So, where did Bob take you in WV?
Well, Heidi, I'm glad you asked. I'll get there in a minute.
So, after posting up last night, morning came fast. It came fast because I was up late, after the Vigil and the hard time on the train getting home. Part of the problem was the length of the Vigil. That was due to the 337 or so names of fallen officers read, including 220 from the last year. The other 117 were officers from, I'd swear 1887, who's names were never recognized as falling in the line of duty. However, now is where I get a little Soap-boxy, so of you don't want to read it, skip a paragraph or two.
220 men and women died last year, in this line of work. Some were accidental, like traffic crashes, but the vast majority were killed, simply because they wear a uniform. Last year holds the highest number of "ambush" deaths in over 20 years. Let's see, what would the American people do if 220 doctors, 220 students, 220 plumbers, 220 teachers, 220 lawyers, 220 engineers, 220 zoo keepers, 220 firefighters, or 220 of anyone else died, because they were doing their job? People would lose their minds, but not when 220 men and women who swore to protect and serve are shot, ambushed, beaten, and executed. Something is wrong with that picture. What's wrong with it, is only cops, soldiers and firefighter's know what it's like to kiss our families good bye, and know we may never come back. Not enough people are effected by the loss of a mother, father, brother, son, daughter, or whatever each of those people were. Shit is not right, and I hope we've turned the corner to fix it.
Anyway...I was up early, and Bob showed up a short time later. He told me where we were going, and I nodded and agreed, but had no idea what he was talking about. I just knew Bob would take us on a fun ride. Honest to God, I love that guy. He and I are very much alike, so we get among well. He's as funny as they come, and will do anything for someone else to help them.
We rode out and headed for WV. First place we hit good roads was the Shanandoah(sp) mountains. Dammit, I love these roads. Smooth, fast, banked, pretty, and almost empty. That was the first time I rubbed my boots on the ground in a while. My suspension and my new tires needed the work out.
Our first stop, after hitting the good roads was a lookout over WV. Dayum, it was pretty. It was a gorgeous day. I also finally took some phone pics that are easy to load to PhotoBucket, so I'll attach a couple here. Now, ladies, and RFH, please keep your panties on, and don't lose your minds with the amount of handsomeness in the following picture. I know it's hard, but resist the urge to leave everything you know and try to come find us.
And the overlook:
In all seriousness, that first picture is a special kind of ugly, right? Poor us!!
After that stop we took off, around the corner and just had a blast. We rode hard until we got to Seneca Rocks. We ate at the upstairs restaurant at Yokum's Store and Hotel. They have GREAT food. We were hungry, but that food was really good. That was a good lunch, just laughing. I taught Bob why men don't use straws. If you don't know, you'll have to wait until you see me, or him. Lol...
After lunch, we left and passed the Smoke Hole Caverns, which boast WV's largest gift shop. It looked big, but we didn't stop. Bob was excited to get to Smoke Hole Rd, and this is why Luvtoride is asking about where we went. Apparently she showed him that road. What a find!! Basically a gravel road that someone was nice enough to pave. Twisty, smooth for the first few miles, covered with trees, and a shit-load of fun. THAT was the reason I rode my FJR from Albuquerque.
We rode some more, including Howard's Lick Rd, which was very much like Smoke Hole. Super fun:
I have a couple road pictures but they are on the camera. I didn't have time to take off my gloves, open my bag, manipulate my phone and take a cell pic, while riding. I would have crashed. Sorry!
We ended up riding to Fort Royal where we stopped to BS and say goodbye. He was heading home, and I was heading back to where I was staying. We were treated to some awesome Mexican music, blaring from some girl's car, and we were thankful we got to hear it. Ok, maybe not.
After we BS'd for a while, we said goodbye and took off, him to the right, and me to the left. I hit some traffic, but traffic on a freeway, while I'm on this bike is nothing. I blazed back to base, and was home by 7:30. We rode for about 10 hours and I put 390 miles on the clock. What a day!! Thanks Bob, and thanks Heidi for helping him out with his routing!
