Morrow Mountain Ride (February 8,2009)

Good days ride today, got one of those days that just don't happen that often in February.....lower 70's. Enjoyed it a great deal, and took advantage starting at noon. Sure its been a pretty rough weekend; got the transfer coming up soon to Virginia, and this weekend the furnace gave up the ghost. Thankfully, have a great wife, son and dogs..oh and a motorcycle. Today put the transfer and the furnace (its only money) behind me, and got out on the bike. Rode out on the backroads near my house to Albemarle, NC. Took this photo while I was out (and yes, its in black and white, thought it went well with the winter look around here, and enjoyed the twists and turns of the road. Lots of farms and animals; interesting sights and smells; those are some of my favorite roads. Good Carolina two lane roads with a lot of wonderful things to see around every corner.

I went to Morrow Mountain, it was full of cars and motorcycles at the top. Always a nice view up there and today was no exception. Not sure what it is about that place except maybe that its the closest "mountain" in this local area, and its a beautiful ride to get there, but at any case it draws motorcycles to it like flies to honey. I made a short stop at Harmanco's in Albemarle, a great place to get a quick bite to eat. It also helps that it is very biker friendly. I have been going there for years. Continued to ride around Albemarle, NC which is famous for being the home town of Kellie Pickler, the country singer on American Idol.

I finished my ride around the area with a visit to Baden Lake. Baden Lake is located in the town of Baden which was once famous for the Alcoa plant there. The plant is still there but employment is way down, if its still running at all (I am not quite sure to be honest).

That is my bike in the photo at the left, and the lake goes on for miles. Often sea gulls are there; bring a bunch of potato chips, toss them in the air, and you would not believe how popular you can be for a brief time. Often people swim there in the summer (which is the reason for the barricades out there) but warm as it was today, not so much in early February.

I headed back down the same roads I came up. As it was all day, passed a lot of motorcyclists all enjoying this very unique winter day. Winter days like this is one of the great parts of riding in the Carolinas, and certainly made the three hour ride today one I will remember. It was a very good time, and a most enjoyable day. Nothing left to do today but to wash some road salt (from the winter weather a few days ago) off the bike, and chill out with Patty the rest of the day. Certainly, it was a most relaxing and very enjoyable day out on two wheels today.