Went nowhere that special today, just took a few shots to share...
Was up at 5, and out by 5:30. Lots of family stuff on tap for the day, but the weather was perfect, and I was in need of a ride. I rode for a good 45min in the pre-dawn twilight. Every stand of trees seemed to claw at the fog, gripping it like a blanket on a cold morning. Finally, the sun burst over the horizon, bathing my little piece of the world in a fantastic golden glow.
I stopped where I was and took a couple shots...
It's a great feeing to be the only one on the road. I saw exactly 4 cars & 4 tractors on my way out west. I'm programmed to head west towards the Shenandoah Mountains - they are my loadstones. Left to my own devices, I always find myself among them, as my default destination.
I had gotten up and out of the house with only a glass of water and a cold shower. So by the time I'd gotten 40 more twisty miles under my belt, I was hungry.
I stopped in Front Royal and caught a bite to eat at L Dee's Diner. A good friend of my grandfather had built and opened the place over 26 years ago. Both he and my grandfather are long gone - but I get a kick out of looking down at the floor and knowing exactly which tiles I put down on the floor, and which barstools that I spun myself sick on at the lunch counter. I snarfed down my Sausage gravy and biscuits {There is no cholesterol down memory lane don't ya know...} and made my way back on the bike to hit the Skyline Drive and take it down a few miles to an old standby road, Rt. 211.
I took a couple of quick snaps before rolling outta town
I buzzed up Skyline drive and immediately was swarmed by bicycles. Seems they like to get out early too. I wasn't in a hurry, so I just rumbled up the ridge, trying to keep them from getting them stuck in my spokes. Once I had out distanced them, I found an overlook with a great view and a patch of wild flowers
After this I settled into the seat for a long twisty, lazy roll over the ridge tops, down the mountain through Sperryville, and accross the Piedmont to Flint Hill. I spied there a fetching little house for sale.
This little place would be perfect for a B&B. Just look at that porch... *sigh* Someday I'll try to do one of the 40 things I'd rather be doing for a living.... someday...
I hopped back on the GS, and headed north towards Middleburg. I needed to make my way to Ashburn to pick up something for the wife, so I was drifting north by north east, picking and choosing old stand-by roads, and occasionally exploring new gravel trails. Ultimately I made it there for caffine and gasoline, in that order. As I pulled into a parking place on the street, a gentleman that was sweeping the sidewalk in front of his shop said to me in a thick German accent "Ah! A BMW! I'm glad to see them again. They still make Boxers, yaah?" We struck up a short conversation about the lineage of the boxers, and his lamenting the sale of his 1982 airhead. Saying my good byes, I crossed the street to get one of the best latte's in the DC area
The people watching is still top notch too...
I finished my latte, topped of the tank and explored a few gravel roads between Middleburg and Ashburn, finding this wonderful barn that had been converted into a cozy home
That's it. Nothing epic, but relaxing and fun.
Cheers!