeted by these two little mites.  If you are accepted by the pets you are in the circle.  To keep the record straight I did not take the pictures, Colleen took them with my camera.  Two Gold Wing's one a trike sat in the garage.  One sported a Marine flag, to late I was wearing my Navy hat.  Tomorrow November 10th  is the Marine Corps Birthday.  Checking in with family son-in-law Bill (a marine) was happy to hear we were in good hands.  His favorite thing is to tease me about not knowing when the Navy birthday is.   Once a Marine always a Marine.  Tom is a computer genius, if I had felt better I would have loved to see Colleen's palomino.  There were pictures of him on the wall, beautiful horse.  They took us to one of their favorite sports bar.  I remember we loved the bar chips. 
    The next morning the scratchy throat had turned into a full blown cold.  After a great breakfast, we bid our good byes and headed East.  Wonderful people hope we see them again.
      Our goal was the Carolina coast maybe even Virginia.  I was not having a pleasant day chills had started evidently a fever had set in.  We stopped for a gas and a bite to eat in Roanoke Rapids.  It didn't take much effort for Ruthie to talk me into getting a motel for the night.  We spent two days there while I recuperated and gained some strength.

73 Hawks Nest

       As we climbed the winding road up to Ansted West Virginia the GPS was indicating lodging
ahead, however before we reached the GPS location we seen Hawks Nest lodge on the right.  In the parking lot I called our destination to check for vacancies and pricing.  Armed with this information I entered the lodge.  Having seen a similar one at a park in Fort Davis Texas I assumed this would be out of our budget.  Turns out they were having a special in honor of veterans day. Half off until the 11th of

November, I told them Ruthie was a Marine, (just teasing) we got out my DD214 discharge papers and settled in for the night.  Turns out our GPS was wrong, this was the same location I had been calling.   Reasonable rates, free breakfast and an amazing view, what more could you ask for.   We kept checking the view from our balcony as day turned into night.  There were large birds floating on the wind currents in front of us, we assumed they were hawks but found out later they were buzzards, still a beautiful sight.  Some one told us that there are two main types of buzzards, one is gaining population while the other is declining.  The reason:  one has learned to drag it's meal off the road and dine, the other stays on the road and sometimes becomes road kill.
      Hawks nest advertises as the best view of the gorge and we can't argue with them.  It is right on the edge and the view keeps changing.  At the very bottom of the gorge there is a train running along the river. 


The road down the gorge.

    Dec 6 th Today was suppose to be Indian summer with rain squalls coming into night.  We ate our complimentary breakfast in the lodge dining room.  We were living like royalty on a budget.  The dining room had windows overlooking the amazing gorge with the New River below.   Great variety on the breakfast menu have to smile every time I see grits, I think I will stick with oatmeal.   There was one incident at breakfast, Ruthie was toasting bread and the smoke alarm went off.  Soon two park rangers and two maintenance people were on the
scene.  Great response time and of course Ruthie got some teasing.   Our waitress Sheila had the toaster dial marked the next morning to avoid another incident.  She claimed we had an accent however I thought she said she came to work 7 miles on a bike road, turned out to be a back road.
      We wanted to get some miles in before the rain hit.  We rode to Highway 19 where it crosses the river to see the New river Gorge bridge 876 feet tall, one of the highest in the
world.   The impact on travel was impressive, we took old 82 which up until 1977 was the only crossing at this point taking over 45 minutes to reach the other side.  Now it is a one lane, one way, crooked, steep access to the bottom of the gorge and provides a awesome view of the new bridge structure and river below.   Of course we had to try it both ways and as usual the long way   

Back up the other side

was more scenic.  Now on the Fayetteville side we stopped for lunch at a restaurant featuring biscuits, partially out of curiosity, (we don't have these up North) and to email a friend the picture. (private joke).  I believe we had a chicken salad sandwich, on a biscuit of course.     It only took 45 seconds to speed back across the single span arch.
     Back on the road to Babcock park to see the Glade creek grist mill.   It was created using parts salvaged from salvaged mills in the area.  At one time there were over 500 mills in West Virginia.  When a town was established two of the main business were the grist mill to grind the corn and the saw mill to provide lumber.        
     I noticed the Blue Smoke Salsa building and it got me thinking.  I was quite sure that it was the name of the product a co-worker had brought to the Casino.  Later we made a day trip to Iowa on the trike to purchase some for our home.  Over the years I had forgot about it.   Could this be that same Salsa?  We had to stop and check it out.  On the wall were clippings telling the story of Robin, and how a stay at home mom had created the product for family started giving it as a gift to friends and relatives and was the first commercial kitchen approved in
the basement of a house in West Virginia.  I'm sticking with the idea that this was the same Salsa because it is delicious.  A couple of jars for the trip, a product brochure so I don't lose touch again.   It's nice to see people succeed from personal dreams and hard work.
     We were getting spoiled for the second time we shared a meal in the Lodge restaurant.   We were fortunate as Steve Thomas, Manager of the restaurant stopped by our table.   What a treat!  He has had an amazing life filled with interesting events and people.  His love of this area and it's stories made for an interesting evening.   He asked if we had heard of the book "Follow the River"?  Ruthie had read it.  Pointing out the window, Steve said "this is that river."   The story of Mary Draper Ingles captured by Shawnee Indians in 1755 and forced to live with them for months.  She and another woman eventually escaped traveling for over a thousand miles following the river back to Virginia.  Sitting in the comfort of the lodge it is hard to imagine the hardships they must have suffered walking in this rugged wilderness area.   He also pointed out that the name was just that, the "New River" is the third oldest river in the world.

     Steve is also responsible for the story of the barn storming pilots that chose their path by placing an ant on a map.  One more Steve story and then I will move on.  I chose this one because I had trouble dealing with the tragedy of the event but feel everyone should know it happened.  Steve asked if we had read about the Hawks Nest tunnel disaster.  He mentioned mass graves, drop bottom caskets, gag orders, business and political cover up.  Sounds like a conspiracy theory to me, I thought. 

For my good friend Jerry,  I got your biscuit
right here buddy!

        And it is!   The true story of Union Carbide and Carbon Corporation trying to hide the  deaths of countless men, mainly African Americans working for pennies a day to dig a three mile long tunnel thru Gauley Mountain.  It's purpose to channel the New River to a generator.  The workers discover Silica in the tunnel and mined it for their employer.  No breathing protection (even though inspectors were provided with it)  they developed and started dying from Silicosis, a terrible, irreversible lung disease.   Hawks Nest a novel written by Hubert Skidmore in 1941 depicting what has been called "The worst industrial accident in U.S.  history" was printed and never released to the public.  The
author died five years later with the books still in the ware house.   Was there interference?  Why was it forced off the market a year later.  The books disappearance was never explained.   The book was rescued in 1970 and in 2004 Steve in an effort to preserve the area history had it reprinted.  How many died?  No one knows!  A roadside marker has 109, a congressional hearing placed the death toll at 476 others say it could be as many as 1200 of the 3000 workers. Why have so many not heard of it?  Lack of media communications in the 1930's, unlike a single event tragedy it happened over time,  the effort to hide the deaths and burial of the victims often in remote unmarked mass graves.  Others went home to die.   Hidden from the public by business and government, Now you know!  You should really stop in and visit with Steve, have lunch and ask if he is there, you won't regret it.

     Nov 7th, 2013 3:35 AM
      I'm at the keyboard working reliving the memories of the past few days. I tried to sneak out of the room without disturbing Ruthie however as usual she caught me, I think I'm very quiet but she always seems to hear me.   Our last day at the lodge, tomorrow we ride!

 

72 Winding Roads

Note to self:  If it takes more than one post to tell a days story you are not going to catch up on your blog!
Dec 4th continued.   You need to understand the shortest way is not the quickest route.  It is the most scenic and interesting.  We arrived at Buzzards Roost, It over looks a bend in the Ohio river with Kentucky sprawled below us.   It was a beautiful fall day and we were taking pictures and enjoying the view.  A couple pulled up in a black SUV and started visiting about our rig and where we were headed.  Since I didn't know them I thought it would be better if I didn't just point South East like I do with my friends.   ""Bedford Kentucky". The man "Bedford Kentucky? 

From Buzzards Roost

Why Bedford, there isn't anything there."  I tried to explain that it was just a destination, we didn't need a reason, we were just wandering.  "But why Bedford, I could see if you were going to Louisville or someplace like that.". His wife tried to help, they really don't care what's in Bedford honey.  They are just traveling through the area.  "Yes I understand, but why Bedford?  (Next time I'm just going to point and pretend I'm mute.).    I have had time to think about it and may try this next time.  Why Bedford?  "We pick a point on the map at a latitude that we would like to stay near, in this case to avoid cold weather.  Key it into our GPS, choose shortest distance and head in that general direction.  If we hear of something to see or do we will veer off the path and let Miss Garmin bring us back to that point."   I will let you know if this explanation works.

Not designed for three wheels!

     We spent the rest of the day just wandering, crossed the Ohio river at Louisville and stopped for the evening near Pendleton Kentucky.
 Map of trip to date.   You will see the route player do a little hiccup in Illinois, that's where I was helping the highway dept. picking up trash.  On some future trip I would like to travel both sides of the Ohio river the view is amazing.
    The next morning we headed out and achieved our destination, didn't really have to go thru it but now it was a personal thing.   We always enjoy the beautiful groomed pastures and fences of Kentucky. 

 Our habit (Okay fine, my habit) of trying to find remote scenic roads by setting the GPS on shortest route and then veering off the main roads so it has to locate a path thru on not normally charted roads. I noticed at times that major roads and interstates were with in screen shot, as we made our way from the Louisville area across North Eastern Kentucky. It made me aware that those traveling the fairly straight groomed freeway above us probably had no idea of the life that lived along this path that followed the same route used by the original settlers that carved a living from this land. From those that moved from one area to another on


Wish they had been working the thoroughbreds this morning.

Proof!

foot, horse and oxen and eventually some form of motorized vehicle they had chosen a path that wove it's way around obstructions and danger until it became a road. Well we were now on it, those above had no idea of some of the quaint scenes and people that existed below. They were more content to speed along and get to their destination with an occasional glimpse of the landscape. Kind of like a Readers Digest view of America. We (fine, I ) chose to see as much as we could. Many times the road was void of a safety shoulder, painted lines and yes sometimes even a hardened service. It was at these times I heard the familiar voice "Where have you gotten us to now?" Several times we were with in sight of the Ohio river to the North. We knew that Indiana was across the river and eventually would be replaced by Ohio. We ended up in Maysville Kentucky, and so we asked "what is interesting
here?" George Clooney was born here.". However we didn't see any of the Clooney's matter of fact Wiki lists Maysville as the birth place of his Aunt Rosemary but not George.  Ohio is now just across the river to the North.

Tobacco hanging in the barn.

      We crossed into West Virginia and stopped at the welcome station to get some information and take some pictures. The staff was intrigued by our mode of travel and asked where we were going. " That way" pointing in what I hoped was a South Easterly direction. They were very helpful and gave us a couple of suggested destinations. We put them into our GPS and headed on our way.
     Not knowing when we would be near a large city again I plugged  a Best Buy electronics store just outside of Charleston West Virginia into our route.  I knew this would not make Ruthie very happy as it was one of her least favorite stores. Maybe today would be different. The battery on her camera was exhausted,( at least that's what the screen said.) no wonder, she has shot over 200 pictures in 3 days.  I thought I would kill two birds with one stone. (wonder where that phrase comes from?)


At least one State welcome sign,
Wild and wonderful sounds like our kind of place!

Best Buy:   After going thru a small chain of employees we gained permission to plug in our camera charger while we shopped. I can see Ruthie's opinion not changing soon. Having changed from the large laptop I carried on last years trip to a ten inch tablet their were some accessories I wanted to purchase for it. The first sales person seemed content to clean screens while avoiding eye contact.  (must have trained horses at one time, I figure.)   I went back to the entry, and asked a yellow shirted host how to get some assistance finding the products. He said he would call some one.   ( I assumed he meant within the store.)  
I hung around the area where my product was locked in a glass container.  Their was a large man waiting in the same area, we joked about the blue shirted employees wandering around, must be specialized training in areas other than what we wanted. I asked yellow shirt again. Our target salesman was helping another customer. I knew large gentleman was first and besides he had the weight advantage After a while it was my turn.  He would have to go to the back to check stock.  I waited some more, he must have went on

break?  Mr. large gentleman seen me and said "any luck yet?"  Then he pointed across the isle.  My designated salesman seemed to be talking with screen cleaner. By this time Ruthie had found some chairs by the front door. My blue shirt went to the back to check stock on my products. I waited where he left me trying to avoid Ruthie's stare, I knew what she was thinking.( I told you so!) I finally got impatient and went looking for blue shirt. He had just walked away from the large gentleman, kidding I asked what he was doing stealing my salesmen ( I felt like we knew each other pretty well by now.) After a very long time I had made my purchases, educated the salesman on some of his products, then tried to get

some ones attention at the service desk to get my charged camera back ( finally leaned across the desk and unplugged it myself, figured if they thought I was trying to steal it they could help me, no such luck.) and then a few minutes at the door where Ruthie spent some time in discussion with yellow shirt after he made the mistake of asking about our shopping experience. (I think we can kiss a sponsorship from them goodbye.  Maybe a secret shopper position is available?)
     Back on the trike we veered off the freeway again. Wonderful scenic roads. Our friend Tom warned us that their was a band of heavy rain storms extending from Canada to Louisiana, "you can't avoid them, they will catch you." With that in mind we decided we would try and stay in doors for a couple of days.
     Hawks Nest state park, wonder if they have lodging?