3 Day Trip

I managed to get out on a 3 day trip to Ky, Va, Tn, and Wv. This blog is going to be short and sweet but with some nice pictures. I rode down to Lexington Ky on the first day. Here are a few pic.

Grant Lake in Mt. Orab Ohio



Bridge heading into Ky



Veterens Memorial just over the bridge



You gotta stop here!



My friend I met while at the park



Day 2 I took a wrong turn and found this cool mural.





Some of the great scenery along the way!





Natural Tunnel near Bristol Va.



Fatz Cafe Bristol Tn.



Sign coming into "The Snake"









Morning of Day 3







Some scenery along the way to the Cass Scenic Railroad.






Cass Railroad








ET Phone home!



3 days 1220 miles what a great trip!

Took a 2 day trip with my Girlfriend

She had a rare two days off in a row so when I had heard that I made the suggestion we head to southern Ohio and spend the night at her Dad's place and they go ride West Virginia the next day.

I pick her up on the bike and we're on our way by 9am. Our first destination is the Iron Pony. I wanted to check out some gloves and rain over boots. A little over an hour later and we're spending money at the pony. LOL At least I have some summer rain gloves now.

We get back on the road and head for Cantwell Cliffs in the Hocking Hills Recreation Area. Yes we were just in the area on Memorial Day, but how do you get tired of this scenery?

We get to Cantwell and walk back into the cliff area. I snapped some pics of the huge rock formations.



I also set the camera up on a rock and got a picture of us with a nice fall in the background.



Granted the fall isn't magnificent, but it was beautiful and the trees block it from view in that picture. lol But here is a picture of it by its self



After we got done huffing and puffing while we climb our way back out of the cliffs we saddled up and headed to Old Man's Cave. We took the short path to get back to the falls. Couldn't believe all the kids already out of school and in the park.
We stopped and watched a couple sliding down some rocks into a couple deep water pools. Good thing its posted no wading or swimming!

I was surprised how much the water levels have dropped in just over a month since the last time I was here. Took a nice picture of the falls.



We now have two of our three tours complete that I had planned. Only one left is Cedar Falls. A couple miles later and we're there. We walked down the hill and across a bridge, where I snapped a pic of a fish last time I was here. Its amazing what a little time can do. There were fish every where. I get a great pic of one of them.



We could hear quite a ruckus as we got closer to the falls. Kids and young adults everywhere in the pool below the falls. We did find one guy that didn't mind.



I found a way to get a picture without getting any of the people.



All the touring done now its time for lunch. Yes you know.... Obetty's!



Jenni Lynn really like Obetty's. Guess we'll have to do that place again. Anyway now its time to head to her Dad's place on the Ohio river. One wrong turn later we're on 33 south heading to 124. No much after getting on 124 the river comes into view and so do the coal barges.



Waking up to the sun rising over the Ohio river the next morning was beautiful!



Looking down at the fog just hovering over the locks.



We helped her Dad with some chores around the house and it was time to head home. We headed toward Athens on 681. Its a beautiful twisty scenic road! It could be in a little better shape though.

Found a farmer with a good sense of humor along the way.



One of the many beautiful views along 681.



Finding ourselves back in Athens and at Obetty's for lunch again. Just who would you expect to see? That's right, Mike and one of his friends ride up for lunch. That just made a good day that much better! It was good to see him and chat again. After all its been since last Monday. lol

My wonderful girlfriend bought me an Obetty's T shirt while we were there too! Lunch ate it was time to come home. Just stayed on the big roads to make some time. Only had one lovey gentlemen try to kill us so all and all good trip! Can't wait until we can do it again some day!

Memorial Day Group Ride.

We were able to finally get out as a group this year. It even brought a few new faces to the group. First off my girlfriend Jenni Lynn got to go! That was cool. She was supposed to have to work, but they didn't need her so that was a win win for both of us. Second I got my boss Scott and his wife Jane to come with us on their new Kawasaki Voyager.

We got moving a little before 6am. The weather was just gorgeous. Warm, but yet still cool. We took the hour ride, after getting gas, to Wooster to meet up with Scott and Jane. We got to watch a beautiful sun rise accented by the smells of fresh cut hay. Is there a better smell or way to get going in the morning?

Here is a shot of the sun coming up as we head into Strasburg.



We met up a little late. I was running a bit behind. Seems I didn't think about having to gas up before we left town. Oh well it was only five minutes.



After some mandatory chat we saddled up and headed for Strasburg to meet Alan and Elaine.

We pulled into the Marathon right at 7. How's that for punctual?



I made introductions for everyone, we chatted a bit and headed south to Caldwell to meet Mike.

While cruising down 77S we were being met with a very beautiful day. I was watching the sun get higher in the sky and saw how it was making a cloud glow. So I pointed my camera in that direction and this is the result!

The best picture I took all day!!



I am happy to say we had an uneventful ride and met up with Mike at the McDonalds.



We all went inside and had a quick breakfast and talked about the past, present, and future. We also decided on a start to the ride. We are going to follow 26 to Marietta. A road I have never traveled.



26 turned out to be a great treat! It was a beautiful ride with plenty of twist and turns. We found a few covered bridges along the way too. Here's one of them.



Out of Marietta we got on 550 to Athens and Obetty's Redhots! I know, by now you're sick of hearing about that place. Well in this edition it was close! Its never closed! So we went around the corner at the Union Street Diner. It was hot as, well you know, inside. The side we sat on had a broken air conditioner. We'd been out in the 90's all day it wasn't that bad. Got a great vanilla milkshake while I was there!

Now were are heading out toward Old Man's Cave to enjoy those twisties! We took a couple side routes I had never been on before. We left Athens on 56 and quickly turned off onto 691. We followed that a bit and went to Nelsonville we stopped for another break and for gas. While there we had a cool looking visitor!



After the stop we turned off on 278 to get back on 56. Great roads!

Back on 56 we followed it until we got to 374 and tooled around until we got to Old Man's Cave. We stopped for a much needed water break and cool down. We all also decided how we were going to all head home from here.



We stayed as a group until 374 found its way back to 33. From here we all split up and headed home. Scott, Jane, Jenni and I all took the same way home.

We were gone about 13 hours and made it 440 miles. Hot, tired, a little burned but a great great day!

Going on a Scavenger Hunt!

The motorcycle forum I belong to http://www.kawasakimotorcycle.org/forum/ has a scavenger hunt thread going each year. A rider posts a target to have your bike in the picture with. Recently its been a sign with the word highest point or something to that effect. Well this morning I was going to head out and get this target. Its been posted for a couple weeks with no one claiming the prize. Prize he says. The prize is you get to select the next target.

So I log on and check the target because there was talk that he was going to change up the target. Glad I did! He changed the target to an old style diner. For me this is good. This is an easy one. There is a place near where my brother used to live. Minerva Classic 57 Diner. http://minervaclassic57.net/ There is also the Steel Trolley Diner http://www.steeltrolleydiner.com/ is Lisbon Ohio. Its a great place to have a huge hamburger. But I'll go there for breakfast.

I get all geared up and head out the door by 8am. Its turning into a great day. The temperature is cool in the mid 60's and overcast. My favorite riding conditions!

I head out 250 to 30 east for the hour plus ride to Minerva to get my first target picture. I stopped at the Classic 57. It used to be a lot better years ago. It had more of a 50's theme to it on the outside.



That picture taken now on to Lisbon for my next picture. You don't need two pictures, but I know this Diner has the better old time look that is being sought in the Scavenger Hunt.



I just continued east on 30 out of Minerva and found myself seated in the diner for a nice breakfast of coffee, french toast, and bacon! Does it get any better?

Now where to go? I don't know how about we head east and pick up 7 and follow the Ohio River for a while? Haven't done that in a while. I get on 154 east like I was heading to Beavercreek State Park. This road will drop you off on 7 and right outside the park.

Heading south now on 7 around East Liverpool you can see the Ohio River on your left you travel south. I love these old towns like this. Its almost like going back in time. Also the way they carved the road out of the side of the hills makes for nice scenery and pictures.





Rode past a couple huge power plants. This one by First Energy is so big you have to drive under it.



I stayed on 7 enjoying the views and the Ohio River until I made my way down to Martins Ferry. Here I headed west to start going home. I got on 250 west knowing I was about to hit some awesome twisties! But as usual you find that one person that doesn't have a clue how to drive. So after following this lovely gentleman for a while I found a nice spot to pull off for a bit to allow him to go ahead.

Its not like I am some kind of speed demon that needs to fly, but it is nice on a bike when you actually have to lean a bit in the corners. That's half the fun.

Finding my way in to Cadiz I had to snap a picture of their court house.



Before long I was at Tappan Lake. I decided to take the scenic road beside the lake. Glad I did. It was beautiful. Here are a few pictures of the ride.







This road takes you back out to 800. This I followed into Dennison and got back on 250 for the rest of the ride home. I did have to make one more side trip. Right before I come into Wooster is an Ice Cream stand. They have some great soft serve. I got me a cone before the last 35 minutes of the ride.

I only put 287 miles on the bike today but it was great to get out. We haven't had a lot of good riding this spring. Been extremely wet! Hopefully Mother Nature will keep us dry for Memorial Day. Have a group ride scheduled!