If I could have forseen how difficult the maiden voyage from New Jersey to Viriginia would have been I would have bought a Volvo station wagon and driven route 66 the whole way back to San Diego. New Jersey's various Toll roads, turn pikes and bridge crossings made it a monumental challenge indeed! Imagine trying to operate a brand new bike, read map quest and guard your life at the same time, I think I might make a good candidate for the show "Amazing Race".
I followed the I-95 South around Baltimore and Washington D.C.. The original plan was head towards Virginia Beach but attempting to change four lanes in a quarter mile of heavy, angry traffic changed my mind, onto Richmond I guess!
As I fled the hurried pace of the freeway system around Baltimore and D.C., something happened, the pace of the drivers slowed, my grip on the handlebars loosened, I sensed some curious onlookers and one person even waved and smiled. The rumors are true, the south is a much more friendly place than Yankee territory!
As I sped along the 95 South I passed historical sights such as Arlington cemetary, the Manassas and Fredericksburg civil war battlegrounds. I was carrying so much luggage on my bike I couldn't just pull over and leave my bike by itself, a drawback from traveling on two wheels.
Once I reached Richmond, a very cool college town with a plethora of historical buildings, I was ready to give my back and wrists a break (note to self and anyone thinking of buying a motorcycle, buy one of those spring loaded wrist and grip strengtheners, because riding in stop and go traffic is like squeezing one of those little machines a thousand times). It wasn't until and hour later of speeding down side streets and ending up on the "wrong side of town" that I finally ended up where I started, the Crown Plaza hotel, another $200 plus a night hotel, this is killing the travel budget!
Safe and sound at the L-Street bar and grill (over 300 different brands of beer by the bottle, my kind of place!) I met a financial planner named Paul who convinced me to check out Charlotte, North Carolina, "a newer city that is clean and ordrerly" he said!
Back to google maps to plot the course!
I followed the I-95 South around Baltimore and Washington D.C.. The original plan was head towards Virginia Beach but attempting to change four lanes in a quarter mile of heavy, angry traffic changed my mind, onto Richmond I guess!
As I fled the hurried pace of the freeway system around Baltimore and D.C., something happened, the pace of the drivers slowed, my grip on the handlebars loosened, I sensed some curious onlookers and one person even waved and smiled. The rumors are true, the south is a much more friendly place than Yankee territory!
As I sped along the 95 South I passed historical sights such as Arlington cemetary, the Manassas and Fredericksburg civil war battlegrounds. I was carrying so much luggage on my bike I couldn't just pull over and leave my bike by itself, a drawback from traveling on two wheels.
Once I reached Richmond, a very cool college town with a plethora of historical buildings, I was ready to give my back and wrists a break (note to self and anyone thinking of buying a motorcycle, buy one of those spring loaded wrist and grip strengtheners, because riding in stop and go traffic is like squeezing one of those little machines a thousand times). It wasn't until and hour later of speeding down side streets and ending up on the "wrong side of town" that I finally ended up where I started, the Crown Plaza hotel, another $200 plus a night hotel, this is killing the travel budget!
Safe and sound at the L-Street bar and grill (over 300 different brands of beer by the bottle, my kind of place!) I met a financial planner named Paul who convinced me to check out Charlotte, North Carolina, "a newer city that is clean and ordrerly" he said!
Back to google maps to plot the course!
4 comments:
Happy day 3!!!! Feel like I am there, though glad I am not! Leaving the hair pin turns and achy wrists to you! I too hear Charlotte is a great town! Eat up that Southern hospitality! Volvo huh? NEVER thought i would hear you utter THAT word!!!! :)
Kevin,
Road Bike to Motorcycle - Understand.
Motorcycle to a Volvo - Don't understand.
If you next write that you are having dreams of a Volvo + a Car Seat, then I will begin to think that you picture is showing up on someone else's Blog!
Am picturing a Volvo Wagon? Is that what you were writing about in your post?
Enjoy the South.
Scott
Kevin, Glad you made it to Jersey. Izzy was worried until I told her that you had sent a text.
Izzy will post later tonight. I will go online and find you a nice Volvo. ha.
Be careful, have fun and enjoy the scenary.
Hi Kevin,
As a born and bred Southern girl, I am proud to read your comments! Trust me, the whole "southern hospitality" reputation is very true! Love your bike and stay safe!
Jessica
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