EAST OUT OF OHIO-JUNE 2010

We left home on June 20th, a Sunday afternoon.  The first night we stayed at a new Super 8 in Athens, Ohio.  We didn't have far to go the next morning to cross the river into West Virginia.

  From Parkersburg to Clarksburg the ride (Rte 50) is a 4-lane through the beautiul mountains of West Virginia. It takes your breath away so much so that you forget to take pictures.  When we reached Clarksburg Rte 50 turned into what I like to call a "moonshine" trail.  U.S. Rte 50 actually runs coast to coast from Maryland to California, 3,073 miles. Once we enter West Virginia, US 50 winds and climbs through mountain ranges. Many signs along the road show recommended speed limits of 30 mph and 40 mph. Some mountain tops reach over 1,000 feet. Bear Mountain is 1,057 feet. From here it goes down to Capon Bridge village where we cross the Cacapon River. Then the road goes back up to 1,265 feet and down again, and up again to 1,607 feet.

Romney claims to be the oldest town in the state of W. Va.  It is from here that The Potomac Eagle Excursion train departs.

We stopped at Cool Spring Park to admire the old farming tractors that are on display. There are some old steam engines used in early farming.

We spent our 2nd night in Winchester, Virginia.  It was terribly hot and humid and I didn't want to endure traffic congestion on a motorcycle so we stopped early and rested for the next day's journey into D.C.   

It was again hot and humid in D.C.  The traffic on I-64 from Front Royal, Va to Constitution Avenue in D.C. was horrible.  I'm telling you, there are lunatics on the road.  But we accomplished our mission of having Gypsy visit the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall.  Her young Green Beret husband was killed in Vietnam. 

From D.C. we rode back east on I-64 to I-81 where we rode north to Gettysburg, Pa.  This particular interstate wasn't at all congested.  Perhaps it was the time of day.  Gettysburg is on U.S. 30, also known as Lincoln Highway, and is the first paved intercontinental highway.  Gettysburg is a mass of traffic, from scooters to big rigs hauling heavy equipment.  Because of all the federal land associated with the Civil War, the only route east and west is Rte 30.

While in Gettysburg we stayed at a quaint little place called The Blue Sky Motel. We also visited friends and forum members Danny and Suzette, who treated us to steak dinner one night and barbecue chicken the next.   Great friends indeed. 

After leaving Gettysburg we headed north. We took a ride along the Susquhana River.   I also didn't realize how beautiful it is in the mountains of Pennsylvania.   

 We spotted what appeared to be a renovation project.  Let's hope so because it would be a shame to lose such a wonderful landmark.  We can also say that we walked the Appalachia Trail, even if it was only a trek of about 15 yards. The trail runs from Maine to Georgia, approximately 2,160 miles.  Check it out.    

I'm not sure exactly how far we travelled but of course distance has never been the objective.  It's always been simply about the ride.