Guy Boutin's Motorcycle Touring and Travel Pages

Adventures in Sport Touring with the Honda ST 1100, 1300 and the BMW 1200RT

Exploring North America...One Road at a Time

I opened the door on my ground floor room to sunny, bright skies. The sun was out. The morning cool, but nothing like the previous 2 mornings. The sweatshirt would be enough to keep me warm today, and I went with my leather gloves.

With winter closing in on the Heartland, it was time for this Long Rider to flee south.

I gassed up at a station near the motel before going to the interstate.

I got on I-75 south a little after 8, and took off south. I wanted to arrive in the campground in NC around 4pm, so I had to skip the back roads I love so well.

Traffic was thick heading into Cincinnati.  The sun was a welcome sight, after so many days of bleak, drab skies.  I took position in the far left lane, and went auto pilot.

My hands were cool, so I took the first rest area exit, and switched to lined gloves.

The farmland was far away from me now, as I motored through the urban sprawl of Dayton.  I was kind of sad. I came to the mid west looking for answers, but can't really say I've found any, but despite that, I feel peaceful and happy.  I'm not worried I have no answers, it just means I have more time to think.  I do know it only makes good business sense to work 1 more year.  My pension check is the average of my 3 highest salaries of the last 10 years.  My salary under the new pay plan, will make a significant difference in monthly income.  If I hated my job, it might be another matter, but I love what I do.  I decided here, in the endless line of traffic filing into Cincinnati, to work one more year.  So, unless something happens, I have 24 months to retirement, and not 12.  I can do that standing on my head.

I was happy to be going south to the warm sun of my homeland.

North of Cincinnati I took one of the many exits along 75 for a butt break.  I dined on Mountain Dew and a Pay Day bar.  I called my wife and told her my decision-

"think I'm going to work an extra year baby, and pad my pension"

" well ok, if that's what ya wanna do"

"yeah, and besides, the fire dept is free entertainment"

I made it through Cincinnati with little difficulty, and crossed the Ohio River into Kentucky. The flat farmland of the mid west, now giving way to green grass, hills, and trees.

A BMW 1150 GS overtakes me south of the city, and I after I cleared slower moving traffic, I took off after him.

It took 5 miles to catch him, and then we rode in tandem for 50 or 60 miles, until I took the London exit for a Waffle House lunch of pork chops and hash browns.  It was a balmy 61 degrees.  What a difference a day makes.

A waitress named Patsy takes my order, and when she sees me studying my atlas she asks-

"where ya goin?"

"The Blue Ridge Mountains"

"where's that at?"

Incredulously I respond- "North Carolina"

I called my son, and caught up on yesterday's inter squad game.  He had a good day.

After lunch, I went a few exits south and took 25E across the mountains.  It was a scenic ride, and I was in a good mood because I was in the south and back in the hills I've come to love so much.


     Flat Lick, Kentucky prepares for the Fall Festival.

I stopped for gas at a Exxon station in Bimble, satisfying my fuel light.

The mountains surrounding 25E look especially good today, after all those miles on the Mid West Plains.  The route takes me through many Appalachia towns.

I cross the Cumberland Mountains into Tennessee, in the mid afternoon.

I took a break at a scenic overlook near the city of Newport, and took this picture.  I shared the parking lot with several unfriendly cruiser riders.


   A Scenic Overlook on US 25E, near Newport, Tenn.

I followed 25E to I-40 and followed the signs to Waynesville. I was anxious to get to the campground and reunite with my brother riders. I was really looking forward to it.

The hills I've come so familiar with the last 2 years surround me.  So much good riding here a Long Rider could lose himself for months on the smooth, twisty roads this area is famous for.

I take the Waynesville exit, and work my way through town.  I stop at a bank ATM and withdraw some cash.

I take US 276 for the final ride to the campground.  The ride through the valley is a good one.

About halfway there, I meet 5-6 STs heading into town.  Hands flew up everywhere.  Is that Uncle Phil leading the BBS members into Waynesville for steak?  I can't tell, but if it is, I'm going to be pissed.  I told those jokers to wait for ME.

I negotiate "Sal's Curve" successfully, and land in the campground.  I pay my fees and ride over to my favorite spot.  A number of STs are on the scene for the rally, but I fail to see anyone I know.  There are also a number of other brands on the scene.  Looks like a fun weekend brewing.

I rode 459 pleasant miles today.  All of it under a nice sky and warm sun.  It made me forget yesterday.  An unforgettable ride.

While I was setting up my tent, a black ST pulls in.  I think its Chris Knight, also known as the "Black Knight", because of his black ST, Shoei, and riding gear, but I'm not sure.

"hey brother Guy"

It IS the Black Knight, and its good to finally meet him.  I've missed that joker twice on trips through New England.

We both set up camp, and when we finished I suggested we ride down to the Juke Box Junction for a burger.  I guess those other boys are eating steak at the Sagebrush in Waynesville.

It was dark and cool when we left the campground for supper at the Junction, but it was a fun 13 mile ride.

The place was busy when we arrived, but we quickly find a seat.  We kidded our young waitress about more then a few things as we ate.  The Junction is a sociable place for Long Riders.  Many riders are in the area spending money, and the locals appreciate it.

After supper we rode back to the campground and found the other members of the BBS back from supper.

"y'all didn't do me right"

"watcha mean, we waited as long as we could" Uncle Phil says.

"yeah, but y'all knew I wanted steak"

Ron Epperly says, "well I ate chicken so we'll just hafta to go back tomorrow night"

"ok I'm gonna hold y'all to it"

We stood around the fire, then went under the dining hall stand. Uncle Phil has a photo book of the lower 48 welcome signs.  He also finished off the lower 48 run, with a quick trip to New Hampshire, and Mid Atlantic before the rally.  He literally risked his life snapping some of those pics on busy expressways, I know, I was with him on several of those occasions.

It was a great evening, and after everyone went to bed I went for a shower.

It would be a cool night, but nothing like the mid west. I will need no extra clothes to sleep in.

I said good night to the brothers, and ducked in my tent.  I watched the news from a TV station in Asheville.  Caught up with the weather and the latest sniper report I went to sleep.