Karen,

Hello Everyone!!!! Sorry I am so late getting this follow up out regarding our weekend trip. I had to work 14.5 h,ours and Monday and 12 hours on Tuesday, and in the middle of that I got a terrible migraine that required a trip to the ER...so it's late, but here it is. To all those brave souls that tackled the challenge of the unknown weather.....thanks for making the mountain trip a memorable blast.!!!!!! First, let me take this opportunity to thank Mr. B for always being so willing to adapt to change due to unknown weather changes, for always going with the flow and for being my chauffeur. I love you dear!!!! We headed north and east for the Tennessee mountains, but of course our first stop along the way was to eat. We enjoyed good BBQ from the Rib Country in Blairsville. You know we can't pass one of these by along our travels and not stop to partake of the great food. And on this trip we had great company too and for some it was their first Rib Country meal...yes some even had the wonderful blackberry cobbler with ice cream. As we traveled north we took a side step to the main road to Wayha Road. What a great ride. I do believe this road would qualify for the title of "long and winding road". Everyone enjoyed this road. If you have never traveled this road before please put this on your list of roads to ride, for you do not want to miss this one, and the best part is that it's close enough to home that you could do this in a day trip. We arrived in Johnson City. I felt that everyone was pleased with the accommodations. We took the opportunity to get to know each other more as we conversed as we waited for the late arrivals. We walked across the parking lot where the large group enjoyed a meal together at Logan's. I must say dining with this group was an 'event' trust me. Afterwards we were off to our rooms to recover from the travels of the day and rest for the next day's adventure. As we hit the road on Saturday....hummmm was in the air...weather???? it was so unsure, but we hit the road anyway. It started okay, but as the day progressed so did the rain. We were able to conquer the NC 194 in Banner Elk and a visit for brief shopping at the historic original MAST General Store. Mast was an adventure in itself, for this store is unlike shopping in the modern technologies of today...it was an experience enjoyed by all. After this a decision was made to cut our day's ride short due to weather, so we made trails back to the hotel. The guys were happy, for they got to watch to game on the big screen. Saturday evening we enjoyed a catered dinner from FATZ and a DJ with karaoke. We enjoyed good food for dinner along with good friends, good music and another opportunity to get to know everyone more. After dinner....well ..... what a surprise.!!! Chapter L has members that have been keeping secrets in a closet. The closet door opened and out came some incredibly talented members.....who would have known. I was certainly surprised. All enjoyed the opportunity to experience first hand all the talent within Chapter L. I am sorry that those of you that did not make this trip missed all of this, but hopefully you guys will have another opportunity. After an evening very full of conversation, laughter, fun, and excitement we all drug ourselves to our rooms for some well needed and deserved rest to recover from our day and to prepare for the next day's adventure. On Sunday, we arose very early so we could get in a few more sweeping winding roads before heading back to Rome. We headed for the snake US 421 in Shady Valley Tennessee. WOW....awesome. As we adventured along and up the mountain our ride was challenged with foggy misty roads. A challenge that was conquered by all. I must say I enjoyed the foggy misty mountain roads....they were simply breathtaking, and a first for me, just breathtaking. We ended up in Boone NC where we ate lunch and made the decision to change our route due to, yes again, the weather. Because we changed our route home we had to take the looooong way home because of the rock slide on I-40. Needless to say our ride home was very long, but I do believe that all would agree that it was worth it.....what a great weekend of awesome riding. This weekend we rode in Georgia, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginawow can Chapter L cover some ground in a short time period. When we arrived at home our odey showed just over 1000 miles. WOW..... Thanks to Ellen Austin for being a great sport. She was thrown into adventures she had never been challenged by before, so in one weekend I think she has now conquered curvy, sweeping, bumpy, wet, foggy, misty mountain roads both going up and down, and let me not fail to mention the incredible cold and driving with so many layers that she could hardly move. Way to go girl.....you are now a big biker chic for sure. Thanks to Chapter L for always being up for and adventure, so until next ride.
Keep it safe whether on 2 or 4 wheels. --
"Unshakable faith is faith that has been shaken."