K11 Owners Group

Ted · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 3:43 pm Post subject: In a Camping Mood...

Went to the REI attic sale this morning...

picked up a slightly used $280 REI Quarter Dome tent for $70 - nice all mesh design with an included ground pad, full cover fly, and a compressing stuff sack, packs down nice and small!

I also passed on a $20 Big Agnes inflatable sleeping pad as it was a pain blowing it up to check for leaks (I gave up) and instead got an REI self-inflatable 1.75" sleeping pad at 3/4 length for $45 - will be replacing my full length 1" Thermarest pad.

Now I have an itch to camp Smile

Thinking of heading off to Lewis Mountain Campground for the night, it is right on Skyline Drive about 85 miles from DC and though just 7 miles from the huge and very popular Big Meadows campground, is lesser known, nicer, and has better views Smile

Thinking tomorrow morning of hitting Fort Valley.
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Ted

KOG#1

Ted · Posted: Sat Jun 12, 2010 10:44 pm Post subject:

Had a great ride out, nothing like sertting up a new tent for the first time by lantern :j). Luckilt big meadows had a spot for me, even with cell cover!
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

drikko · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 1:34 am Post subject:

I am with you in spirit Ted, hopefully there's some nice beer/food nearby,
_________________
K1100RS '97
Laverda RGS 1000 '84
Jim Young Trailer Sailer 5.7M WB

DISCLAIMER:- Anything I say may have been when I was drunk so please don't take it personally.

'Bigamy is having one wife/husband too many. Monogamy is the same.'
Oscar Wilde

Ted · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject:

Well I just got home, here was my route:
http://tinyurl.com/349nfc2

I did get a late start, I left a little after 6pm and after stopping for gas and cash made it to Skyline just in time to see a really glorious sunset.

On Rt. 211 just shy of Sperryville I was running along and saw a small herd of deer on the side of the road. As I approached I slowed down and honked. The biggest one stared me down and at the last minute bolted directly out in front of me, luckily I was covering the brakes and easily swerved around her. I looked across the highway and an oncoming car had also slowed and both passengers gave me an enthusiastic thumbs up.

I ran down to Lewis Mountain Campground as I had called earlier and had been assured it was never full. After three loops, it was full. It was now just past 9pm and getting really dark out so I headed north 7 miles back to Big Meadow dodging deer along the way. I wanted to stop at one of the many pullouts as it was a clear night and the lights in the valley below were gorgeous, but I didn't want to miss a last site to another straggler.

I pulled in to the Big Meadows ranger station and they couldn't have been nicer. I swear of all the Government employees I have ever come across National Park Rangers are by a long shot the most gracious, helpful and if I must say, underpaid Smile

Though they were sold out there was one spot (E185), apparently one of the most sought after as it overlooks the valley and the Appalachian Trail, that had been reserved but the people never showed. I snatched it right up and though they didn't have a spare mantle for my lantern they lent me a big electric lantern that worked great.

I got to the spot in total darkness and set about trying to put up the tent. It is not a whole lot of fun putting up a tent for the first time in the dark with rain drops portending a coming storm. I did manage easily after I figured out the whole thing is color-coordinated! I got everything inside the tent, cooked up a quick dinner, had a cup of the Starbucks Via instant decaf (not bad!) and a "damn this is peaceful and relaxing" cigar, then hit the tent for sleep.

And not too soon, it stormed a bit with heavy winds and rain, then just as quickly it passed and thankfully cooled off quite a bit. I drifted off and had a great sleep even with the loud hoot owl blasting out it's three-hoot call all night long.

This morning I got up early as the sun was coming up and remembered a great old trick - it is much easier to roll up a tent on a picnic table than on the ground!

I headed out and had Skyline Drive mostly to myself. At one point a big Tom Turkey ran out in front of me and as I slowed I saw a wallet sitting in the middle of the road. I retrieved it - it belonged to Rodney C. from New Market, a WWII Vet. As it was early (6am) there was no-one about so I carried it with me to the north entrance where I turned it in to the Ranger there. I made my way to Front Royal where I had a coffee and muffin at the Daily Grind inde coffee shop, then ran east on Rt. 55 to one of my favorite stretches of road - Leed's Manor followed up by Blue Ridge Mountain Road. Blue Ridge Mountain road is an interesting one, it is lined with expansive estates ($$$$$) and right in the middle is the Mt. Weather EAC (aka one of many emergency White Houses). You can no longer see anything since they have re-routed the road around the facility, but it used to be quite a sight.

From there I hit Rt. 7, then the Greenway ($4.15 - you have to be kidding!) then I-66 and home.

All around a great little micro-camping trip. Next time I will remember Bourbon and spare lantern mantles Smile

PS - I called Rodney to make sure he knew his wallet had been turned in, what a nice guy! He as just about to leave to go retrieve it from Park HQ. He did mention, "they said all the cash is there, maybe there is hope for the world after all (there was several hundred in there) -- LoL.
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 1:06 pm Post subject:

Sounds like a very relaxing and well needed trip for you there Ted.

As one whom previously was spoiled with "camping" being a 30ft selfcontained RV, I'm looking at getting "back to the basics" and more in touch with nature.
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Ride safe.

1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
Garmin StreetPilot 2820
Garmin Zumo 550
Garmin Zumo XT
"One who does not ask questions is ashamed to learn" Danish proverb
1997 K1100LT 0302488(R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)

Stoked Steve · Posted: Sun Jun 13, 2010 2:24 pm Post subject:

Awesome Ted, we love camping up there, Loft Mtn. is our favorite in Shenandoah.

You'll get many Karma points for retreiving that wallet for Rodney, and him being a WWII vet, double points!!
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Steve
Virginia Beach, VA
93 K1100RS Mystic Red SOLD
12 Suzuki DL650A VStrom

Shoganai · Posted: Mon Jun 14, 2010 12:49 am Post subject:

I'm so VERY happy to see you out there riding and writing about it :clapping

I wish you would invite me sometime to ride you.
I would really enjoy it.
_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki

Ted · Posted: Tue Jun 15, 2010 8:42 pm Post subject:

Gwen, you and I are due a ride through Etlan and Syria some time this summer and I am really looking forward to it - maybe we can throw in Fort Valley for kicks!
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

Shoganai · Posted: Wed Jun 16, 2010 9:05 am Post subject:

joeangi · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 12:39 pm Post subject:

Jealous.....Just getting some equipment for camping together. I ordered a Gore Pass 3 tent the other night, and a Kermit chair is on the Fathers Day list...Heading off to Boy Scout Camp (Camp Read) this summer with my youngest. Looking forward to getting a few nights out.

Joe
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1994 K1100RS
1986 K100RS

drikko · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 1:58 pm Post subject:

Jim · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 3:06 pm Post subject:

Scott_Anderson · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 5:42 pm Post subject:

Ted · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 7:44 pm Post subject:

LoL - totally missed that, I can hear Gwen shouting "WITH you, ride WITH you" all the way from here Wink

I have however come up with a fun route, interestingly enough it starts and ends at excellent Diners!

http://tinyurl.com/37ug4bd

Covers favorite roads in the whole area, the road to Syria, the Fort Valley Road, and always favorite, Leeds Manor!
_________________

Ted

KOG#1

miKeinWIs · Posted: Thu Jun 17, 2010 9:36 pm Post subject:

Saw it the first day. Thought I 'd let it alone. Like noone else has made a typo like that.
Gave Gwen a pass.
Surprised it took so long for the reaction.
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'97 K1100LT
Bought 6/30/09 w/26,750 miles

Shoganai · Posted: Fri Jun 18, 2010 9:43 am Post subject:

Hell, I'm just now getting back to this thread. Shocked

Well, he did ask me to sit on his knee at HM. Cool

Listen guys, you never have to give me pass, Wink

I can handle whatever you dish out. Besides, it's stuff like that that makes us all laugh. Laughing

_________________
1993 K1100RS aka The Shop Whore
1994 K1100RS aka Blue Streak

The long road is a rainbow and the pot of gold lies there.
So slip the chain and I'm off again,
You'll find me everywhere. I'm a Rover. - JT

Nana korobi ya oki