The Keys Day 2

Richmond, Ky to Orangeburg, SC:  444.6 miles

After some excellent hotel waffles, saturated with syrup - of course, we were on the road just about at sunrise.  We avoided the interstate, staying on US 25 for most of the morning.
Temperatures in the AM were cool to cold, changing as we went up and down the hills.  There was occasional fog, with dense fog in some areas.  A few times it was wet enough to almost be equivalent to a light rain.

US25 started out as 2-lanes, and snaked along the interstate.  Sometimes we could see the interstate from the bike and we also crossed it a few times.  Staying on the two lanes reminded me of when we first started motorcycle touring and did everything possible to avoid the interstates.  Near Corbin, Ky, US25 splits intwo 25E and 25W.  We took 25E which is a four lane road, but still very scenic and with very little traffic compared to I-75 or I-40.  The road reminded me a lot of Western Kentucky Parkway which we rode en route to the Southwest in 2009.  Thumbs up to Kentucky for some nice roads.  With it being four lanes, the little traffic encountered was not an issue in the slightest.  With easy riding, cool temperatures and a nice road, it was a wonderful morning.
We crossed into Tennessee through the Cumberland Gap Tunnel.  I had read about a restaurant near the tunnel but didn't see it and it was too early for lunch anyway so we continued on.

I wish we would have stopped at the Veteran's Overlook to see the Cherokee Reservoir created by damming the Holston River.  If we return by this route, we may have to stop.  In case we don't, I stole a picture from one of the motorcycle forums I occasionally lurk in.

Somewhere around I-81, US25 turns back to a 2-lane road.  I had driven this section a few times in my truck when going to South Carolina when I-40 was closed due to rock slides.  It was much more fun on the bike.  Thankfully, there wasn't much traffic and I was able to enjoy the curves up and down the mountains, sometimes at peg scraping speed.
The scenery was beautiful.

We stopped for lunch north of Asheville, NC and ate at a place called Stoney Knob Cafe.  The restaurant wasn't quite sure what it was, but the food was good, if a bit upscale for a quick lunch.  While good, it was a bit expensive and the order was screwed up.  Life goes on...
Once we hit I-26 we stayed on the interstate into South Carolina.  The interstate was a bit of a let down after such a nice morning.  But with the days heat building, it just made more sense to take the straight route to Orangeburg.

After lounging a bit in the hotel room, dinner was at Fatz Cafe.  We'd never heard of this place before, but it appears to be a regional restaurant.  Ribs and chicken were great and the service was welcomely better than lunch.

Motorcycle Trip Out West 10 Years Later, Day 7, 8

Total Mileage 2103.0 (180.7 for the days)

July 24 is Pioneer Day in Utah which is a pretty big state holiday, especially in and around Salt Lake City so everyone had the day off.

Morning was spent around the house though, helping unpack remaining boxes and putting up mirrors, etc. in the bathrooms. After we had all accomplished things there, we packed up the car and bike to head up to the cabin for the day and night. The plan was to take both vehicles since J1's friend (I guess she would be J3?) was going along and fitting six people in a Prius is probably not prudent for a couple hour drive to the mountains.

We followed D up to the cabin and stopped at the lodge at the base of the mountain roads, hoping to park the bike there. The gravel roads to the cabin can be generously described as "rough" and the final driveway is very steep with gravel and loose dirt. When we talked to the people at the lodge, they weren't too excited about having an extra vehicle there with the busy weekend. The woman did eventually say we could park there, but I wasn't too comfortable about the situation at that point. I can't blame the lodge people given that it could be very possible to have lots of people wanting to park all manner of vehicles there.

I could also have left the bike at the forest service parking area which probably would have been fine, but that would have left it in a very uncontrolled environment. I decided to take it to the cabin. Ten years ago (the trip where the title of this adventure comes from), I took my Harley Davidson Electraglide up to the cabin on the inaugural christening of the cabin. It was just an harrowing then, but I didn't know the condition of the roads and driveway. Ignorance is bliss.

I carefully made my way down the dirt road on my plastic 800 pound bike, doing my best to avoid the largest rocks and potholes. Once at the driveway, I started up it but managed to stall about half way up. Whether I was on a steep section or not doesn't matter, since the entire driveway is pretty steep. I was able to roll back and rest the back tire on a rock to get the bike started and moving forward again, with some slippage of the rear wheel; none too comforting.

I successfully made it to the cabin, keeping the bike upright the entire time. A decade ago, I said I would never take my bike up to the cabin again, and I'll say it this time too. Maybe I should just buy a Suzuki V-Strom.

Once at the cabin, we changed out of motorcycle clothes we goofed around for a while, shooting pellet guns and hooting around. The cabin is a pretty amazing place and it was fun hanging around with J1 and J2.

After some time we had an amazing dinner of buffalo T-bone steaks which were some of the most tender buffalo I've ever had. The night ended with a rousing game of spoons until we all turned in after dark.

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July 25

We woke up to a beautiful quiet mountain morning with very cool air. The cabin sits near 11,000 feet and the cool air was a welcome respite from the last few days heat. The morning mountain sunrise, as it has been during past visits was nothing short of stunning.

After a breakfast of yeast raised waffles and bacon, J2 and I took the four wheeler up Dead Man Mountain and hiked nearly to the top. I've done this same ride and hike several times before and it never ceases to amaze me how gorgeous and quiet it is up near the tree line. We sat at the highest point and the only sound was the wind in the trees. Even the usual din from ATV traffic was non-existent.

Back at the cabin we played a few games shot the pellet guns more before a quick lunch and heading back home. The trip down the steep gravel driveway is different, but just as uncomfortable as the trip up. But, I was able to crawl down and carefully ride the gravel roads out. Once at the exit, the police and/or forest service had set up a checkpoint. I wasn't sure if I needed a forest pass on the dirt roads, but what could I do. I asked the officer who stopped me if I could pull forward to the asphalt around 30 yards ahead and he kindly said that was fine. I was glad since he stopped me on very soft sand. All he did was checked my license and registration and thanked me for my time.

From there, we headed back to D's house and did some more unpacking and hanging of mirrors. This was interrupted by a great taco dinner before finishing the chores and calling it a day.