Jatz's travels

[Tokerau boy]

I left Fundy Natl. park and headed south, nothing much really to see. The weather was glorious again and I was just at one with the machine. Through St John, there's a big oil refinery thing there, stopping only for possibly my last ever Tim Hortons coffee I'll miss them with their stores on almost every corner and their cheep coffee and donuts and free wifi. Then made my way to St George for the night. I had a brief wander around town, but there was only a waterfall/power station thing. Grabbed tea and turned in for the night.
< unnecessary quote snip, Gremlin >

Don’t miss the elevator ride in the needle in front of the White House, it was free when I was there years ago

[Moi]

Great photos and write-up...

Cheers

[JATZ]

Don’t miss the elevator ride in the needle in front of the White House, it was free when I was there years ago

Unfortunately you have to get a ticket now. The line was crazy long and I didn't fancy standing in the beating down sun with temps in the mid 30's. But thanks for the tip

Great photos and write-up...

Cheers

Thanks Moi

[JATZ]

Update time....

So I spent the night a wee bit North of NY at a place called Fairfield, then headed into the concrete jungle of NY... It's only 70 miles but google said it would take over 2 hrs I got on the freeway/highway/motorway and set off. All was going great, traffic wasn't as bad as I was led to believe. Then the cloud thickened.... ominously and the heavens opened it was crazy.... thunder and lightening and visibility was severely reduced. then the traffic really started to build, and build.... more than once I shut the bike off. The dash temp was reading 46 deg at one point when we were stopped in between some concrete walls. I hopped I wasn't going to die like this, cooked alive in full riding gear. I got through that snarl up when there was another heavier rain storm The Garmin didn't like it and gave up. I pulled over a couple of times, not ideal when your still on the freeway, but it just wasn't a happening thing. So I reverted to Google maps, just as well I'd installed the phone mount too
I eventually got where I needed to be... absolutely sopping



Picked up the item I'd ordered and got out of there. The guy standing in the doorway is the store security. He'd come out to see what the police were up to just up the road. Through downtown Brooklyn, over the Brooklyn bridge and onwards to Liberty State park



Then I struck out West, and ended up in campground somewhere else, glad that ordeal was over.
It was a slow pack up next morning... I just fiddled about, organizing things, rethreading some bungy in the tent poles, not really in a hurry to move. Whats the point of an 11 o'clock check out if you're not going to take advantage of it once in a while
I didn't really have a plan, but set sail anyway... cruising over hills and down dales, crops, farms and stands of trees were the order of the day. Lots of too
Picked up some supplies. I was in Amish country too
Supermarket carpark



Staff (?) parking



It's a shame I didn't get this shot when he was closer and turning round...



A farm....



After the previous day it was food for the soul. I ended up at a place called Catoctin Mountain park and pulled up for the day.



Real nice spot
The camp host mentioned Gettysburg wasn't far away, so it'd be rude not to go have a look It's sort of historic/iconic. One of those place names we've all heard of, right ?
I popped into the info center , after getting my bag searched and had a look at the exhibits



... grabbed a magnet and a book and went to have a look at the battle site.







HOLY FRICK... It's massive ! there's monuments all over the place, old houses that were once hospitals. Very impressive I'll learn more during the book. If your ever in the hood, it's worth a visit.
I gave the downtown area a miss and beetled off. Only took one other pic for the day



Heading for Washington DC

[JATZ]

After a night at the AirBnB, where I seriously wondered whether I was developing trench foot I uber'd into town... was good not having to jump on the bike
First up, this place.



I did pop into the info center there, after another bag search. They even made me tip out my bottle of water, and found my spare set of keys and wanted to see why George had shown up on the scan. He has lots of pins now.
Then I wandered down to the Smithsonian museum of Natural History, passing this on the way which I thought was pretty cool



Very cool place and Big. I spent longer in there than I intended and still didn't see everything. Their team of taxidermists are next level









I thought this was pretty cool too



What !! I hear you ask is THAT ??... Read on



Another rock



it's a crappy pic of the Hope diamond
And another carved rock



That ones a Moai (?)

I eventually extricated myself and carried on... along to the needle



before making my way to the World War II memorial





Then more walking... saying "Helloooooo" to the wildlife



a quick detour to the Korean war memorial





Then on to see "Honest Abe" him self



It's not a bad view he's got from his chair



I couldn't hear all the people around me..... all I could here was Forest Gump yelling " Jenny... Jenny"
Then I wandered off through the trees scuttling form shady spot to shady spot. I'd had to buy another bottle of water. $3 US for 500 ml. I'm buying gas for around $3.50 US for a US gallon. Go figure
Anyway... off to the White house





Nothing much to see there really. Lots of security, people in suits, and a protest going on with a police escort. I jumped in an uber I'd done my dash
I took off next morning for a park I'd heard about. Assateague State park.
Unfortunately.... the rest of the known world had the same idea Traffic was nuts. I eventually got there. There was horses



All the campgrounds were full, there was people everywhere so I cleared out and found a nice spot in amongst the tall timber 50 odd k's away

[JATZ]

Delaware just wasn't really holding me, I dunno why SO I made my way south, only stopping at the Virginia info center for a fistfull of shiney pamphlets and a cup of cool pink lemonade
Payed the toll to cross the bridge back to Virginia Beach. That is quite a cool bridge... First it's a bridge... then a tunnel...then a bridge....then a tunnel... then a bridge Definitely worth the price of admission.
As I came off the bridge I could see the houses built on the sea shore, the sandy beaches, the throngs of people and I could smell sunscreen. I kept going. Stopping only to grab some tuckka and head out to a place called Merchants Mill pond and a camp ground.
What a cool spot. Hardly anyone there, cheap as chips and the ranger even delivered fire wood right to my site
Next morning I booked in for another night, grabbed some more food and went a wanderin...





There is no editing of those pics, that is how green it is



So I did a couple of the walks in the area, then went to check out the "Great Dismal Swamp"



I did a couple of walks there and made my way to Drummond (?) Lake



The feeder for the swamp.
Then headed back to camp to smack out a few chapters and relax



Had an awesome thunder storm that evening, proper awesome, but I still managed a fire when it cleared.
Then made my way to Elizabeth City. Checked out the Museum, talked to some guys in a bike shop and retired to work on this....
Not sure what's next, maybe Cape Canaveral

[JATZ]

Update time again.... I'm not sure how this will go ( ) but I'll give it a shot.
After a rough night in a cheap motel, getting nibbled on by some sort of critter, I had to get my cooker out to sort out the morning coffee. Guess that's what you get for cheap I hit the road again. I buzzed Westward through lots of big and small towns. I had a vague plan of where I wanted to end up.
The day was another scorcher Sitting at traffic lights again, in one of the towns, slowing being par boiled, I felt I needed to change something. Not sure what ? Maybe my attitude,. Settings in the Garmin ? This just wasn't working for me at all....
I got to where I wanted to be. A place called Jordan lake. Set up camp.



And tried to relax. Unfortunately the heat just wasn't relenting Had a half hearted blaze and turned in earlyish. I just could not sleep the heat was unbearable, just being next to the sleeping bag had me sweating...
I had no plan what so ever next day. Pick a town on the GPS and go. If it was still early when I got there, pick another one and go there. Was a pretty ho humm day. Lots of farmland and churches. I think this is the only pic I took.



I ended up somewhere found a BnB with aircon and finished for the day. The owner, who also rides, thought I looked like I needed a beer, so he brought me a selection from his personal stash of craft brews, very welcome it was too
Next day was another almost pic free day... nothing much to report... I ended up at Okefenokee swamp. after Garmin sent me down this road



The first mile was ok... the next 2 were not so much I despise sand
I made it to the info center thing and asked about boat tours. They had one going in about 15 mins unless the thunder storm turned into an electrical storm, in which case it would be canned. I decided to come back next morning and took off to a place I'd spied on my way there.
They had cabins/food and beer, I stopped, naturally
It was an interesting night, drinking beer and discussing topics such as South Carolina liquor laws, handgun ownership and open or concealed carry with a guy from NY state, some locals, and a Kiwi....
Next morning the skies had cleared, so I shot off to get on the first boat tour of the day
Was pretty cool...











And a hire boat...



They have camps that are only accessible by canoe where you can stay the night in the swamp.
After that i Had a bit of a ride round...looking here and there.
This is a settlers house. Not sure I'd want to settle there, but some people will live anywhere





Then I headed of to a place that'd been recommended the previous night. It was in Florida



I tried, I really tried, but I couldn't do it. after more traffic, and the associated lights, seeing some houses and resorts, beaches and inlets... I turned around and got out. I'm sure it's a lovely place, but I just couldn't do it
I was just cruising along when I spotted a sign advertising food on the side of the road, I had to stop at Doo Dads



and give these a nudge



Never eaten frogs legs before. I hoped there wasn't going to be a violent purging later, but it was all good
Would eat again
I ended up somewhere that night

[JATZ]

I took of from where ever I was next morning and went to somewhere else there was absolutely nothing to report. George wanted to stop in Georgetown



but it wasn't going to happen. Jamesville was out too, as there's just nothing really there. I think we ended up at a little place called Andrews and another cheap motel.
Next morning was the run back to Elizabeth City. Past the alleged smallest church in America



It was pretty small



The bike was overdue for a service, and I'd ordered a set of more dual purpose tires. I had an AirBnB booked for a couple of nights, so they'd have plenty of time to get the job done. I'd booked this 3+ weeks ago and called in a week prior, just to make sure it was all good and they could get the tires I want..... It was all in hand I'd been told
Dropped the bike off this morning.... No service manager No mechanic no tires the parts guy didn't have a clue.
I think I said some bad words They managed to do the oil change, because I carry an oil filter for emergencies., while I sat outside phoning around trying to find some rubber. I found something that may be o.k. It's a bit out of my way but I'll make it work.
I actually ran into the service manager as I was leaving the building where I'm staying. He offered to make some calls.... I know for a fact I said some bad words regarding how they do business and his organization, but the cunt deserved it
Anyway.... Off to Nags head tomorrow to start the TAT.... with a leeedle detour

[Tokerau boy]

Go to York Pennsylvania and have a look at the tour through the Harley Davidson factory

[F5 Dave]

I've been stuck in hospital 1 month just well enough for catch up of this thread. Nice break.

[JATZ]

I've been stuck in hospital 1 month just well enough for catch up of this thread. Nice break.

Hope it's nothing serious ? and here's some more light reading

[JATZ]

Time for another update... I seem to be getting behind a bit
Seems like a lifetime ago I packed up and headed out of Elizabeth City. Looked a bit smokey out too



I hope it wasn't going to hazardous. I made my way down through Kittyhawk only stopping at the info center for a gander and a souvenir shop. The memorial thing for the Wright Bros. was in a park, but they wanted a fee to enter, and I wasn't going to be there long so chose to carry on.
Got to Naggs head. it's very "Beachy", lots of people doing beachy things





This is the official start of the Atlantic Ocean Spur part of the TAT



The first day was mostly seal with a couple of short gravel sections



Past some interesting (to me) houses. some still lived in, some not







and before long I found myself in Rocky Mount to eyeball some new tires. Not what I wanted, but they'll have to do
These guys were great to deal with unlike their other branch Discount of the tires and slotted me in next morning for fitting



With that out of the way I carried on. Aiming to pick up the track just a little north. Past fields of crops



Looks like they should've already taken the first pic of that...
More old houses



Along some greasy slippery roads



and I ended up in Crew for the night. Pretty boring eh

[JATZ]

I left Crew, intending to finish AOS and join up with TAT proper. More winding seal roads and little gravel numbers too...







I'd just ridden over that ridge in the background there



It took a little longer than expected and I pulled pin about 4:30 with another 200 odd k's to go to reach my destination. Figured out a workaround and ended up in Covington for the night. It was a busy place what with a golf tournament on and a fair of some description. I ended up in a run down establishment as the firs place was full and the second wanted to charge me $320 USD for one night I'm ok with run down
Next day was rinse and repeat. It looks like I was a bit slack with taking pics that day. So no photographic evidence I was even there. I ended up just outside Bland at a State Park.
Next morning it was back on the road, past Big Walker lookout.



There's a shop there where you can pay to go up the tower. It was shut



and some other stuff



I'd left there and gone over another ridge on another cool track



when I spied this laying across my path



Nothing for it but to carry on. Thankfully I found some shelter just as it unleashed



and stood around kicking clods waiting for it to pass. Didn't even take the helmet off. Eventually it looked to be easing, so off I went again ... didn't get very far before it let fly again. Thankfully I found somewhere better to shelter



Try again.... This time it held off, and I found myself in Tazewell



This should be fun I thought



It was pretty cool Once again I must've been having to much fun riding to take out the phone. I finished the day in Damascus. Quite a pretty little town that one.



Next day it was time do some more beetling... like this guy



More little gravel roads over hills and down dales. Through a very well to do town called Blowing Rock. Take a right just on the edge of town and then the road goes down, down, down.... past a wee cemetery where I had to take a break



some very very old grave stones in there too and along the valley floor



Through a wee dot of a place called Maple Ridge and more tight twisty rocky forestry roads. I only had to go in the ditch once to get around a fallen tree and I eventually made it to Linville Falls.
The weather looked to packing a sad again, confirmed by a guy I chatted to at the servo. No time for hanging around.... I was going to try make Little Switzerland before it hit. Thankfully it was all seal, although somewhat wet and a little dark under the canopy
I made it and stopped at the first place I saw, booked in and just got the bike unpacked before it let loose. Thunder, lightening, wind and torrential rain. Glad I wasn't tenting.
I sat next to a lovely couple from Columbus at tea (included in the room rate ) who seemed interested in what I was up to, and a little concerned They said they'd pray for me. It's not the first time I've heard that in Virginia/Carolina. They seem like quite religious folks. Hence the huge number of Churches.
I did plan on updating this thread that night, but the power went out due to the weather so I had no internets.
Next morning dawned much brighter. Not a bad view from my deck aye ?



I sat next to the same couple for breakfast (included in room rate) and the guy gave me his card and said email him when I was finished, just so he knew I was safe. Truly lovely, caring people.
So off I went, full of optimism for the rest of the day and the trip. Before long I was into more forest roads, quite a bit of wind damage from the night before



There was some sizeable trees down too. Thankfully the road crews/linesmen were out clearing it all up. Before long I was up on part of the Blue Ridge Parkway, I'm sure it's stunning on a good day



As for the rest of the day, it was loads of little roads through tiny community's



Past more derelict houses



and through more forest parks



Before I ended up back on the Blue Ridge Parkway just out of Maggie Vly and a campsite at the Mile high campground. where I got invited over for dinner and drinks by some fellow campers, much better than a tin of stew/soup stuff..
Nice sunset too



Which brings me to today...
I slept in Didn't get up till 8. Must be the mountain air...
I left there and before long found myself in the tall timber again, riding through another park just out of Cherokee, then a bit more seal then through Tellico gap



Over a saddle



It's a shame the growth was so high as it was a cool view back down the valley, with the road snaking under the power lines and diving into the forest making it's way to the top.
I ended up in Andrews but couldn't find anywhere I wanted to stay, I did find somewhere off the trail though... 2 Wheel Inn, they even have little garages to park the bikes in, how cool is that



Even got a little button in my room to close the door I don't even have that at home.

So here I am, all caught up... sorry its not very detailed but there's so many little places I'm passing through it's hard to keep up. Will try to do better.
Off to a little place called Deals Gap tomorrow. I seem to recall something about a tail and a dragon I'll report back in due course

Later

[Tokerau boy]

I’ve never known a motorcycle resort before, certainly along way from the coast now

[Laava]

Update time....The camp host mentioned Gettysburg wasn't far away, I popped into the info center ,

Did they give you the address? Badoomtish!…
Awesome trip James, nice pics, have fun!