Tuesday morning we had to be at Roanoke Harley Davidson bright and early, the local Harley Owners Group chapter were providing breakfast! So we were kickstands up and riding the motorcycle at about 7AM. Once again, the dang Dealership location feature of the GPS was screwed up! (you can read more on my thoughts about this thing from a post more than a year old here…not much has changed).
After thanking the HOG and dealership employees we got back on the road. Hopping on the Blue Ridge Parkway (we were on and off the parkway about a
dozen times it seems) we arrived at out second destination Mabry Mill. Now I have been to dozens of mills over the years and this one was no different except for the story behind. If you have time check the link for the story. Also they have a working blacksmith forge, the gentleman working the forge makes several different items. He was just starting the heat the forge when were there so he was not working iron.
Now start whistling the theme for the Andy Griffith show while thinking about the song Rain Drops Kept Falling on my Head. Because both of those fit our stop in Mount Airy, NC. A short(ish) ride from the Mill, Mt. Airy was the home of Andy Griffith and the town has become Mayberry as a result. The main street is a neat little “kitsch” with county/Mayberry themed stores. But the real “Floyd’s” Barber Shop and Snappy Lunch stand are there. We had a nice lunch at Snappy and if I had needed a haircut I would have stopped in Floyd’s.
A large part of stay in Mt. Airy was in the rain. Riding the motorcycles in it was a hit and miss sprinkle, walking around it was a light rain but most of the stores had awnings that kept us covered but for about 5 minutes there was a downpour. One of our new friends (Don of Don and Torri 🙂 ) made the rain stop by running down to their bikes and putting covers on their luggage.
After visiting the Andy Griffith Museum and Siamese Twins exhibit we were back on the road headed to Winston-Salem, NC. This next stop was at the Winston Cup Museum. If you are into NASCAR this small museum will be right up your pit-lane (see what I did there LOL). Holding 20+ race cars the museum tells the story NASCAR when RJ Reynolds was the primary sponsor.
After this it was a sprint to our hotel, a shower, beer/sprits, dinner and fun with new friends and sleep… or and air conditioning!! Not sure what is the most important invention of the modern era… Motorcycles or air conditioning!
To see what happened on day one check out that post!
I JUST WANT 2 RIDE!! 