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.