Day 09: Franklin, IN, to Goshen, IN. Back Home

Day 09: July 7, 2006
Franklin, IN, to Goshen, IN
10:30a-2:30p; 179 miles

After 2,200 miles, I'm back home in Indiana!

I ended the trip with a short leg from Franklin (just south of Indianapolis) to Goshen. The entire family was home to greet me, even Mark, who is here for a 1-week visit.

I'm thankful for a wonderful trip without mechanical failures, accidents or injuries. I was fortunate to have only 1/2 day of rain the entire trip.

Thanks to all of you who gave me lodging and/or meals. It was fun to maintain a blog of my trip; I hope my readers enjoyed my account and pictures.

For those of you who have not visited our home in Goshen recently, this last picture is of the landscaping Eileen, Rachel, Tex and I did this spring in our back yard.

Day 08: Nashville, TN, to Franklin, IN. Covered Bridges

Day 08: July 6, 2006
Nashville, TN, to Franklin, IN
10:30a-6:00p; 304 miles

Today was a great day for motorcycling. The sky was blue with a few fluffy clouds and the temperature was 78-80 degrees. I had a quick run from Nashville to Louisville and into Indiana.
At Seymour, IN, I left the interstate to travel along local roads and along the Hoosier National Forest.

Along the way I discovered Story, a small village on the north end of the forest (note gender specific driving directions). The Story Inn is the oldest country inn in Indiana. Rooms are $100-$200/night.

I visited two covered bridges in Brown County. The first picture is of Ramp Creek Covered Bridge, located at the north entrance of the Brown County State Park. The bridge was built in 1838 and was moved to its current location from Fincastle, IN, in 1932. It is Indiana’s oldest covered bridge and its only dual lane bridge.

The second bridge is the Bean Blossom Covered Bridge located on a remote road just south of SR 135 and Highway 45. It was built in 1880.

There are many covered bridges in Indiana. Parke County has the most covered bridges in the state – 30. A future vacation will be a covered bridge tour of southern Indiana.

Tomorrow I will be back home. It’s been a very enjoyable trip, but I will be glad to see 15th Street again.

Day 07: Lenoir City, TN, to Nashville, TN. Wing Ding

Day 07: July 5, 2006
Lenoir City, TN, to Nashville, TN
9:30a-12:45p; 165 miles

After three days of driving over narrow roads with many turns, it felt good to hit the interstate, set the cruise control at 70 mph, and relax with my legs stretched out. A muscle in the right side of my back was getting sore from having my right hand constantly on the throttle, so being able to use the cruise control let me rest my arm a bit.

About halfway to Nashville it stated to rain. I checked the forecast before leaving, so I put on my rain gear when I started out. I stayed fairly dry - except for my feet. My boots are not waterproof and I did not have boot covers. When I stopped for fuel, I poured about 1/4 cup of water out of each boot. My feet were swimming!! About 30 miles before Nashville the rain stopped.

I arrived in Nashville shortly after noon (EDT) and went directly to the Goldwing Wing Ding at the Opryland Hotel. I had a quick lunch in the hotel (yes, the picture is inside the hotel!!) and spent a couple hours in the exhibit area.

After checking into my hotel (not Opryland!!), I went to Christina's apartment where I had a good visit and dinner with Christina. Kimberly was in PA with her grandparents.

This post is a day late because the internet connection was not working at my hotel.

Day 06: Maggie Valley, NC, to Lenoir City, TN. Smoky Mountains Park

Day 06: July 4, 2006
Maggie Valley, NC, to Lenoir City, TN
11:00a-7:15p; 170 miles

Today I entered the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. What a national treasure! And on this hot July 4, there were many, many people there to enjoy the park. My recommendation – pick some other time to visit. In spite of all the people (and vehicles!!), I was able to enjoy my visit. My decision to make this a more relaxing day was good.

I drove north through the center of the park along the Oconaluftee and Little Pigeon rivers, then headed west over a very curvy road. Along the way I took a 2.6 mile hike (round trip) to the Laurel Waterfall. The trail to the waterfall was uphill, so the cool water was refreshing as I splashed it over my head and face (ah, the short hair felt good).

I exited the park at the northwest end and took the Foothills Parkway down to Route 129 – the Tail of the Dragon. This section of Route 129 has 318 turns in an 11 mile stretch of the highway. It is a motorcyclist’s Mecca.

My bike performed well as I carefully pushed it around all the twists and turns, worked the gears, and dragged the floorboards. We slew the dragon twice!!!

Tomorrow it is on to Nashville and the Goldwing Wing Ding.

The following two pictures are of me riding the Tail of the Dragon. I added these to the blog after I got back home. They were taken by people who sit by the side of the road and take pictures as motorcyclists pass by. Click the pictures for a larger view.

Day 05: Hillsvale, VA, to Maggie Valley, NC. Parkway

Day 05: July 3, 2006
Hillsville, VA, to Maggie Valley, NC
10:00a-7:15p; 280 miles

Today my attention was directed to parkway flora; I did not see any out of the ordinary wildlife. The peak blooming season is over, but a number of plants and wildflowers still have flowers. The part of the parkway I traveled today has large patches of rhododendron. In some places the rhododendron was so thick it formed walls along both sides of the parkway. Most wildflowers appeared in small clusters, but I did pass one large field of Black-Eyed Susans. (Click on pictures to get a larger view).

The past two days I purchased a deli sandwich about an hour before noon and selected a shady
spot with a view as my lunch room. I drink a lot of water, some iced tea, and an occasional diet soft drink with caffeine. It is easy to become dehydrated when you are out in the sun and encased in a helmet, jacket and gloves.

I arrived at the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway in the evening (actually about 12 miles from the end – I will do those last few miles tomorrow when I enter the Great Smoky Mountains National Park). The Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation live on the south end of the national park. My Aunt Viola told me about a play, Unto These Hills, that is performed there every summer. I was able to get a ticket and quickly rushed off to the play after I checked into my motel.

Another connection – this time to the past, and one not to be proud of. Our treatment of Native Americans, in the past and the present, is a shame. The play noted the many broken promises and treaties of the American government and the forced displacement of the Cherokee in what became known as the “Trail of Tears.”

The past two days have been exhausting. Although the parkway speed limit is 45 mph, there are many sharp turns and steep hills, and the weather has been hot. My goal was to be in Nashville tomorrow night, but I decided to cut back and have a more relaxing day. I will take more time in the park and spend the night at Lenoir City, TN.

Here is some quick advice on traveling the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway:

1. Plan on three or four days to drive the entire length. There are many overlooks, hiking paths, nature centers and other interesting things to visit.
2. Gather information in advance and plan for sightseeing, stops, lodging, etc.
3. Expect to average about 10 mph slower than the posted limits (Skyline 35 mph; Blue Ridge 45 mph). The many curves and switchbacks have to be taken slowly and there are many people who drive slower than the posted limits. With few places to pass vehicles, your speed is often determined by the leader of the pack.
4. Stop at as many overlooks as possible
5. Plan fuel stops carefully - especially if you are on a motorcycle which may have a shorter fuel range than a car. The roads travel through unpopulated areas and you often have to exit to find fuel.

Day 04: Winchester, VA, to Hillsvale, VA. Drive/Parkway

Day 04: July 2, 2006
Winchester, VA, to Hillsville, VA
10:00a-9:15p; 343 miles

(click on the pictures to get a larger size)

“For the beauty of the earth, for the glory of the skies…Lord of all, to thee we raise this our hymn of grateful praise.”

I thought of this hymn as I drove along the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway today. What beauty! What majesty! What a way to connect with nature!

We can be thankful for the vision of President Franklin Roosevelt and the hard labor of the members of the Civilian Conservation Corps who did early construction on these roads in the 1930’s.

Many years ago I was on part of the Skyline Drive, but it is a different experience to drive the whole length of these magnificent roadways.

Driving on a motorcycle adds to the experience – you become part of the road; you feel the dips, hills and curves. Your body becomes tired from the physical exertion of guiding a heavy bike around the curves; your back and butt ache; your mind gets tired from the intense concentration. And yet you feel a real high, a sense of exhilaration and excitement.

As I entered Skyline Drive, a motorycle behind me pulled up and the driver asked if I wanted to ride with them for awhile. The couple on the bike was Bree and Laura from Buffalo, NY. They had ridden the Drive/Parkway some time ago and Bree had good advice about speed limits and watching for animals. We rode together for about 2 hours and chatted when we stopped at overlooks. Bree and Laura, thanks for the good time. I enjoyed getting to know you.
In addition to the wonderful scenery, I saw a red-tailed hawk by the side of the road, a large owl and many deer. I had hoped to see a bear, but that did not happen today. At one stop I talked with a person who did see a bear and cubs earlier in the day.

As for the hair, or lack thereof, - I don’t really like the look, but it certainly is great for motorcycling. Your head stays cooler, you don’t have to put up with ‘helmet hair’, and at rest stops you can douse your whole head with refreshing water. Thanks to Bree for this unflattering picture!!!

I will post more pictures from the ride later. It’s getting late and I need to get some rest.

Day 03: Mifflintown, PA, to Winchester, VA. Reunion

Day 03: July 1, 2006
Mifflintown, PA, to Winchester, VA
2:45p-5:45p; 130miles


Today was a time for connections with family and relatives. After breakfast with my aunt, cousin, brother and sister-in-law, I packed the motorcycle and went to visit my mother’s grave. I had a good talk with mom. I heard her laughter, thought about her kind spirit and how she always gave of herself for others, and heard her tell me to drive carefully. Her relationship with my motorcycles was, at best, reluctant tolerance with a large measure of prayer. Although, I believe I was able to give her a short ride in the yard one time.

I then paid a quick visit to my cousin Michele Meiser. Michele and I have been close since early childhood. The picture (left to right) shows daughter Malia, Michele, husband Doug, and daughter Kiersta.

After that I was off to the Wert family reunion. My paternal grandmother was a Wert. The pictures tell the story; there is no need to say more. I had a good time visiting with cousins, aunts, my dad and stepmother, my brother, Dale, and his wife, Huynh. Dale gave a talk about his 26 years in Saudi Arabia. I also saw many relatives about whom I have no clue. The Wert reunion is always quite large. This gathering is small compared to reunions 25 years ago.

The pictures are of my grandmother, Phoebe Wert Saner, as a young woman and at age 93.

Around 2:45 I hit the road again and traveled to Winchester, VA. I will pick up the Skyline Drive from there in the morning. I stayed on Rt. 75, a local road, as much as possible - more mountains, winding roads, and beautiful streams.

Well, I did it!!! For some time I’ve said I would shave my head when I took a long motorcycle trip. A shaved head stays cooler and you don’t have to worry about ‘helmet hair’ when you take off your helmet. Ummm, I almost shaved it – shaving would mean daily maintenace (shaving it each morning). So I just did a really short buzz. I’m still getting used to it and get to try it out under the helmet tomorrow.

Dinner tonight was at a wonderful Indian restaurant.

Day 02: Lorain, OH, to Mifflintown, PA. Connections

Day 02: June 30, 2006
Lorain, OH, to Mifflintown, PA
8:30a-3:45p; 318 miles

I was on the road by 8:30a – not a bad start – and had many hours to think and meditate. The few radio stations that exist along Interstate 80 in Pennsylvania are not able to broadcast past the mountain ranges. So I had time to reflect on my trip.



Connections. That is what I should have titled this trip. The first part of this trip I will connect with friends, family and relatives; on the second part of the trip I will connect with nature. Connections to people, places and the past are important because those connections give us a sense of continuity and purpose. They provide reference points, or anchors, for our journey through the random twists and turns of life. As I grow older, those connections become more important. Perhaps it is because with age the tenuous and transitory nature of life becomes more apparent.

Around mid-day I decided to go off the interstate and travel more local roads. It was here I made another connection. I believe the geographic imprint from our early years stays with us throughout life. That imprint can be positive or negative, and in my case the imprint was very positive. I grew up in the mountains and hills of Pennsylvania; I have very fond memories of many hours spent in the woods. As I wound through the mountain passes in central PA, I felt sheltered by the protective womb of trees, streams and hillsides. I’ve lived in the Midwest for over 20 years and, at times, still feel naked and exposed in the wide open spaces. But today, I was back in familiar surroundings, nestling in the geographic imprint that was formed many years ago.

I’m spending the night with my mother’s sister, Viola Lauver, and my cousin Gary. More connections, more good conversation, more time to appreciate life. Left to right in the picture are Huynh (my sister-in-law), aunt Viola Lauver, cousin Gary Lauver, and me.

Day 01: Goshen, IN, to Lorain, OH. Schmitkons

Day 01: June 29, 2006 Goshen, IN, to Lorain, OH
5:30p–9:45p; 213 miles

"THE OFFICIAL TRIP PLAN" lists my departure from Goshen at 3:00 in the afternoon. However, I could not leave on time and break a longstanding tradition I have with departure times. So by 5:15 p.m. I was on the road heading east toward Ohio. I needed to make good time, so I traveled out Interstate 80 – not the best route for motorcycling, but it gets you to your destination quite quickly.



I planned to spend the night with college friends, Jim and Carol Schmitkons, whom I had not seen for at least 15 years, probably more. I arrived at their home in Lorain, OH, around 9:30 p.m. On the way I experienced a 20 minute delay waiting for traffic to clear, and stopped for 45 minutes to rest and eat dinner. Jim and I were floormates in college, and he married Carol the summer before his senior year. Good friends quickly pick up conversations and memories that were left many years in the past. This was certainly our experience. It was great to spend time with them and reminisce about college experiences and friends – Jim Cooley, Bruce Marvin, John Miller and John Hunker. Jim had pictures from those days in the late 60’s early 70’s. Wow! I’ve changed a bit. He even had a picture of the aluminum go-kart we built and raced. The picture is of Carol beside her garden before I left on Friday morning. Jim left too early in the morning to be in the picture – or I got up too late. It all depends on your perspective.

Trip Overview

My motorcycle trip this summer is a 2,050 mile loop passing through parts of Indiana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Kentucky. My previous extended trips were around Lake Huron (2004) and to Washington D.C. (2003).

I have an ambitious agenda. Along the way I will visit friends and relatives, attend a Wert family reunion, travel the Skyline Drive, and Blue Ridge Parkway, visit the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, run the “Tail of the Dragon" at Deal’s Gap, attend the Goldwing Wing Ding rally in Nashville, and visit a couple covered bridges in southern Indiana.

Why am I possessed to take a trip like this on an uncomfortable seat perched between two wheels? I seriously ask myself that question at the end of the first day and during the last day; those two days are often the most difficult. Everything in between is usually wonderful, or at least enjoyable to an extent that greatly outweighs the less desirable aspects. The reason I do this is simple – I love to ride motorcycles. It is a sensuous experience – the “omni-max” view of your surroundings, the sense of speed, the wind rushing around your body, the variations in temperature as the road rises and dips, and the odors that waft into and linger a while in your helmet. Well, to be truthful, some odors I can do without!

There is another reason I do this, and I believe it has to do with age. As I grow older, I find I need time for myself, time to be on my own schedule, time to escape from the routine, time to be anonymous, and time to think and reflect. I suppose I could accomplish all that and take trips in a plush vechicle with four wheels, but doing so would deprive me of the pleasures mentioned in the previous paragraph.

I’m fortunate to have a spouse who is agreeable to my wanderings. Of course she might say, “Yeah, like I have a choice!” Furthermore, a motorcycle trip would be sheer hell for her. But I believe she understands, and is able to use these times for her own benefit and relaxation. Many thanks, Eileen. Your patience and understanding are appreciated.

I hope to maintain a daily blog of my activities. I’m not certain whether I will have internet access the first two nights, so I may have to post those blogs later in the trip. But return to this site. I guarantee there will be more posts. Please leave comments by clicking on the comments link at the bottom of each blog post.