Travel Log
I love to travel. I'm a nomad at heart. So is my husband so it works out quite well. In this area I'll post notes and photos about some of the places that I have been.
Star Date: 1000399
Harley
Ride. It's a beautiful day with a little nip of cold in the morning. We head
towards Maryland to make what we call the 301 loop. It isn't really a loop on
301. You wind your way around Southern Maryland and Northern Virginia using
a combination of highways, but since you go in a full circle, we still call
it the loop.
This is my husband, Jeff. He's at the picturesque Amoco Gas Station - just outside Mechanicsville. Speaking of Mechanicsville, I wonder if they named it that because a bunch of Mechanics live there. <he,he> Bad joke, I know. Back to the break. We had been on the road a couple of hours by then and needed a "pit stop" - if you know what I mean. If you ever need a "pit stop" and stop at this Amoco Gas Station, remember to turn the lights off and shut the door of the bathroom. The young man that works there checks to make sure you've done it.
This is me.
You guessed it. The same Amoco Gas Station. Seriously, if you ever get anywhere
near Mechanicsville, Maryland, there's this great Farmers Market right down
the road. It's only open on Saturday and Wednesday, so plan ahead. The Amish
farmers bring their crops to market and you can get some great deals on fresh
veggies.
The day was warming up nicely and it was time to remove the first layer of clothes. No, this is not "strip riding", it's just the layering thing that motorcycle riders of all backgrounds do to survive the elements. Like all good road travelers, we come prepared for whatever weather Mother Nature decides to bring us.
We're definitely in farm country now. Straight stretches of road and open fields. The crops did not look good and when we stopped we found that they would have been beans. Maryland had a drought this summer and then Hurricane Dennis came in and flooded everything so the farmers have been left with very little.
As we wind
our way south, we come up behind two Amish women in their horse and buggy -
out for a Sunday drive. Jeff and I wanted to race them, but they declined. Just
kidding. Trying not to startle their horse, we drove by them as "quietly"
as a Harley will allow - which isn't very quiet. I wanted to get a photo, but
we were around them and gone before I had time to snap a picture. Instead, we
stopped near this crumbling old building. It was the home of Maryland's most
famous Matriarch, Lucille Boddy. Apparently, her husband was killed in a hunting
accident. Trying to raise 8 kids and run a farm got the best of her and she
set the whole house on fire.
Just kidding. I have
no idea how this chimney and foundation ended up here, but it made for a good
story as my imagination took over during the ride. :-)
Don't ask about this old barn. I could make up a great story behind it. I don't know why I have such a vivid imagination, but I do. That's why I enjoy these rides so much, I can just let my imagination run wild. You wouldn't believe the stories I think up while on the road like this. Murder, mayhem, happily ever after, it doesn't seem to matter, they just pop into my head.
Now I just have
to keep pen and paper handy for writing down all these thoughts that could turn
into best sellers. <giggle> Okay, Stephen King doesn't have to worry about
competition from me, but maybe someday.
Even on the road, hubby has to take a "technology break" and use the cellphone to touch base with the home front. Back in the old days, we'd have been looking for a pay phone and fishing in our pockets for quarters, but not in this day and age. It was a nice rest stop on the side of the road. Lots of old farmhouses to look at.
After a long ride,
we finally stop for lunch. We were looking for Boston's, but found that it had
changed hands and had new owners.
Gaylan's By Pass Restaurant
Port Royal, VA
(804) 742-1266
Grand Opening
Saturday, October 23, 1999
11:00 - until the food is gone!
Pork and Oyster Roast
Horeshoe Tournaments
Music
Meet Gaylan and Janis! There's a sign outside the door that says Bikers Welcome and we felt right at home.Turns out that Gaylan and Janis both come from our neck of the woods up in the Mount Vernon area. It really is a small world.
We had steamed shrimp, very messy, but well worth the mess. Most of the best things in life are messy - if you know what I mean. <giggle> Anyway, the food is great, the people are friendly and I know that Gaylan and Janis will do well. If you get a chance, they are having their Grand Opening coming up soon. Hope you can make it - we'll probably see you there!
Till next time on the Travel Log. Signing off for now,
Brenda