What's in your backyard?

[3fan4life]

Everyone of us has a good ride or two that we take on a regular basis.

I thought that I'd start this as an attempt to create an ongoing thread where everyone could post info and PICS about a good ride that they've taken recently in their home stomping grounds.

My thought is that if you knew that you were going to be traveling through a specific area you could check out this thread to see if anyone has recommended a ride there.

[3fan4life]

This ride begins on VA 311 at Hanging Rock. 



Ride Map

MAP LINK
http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&source=s_d&saddr=Hanging+Rock,+VA&daddr=Dunlap+Creek+Rd%2FVA-159+to:Rumsey+Rd+to:37.938241,-79.701004+to:E+Craig+St%2FVA-42+to:VA-42+to:VA-42+to:N+Main+St%2FUS-11+to:US-11%2FN+Valley+Pike+to:Old+Valley+Pike%2FUS-11+to:VA-720%2FWissler+Rd&geocode=%3BFT4HQAIdkNc4-w%3BFT7KQAIddJI6-w%3B%3BFR7_RAIdUKJE-w%3BFQ7ySAIdSM1J-w%3BFRxlSgIdpOdL-w%3BFSTkSgIddtNM-w%3BFU0qTAIdaytO-w%3BFecrTgIdzs5P-w%3BFUrVTgIdstBP-w&hl=en&mra=dpe&mrcr=0&mrsp=3&sz=11&via=1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9&sll=37.886777,-79.735336&sspn=0.259037,0.674286&ie=UTF8&ll=38.128075,-79.771729&spn=2.065505,5.394287&z=8

Hanging Rock is easily accessible from Interstate 81 @ Exit 141. 
If you’re coming from the northbound exit take a right @ the end of the ramp, if you’re coming from the southbound exit take a left.  At the bottom of the hill take a right  onto VA 311.

Note:
Hanging Rock is a good place to top off your fuel. Gas stops will be limited for the next 80 miles or so.  There are places to get fuel on 311 but it will be cheaper at Hanging Rock.

Approximately five miles north on 311 you will begin to climb up Catawba Mountain.
Enjoy the ride this is a really fun mountain and the first of three that this ride will take you across.

From the top of Catawba Mountain the ride becomes very scenic.  With the mountains above you and the valley stretched out before you the road winds its way to New Castle, VA.

New Castle is a small town (actually the only town) located in Craig Co. VA.  Take a detour down main street as you pass through and you’ll find a town that time has passed by.


Main Street New Castle, VA

From New Castle 311 finds its way up and across Potts Mountain.  Be ready for some excellent twisties here.


The top of Potts Mountain


View from Potts Mountain

SR 311 drops off Potts Mountain into Paint Bank, VA. 


Paint Bank General Store

Be sure to stop and check out the General Store. It’s a real honest to goodness general store.
If you’re hungry check out the Swinging Bridge restaurant ( http://www.theswingingbridge.com ) in the back of the General store.
It’s a little pricey but the atmosphere and the food are both good.

Paint Bank is a quaint little community.


When is the last time that you saw one of these?

From Paint Bank 311 heads up Peters Mountain.


View of Peters Mountain from Paint Bank, VA
The ride up is a lot of fun, but be careful descending the north side of the mountain.  Like many of the mountains in this area the roadway is more narrow on the north side of the mountain and the turns are sharper.  This would be good if it weren’t for the loose gravel that tends to pile up in the turns.

About six miles from the base of Peters Mountain 311 takes a hard left turn.  For this ride continue straight onto VA 159.  VA 159 wanders along for about twelve miles crisscrossing Dunlap Creek several times before intersecting with US 60.   
Take a right turn onto US 60 and follow it towards Covington, VA.  Go approximately one mile and look for the sign that say’s Humpback Bridge Wayside.


Humpback Bridge

The next leg of this ride will begin with SR 42 near Clifton Forge, VA.  The easiest way to get there from Humpback Bridge is to go back west on US 60 and get onto Interstate 64 east towards Lexington, VA.

This is exit 10, SR 42 picks up @ exit 29.   
I usually don’t include an Interstate stretch when I want to take a relaxing ride.  Interstates are simply a quick way to get from point A to point B.  That’s the case here, there are other ways to get to SR 42 but none of them are this easy.

This stretch of I 64 will take you past Covington and Clifton Forge, VA.  If you are hungry or need fuel almost any one of the exits will be a good choice.

Take exit 29 and turn left onto SR 42 towards Millboro Springs. 
For approximately the next twenty miles SR 42 will follow the Cowpasture River occasionally leaving the river to go up and over a ridge only to meet it again on the other side.

At Millboro Springs turn right towards Goshen, VA on VA 39/42. 
The turns here are mostly sweepers as the road follows Mill Creek towards Goshen. 


Mill Creek

In Goshen 42 and 39 split with 42 going left and 39 going right. 

Note:
SR 39 travels through Goshen Pass on its way to Lexington, VA.  This is another great ride.

From Goshen SR 42 travels up the west side of the Shenandoah Valley towards Harrisonburg, VA.  There aren’t many curves through here but the scenery is nice.

Between Goshen and Harrisonburg SR 42 passes through several small towns.  In Churchville you’ll have to make a left turn onto US 250 and go about ½ mile before turning right back onto SR 42.     

In Harrisonburg you’ll need to pick up US 11 to get to your next destination.  US 11 serves as Main Street in Harrisonburg.  Once you’re in Harrisonburg a right turn onto almost any major road will take you to Main Street.

Turn left onto Main Street / US 11 towards New Market, VA.
 US 11 works its way up the center of the Shenandoah Valley crisscrossing Interstate 81 several times. 
Approximately four miles north of New Market you’ll need to make a left turn onto Route 720. 
If you’ve been looking to your left you’ve already seen Meem’s Bottom Covered Bridge anyway.


Meem's Bottom Covered Bridge


It has been approximately 180 miles since you turned onto SR 311 at Hanging Rock hopefully you enjoyed the ride as much as I did.  If you need to return home quickly Interstate 81 is a stones throw away. 
If you’ll still have time and a desire to explore some more take a look at your map. 

Almost any road that you pick from here will be a good ride.   

[doubletee]

We have nothing remotely similar around here.

Nice write up! 

[Big IV]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,846.0.html
In this day and age of tightening the travel budgets for the summer it is nice to remember what destinations are around the house.
I thought I'd link up to this older one to keep Flatsix and the rest from having to repeat themselves.

[Hoser]

High plains on top of the Flint Hills in Kansas.   Hoser

[Tropic traveler]

Well..........
Literally in my back yard.


If riding in your back yard means a fairly easy day trip from your house where you can be back for a late dinner I submit.

Horseshoe Beach, Florida on the Gulf {west} coast, sort of the southern end of the "Big Bend".


The Gulf of Mexico near the west end of Hwy 40 near Inglis/Yankeetown Florida..


The end of the Ozello Trail west of Crystal River Florida.


Bridge shot near Cedar Key Florida.


Pine Island Florida, the west end of Hwy 50.
 

St. Pete Beach in the background of this pic. We are on the approach to Ft. Desoto Park... in January by the way! 
Enough of the West Coast of Florida. On to the East Coast!



Flagler Beach just north of Daytona on A1A.


Marineland on A1A. An historic Florida landmark.


Self explanatory.


New Smyrna Beach, south of Daytona.


Sebastian Inlet a little south of Melbourne, Florida.

Seems like whenever we want to get away from lifes pressures we end up near one of the coasts. I guess it's the calming effect of the waves.

But......... There is also the interior of Florida that just can't be left out!



Riding "The Loop" north of Ormond Beach. Anyone who has been to BikeWeek in Daytona should know about this road.


"Way down upon the Suwanee River". Valhalla Voyage 2008


Lake Weir Florida, Very near our own "sealskiner's" home.


The boat docks on Lake Monroe in Sanford, Florida.


Our view from my sister's condo of the St' Johns River in Astor, Florida our BikeWeek & Biketoberfest home.


The St. Johns in Palatka, Florida.


Within sight of the Georgia border on US41. Interesting name for a drinking establishment!


St. Augustine, Florida. The nations oldest city. {Sorry, didn't take the Valk that day!}


Chinsegut Hill north of Brooksville, Florida. Hernando County Florida has a lot of rolling hill country not commonly found in Florida.


Micanopy, Florida, just south of Gainesville. A sleepy "Old Florida" town. The movie "Doc Hollywood" starring Micheal J. Fox was filmed here years ago.

I guess you could safely say my Valkyrie & I have been around my state.
BTW, I haven't even gotten to the Florida Keys & Florida Panhandle pic yet! 

[RoboCop]

Great idea for a thread.

If you're planning on travelling I84 east of Portland OR, these are some scenic alternatives to the freeway and also include a fair amount of fun twisties.


Link to map:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=109335961246846485564.0004681dbdb0318846980&ll=45.685077,-121.821899&spn=1.062998,1.93634&z=9

Nearest Portland is the Old Columbia River Highway, nice views of the Gorge, twists down the canyon wall and sprinkled with waterfalls.  (you can click pics for enlarged image)

[RoboCop]

Also off of I84, the Rowena Crest between Mosier, OR and The Dalles, OR.

The fruit orchards were in full bloom yesterday, there is also a wildflower park near the summit if you catch it in the spring.







Oops forgot the panorama at the Mosier turn.



.

[RoboCop]

This one is on the north side of the Columbia River in WA.  It's a great day ride, especially in the spring because there are no high elevations or snow issues.  Lots of great twisties and views of the mountains.

[3fan4life]

If riding in your back yard means a fairly easy day trip from your house where you can be back for a late dinner.....

Yep, that pretty accurately describes what I meant by “Your Backyard”.

Many of those places are pretty familiar to me as well.

My oldest brother lives in Lake City, FL and I spent many summers there while I was growing up.

We used to put a boat in at Horseshoe Beach to go fishing in the Gulf.

But, lately I’ve come to like fishing from Cedar Key better.



You’re exactly right about riding the coast, there’s something really nice about cruising A1A.



And, I’ve spent quite a bit of time fishing down on the Suwannee River as well as the St. Johns River.

I’ve always said that the “real” Florida is the part that most tourist never see.



FALLING CREEK FALLS

This 10ft Florida Waterfall is just north of Lake City, FL on US 41. Probably not far from "Cooter Jacks".


Everyone has something in their "backyard" that others are envious of. And sharing those things is a good thing. 

[3fan4life]

The Pacific Northwest is absolutely "BEAUTIFUL".


I spent a year stationed at Fort Lewis, WA.

And, I've always hoped to get some riding in up there again.

When I do, I'll definately check out these places in your "Backyard". 

[RP#62]

Mostly just rocks and dirt in our backyard.
-RP



Here's the same mountain with a horse of a different color.


Here's another pile of rocks and an old mountain goat.

[3fan4life]

Mostly just rocks and dirt in our backyard.

Yeah, and this is just a "hole" in the ground.....

[Big IV]

http://www.hoghappenin.org/This is in our backyard once a year. Sponsored by the Hog Chapter so it is HD heavy, but it is a  fun time in our downtown. Gets people downtown. Events like these are helping to bring back our downtown area.
Nice shot of town trying to party.

[RP#62]

Mostly just rocks and dirt in our backyard.

Yeah, and this is just a "hole" in the ground.....

That's that big ditch up north.
-RP

[3fan4life]

This PIC reminds me of a place here in my "backyard".

SR 39 through Goshen Pass is very similar.



I'll have to get a PIC of the road through there soon.

Maybe this weekend.

[Momz]

Here in Michigan, we've got Tons-O-Great rides.
But quite literaly in my back yard we have the infamous "Edward Hines Drive". Hines Drive is an 18 mile parkway that follows the main branch of the Rouge River flood plain.
It is closed about 150 days a year because if it rains just a little (or someone flushes twice) it floods. It starts in Dearborn near the old Henry Ford Estate known as Fairlane and meanders through several bedroom communities, along golf courses, old mills, various lakes, ponds and dams. There are soccer fields, softball diamonds, picnic areas, festival grounds, canoe launches, wildlife and bird sanctuarys, and several artesian springs. There are hiking trails, bicycle paths, and sledding hills as well as cross country skiing in the winter. The Drive ends in the historic village of Northville.
And were the Drive ends, one of the best M/C roads in this area starts. That would be Seven Mile Road. Seven Mile and North Terittorial Road are two of S.E. MI's most notorious sport bike roads. Twisty, turny, not much traffic (except on weekends) that take you north of the Ann Arbor area were there is a more rural atmosphere and a few biker "Hot Spots". The most famous being the village of Hell, and it is extremely biker friendly. The main watering hole is "The Dam Site Inn" on the hell creek, the Dam is just out back.

Just come to S.E. Michigan, I'll be glad to show y'all a good ride!

[hotglue #43]

We ...FB and I..... have riden all 48 contiguious states at least twice...... plus 5 Canadian prov.
  Heck of a big back yard...And we have not nearly seen everything we want to see...GREAT pics!!!!!.ROAD TRIP!!!!!!
 We have not been to all the Texas counties..... there are 254 of them... and most of them are bigger than states that have 2 Senators....take that back.... All of them are bigger than Rhode Island.....
Beaches, Prairies, Hill country.... (My favorite... gotta be Gods country) Deserts, High Plains, Piney woods, Mountains, Cross timbers....
  Yep..... I need to ride Texas a little bit more!!!!!!
  Once yer out of Texas.... yer 1/2 way there.... no matter where yer goin....

[RP#62]

We ...FB and I..... have riden all 48 contiguious states at least twice...... plus 5 Canadian prov.
  Heck of a big back yard...And we have not nearly seen everything we want to see...GREAT pics!!!!!.ROAD TRIP!!!!!!
 We have not been to all the Texas counties..... there are 254 of them... and most of them are bigger than states that have 2 Senators....take that back.... All of them are bigger than Rhode Island.....
Beaches, Prairies, Hill country.... (My favorite... gotta be Gods country) Deserts, High Plains, Piney woods, Mountains, Cross timbers....
  Yep..... I need to ride Texas a little bit more!!!!!!
  Once yer out of Texas.... yer 1/2 way there.... no matter where yer goin....

I didn't realize how big Texas was until someone pointed out that the city that is halfway between Houston and Los Angeles is El Paso.
-RP

[3fan4life]

One of the most scenic rides here in my "Backyard" is SR39 through Goshen Pass.



The ride from Lexington, Va to Goshen, Va is apx 20 miles. 



There are lots of twisties along the way making for some spirited riding opportunities.

I must admit that I've never really tackled the twisties in Goshen Pass itself.

This is just one of those places that you "must" slow down and "enjoy the view".








There are many other "great rides" home from Goshen.

Look at your map and pick a road, they're all good.

Including SR 39 through Warm Springs, Va into West Virginia.

[Big IV]

http://www.valkyrieforum.com/bbs/index.php/topic,3622.0.html
Linking to a thread about local historical markers around my county. I've been here all my life, but until I made the decision to actual 'see' them and read them, I had no idea what most of these markes said. We do often take the neighborhood for granted.

[RoboCop]

Lots of riders take Hwy 101 up the coast, the best roads and scenery are on the tributaries.  Don't miss the Three Capes scenic route near Tillamook OR.

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&ll=45.357935,-123.626404&spn=0.534598,0.96817&z=10&msid=109335961246846485564.000469be1b64e36587e51



A little further north is Ecola State park near Cannon Beach, just a short hop off 101 and well worth the time to see.


Ecola Park




Cliffs near Manzanita off 101




Cape Meares








Cape Lookout

Valkyrie Oregon Coast	powered by Aeva

[3fan4life]

I decided to take a ride along old US 11.

The trip didn't have a planned destination.

The plan was to ride until I felt like turning around and heading home.

I wound up riding from Cloverdale, Va to Staunton, Va on US 11.





http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?gbv=2&hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=105686162666345333187.00046b7c3c79c4316b925&z=9



The easiest access to US 11 at Cloverdale is from exit 150 on I-81.

US 11 is a little hard to follow in some places as it has been replaced by I-81 almost completely in some places.

Just north of the Town of Buchanan the signs for US 11 will direct you onto I-81.

If you continue under the interstate onto the frontage road and then take the first right turn that takes you across the interstate and turn left after you cross the bridge you will stay on Old US 11.

I enjoy taking the old road when I'm not in a hurry.

The small towns and communities that slow you down when you're in a hurry prove to be a good diversion when you aren't.

I like the character of those old places and often I'll see things that if they could talk I'd like to listen.


Old US 11 literally crosses Natural Bridge.




Natural Bridge is touted as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.....



Even as a kid I remember thinking that if is was a natural wonder, "Why did they build a highway over it?"

Natural Bridge is still a major tourist attraction even though it's off of the beaten path these days.

And you never know what kind of characters you'll run into there....



In addiition to the bridge itself there is a wax museum, caverns and a zoo nearby.

Also nearby is FOAMHENGE.....





Foamhenge is an exact scale replica of the infamous Stonehenge



And it's the only attraction in the area that is free of charge.

A guy named Mark Cline (who is quite the character) built it and it is there for anyone who wishes to stop by.

Foamhenge is apx 2 miles north of the Natural Bridge on US 11.


The first town of size that you will come through is Lexington, Va.

Lexington is steeped in history and warrants an entire day to explore if you have the time.

As you come into Lexington on your right you will see Stonewall Jackson Memorial Cemetary....




This is the final resting place of Gen. Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson.



There is an enormous amount of history within the cemetary as well.

You could easily spend several hours there.


The next town of size traveling north on US 11 is Staunton, VA.

Staunton's greatest claim to fame is that it is the birthplace of President Woodrow Wilson.


A few miles south of Staunton it was time to eat....

Where US 11 and US 340 meet is Edelwiess.

Edelwiess is an authentic German restaurant.

The food is good and on a hot day an authentic German beer (just one really) seemed like a good idea.



After eating I decided that it was time to head back home.

And the most fun route is always a better choice than the most direct route.

So just south of Staunton I took SR 262 to SR 252.

SR 252 is a nice little diversion.

Winding its way from Staunton to SR 39 outside of Lexington it curves it way through pastures and along small streams.

It also passes through two small towns (Middleburg and Browsburg) that are obviously historic.


Also on SR 252 is a great mountain spring......

 

The spring is almost on the Augusta County / Rockbridge County line.

Comming from Staunton it is just past the intersection of Rte 620 and SR 252.

Trust me on this one the water is very good and very cold.

If you have a few empty drink botttles with you take the opportunity to fill them up, you won't regret it.


SR 252 ends at SR 39.

A right turn will take you through Goshen Pass (which is a must do ride).

A left turn will take you back to US 11 on the north side of Lexington.

If you're in a hurry to get to your next destination you have a choice between I-81 or I-64.

If not, take a good look at your map I'm sure that something in this area will catch your eye.

[RoboCop]

Beautiful country, rich history!  "One of these days" I'm gonna make the trip cross country.

Hey we've got one of those Stonehenge replicas too

[3fan4life]

Took a ride with some friends today to check out something in the backyard that before yesterday I didn't even know existed.

The destination was Hatton Ferry.



www.hattonferry.org

Hatton Ferry is one of only two remaining Pole Ferrys still in existence in the United States.

It is located on the James River near Scottsville, Va




http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl


The ferry is operated by the Va Dept of Transportation.

It is only operational on Sat and Sun from mid April to mid October.

Except now it is slated for closure at the end of this month due to budget cuts.

It costs the state less than $10,000 per year to operate.

The county is looking into taking over the operation of the ferry.


We didn't get to ride it today.

It was closed due to high water...



Hopefully it will remain open and I'll get a chance to ride it in the future.


There were some neat old cars there today as well....

[alph]

Here's the same mountain with a horse of a different color.


Hey RP, is that superstition mountain in the background?  My daughter and I have climbed it, every time I visit my parents in chandler I’ll sneak off and walk the trail to the top, beautiful up there!  What can you tell me about the T-38 that crashed on it?  next time we visit we’ll have to get together!

[HayHauler]

As flatlanders here in South Texas, we don't have any twisty roads, scenic over looks, or natural bridges.  But we do have some good people and some beautiful places!  As evidence of this, I submit......

HotGlue and FlamingoBabe's flower hill......






Ride for the Kids Houston






Texas State Railroad - Rusk Train Station






Kerville ride with Dag



Texas' version of Stonehenge


Motorcycle Museum in the Hill Country


Stonehenge Stop


And finally, Valkyrie Dr.  Texas


Hay  

[3fan4life]

I met up with some of Michigan's Misguided today.

I Met Skinhead (Joe) and one of his friends (Ken) in Goshen, Va.

We shared some wind for about 200 miles of some of the finest back roads that Virginia has to offer.

Their plan was to ride VA SR 42 from Churchville, Va to Bland, Va and then head to Marion, Va for the night.

After a quick jaunt to Goshen Pass......



We headed towards Clifton Forge, Va.

SR 42 is a nice scenic ride with little traffic to contend with.

The catch is that for some unknown reason it is in 3 seperate sections that don't officially connect.

Just outside of Irongate, Va SR 42 ends (sorta) for about 50 miles.

So we took a quick 19 mile jaunt West on I64 (gettting off @ exit 10) to pick it back up.

At exit 10 we took a quick one mile diversion to check out Humpback Bridge....



Then we took SR 159 to SR 311.

SR 311 passes through Paintbank and New Castle, Va.

In New Castle a right turn will put you back onto SR 42.

We stopped at the overlook on SR 42 above New Castle……….



This is the middle section of SR 42 running apx 30 miles from New Castle, Va to Newport, Va.

We took US 460 towards Pearisburg, Va and then SR 100 from Pearisburg to Poplar Hill.

Then it was a right turn onto SR 42 towards Bland, Va.

In Bland we picked up US 52 south towards Wytheville, Va.

A stop at the top of Big Walker’s Mountain to check out the view is mandatory……………….





The lookout tower on top of Big Walker’s Mtn………………..



It is a relic from the days when US 52 was the main highway.

For a few bucks you can climb to the top where they say on a clear day you can see seven states and you can also get a cheap cardiac stress test.

After the ride down Big Walker’s Mtn on US 52 we said our goodbyes and Michigan’s Misguided headed towards Marion, Va  to their hotel and some well deserved rest.

And I hit the super slab for a quick 100 mile ride home.

All in all it was a good day, and I’m pretty sure that they enjoyed some of the best scenery and twisties that Virginia has to offer.

Just a little 200 mile trip around the backyard.

The only problem of the day was a little bee incident on the way home (but, that’s another story).

[3fan4life]

I decided to ride down a road that I've passed by a hundred times.

The road leads to the small community of Arcadia, Va.



It's one of those roads that ultimately leads to nowhere but the scenery getting there is worth the ride.



There are actually several roads they just all dead end after following miles of trout stream through National Forest.

This is also there:

 

Which is a pretty well preserved "iron Furnace" from the 1800's.

A Google search determined that it was built around 1815 and was sold with the iron mine in 1880 for $125,000.00

That was a whopping sum of money in 1880.

If you find yourself riding along I 81 and would like a little detour get off at exit 168 and follow the signs to Arcadia.

Also if you're hungry the Mountain View Restaurant at the same exit is pretty good.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

Cool thread Fred    I enjoyed all the pictures. Are you going to show up at the VOAI Rally ?

[3fan4life]

Cool thread Fred    I enjoyed all the pictures. Are you going to show up at the VOAI Rally ?

We'll probably run over there for a day trip.

I just don't know which day yet.

[3fan4life]

Took a ride to the birthplace of General J.E.B Stuart yesterday.


Gen. Stuart was born at Laurel Hill Plantation which is near Ararat, VA.

Laurel Hill's Website: http://www.jebstuart.org/index.cfm




http://maps.google.com/maps?q=36.561497,-80.556908&sll=36.599324,-80.511028&sspn=0.017917,0.032015&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=36.620488,-80.458374&spn=0.249649,0.673599&z=11&pw=2


Laurel Hill is an easy diversion from the Blue Ridge Parkway.

I was a little disappointed because the actual house itself isn't there it burned down in 1848 and was never rebuilt.

Once I got over that and did a little walking around I discovered that it is a really peaceful place.



The markers stand where the house once stood.

There is a small Stuart Family Cemetary.




And the cemetary where some of the slaves who lived there are also buried.




Of course as with any trip getting there is half the fun.

The ride there included the BRP to Meadows of Dan and then US 58 to Stuart, VA and then SR 8 south.



Lover's Leap overlook (apx 4 miles south of Meadows of Dan, VA) on US 58.

The view here looks back towards the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Then of course there was the mandatory photo stop at Mabry Mill on the BRP.



Navigating some back roads on the return trip made for a little 360 mile roundtrip around the backyard.

[Big IV]

This...

Leads to...

at six hours or less I'm claiming it as backyard.

[RP#62]

Here's me out in the front yard.  Just finished mowing.
-RP

[3fan4life]

Got in a little more riding around the backyard this weekend.




http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&tab=wl


It's good to have a "backyard" that is full of twisty roads and scenic views.





In the background of this PIC is what I thought was a very nice barn.



Close up of the Barn



Another view along the way.

After looking closer I decided that the "hilltop" had a very uniform appearance.

A little "checking" of the GPS confirmed that there was a lake behind that "hill".


BTW:

Does anyone know what these plants are?:





I think think that they're peanut plants but I'm not sure.

What ever they are, there are hundreds of acres of them planted in this area.




When ever you see a sign like this one, you know that you've picked a good road.

(SR 56 from SR 151 to US 11.)


Along this road is Crabtree Falls:



The turn is well marked.

The National Forest does want a $3 parking fee (bummer  ). 

Virginia doesn't have many actual water falls.

So I guess that they're taking advantage of this one.


5 miles north of Crabtreefalls is the Community of Montebello, Va.

It has a post office, country store and a campground.

Check out the website:
http://www.montebellova.com/



From Montebello a few more twisty roads led through Goshen Pass.






Here's a building that I've passed hundreds of times.

I'm not sure of the story behind it but I'll bet that it has one:

[BudMan]

In my back yard?
Are you serious?
Have you ever SEEN western Oklahoma?
Well, now let me think of something nice to say about it here....
Good friends, good people, not too much bad winter weather, but the roads, well, uh, let's talk about the good people again! 
(As a Tennessee transplant I miss my trees and hills!)

Ride safe