Everyone knew the stay in Maggie Valley would be brief, but the two-day stint at Saving Grace made leaving the valley that much harder. It’s easy to see why so many people have made the Valley their home away from home. The trip down the mountain from the cabin with loaded bikes was considerably easier than our first excursion going the other direction.

We retraced our route on US 276 that brought us to the Valley two days earlier through Pisgah National Forest and over the mountains. Starting any day on 30 miles of mountain roads will always bring a smile to my fuzzy face. At Jack’s suggestion we visited Looking Glass Falls. Good call Jack. We were there early enough to have the place to ourselves and enjoy the falls undisturbed.

Because today’s ride was the longest of the trip (385 miles) we had to mix in some interstate riding with mountain and country roads. Despite our best efforts to avoid the quick turns and u-turns that marked yesterday’s ride, today’s adventure included the most egregious misstep of the 2012 Great Adventure. But it wasn’t the fault of the ubiquitous GPS. No, today’s screw-up rests solely on the shoulders of the ride leader. That would be me. Expecting a highway split that would send us east, I carefully positioned the group in the left hand lane of Interstate 26. But evil traffic engineers had opted for a right lane exit and a fly over spanning the Interstate. Marilyn and I managed the quick lane change to execute the flyover, but the rest of the group continued sailing southward to South Carolina. They reversed directions in another state entirely. Marilyn and I only enjoyed 20 minutes of quality alone time on the side of the highway before the missing members of the flock returned to the fold. Mea culpa. Mea culpa. Mea maxima culpa.

Group riding on interstate highways through large cities tests riding skills and one’s faith in his (or her) fellow man (or woman). Charlotte and Raleigh today tested both. For some reason, the natives seem to think the asphalt testing grounds belong exclusively to them, trying to enforce ownership by occupying the same spaces we intended to use. But we managed to get through urban battlefields and ten hours after we left Maggie Valley we reined in our steel steeds at the Hampton Inn in Rocky Mount.

To our great delight, the good folks at the Hampton had declared on their marquee that today’s guest of the day was our own Ruth Lee. We have, as a result, treated her since our arrival as the princess that she is.

Tomorrow the Outer Banks, light houses and ferry rides.

“I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

Maggie Valley is a good place to ride a motorcycle and to kick back and relax. So we did both. I started the day by watching a river of fog meander benignly through the valley below. What a way to start the day.

Still recovering from the previous day’s ride, Marilyn and Sue opted for a peaceful day in the woods at Saving Grace.

After a leisurely breakfast, Jack and Lori, Ruth and Steve, and I departed for a loop ride to Cherokee, Bryson City, and Franklin, depending again on Jack’s directionally-challenged GPS. Unexpected quick turns at the urging of the GPS can and do lead to intense and animated conversations between the leader and his wingwoman who was clearly taken aback by Jack’s failure to provide a timely turn signal.

But for the most part we were on the roads we expected and especially enjoyed the snaky NC 28. The speed through the turns was sufficient to be exciting without stimulating a pucker factor. The final leg of the route brought us the back way over the mountain to the cabin, which wasn’t as challenging as yesterday’s inaugural hill climb but was nevertheless made more interesting by the occasional indecision generated by the murky messages emanating from Jack’s GPS. Which-way-should-I-go? Which-way-should-I-go?

In the meantime, John had made a short ride on his own and had returned by the time we got back from our four-hour loop. A quick lunch re-energized Ruth and Steve and Jack and Lori, and John joined them for another brief ride. I took the opportunity to try to reduce my sleep deficit.

It was another good day all around. This evening we’ve been reviewing rides for the next few days to try to ward off the dreaded GPS-induced quick turns.

It will be tough to say goodbye to “Saving Grace,” our definitely not so humble abode in Maggie Valley. This was a memorable waypoint on this year’s Great Adventure.

Tomorrow we say goodby temporarily to John and Sue and the remaining six of us will head east in search of new roads and whatever awaits us there.

“I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

I should start at the end of the day because that’s when the “adventure” began today. But I won’t. I’m going to make you read today’s whole damn blog.

Jack led today’s ride of nearly 300 miles, depending heavily on his imperfect GPS, yet getting us to our destination nevertheless. Actually, Jack did a great job and took us on some South Carolina back roads that made for pleasant riding, especially SC 703. Saw some deer crossing the road early in the ride. Jack seems to attract deer. No collisions today, though, so that’s good.

We saw all of Greenville we wanted to see during Jack’s shortcut to the Greenville Harley-Davidson dealer. A couple of shirts and a pin later we were back on the road. Sort of. Not only does Jack attract deer, he also appears to activate red lights. Eventually we made it out of Greenville and tackled our first mountain road. We were quickly reminded why they put tread on the sides of those Dunlops.

Saw some clouds and some wet roads but avoided the standard afternoon mountain showers so common to the Smokey Mountains. Got to Maggie Valley and picked up the check-in packet for the cabin. And now the adventure began.

From the check in location it was only two miles to the cabin (or would have been if we had made all the correct turns in the first place). But the two miles were straight up. Well not exactly straight up. There were five switchbacks to negotiate. Not a problem if you’re hiking. But on a fully loaded, 900-pound motorcycle it’s a little more of a challenge. The Great Adventure Riders rose magnificently to the challenge, powering through the hairpins with nary a toe touching the asphalt. With a collective total of about a dozen u-turns, we all made it safely to Saving Grace, the name given to our cabin by its owners. It was worth the ride up the mountain. This is a beautiful home with gorgeous views from the deck and the two-story living room.

Tomorrow the Great Adventure continues. Can’t wait.

“I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

Today’s short ride (about 100 miles) took us to Beaufort, SC, on the coast. The weather was perfect and the ride was relaxing, following shaded roads in some places and picturesque low country at its best.

One of the best things about traveling is the chance to visit new places and be pleasantly surprised at what you find. John and Sue, who had been to Beaufort, told us it was an “artsy” village with lots of interesting shops. Their description, as far as it went, was accurate. But we also discovered that Beaufortians are proud of their past, which dates to the early colonial period, and includes pages from both Revolutionary War and Civil War history.

But the nicest surprise was an immaculate park that borders the marina. Swings, flowers, groomed grassy and picnic areas, great views of the waterfront. It was nice spending an hour taking it all in.

Back at the West’s house following the ride, we relaxed in the pool, soaking up rays and enjoying the camaraderie that marks this group.

And what Father’s Day would be complete without a little target practice. Strong believers in the exercise of our Second Amendment right to bear arms, most of group does just that. Even Marilyn and I took a few shots at a paper bad guy.

We continued to put a dent in the unseemly amount of provisions we hauled in yesterday. Tonight’s repast had a South of the border theme with venison tacos and spicy queso dip. We are waiting for the taco dust to settle before attacking several containers of ice cream.

Jack will lead tomorrow’s ride to the cabin in Maggie Valley and went over the route today. About 300 miles over mostly state and US highways with a great finish on a twistie through the mountains. Well planned down to the rest stops and lunch break. Weather forecast looks good again tomorrow.

“I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

265 miles through NE Florida, Georgia and South Carolina on mostly back roads and bypasses. John and Sue. Jack And Lori. Ruth and Steve. Marilyn and me. We left work and worries behind us. Well mostly. Today was a great way to start this 9 day adventure. Perfect weather, great roads. Having what I hope is minor issue with my bike involving the throttle sensor. Hope it doesn’t develop into a larger issue.

One of the best things about these kinds trips are the unique eateries you discover along the way. Th Purple Pickle in Darien Georgia, for example. Clearly not a chain. Local art on all the walls, including the unisex bathroom. Slow service gave us time to talk and good food gave us something to enjoy.

Arrived at the West’s in Walterboro about 6 p.m., making it a 7 hour ride. If you wanted to, you could do it 3 hours on the interstate, but who would want to? Headed immediately to the grocery store where we bought enough food for 16 people for a week. The 8 of us will be here 2 days. And we’ll probably eat all the food. Marilyn fixed a salad while I set fire to a half dozen ribeyes. My Jack D was sitting on the grill shelf and I singed my lips in the middle of my chef’s duties. But everyone enjoyed the steak and grilled corn on the cob.

The best part of the meal wasn’t the food. It was the friendship. This was a great way to begin GAR 2012.

“I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

The Great Adventure Ride gang hits the road again tomorrow for our third annual June ride. This year four couples take off for a weekend in South Carolina, five days in the North Carolina mountains and along the Outer Banks, then back to SC and then home. Each ride so far has been packed with great scenery and unbelievable motorcycle roads. More importantly, we’ve strengthened lasting friendships. This year will be no different.

Marilyn’s Deluxe has been outfitted with new tires and a new travel bag. I’ve changed the oil and filter, the transmission lubricant and the chain case oil in both bikes. We’ve pre-packed, re-packed, and unpacked. The saddlebags may not hold everything we want but they’ll hold everything we need.

Twisty roads, awesome vistas and good friends. Doesn’t get much better than that.

Will try to post daily updates of our Great Adventure.

“I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

Hilary and I went to the Louisiana HOG Rally rally in April for two days. A little Tabasco, a little zydeco, and a lot of motorcycles. We both had a good time despite some rain.

“I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

Eventually I want to use this blog to keep track of various motorcycle trips.