WOW, what a spectacular week of riding. Time spent with special friends is always something that sticks with you, and that is certainly the way I feel after this week spent in the mountains of Virginia and North Carolina.

Thursday proved to be another spectacular weather day and as many H.O.G. members made their way to the end of the Blue Ridge Parkway and then into Cherokee and Maggie Valley, NC others went the reverse route and headed to Maggie Valley first and then on through the rest of the Parkway. No matter how you chose to see it, the views were spectacular. The Blue Ridge Parkway is truly an American treasure and certainly something that I would recommend everyone having on your “Bucket List”. The other thing that no motorcycle enthusiast should miss is Maggie Valley’s Wheels Through Time Motorcycle Museum. I can honestly say that it is one of the most fascinating places I have ever been. The fact that owners and curators, Dale & Matt Walksler are onsite and giving tours, are willing to start pretty much every motorcycle within view, and generally just bending over backwards to insure that you get your money’s worth from the tour experience, are just a few of the reasons why this is such a special place. We had trouble getting Willie G. to leave!

Thursday night featured another great dealer event sponsored by Brenda Lummus, Travis Lummus and Bob Karcher at Parkway Harley-Davidson, east of Asheville in Swannanoa, NC. These folks have a great location with their own creek onsite and a beautiful H.O.G. meeting room and retail operation. It is truly a testament to the many years of great work by the late Gene Lummus.

The culmination of this fabulous week came early Friday morning as more than 400 beautiful Harley-Davidson motorcycles took over the entire driveway approaching and departing from the Biltmore House. This national treasure and North Carolina landmark was the inspiration of George Vanderbilt more than 100 years ago. We were treated like royalty by the Biltmore staff and after 16 clicks of the panoramic, actual film camera it was on to the magnificent on-property Deer Park restaurant for a breakfast that featured locally harvested fruits, grains and North Carolina bacon and sausage. Once again, an outstanding meal! You know me by now, it’s all about the food. We also all participated in a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday to our oldest rider on the tour, Dr. Bruce Heilman who turned 84 today.

As friends, old and new alike began to realize that the week was winding down and that it would soon be time to hit the highway again, good-byes were said, email addresses and phone numbers were exchanged, and everyone returned to the Biltmore house for tours, or the winery for tours and tasting, and eventually the highways and home.

I’ve been at this now for 4 years and I continue to be amazed at how difficult it is to say goodbye even though you know you’ll see them again in a couple of months (Motoring the Mother Road!) or next year. As you already know, the friends you make through H.O.G. are as unique and special as they get and I am so fortunate to have these opportunities.

Thanks to everyone who spent your special time with Joe, Brenda and I this week.

WOW, what a gorgeous day on the Blue Ridge Parkway!

Under beautiful, dry and blue skies my group of 6 departed this morning (later than we should have), with a nod from the famous Roanoke star, we joined the Blue Ridge Parkway and headed south.  About 45 minutes into the ride we made our first stop for some spectacular views and so that a couple of folks in our group could “jacket-up”. What more could you ask for – spectacular views at every turn, a slight breeze and 65 – 70 degrees.  When they say don’t plan to travel faster than 45 m.p.h., they mean it, but why would you want to?

We took a break from the Parkway for some lunch at Freeborne’s Eatery & Lodge, then a little detour through several miles of Christmas tree farms, a refueling stop and back to the Parkway to continue our adventure.  When you hear its America’s Favorite Drive I can attest to that being a fact.  The beautiful green overhanging trees, the amazing vistas, the stone bridges, not one advertising billboard and there’s nothing better that the sound of those Harley-Davidson pipes in a tunnel – it’s music to the ears and eyes!

Time really got away from us as it was nearly 7:30 when we rolled off the Parkway and headed into downtown Asheville to our home for the 2^nd –half of this adventure.  Tomorrow it’s off to Milepost 355 (the end of the Parkway); we dropped off at 285 Wednesday night. Looking forward to seeing friends at the Wheels Through Time Museum in Maggie Valley.  Oh yea, and there’s more good food in my future – imagine that!

Another great day at the rally.  Once again the Roanoke Valley was the recipient of some much needed rain but in all of my years of riding I have never come in contact with any H.O.G. members willing to let a little rain ruin their day!  The riding is so great down here that there are literally more roads than I can describe and since everyone was leaving at different times for a day of exploring many were able to skirt around the rain.

Highlights of the day included a northerly ride on the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Natural Bridge and the D-Day Memorial.  WOW, is the only way to describe the 2 dealer events that we were treated to on Tuesday!  Lunch of pulled pork, fresh, made-by-the-dealer coleslaw, killer beans with quite the kick were some of the treats provided by our wonderful hosts at Harley-Davidson of Lynchburg.  If you ever see Wellesley and Kimberly Hargrove tell them you want a helping of his pulled pork (Yep, cooked by Wells himself!) and her coleslaw.

After returning to Roanoke we headed off to see all of the Shiffer family at Roanoke Valley Harley-Davidson and, well you guessed it, we were treated to another fabulous meal of fried chicken, potato salad, and corn-on-the-cob. Oo-la-la can you tell I like to eat??!!  We’re so lucky to have such great hosts here in Roanoke as Loyd, Zack & Travis Shiffer, as well as their brand-new Marketing Guru Brian have really taken great care of our members while serving as the host city dealership.

Tomorrow we’re off to see Asheville via the famous, 75-year-old Blue Ridge Parkway.

Greetings from the road, where it’s a great day to be a H.O.G. member!  The weather wreaked havoc today with bunches of loyal H.O.G. members as they tried to make their way to Roanoke. Among those suffering were Joe Dowd, Willie G., and Nancy Davidson.  Roanoke and the surrounding area received some much need rain but boy did the rain suits get a workout!  My hat is off to everyone who braved the elements to push forward and land before 4:00PM.

Not to fear, by dusk Monday evening we were welcoming more than 550 H.O.G. members aged 12 to 83.  Several birthdays and anniversaries are being celebrated this week and we are thrilled that so many have chosen to spend their celebration time with us!

Michigan won the prize for the most members with 37 from one chapter alone!  They traveled in 3 different groups and with all of their fellow statesmen they definitely ruled the room.  Schoony (Kris Schoonover, Director H.O.G. & Consumer Events) told a great story about his first trip down the Blue Ridge Parkway (ask him about it sometime!!) and Lt. Tim DeLuca (H.O.G. Police Liaison) provided some great related tips about speed and safety on the Parkway and with that we started the party.

Ride Safe everyone and I hope to see you on a future H.O.G. Touring Rally.