A treat for the weekend...

Sometimes the Gods of Fate conspire in ways that end up actually being beneficial to us. Take this coming weekend for example. My better half is required to work on Saturday. Saturday is the only day this weekend which has been declared safe from any type of precipitation, by our local Weather Witches. Saturday is also Day 2 of the 3rd Annual Thousand Islands River Run (T.I.R.R.), to be held in Alexandria Bay, NY.

http://www.alexbay.org/

http://www.alexbay.org/upcomingevents.php?date=06/26/2009

So... here is the plan of attack. Baby and I will leave Orleans bright and early on Saturday morning (early departure, early return...), bound for the 1,000 Islands. I am pre-registered for the event and simply have to bring my official receipt to the registration booth on James Street, to receive my run t-shirt, patch and pin. Ostensibly we will be back before my Honey returns from her appointed shift at work, therefore allowing us to spend the entire period of her time off together. Yay!

Sunday, we will both return to Alex Bay, this time in the van. She will then pick up her run t-shirt and we'll schmooze with the locals for a bit, weather depending, before heading out to Massena for a trip to the Malls (St. Lawrence Centre).

http://www.stlawrencecentre.com/html/index18.asp

This way, everyone is happy. Baby gets to romp along the seaway, I get my knees in the breeze and both my Honey and I will get in a little shopping and strolling through this beautiful area, before enjoting the drive along Rte. 12, then Rte. 34. Yes, this promises to be quite the treat for the weekend, regardless of what the weather decides to do. We always carry our bright yellow rubberized wet weather gear, so we're ready for any eventuality. Bring it on!!

Great start for a Wednesday...

I arrived home yesterday, after a sweltering but still enjoyable commute. The self-generated breeze felt good and nobody tried to kill me, so all in all it was a pretty good ride. On the kitchen table sat a small parcel, perhaps 6" x 6". The sender's address was somewhere in Calgary, AB and initially I could not fathom who it could be from, not recognizing the sender's name. I opened the box and began unwrapping the items therein. There staring up at me, was Spider's face.

His sister Karen had been so kind as to send me a small photo album with pictures of him, a memorial card from the funeral services in Alberta and his Toronto Maple Leafs Zippo lighter and case. I was very touched by this. She had also included a wonderful and very heartfelt letter which at one point, actually caused me to laugh out loud as I read one of the passages.

Spider had always been a die-hard Leafs fan. "Aren't those the only kind of fans they have...?", I would often kid him. Like many others, he espoused this fervent, if somewhat misguided belief, that the Leafs would eventually triumph and vindicate their fans' unshakable faith in them. I of course, would placate him as though he were my mildly-retarded younger brother. It was one of our many 'shticks' that we would perform for anyone within earshot.

Myself, I had gradually lost interest in the NHL or indeed anything having to do with hockey, after having moved from Montreal to the Maritimes. For me, the initial expansion beyond the Original Six, was pretty much the death knell of hockey as the purists knew it. Since then, it has become all about the money and very little to do with the game itself. It's just another big business clusterfuck. The final nail in that coffin, was when I decided to give up drinking. Hockey games were after all, just another excuse to drink... So I was never really a big fan of any hockey club, by the time Spider and I first met. Let alone the Leafs. As I used to tease Spider: "Why the Hell would I cheer for the Leafs of all teams, 'specially now that I'm finally sober???"

He'd keep telling me: "I think you need a program!" and I'd reply: "Not one that endorses cheering for a losing team... this is supposed to be my recovery, not backsliding!" So when I read this particular passage that Karen wrote, you'll understand why it struck me as absolutely hilarious:

Karen wrote: "I am enclosing his "Toronto Maple Leafs" lighter and case. I know he would want you to have it, as he was always telling me what a great fan of the Leafs you were".

It was at this point that I simply howled with laughter. How very much like Spider to spread such hilarious disinformation about me. It's like having your best friend over for an evening with your family, but telling them beforehand that he's gay and dyslexic, then sitting back and watching the fun as the evening unfolds.

She continued: "I don't know if you still smoke, but if you do please think of Eric every time you light up".

Well, I finally gave up smoking a year ago as of last October. So, it's now been a year and eight months. No matter. Having Spider's Leafs lighter is an honour, as it surely was one of his most prized possessions. I will take it on the road with me, as you never know when you're going to need a source of fire...

I probably think of Spider at least 20 times a day. He is forever tied to my own sobriety and even though we never rode a mile together, he will always be my best riding buddy. He owned that lighter case for longer than I knew him and any time I might catch sight of it or his Zippo, they will always bring back the fondest memories of conversations enjoyed and laughter shared.

I am ever so grateful to Karen for this kind gesture.

I thought of all this as I rode in this morning. Not in a preoccupied way, or anything like that. But enjoying it, letting it flow through me as we leaned and swooped our way through traffic in the wonderfully balmy morning air. As we engaged the Rockcliffe Parkway, crossing the overpass which spans the 174, I spied a doe grazing in the field to my left. The tall grass left only it's back, neck and head visible. We leaned into the right-hander and down the stretch. Head pivoting, eyes searching, I countersteer ever so lightly and she settles into the big left-handed sweeper leading to the bridge. Just before reaching the bridge, again on the left-hand side, another doe grazing near the road this time. Two sightings within a minute or so... and no traffic ahead.

What a great start to a Wednesday.

A final word on the Harley fiasco...

As promised, I have done some ferreting around and here is the upshot of what I found.

True: The purchase of said motorcycle was agreed upon and a down-payment made, at a pre-determined price.

True: Just before final signing, the potential customer was informed that the price had changed.

True: There was an initial recalcitrance to refund the down-payment.

True: The sales agreement fine print states the dealership's right to change the price at any time they see fit, up until the date of delivery.

True: Our young service member nowadays is a far happier camper.

Final analysis? What Ottawa H-D did... was it 'legal'? Yes.

Was it morally questionable? In my humble opinion, absolutely. Did it show a total lack of respect for the customer? Again, fuck yes! And to leave it at that is being charitable, believe me... But hey, you're all big boys and girls... you can make up your own mind as to how you think you should be treated when you walk into any place of business. And I say this because I cannot view this as anything other than a military person. To do so would be to miss the point entirely. I am patently incapable of viewing this as a civilian. Now, as someone who also worked in the motorcycle industry (and NOT as a salesman), I can also say that I find their conduct reprehensible.

Perhaps not a fair analogy (?), but when I worked in the industry after leaving the Navy, we would never dream of arbitrarily upping the cost of a machine that we had built or were building for a customer. That's right, we weren't just middlemen for an end product. We were an independent, 'aftermarket' shop, which not only serviced and customized existing rides, but would build custom bikes. This was years before the recent rash of 'high end custom fabrication shows' that now swamp the airwaves. We provided an actual service to our customers. And a damn good one at that. We built them from the frame up, to specifically meet the rider's taste, budget and physical build. Each bike was like a tailored suit.

Now if a customer opted for different components as the build progressed, the price would obviously vary depending on the parts selected. The difference being, we wouldn't soak a customer simply for having changed something. If he wanted to use a less expensive part, the price of the bike would actually drop correspondingly. Nice touch, huh? It's called having integrity and providing first rate customer service.

In the USA, the Motor Company as they like to be known, sells H-D units to servicemen serving overseas at BELOW MSRP through the American PX system.

http://www.encs.com/vehicles.aspx?id=183

Here in Canada, the price discrepancies between US and Canadian units in the motorcycle industry has always been retarded and incomprehensible. That includes the brand that I ride, by the way. Pretty much the same as for all other motor vehicles. And no it has bugger all to do with either currency exchange of customs/duties. The last four years have borne that out, as thousands of Canadians went stateside to shop for cars, boats, trucks and bikes. They had finally discovered that for all these years, they had been getting properly raped by our own Canadian dealers. In our blind effort to support our own local economies, we had totally missed the glaring truth of the matter. How gullible were we...? Seriously???

Does Milwaukee dictate what a Canadian model ought to or will sell for? What do you think...? Think Trev Deely... Think monopoly... Think greed and "whatever the market will bear...". And for all the verbal assurances that the dealerships have or know local riders who are also service members, maybe even customers of theirs or members of their own family... you know they just don't get the insult if they're civilian. If you're not military. And trust me, they're not.

They can say that they have nothing but the highest respect for them, but the bottom line is the bottom line. Money talks and bullshit walks... You won't see that type of program up here ever. You won't see that kind of respect or support. Not from Harley Canada and probably not from any other dealer up here, while we're on the subject. Though I'd give my eye-teeth for someone to prove me wrong here...

So... As with all transactions, it is a matter of 'caveat emptor'... let the buyer beware. Read the fine print, shop around.

After all, it's your money and your pride... At least if you reckon that you're worth more than the sum of the parts that you ride into town on. I can see any number of people attempting to buy an image that isn't them, for the sake of hopefully impressing others. I'll be damned if I can see a Canadian military member feeling the need to do so. As if we have something to prove. To anyone...

On re-shingling The Lantern Inn...

This weekend we were fortunate enough to be able to help out some friends of ours. They had been neighbours of ours at our previous address. Like many of us, they are of limited means and he has some physical limitations as well. They have a little cabana which they built in their back yard, some 12 years ago now and which they christened: The Lantern Inn. From this vantage point, they enjoy surveying 'their little kingdom' and interacting with their neighbours. The roof which had been constructed of aspenite sheeting and cedar shingles, had pretty much had it.

My better half and I had volunteered to help them rebuild it. We picked up the materials we would require for the first half of the job, prior to coming into town that morning. So the first part of Saturday was spent stripping off the old roof and removing any old nails from the trusses. Our neighbour had already cleared a good quarter of the roof away, from a pretty inaccessible spot which has a maze of cherry tree branches directly overhead. As I mentioned, this lad has some physical limitations, but he never lets them stop him from doing what he sets his mind to. We then laid on some brand new 5/8" tongue and groove plywood sheeting and covered it with tar paper. Halfway through the day, they treated us to a marvellous little lunch. We started a little after 0915hrs and ended the day at around 2030hrs.

Arriving home that evening, my wife was sweet enough to fill the whirlpool bath for me and we both enjoyed the luxury of a nice soak. We were both a little sore and stiff and she had not brought knee pads for our bout on the new roof. Our bed felt even more comfy than usual that night.

Sunday was spent simply shingling the roof. Again we started around 0900hrs, but due to soreness and some stiffness occasioned by the previous day's efforts, I wasn't quite as nimble as I might have been. I would have to say that neither of us were. Still my better half acquitted herself very well, as she single-handedly shingled most of one side of the roof. I simply cut the pieces for her while standing on a stepladder at the roof's edge and helped her align them properly. Once more, they provided a delicious lunch for us, which again provided a very welcome break as well. We ran a chalk line for the cap at the end of it all and I set the pieces in place while my wife tended to the cutting chores. By 1630hrs we were done and ready to call it a day. Just in time to make it to my step-daughter's, who along with her hubby, were putting on a Daddy's Day supper for me.

I will probably be feeling the effects of this weekend's work for the next couple of days. But the physical exertion was good for me and the biggest payoff was the look in my neighbour's eyes as we shook hands before parting company. The sincerity of his words of thanks and the knowledge that we were able to assist in maintaining the integrity of "their little kingdom", was all that I could ask for in exchange for our time and effort.

There and Back Again - Day 5...

Tuesday, 09 June 2009

0444- Sleeping fitfully as my back doesn't much like this bed. Was awakened by a huge peal of thunder. Got up and went to the window to check outside. Am noticing some spits of rain on the window. Went to the bathroom while outside, the thunder continued. (**) Returned to the bedroom and began jotting this down. Looking outside right now, it's pouring! Hope this passes soon and I'll be able to leave around 0600. :(

(**): Originally this passage read: "Went to the bathroom and the thunder continued." My wife read it and laughed herself silly. It has since been edited to read: "Went to the bathroom while outside, the thunder continued".

0620- They are forecasting showers and severe T-storms for the N.Virginia and D.C. areas this morning and again later in the day. I have no idea what the WX is going to be for Pennsylvania or New York State. Guess I'll find out as I go. No real place around here for a good cup of coffee. I'll have to try to grab one along the interstate somewhere.

0730- Baby is dried off and packed. I can feel the humidity out there already. Time to shove off!

0845- Stopped in at the Pennsylvania welcome centre. The WX cleared on the way up from Front Royal. It's overcast but that just makes for better riding. Had an exciting moment while riding through Maryland. A pick-up truck in the opposite lane (Southbound) had it's truck bed liner sucked out and it went sailing up probably some 30 feet in the air, before floating down to the grass median which separates the 4-lane section of the I-81. I have to say I've never seen that in my life! No breakfast yet... Maybe when I stop for gas in Harrisburg, PA.

0900- Guess I lied... Thank God for vending machines. I scored a coffee and a couple of packaged strawberry flavoured donuts for brekkie, right here at the welcome centre. Okay, so it's not the greatest, but it'll be enough to keep me going. :)

0906- Time to roll. As a sidenote, nobody dresses like Americans do. That's all I'm gonna say. :)

1150- Stopped in Hazelton, PA for gas and a coffee. Heavy overcast. Changed into my JR rain gear before heading back out onto I-81. Don't know how far to Binghamton yet... (NY State). By the way, there seems to be a Steve & Barry's store here. (?)

1310- The rain continues to hold off. I'm about 30 miles from Binghamton, NY though still in PA. Nice rest stop here. The next one is in 33 miles (inside NY State). Am taking the rain gear off as it's now sunny again and hotter than Hell. Need water and a butt break.

1430- Stopped for fuel and a burger in Binghamton, NY. (It was actually 40 miles from the last rest stop in PA). Syracuse is only 69 miles from here!! :) The winds here are ferocious! They have to be topping 40-50mph. It's a bit of a strain on the ol' bod but being this close, there's no way I'm going to slow down my pace.

1500- Lunch is over. Time to go...

1600- Took the I-481 and bypassed Syracuse proper. Stopped on the ramp where it rejoins the I-81 and turfed one of my pairs of riding glasses. The foam has come unglued at the base of the lense on the inside and it renders them a nuisance and a liability. I pitched them as far as I could throw them into a field on the side of the road. I'll get a better pair once I get home.

1635- Am now past Watertown. Only 35 miles to go to the 1,000 Island Bridge...

1715- Have just cleared customs and am back on Canadian soil. The winds have finally abated somewhat. Contrary to my expectations, I did not have to go through every piece of kit and clothing that I had onboard Baby. I related my travels to the Customs official, enumerated the list of souvies I had picked up, their approximate value and was waved through. Nice... :)

1835- Landed at Tim Horton's in Brockville, after having traveled the 1,000 Island Parkway and then Hwy 2. You know I'm stopping for a small double-double. Called home to let my Honey know where I was. She sounded very happy to have me so close. :)

I decided to stay on Hwy. 2 and roll along the riverside for a while. I will take the 416 when I get around Prescott.

2000- As I pulled off the 416 onto the Rideau River Road, I stopped to put my rain pants back on. There was a fine rain falling, softening the contours of the greenery around us and giving everything this amazingly fresh smell. We're taking this last stretch real casual like. Nothing over 80kmh. It's a nice, lazy kind of pace. That seems to be what I've gotten used to from my recent trip. Slow and easy. Before long we were nearing Manotick and we banked right onto Mitch Owens. I am reliving the day I started out on this journey. I passed the intersection of John Quinn Road, where my wife had met up with me in order that I might have my tunes on this trip...

2045- I have arrived home. The garage door was open and my Honey was waiting for me. With 57,013km on the clock and a total of 3,308km traveled, it has been the best road trip of my life so far. I can hardly wait to go again...

*********************************

Epilogue.

Thursday, 11 June 2009.

- As I was straightening out the garage this morning, finishing the unpacking of tools and saddlebags, I looked at Baby as she sat there. She is dirty, bug spattered and in need of a good wash and some TLC. How fortunate I am to have her. She is much more than a simple vehicle of conveyance. She is a time machine.

I thought back to only days ago now, when she was resting atop the Skyline Drive as we both took a break from yet another wonderful stretch of roadway. What a marvellous adventure we have both shared... There can be no more compelling reason for someone to learn how to ride, or to get back into it after a long hiatus, than the description of these last few days of travel and adventure. This is what these marvellous iron steeds are made for. There is so much to see out there. So much to discover...

There and Back Again - Day 4...

Monday, 08 June 2009

0654- Now where else but in the South, does the Holiday Inn serve up a breakfast of scrambled eggs, sausage patties, biscuits and gravy??? Breakfast was delicious!! Going to clean Baby's windshield and other bits, before proceding. I'll load her up and then we'll head to Roanoke where we'll get back on the BRP. Probably do a few more miles on her before getting back on the I-81 for good.

0720- Finished giving Baby her pre-departure clean-up. Time to pack and hit the road. Many more sights await us.

1055- Stopped in the James River Valley parking space on the BRP, for a water and butt break. I've decided that I'll stay on this road until the end...

1130- Stopped at the Peaks of Otter for a water break. Just as I pulled in, a female deer and her fawn crossed the roadway and approached the outbuildings. They were joined by another female which approached from the opposite direction and all three of them congregated around the Peaks of Otter sign. The fawn was just adorable. I managed retreive my camera from the back of the bike and squeeze off a couple of shots of the moment, before they hightailed it back into the forest.

1215- Went off-mountain at Steele's Tavern, looking for gas. Went 5 miles down roads which are surely worse than anything the Tail of the Dragon could ever throw at me. Seriously!!! To add insult to injury, there was no fuel at the bottom of the run and I had to climb back up, which was even hairier! There were several occasions where my heart was in my mouth. When you have to gear down to 1st to take on an uphill grade, you know it's serious... Made it back and carried on.

1307- Stopped off at the visitor's centre about 6 miles inside the BRP. My arm is killing me. The Northbound lane of the BRP is in bad shape in spots. Some pretty major potholes. I took a couple of pictures of this early-sixties woman, who is driving a 1913 Rolls-Royce. She is driving it solo along the Parkway and then down to Louisiana. Quite an adventure! The car is one of perhaps 500-600 ever built. It's truly a million-dollar car!! There are many vintage cars which can be seen cruising the BRP and the Skyline Drive. Some of them really take you back... old Chevs, Thunderbirds, Cords, Caddies...

1330- Leaving Rest Stop. Will gas up at the end of the Parkway and then strike out for the Skyline Drive. May stop over in Front Royal overnight.

1440- Short break at Trayfoot Valley Overlook on the Skyline Drive. Very hot!! Thank God for shade in many parts of this area. Gassed up in Waynesboro at the end of the BRP. Only 3 miles off-mountain and into town.

1500- Stopped at the Loft Mountain Comfort Station. Had a cheeseburger and a Pepsi. Got another bottle of water for the road as well. Trying to stay hydrated as the heat is brutal. Time just seems to melt away here. I look at my watch from time to time and am always amazed by what time it is. I am close to Mile Marker 82 by now and it is simply as beautiful as it was on the way South. I have to admit that I am sad to be leaving...

Loft Mountain is the same place I stopped in on the way down South. I had picked up two small peanut butter cups, which I ate for dessert at the Holiday Inn in Salem, VA last night. There are these two older Southern ladies who work the confectionary counter there. They are just as charming as can be and with their Southern accent, can get a man to buy just about anything from them. I told them before leaving: "Madam, you have me at a disadvantage. Surely you know that no Northern man can resist a woman with a Southern drawl...". They were just tickled pink by this. One of them gave me a wink and said blushingly: "Oh well now you just hu-uuush!!"

I have noticed the buzzards here. They are ever present and everywhere. It is almost magical to stand at an overlook, 2,800 feet high, and watch them hover there just in front of you, at eye level. The lush green valley a tapestry below them. You can see their spread wingtip feathers fluttering, as they are borne aloft by these massive thermal updrafts , created by these sheer mountain faces. It's absolutely fascinating.

1520- Left Loft Mountain. Headed back North.

1630- Left Big Meadows Wayside centre after a fill-up and a bathroom break. Had a stare-down with a deer on the second bend, 2 turkeys a half-mile later and another deer in the middle of the road, 500 yards after that!

At Mile Marker 43, 2 more deer in the middle of the road. At Mile Marker 42... my first bear!! Black bear, probably a yearling. He was climbing up the side of the hill, maybe some 20 feet from the roadway. NOW I can pick up that bear pin they have here. I wasn't going to get one unless I actually saw a bear in my travels... There were two cars pulled over to the shoulder, their occupants taking pictures. Being on a bike, I opted to carry on a bit further, stopping at the first overlook I found to jot these notes down.

Was following 2 bikes and had another 4 following me, as we were doing the final 12 miles of the Skyline. I pulled off at an overlook, to let them pass. I have a very heavy heart as I near the end of this part of the journey. I want to ride the last few miles to the end, with just Baby and me. I know it sounds maudlin, silly even, but as I stood there gazing of into the distance just one last time, I could feel my eyes welling up. How I didn't want to leave this enchanted place... But all good things must come to an end. I began thinking of an old Patty Loveless' tune: "How can I help you to say goodbye". That really didn't help. If you've ever heard it, you'd understand...

1750- Stopped at the Dickey Ridge Visitors Centre, just inside the Skyline Drive. They closed at 1700hrs. No bear pin for me on this trip... :( Back on the road...

I climbed back aboard Baby and we continued our slow, downhill journey. As we were in the final mile and the exit gate came into view, I patted her tank and thanked her for this most amazing journey, to such a magical place. I recalled how only days ago, I had entered through this very same gate. I knew then that I would emerge from here a changed man.

1810- Landed in Front Royal, VA. Fuelled up and rented a room at the Shenandoah Motel on Commerce Street. Super seedy but at $44.00 a night, it'll do. I could have found better I'm sure, but I'm just lazy today. I got the only non-smoking room and the only room with a bath. I'm thrilled. What a change from the uber-swank Holiday Inn in Salem last night though.

1905- Baby is unpacked and I'm sitting here sweltering. Time to check in with home.

1930- No luck reaching home from the room. Apparently their phone system isn't made to do that in these here parts...

2116- Showered and fed. Great little Chinese food place next door. Had their Colonel Tao chicken and it was fabulous. Chinese tea, bropccoli and sticky rice too. I was the only customer who didn't dive into their buffet and who actually asked for a set of chopsticks. Go figure. Took a half-hour walk afterwards and it was great. I'm now sweating again but the room has A/C, for as scuzzy as it is. Well... ya get what ya pay for. I've promised myself to do better next time around. My better half would shudder at this... :)

Tried again unsuccessfully to place a collect call home. Finally hooked up with a live operator who advised me all in a huff: "Well... we don't do collect calls to foreign countries!" Well excu-uuuuuuuse me!!! Finally left a message home via my cell phone, which is now recharging.

2230- Last phone call to home for tonight. Still no answer other than the machine. Maybe she was working late and zonked out when she got home. I reckon I'll catch her tomorrow...

********************************

How can I help you to say goodbye?

Artist: Patty Loveless
Album: 16 Classics

Through the back window of a '59 wagon
I watched my best friend Jamie slippin' further away,
I kept on waving 'till I couldn't see her
And through my tears, I asked again why we couldn't stay.
Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?

I sat on our bed, he packed his suitcase
I held a picture of our wedding day,
His hands were trembling, we both were crying
He kissed me gently and then he quickly walked away.
I called up Mama, she said, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?

Sitting with Mama alone in her bedroom
She opened her eyes, and then squeezed my hand,
She said, I have to go now, my time here is over
And with her final word, she tried to help me understand.
Mama whispered softly, Time will ease your pain
Life's about changing, nothing ever stays the same

And she said, How can I help you to say goodbye?
It's OK to hurt, and it's OK to cry
Come, let me hold you and I will try
How can I help you to say goodbye?

How can I help you to say goodbye?

There and Back Again - Day 3...

Sunday, 07 June 2009.

0640- Have just taken a little wander around the grounds outside. My Honey would definitely approve. There are about 5 young colts in the paddock to the right of my room's doorway. They share this space with several mares. They are jumping about, playing and acting silly in a way that would make my wife go: "Awwwww...bless!!" There are a multitude of bird species out there, creating a mountain morning symphony. I can recognize cardinals, orioles, woodpeckers and the odd variety of finches, but that's about it. This region of Virginia, including the Blue Ridge Mountains, is home to over 200 species of resident and migratory birds.

To describe the sounds is like trying to describe the fragrances and aromas that assail your senses, as you scoot along the Parkway. There are so many scents I cannot even put a name to. The bushes that line the BRP are heavy with bougainvillas and rhododendrons in full bloom. Honeysuckle grows everywhere around these parts, as does mountain laurel and dozens of other blooming plants. Just outside my door, there are two large honeysuckle bushes and the air is heavy with all manner of natural perfumes. Ron told me last night that we would probably be having breakfast outside on the patio at the rear of the house. The patio is directly below my veranda. I hear sounds of motion in the main house, where I am quartered. Outside, I can hear the horses softly whinnying, as well as the call of mourning doves. Yes, my wife would so love it here...

0820- Ron and Kathleen are making the final preparations for breakfast. I am now on my second cup of coffee, after having had my first while chatting with Bill and two other local guests a little while back. We had spied another couple emerging from the main kitchen, with steaminmg mugs in their hands. It wasn't long before Bill and I made our way down there for a mug of our own. I walked the driveway, trying to pick a path which would be the easiest/safest. It oughtta be okay, I guess. As long as I can keep Baby's ponies in check without sliding her. I'm getting anxious to get underway. The places are set on the patio. Time to have breakfast, I reckon. I'm wearing one of my new shirts today: "The Mountains are Calling and I must Go". So true... So true...

Breakfast at the Reba Farm Inn, by the way, consists of the following:

- Poached pears in a lemon sauce
- Warm homemade cinnamon loaf with fresh creamery butter
- Eggs Mornay (hard-boiled eggs, halved and served with potato slices and carrot shreds in a cheese sauce)
- Country sausage patties
- Apple juice
- Coffee.

0920- Bill and Sandie left while we were all having breakfast. Shame. He stopped by to say goodbye before they left. I reckon we'll meet further down the road some day. He was a likable sort... Guess I'm on my own for makin' it down that hill. Well... It's time to load up Baby and take her down the road.

For all that I had sweated it, Baby performed admirably on the way down. I promised to keep my hand off the front brake and she promised not to throw me on my ass. It was nip and tuck, notably with the last 90 degree turn at the very bottom of the bad section, but she sailed through with grace and poise. Heaving an enormous sigh of relief (and vowing to never do anything like that again), we set out to climb our way back onto the BRP.

1015- Stopped at the Peaks of Otter for a water break and to pick up a fresh one.

1215- Stopped at the Meadows of Dan (Mile Marker 178) for some gas and fresh water. I also picked up a wonderful miniature fiddle and case. It may well go to my wife's niece back in Cape Breton, who is a pretty fair little fiddler in her own right. This is a beautiful area. Very lush and green.

http://www.meadowsofdanva.com/

1400- Stopped for a break at Rake's Mill Pond (near Mile Marker 158). Long way to go. Less stops today for sure.

1548- Crossed the North Carolina State line. Don't know about making it to Asheville tonight. Will see if I can hook up with the I-81 to Asheville and continue on tomorrow. If not, I will begin heading home tomorrow, as there simply won't be enough time.

1644- I'm at Mile Marker 230 on the NC side of the BRP. I have decided that I would not have enough time to complete this trip as I wanted to. So... I have turned Baby around and am headed back North, to home and to my Missus.

2000- Pulled into Salem, VA about 6 miles from Roanoke. Fuelled Baby and rented a room at the local Holiday Inn just off I-81. Very nice!! And cheaper than the Reba Farm Inn.

http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/saewr?PID=3120733

Have eaten over at the local Burger King and finally picked up some Vaseline moisturizer and a hairbrush. Haven't contacted home yet as there is no answer there so far. Will try later on. Can't wait for a shower and a rest. The attendant had me park Baby under the portico outside the front door. Awful nice of him...

Came off-mountain and took the I-77 North until I hooked up with the I-81. Turns out the I-81 starts heading West and goes nowhere near Asheville, NC. I can jump back on the BRP anytime I want to as there are many access roads that lead onto it.

2054- Just got off the phone with my wife. Let her know where I was and what I was doing (coming back early). Told her I ought to be home by end of day on Wednesday. Time for a shower and to turn in. May try to watch a little TV, but doubt I'll be able to last long.