For those of us in the bifocal set, a breezy ditty whistled as a tall man with an enviable shock of dark hair walks along with his young son toward their favorite fishing hole, rods in the hands of both, is forever and indelibly etched in our minds ear. “The Andy Griffith Show! Starring Andy Griffith. With Ronnie Howard. Also starring Don Knotts.” It was one of the … [Read more...] about Looking for Andy: Exploring Mount Airy, the real and fictional Mayberry
Rider Tours
Cumberland Cascades: Stunning waterfalls await Tennessee travelers
My first roadside break of the morning began at Washington Ferry on the western bank of the Tennessee River. Happy to be on another road trip, I savored the quiet riverfront view, although I fear the lone fisherman initially hidden from my view was probably annoyed by my approach on the raspy three-cylinder Yamaha sport-touring bike. The fisherman packed up and departed … [Read more...] about Cumberland Cascades: Stunning waterfalls await Tennessee travelers
The perfect bike for a mountain road trip? How about a 40-year-old thumper
What is the best motorcycle ever made? Easy. The one you have the most fun on. Now defining fun, that’s all in the eye of the beholder — or in this case, the rider. So what’s my definition of fun? Thrilling terrain, good views, and someone to share it with. A bike that can “do it all.” Take some twisty asphalt with sweeping corners, add a side of dirt roads up a mountain … [Read more...] about The perfect bike for a mountain road trip? How about a 40-year-old thumper
Not roughing it at the Twin Valley Rally: A trek to Wilderness Adventure at Eagle’s Landing
I — get this out of the way up front: you need to come to the Twin Valley Riders Rally next September. If you can’t have a good time there, you’re not trying. It’s typically a fun journey getting there, riding across western Virginia without a single traffic light beyond my neighborhood, but a beautiful Thursday afternoon in mid-September, my progress was impeded by a yellow … [Read more...] about Not roughing it at the Twin Valley Rally: A trek to Wilderness Adventure at Eagle’s Landing
Dragons and bikers and snakes, oh my!
My motorcycle is my own personal time machine. It allows me to return to places I’ve visited in the past and reconnect with people that have earned special spots in my heart. Even when I’m headed off in a different direction and meeting new people, the memories of something once experienced, long ago, seem to be ever more deeply rooted in my heart and mind because of the … [Read more...] about Dragons and bikers and snakes, oh my!