Fleeter Logs: September 2009

#149 Northern Neck

Fleeter Log #149

Northern Neck

2009 Sept 19

The Northern Neck may be a peninsula, but it is not The Peninsula. Of the three peninsulas that make up the shoreline between Jamestown and the Potomac, the Northern Neck is, indeed, the northern most. And the Middle Peninsula is actually the middle of the three. The peninsula on the southern end closer to Jamestown is simply The Peninsula. It's apparent by the inconsistency of the names that those with the naming powers weren't interested in coming together in harmonious accord and simply come up with three names that sounded like they might be found on the map next to each other as neighbors. No, they couldn't even agree on using the term Neck or Peninsula. Sounds like how politicians are running the country today ... no clue what harmonious accord might mean or how to incorporate it into the running of the country. No, in politics it's all about winning, not about using common sense to do what's best for the country.

Northern Neck Bottling Company in Montross, Virginia

Westmoreland County Courthouse

Hwy 3 (Kings Hwy) in Montross, Virginia

Mollusk, Virginia

A local Colonial Tavern has been restored and now serves lunch to those wishing to participate in the tavern experience of 1795.

Rices Hotel & Houghletts Tavern

Old Jail of Northumberland County, Virginia

Heathsville, Virginia

Riding through the streets of Lancaster, I see an example of how the streets have encroached closer to the old buildings. But even though streets and buildings seem to try to occupy the same place at the same time, neither one quite wins the battle.

Instead, they meet together at the curb.

The Old Clerk's Office (circa 1797) has been restored and is home to the Mary Ball Washington Museum & Library.

George Washington's mother, Mary Ball Washington, was born just eight miles from here. Being the mother of the Father of our Country ... Does this make Mary Ball Washington the Grandmother of our Country?

The Old Jail is also a part of the Mary Ball Washington historic site.

#148i Dolly Sods

Fleeter Log #148i

Dolly Sods

2009 September 4

After witnessing the start of the IBR in Spartanburg, South Carolina, then welcoming the ralliers at the first check-in point near Chicago, I wish them well as they continue the rally to the West Coast. Myself? I feel an inner tug to stretch my trip west of the Mississippi and into Minnesota before turning back to the East Coast.

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

Fairmont, WV to Fredericksburg, VA
***************

Day 15 - Friday

September 4, 2009

278 miles

A perfect 59 degrees and sunshine! Gonna be a great weather day ... lovin' the mountains in the late summer!

These happy youngsters were enthralled with my mode of transport and enthusiastically saw me off as their dad came out to see what all the commotion was about.

Many times I've passed by Harper's Old Country Store as I passed by Seneca Rocks, but never stopped until now. It was time for a fuel stop and a soda pop break.

Inside you will find a huge snack selection among camping, fishing, and hiking accouterments. It's worth the stop, whether you need fuel or a quick "pick-me-up" snack, for an excuse to wander inside and soak in the history of the building.

West Virginia Hwy 55

Enjoying typical West Virginia scenic byway heading north on Hwy 55 north of Seneca Rocks.

Taking the more rustic Route 28 (Dayton Carr Rd) to Dolly Sods in the Monongahela National Forest.

Later I learn that there are much easier (smoother) roads leading to Dolly Sods, but none as interesting.

Along Public Road 75 there are many trail heads for exploring further into the Monongahela.

The summit of Dolly Sods rewards with a most splendid view.

Dolly Sods, West Virginia

Here's what the gravel road on the north leads to ... Jordon Run Road (Rt 28), a nicely paved conduit between Public Road 75 and Hwy 42.

Kac-Ka-Pon Restaurant in Wardensville, West Virginia took care of my late lunch needs.

Made it home about 6pm, after fleetering through 12 states.

Another successful fleetering adventure comes to an end.

Total Trip: 3,606 miles in 15 days

#148h Ferry on the Fly!

Fleeter Log #148h
Ferry on the Fly!

2009 September 3
Entire trip here on Spotwalla

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Jeffersonville, OH to Fairmont, WV

Day 14 - Thursday

September 3, 2009

263 miles

So many good roads to be found in Ohio and so many painted barns. I'll have to come back and have a Quilted Barn Tour when I can stay in the area longer. This Ohio Star block design will be a good start to that tour.

Holt BMW in Athens, Ohio was on my call list when looking for a tire. Unfortunately, they didn't have the tire in stock I was looking for, but agreed to mount the tire for $50 if I found it and brought it in with me. Holt BMW doesn't sport the latest contemporary facade, but inside you will find real BMW people with plenty of loyal supporters that depend on them for sales, service and parts. The small dealer with a big heart provides all the usual services, but their specialty is custom and restoration paint projects.

The new Tourance rear tire is now mounted, thanks to Holt BMW. My job is to get it scrubbed in. The rolling Ohio River Valley roads will be perfect for such a chore. Off I go!

Moving down Ohio's Hwy 550 is great fun and Fleming is a bonus. I stop to collect a photo to add to my "family names" file. Howdy, Cousin! This one's for you!

Before leaving Ohio, I make a stop in the State's Oldest City ... Marietta. There's a perfect place atop a bluff in the city to get a "postcard perfect" view of the city.

Taking advantage of the "postcard perfect" view, I get a few postcard photos for my own collection.

Marietta, Ohio

Ohio River Scenic Byway -- Hwy 7

The Sistersville Ferry crosses the Ohio River to connect Fly, Ohio and Sistersville, West Virginia.

The $3 fare is worth the experience of participating in the slower, romanticized method of fording the river. As much as I love the small back roads across the USA, the opportunity to take my motorcycle with me aboard a ferry to continue my adventure across the way just adds bonus points to my day!

Sistersville Ferry, established 1818

Sistersville, West Virginia

The sisters' names? Sarah & Delilah!

Not knowing where I'm staying tonight, I start giving it some thought as I head across the hills of West Virginia on Hwy 20. I land at a Burger King in Bridgeport on I-79 where I did motel recognizance while having supper. Generally, it is easier to find a motel closer to the Interstates ... and so I do, up the freeway in Fairmont, West Virginia.

148g Hanoi Taxi

Fleeter Log #148g

Hanoi Taxi

2009 September 2

Entire trip here on Spotwalla

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Warren, IN to Jeffersonville, OH

Day 13 - Wednesday

September 2, 2009

170 miles

With 20k creeping up on the odometer, it's time to shop for tires again. Last time I pushed my rear tire further than I prefer to push. I didn't learn until too late that BMW used a tire size on this bike that is not one commonly found in their line-up. I ended up putting a tire of slightly smaller width than specified in order to get home from Ohio last May. Now 10,000 miles later, I find myself heading into Ohio again looking for a rear tire. Last night I starting checking my options online, but was unable to get any definitive answers. I will need to make some phone calls today during business hours. But I'll worry about that later in the day once I get into Ohio.

This lone tree caught my attention on a back road between Redkey and Ridgeville, Indiana.

Cemetery on Ohio hwy 49

Clay, Ohio isn't of significant enough size to be found on many maps. It was a surprise to me to stumble upon it. But that's the way fleetering goes ... I often stumble upon unexpected gems.

I stop outside of Dayton, Ohio at a McDonald's next door to a Comfort Inn. I figure one or the other should provide me wi-fi signal sufficient enough to continue my tire search. Besides, it's 1pm and a Mickey Meal sounds good. I stop at he Comfort Inn first. After confirming that they had good signal in the lobby, I asked if it would be okay with them for me to break out my computer and do some searching, price checking, and phone calling. They were very gracious and welcomed me into the empty lobby/dining area. I walked across the parking lot for a burger to go, brought it back and set up at one of the hotel's tables in the breakfast area. With the A/C cooled room to myself and a nice view of the GS parked outside, I couldn't be more comfortable. I make it a leisurely afternoon break. I'm almost tempted to lay down on the couch and take a nap, but resist. After all, I have tire business to take care of before letting the day get away from me.

I locate a tire of proper size in downtown Dayton at Tires Unlimited. However, they aren't able to mount the tire on the GS. During my phone calls, I learned that there was a guy across the street that mounted MC tires. He wants $97 to install the rear tire. I pass on the offer. I've made other arrangements. I may haul the tire around for a day, but it will get installed before I leave the state for much less money out of my pocket.

I strap the Metzeler Tourance tire atop my luggage and continue on my day.

Next stop is downtown Dayton at the Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park. I get there shortly before closing time, but the employees are still full of energy and eager to please!

Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historic Park

Leaving the Heritage NHP, I shoot out toward the Wright-Patterson Air Force Field to see what I can find there. Seems to be a fleeter trip full of big planes. This is a Lockheed C-141, known as the Starlifter ... famous for it's role as the Hanoi Taxi.

This very plane was the first plane to fly into Hanoi on February 12, 1973 to pickup 40 POWs and deliver them to the Clark Air Force Base in the Philipines. And with that flight ... It was over. It was the end of the war.

After spending some thoughtful time honoring the Wright Brothers place in Aviation history by visiting the Wright Brothers Memorial, a 17 foot granite obelisk, located on a bluff overlooking the original Huffman Prairie where the brothers tested the air worthiness of their creations. This prairie later became Wright Field and later a part of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base.

My day comes to a close 50 miles later in Jeffersonville, Ohio.