Today was nothing short of fantastic. Leaving Roanoke after continental breakfast we found our way back to the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was, as we expected, virtually deserted and we enjoyed the curvaceous beauty by ourselves (we counted less than 1 car every 5 miles). But as Saturday morning wore on, and we finished the last 110 miles of the Parkway and paid the 10$ to take Skyline Drive through Shenandoah National Park, traffic increased dramatically. Bicycles, cars, motorcycles all seemed to arrive at 10 a.m. and the speed limit reduced to 35 mph, making the travel pace much slower. The benefit: flora and fauna.
Remarkably, the wildlife on the Parkway seemed to be limited to a few skittish squirrels, timid deer and a tenacious turtle or two. By the way, why do turtles want to cross the road and risk serious harm? George and I discussed this troubling question after dodging a few this morning and decided that they do this for the same reason he and I go 10,000 kms to experience the territory covered. Call it curiosity fueled by a thirst for adventure. It sounds better than "to get to the other side [of the road or country?].
But what a difference on the Shenandoah Park drive. Marmots, numerous deer (including one with a newborn fawn), wild turkeys, squirrels, rodents and turtles, and even the black bear (I have a picture to prove it but it did not show well).
All these were part of the huge greenbelt that featured magnolia trees and wild azaleas, and an endless carpet of ferns and shrubs protected by deciduous and evergreen trees (not the size of those in BC but beautiful nonetheless).
By 2 pm we were out of the woods (so to speak) and taking Route 66 the 60 miles from Royal Front, VA, to Washington DC. Neither of us had been there and we thought it would be fun to get our pictures taken with President Obama (and our bikes of course). Apparently he was not at home so we took a few tourist shots and left by 4 pm.. Actually, we tried to leave by 4 pm but I missed the turn off onto the George Washington Parkway, twice, which forced me to ask directions (the gas attendant did not know) and finally use my GPS (which worked perfectly, although I still missed a turn or two and was told, "You are off course. Recalculating."). Ultimately, we found our way to Frederick, Maryland, some 35 miles northwest of DC, exhausted, drenched with sweat from the ordeal, and ready for a shower and nice supper. Motorcycles and big cities don't do well together!
All in all: 589 kms (355 miles) in about 10 hours of actual saddle time, touching two states and the District of Columbia. All without any rain (dodged numerous rainstorms) although there were times we were driving through clouds high on the Parkway and could not see 20 feet due to mist sticking to the windshields and general visibility.
PS. We have decided to adopt a Country hit as our trip theme song: God is Great, Beer is Good, and People are Crazy.