One of the highlights of the day was riding 218 (great crookedy road with lots of twisties), which Road Queen really enjoyed along with the rest of the group. Awesome road complete with country sights, sounds and smells. LOL We then pulled into Jake’s Good Eats and were a little concerned. Not many cars in the parking lot but the place was open for business so inside we went. Now remember that this place was profiled on an episode of Diner’s, Drive-in’s & Dives but sure did not seem to be up to the notoriety. The menu was a little basic and members seemed to have mixed opinions…not one of my favorite destinations so I don’t think it will make my “can’t wait to go back” list. Following lunch, we fueled up and high-tailed it outta there, heading out on our final 2 hours of the trip, which were pretty uneventful except for construction delays along I77 out of Charlotte. At the final comfort Stop of the day, I picked up a new passenger (Brandon – Little Man) who transferred from the cage, climbed on board and away we went with a big smile on his face too!
Finally, we arrived at Freeborne’s around 4:30 pm to the warm greetings and smiles of NC Cruisers who had already arrived. Took a few minutes to drop off Charles and Dottie (since they were staying there), meet and greet other Cruiser’s from around the state then take a little tour to check the place out. The remaining Port City crew then saddled back up and headed to our cabin at Peek-a-Boo Creek, approx. 8 miles down the road. As we turned into the place, we could see that the driveway split into two separate directions (left or right). Right looked like gravel so I go left (big mistake) and realized that as I start to navigate a hard right turn up the steep (60+ degrees) driveway that it was littered with moss, pine needles and wet leaves making it very slippery but Brandon and I were already committed. Tried to find a path of dry asphalt (impossible) that is where the back-end started to wiggle and slide and I hear Brandon say “whoooaaa”. Applied more throttle and we rode it like a bronco then made it up to the top unscathed. Unfortunately, some were not so lucky so Travis to the rescue! He snatched Road Queen’s bike up and finished the ride to the top while I rode Toby’s bike to the top as well. Paul and Phyllis took the alternate route to the right, which proved to be the best option. Nothing like a little excitement to start our trip but at this point we were looking for less excitement and more alcohol to settle our nerves. LOL After checking out our 4 bedroom cabin (which was awesome), complete with a pool table, hot tub, fire pit, gas grill, running creek and fire pit, we went back to Freeborne’s to enjoy dinner and get this party started! It was great to see other NC Cruisers from around the state and get reacquainted with old friends as well as making some new ones too. After dinner and schmoozing, we returned to the cabin where “Little Man” and Travis checked out the hot tub then it was time to hit the sack since tomorrow was going to be a busy day of riding and exploring.
The next morning, I woke up at 4 am to the sound of the pitter patter of little feet (NOT). It sounded like freaking Travis (or a Bear - LOL) was in my room, walking the wall trying to find the bathroom in the dark. Yikes! After scanning the room with my cell phone flashlight, I realized that he was actually in the room upstairs so the creaking floors were the culprit. Ha After everyone woke up, Deb, Travis and I went to a little breakfast place down the street that was great with good food, cheap and fast service. The rest of our group went down to Freeborne’s Eatery for breakfast with other Cruiser’s. The group then divided with Travis and I joining “Sp!ke’s” group for a group ride to “The Snake”, while the rest joined Charles and Dottie to visit West Jefferson and Boondocks Brewing Tap Room & Restaurant. For those of you who have not experienced “The Snake”, it is a great motorcycle and sports car road (not for the faint at heart) along Hwy 421 that consists of 33 miles, 489 curves, 3 mountains and 1 valley from Mountain City, TN to Bristol, TN with the mid-point of the ride located in Shady Valley, TN. Check it out:
http://www.421thesnake.com/.
The group ride to “The Snake” included around 21+ Cruiser’s with “Sp!ke” as our Fearless Leader/Road Captain, “2-Boots” riding shotgun as his CB Communicator (since Spike could not transmit), “Professor” as Tail Gunner and yours truly, “Sparky” in the middle. After “Sp!ke” conducted the pre-ride safety briefing, the ride to the beginning of the Snake was about 41 miles or so, where we arrived at our comfort stop. “Sp!ke” then conducted another pre-ride, where he suggested for more experienced riders and those who wanted to run the snake a little harder to be positioned at the front of the group and those who wanted to take their time at a more relaxed pace should ride in the back of the group. Running the snake was the highlight of the trip for me, with “Sp!ke”, “Professor”, me and “Mack” all neck and neck, running pretty hard until the “Professor” started feeling the heat and ensuing pressure of me in his rear view mirror, right on his tail so he waved me to pass, which I eagerly obliged. The rest of the run, we were all doing the 2-wheel dance rocking and a rolling every step of the way. Let’s just say that there must be some gouges in the asphalt cuz I think I scrapped a ½” of metal off of each side of my floor board brackets as we rolled through the switchbacks. Awesome! We then stopped off at the Shady Country Store in Shady Valley, TN (mid-point) to take a break and pick up some patches, shirts and novelties. We then decided to go to a little pizza place in Damascus, VA that “2-Boots” suggested called Bobo McFarland’s so away went.
After lunch we headed back to Freeborne’s and stopped along the way for some comfort and Ice Cream…Yaaaay! I think this was the highlight of the trip for Travis as you will see from the HUGE smile on his face eating his big ‘ol chocolate cone. LOL We then joined the rest of our Port City group at Freeborne’s for some well-deserved liquid refreshment, dinner and some jokes and jabs, which always bring laughs and smiles to our faces. Then it was time for the 50/50 drawing (directed by Phyllis & Travis of course - LOL) and the suspense was killing us! And the winner is???? Libby Cline, The 1st Officer of the 5 Points Chapter in Raleigh struck pay dirt and won $130 large. Congrat’s Libby! We then stopped to take a few minutes to celebrate either the incarceration or nuptials (you decide - LOL) of Travis and Deb at the Jail and Wedding Chapel. Then it was time to return to our cabin to visit the Dr. and enjoy the hot tub, while listening to the sounds of nature (or Travis, not sure which) along with sharing stories of our fun filled day.
It must have been a noisy night in the cabin since the next morning I think everyone was accused of snoring including poor “Little Man”. Ha ha We then packed up our belongings, tidied up the cabin and headed to Freeborne’s for breakfast. Someone must have poked the Bear this morning because he sure was grumpy due to breakfast delays. Note to self – Feed the Bear as soon as he wakes! LOL After breakfast, we said our goodbyes to our fellow Cruisers and headed out on our return trip home with “Handy Man” joining us for part of the way. As we came off the mountain on 421, around 5 miles before North Wilkesboro, “Curbb” experienced a complete electrical failure of his bike and broke down. He quickly assessed the problem and determined it was a blown/melted main fuse. Yikes! None of us had a spare so off to the nearest auto parts store I rode. Returned toot-sweet with a new fuse and we were on our way again after all repairs were completed. “Sp!ke” and crew just happened upon us during the repairs, then again at our next comfort stop and again at lunch in Asheboro and yet again when we pulled into a gas station outside of Lillington, NC (near Campbell University) due to a quick rain shower. If I did not know better, I would think they were stalking us! LOL As soon as the rain subsided, we continued on our way (never to rain again) and arrived home around 6:15 or so.
What a fantastic trip and weekend with something for everyone consisting of; Cruiser hugs, jokes, jabs, laughs and 2-wheel dancing! We thoroughly enjoyed our time there with everyone looking forward to next year with great anticipation…Great times and memories shared by all! A special thanks to Spike for planning a wonderful State Event, to Travis “Professor” for doing an exceptional job as Tail Gunner on the ride up and back and to everyone who joined us on the trip. Most importantly to “Little Man” for being an excellent co-pilot during our ride together.
Ride Safe & Often…