The photos and stories from my trip to Atlanta are not quite ready for prime time posting, but the photos from an incredible day on the motorcycle are. It was the perfect recipe for a day ride: great weather, good roads, and wonderful friends.
This past Sunday I rode a little over 200 miles through the back roads of Virginia and North Carolina with three of my favs.
We also spent some time on the Blue Ridge Parkway (BRP) which offers wide sweeping curves and great views. The BRP which is America’s longest linear park, runs for 469 miles (755 km) through 29 Virginia and North Carolina counties, mostly along the Blue Ridge, a major mountain chain that is part of the Appalachian Mountains.
The BRP celebrated it’s 75th Anniversary in 2010 and while I do not know for sure, I believe these stone walls have been around since the parkway was constructed.
You may remember that I celebrated my 50th birthday that same year with a solo ride on the BRP, the first of several solo rides.
5 Days / 3 States / 925 Miles.
You can see photos from that incredible trip here and here.
Despite the various stops along the way, which offer the chance to bring out the camera, it is the riding that makes the day so great. The bike and I rolled smoothly over the miles, and we flowed through the curves with ease. I was completely content.
Seriously, wouldn’t you be?
Life on the Bike and other Fab Things 
I’m sure I would be, if I could adjust to two wheels 🙂
I know you would be! The good news is that there are lots of vehicles, too.
Next time you are in the US 🙂
I love that first photo, I can almost feel that breeze in my hair ;o) You had an excellent ride and the photos show it. We drove the BRP and walked parts of it too. Underneath and along the BRP is a system of hikes and it beautiful and strange at the same time! Glad you had such a good time! Johanna
Oh yes, the hikes are great, too. I walked underneath the Linn Cove Viaduct during one of my rides. Fascinating to be underneath the parkway.
http://www.blueridgeparkway.org/v.php?pg=873
I love, and envy, that you all have travelled so much!
We did that one too! It was remarkable!!
I traveled the BRP with the ex several years ago, in Virginia and NC. It was so gorgeous! I was glad, though, to be sitting on the back of the bike so that I could truly enjoy the view. Thanks for the photos and the memories, Laurie!
You make such a good point, Mary. My first year of riding found me on the back of the bike and I absolutely loved it! It’s a great way to view the country
All great images Laurie but I really love the third from the last image 🙂
Joe, you always manage to pick out the one that I wasn’t sure of and make me feel better about including it 🙂 Thank you!
Yes I would be completely content too…although I don’t know how to ride a motorcycle I’d be very content as a passenger 😀
Yes, I was just telling Mary that I rode as a passenger during my year of riding, and I loved being able to fully absorb the view. Wonderful!
It’s so beautiful there – you can’t really take a bad photo can you? I love these two sentences: ‘The bike and I rolled smoothly over the miles, and we flowed through the curves with ease. I was completely content.’ Way to go Laurie!! xo
Pauline, it means much that you picked up on those sentences. I struggled to find words to describe the flow that I felt that day. It was just so smooth and lovely. ❤
A biker and a poet 🙂 ❤
There is something wonderfully therapeutic about those solo trips, isn’t there? Just taking in the beauty & getting lost in your own thoughts❤️
Your are so right, Lynn. I absolutely love traveling with friends and family, but the solo trips are wonderful, too. It’s incredibly freeing to do whatever you like, where you like, and on your own time.
I wonder how your trip planning is going?
I dream of my daily commute including the BRP. Love that road.
It’s a good one, and was perfect for my first solo ride 7 years ago.
This looks like the best. Good friends, being outdoors, all that beauty (those grasses!) and those fun bikes, which look like they’re having a break in that picture….
Lisa, You found the words! I thought the bikes looked like they were just chillng out over there, too. Love it!
Content is a wonderful place to reside. Good for you, Laurie, for taking the time to do the things you love. Thanks for capturing the beautiful vistas and for sharing them with us. What a glorious place.
The BRP is a jewel in the National Park System, and I’m fortunate to live so close to it.
The weekend was a treasure, a wonderful mix of getting alot of work done, but also being able to hike and bike with friends.
Have you been able to find the time to hike since your foot has healed?
I love weekends like that, with satisfying work and wonderful play. I am back to hiking! It’s more challenging now, since the temps are in the high 80’s and 90’s, nearing 100 this week. I wilt. But my foot is hanging in there and let me do the things I love. I’ve hiked the Almaden Valley trail a few times without incident, and I’m walking in the evenings (flat surfaces) with Mike.
Gotta get me a bike..
Yes! And come over here and ride it!!
Just like someday I’ll be riding outside the US.
Somehow, someday …
The easiest way is to hire one, I did that when I went back to the UK some few months ago.
I just followed, via twitter and fb, three guys from the UK who rode across the country on rented Indian bikes. What a trip they had!
Present funds would suggest a moped for me 😦
There’s always hope for the future! Fingers crossed … for both of us!
One thing I know, it will never happen unless you keep trying..
Wise words, my friend.
Careful, wise and me are not things that go well together 😀
I’ve always wanted to make this drive along the Blue Ridge–and, after seeing your photos, I am even more eager. You do such a good job of knowing yourself and what makes you happy, and pursuing it!
If you ever get a chance to drive the BRP, be sure to let me know. I’d love to meet! There are lots of fun little places along the way to stop and explore, and of course, great hiking and lovely views.
Any day spent outdoors doing something you love is balm for the soul. Having stunningly beautiful scenery to do it in is icing on the cake.
Indeed!
I felt so lucky last weekend: hiking on Saturday, biking on Sunday, and still time to get chores done 🙂
A perfect weekend 🙂
I’m so glad life has calmed enough to give you these opportunities Laurie! All your photo’s are inspiring. It’s like you’re seeing to the end of the world up there. I actually really adore the mini daisy or perhaps it’s just a road side weed? At any rate, charming. Keep calm and zoom on my friend xoxo