| Author | Message | ||
     Cyclone8u |
...or so they say. Here's the deal. My son presented me with this a couple months ago.  Now that I've digested that and gotten a couple of positive letters in the mail from him, it's time to start thinking of a road trip with the Uly from Maine to South Carolina. I've got some vacation time to burn, and my wife is currently out of a job (may as well take advantage of the shit economy). His graduation at Paris Island is on 22 May, 2009. If we leave the preceding Sunday, that gives us 4 travel days to get there for the open house on Thursday(about 1000 miles if you stick to the slab  or 1500 or so of more satisfying miles  ) Here's where the planning ends, I'm thinking of roughly the Pocano's PA night one, Lynchburg VA night two, Rockingham SC night 3, and Paris Island Gateway night 4. Not knowing the areas there are probably better stops than those, but that's what I pulled out of my hat. It keeps total daily mileage to <400 miles which is my goal, with the last two nights closer to 250 or so. I'd love to hear suggestions. I don't need technical advice, and I'll have a current copy of the BRAN list, I'm just looking for suggestions of best routes and good places to stop along the way. A detailed ride report will be your payment. Thanks in advance. | ||
| Armymedic |
Good for your son! That's something you can be proud of for sure. Enjoy the trip down there. Watch the speed limits in the small towns. Semper Fi! | ||
| Gugnheim |
Semper Fi! Nice "L" in the background. Tell your son thanks, and good luck with the trip. | ||
| Electraglider_1997 |
Semper Fi! | ||
| 4dwuds |
Semper Fi. USMC 1967- | ||
| Court |
Having my parents at graduation was a huge deal! Congratulations to your and your wife for having the wisdom to use your time wisely and please give my thanks to your son for his service. Court Semper Fi United States Marine Corps 1974-1980 | ||
| Hughlysses |
John- Congratulations to you and your son. I'm not a Marine, but I have seen the graduation ceremonies at Parris Island and they're pretty impressive. MCRD Parris Island is really a neat place to wander around; it's very picturesque. Lot's of old buildings, pretty waterfront, marshes, etc. If they weren't making Marines there it'd make a very nice resort. I've spent a lot of time on the base collecting info for construction projects. BTW- Rockingham is in North Carolina. I take it you're coming highway 52 from there to Charleston, then 17 to PI? 52's actually fairly scenic until you get to Darlington, SC (land of my ancestors and a Bruce Springsteen song); it's 4-lane after that all the way to Charleston. Let's see if I can think of any highlights for you to check out. In order coming south- Cheraw, SC- Very nice little town, hometown of Jazz trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie. I think they have a small museum. Society Hill, SC- Another neat little town, my great grandmother Annie Odom is buried at the Baptist church there. Dovesville, SC- Not much here, but my great-great grandad Eli Odom is buried a few miles south of town just past Black Creek. Darlington, SC- The original NASCAR superspeedway is about 2 miles off 52. They have a pretty cool museum there. Florence, SC- Where I was born (sorry, no memorial or museum to me AFAIK  ). If you want to try some local cuisine, stop at Schoolhouse BBQ in Scranton (south of Florence) or Brown's BBQ north of Kingstree, both right on highway 52. Hot, vinegar-based sauce, "pulled pork" BBQ. Marinated with the sauce for ~12 hours while cooked slow over a wood coals fire. Most people call this "North Carolina BBQ", but it's also common here. GOOD stuff. Kingstree, SC- Not a whole lot to see (I spent most of my time here while growing up). There is a neat old courthouse, designed by architect Robert Mills. Oh yea, that's actually a Union soldier on top of the Confederate monument next to the courthouse, IIRC a Maine boy. I think the story is this was due to a screwup at the Italian quarry where the statue was made. Moncks Corner, SC- Another Brown's BBQ on your right, in case you didn't eat yet or want more. They have a fairly nice museum near an old canal north of town. Charleston, SC- Lots of old houses, Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, great food, etc. Spend at least a day downtown if you can swing it. Beaufort, SC (pronounced byew-fort, not boe-fort!)- Just north of Parris Island. Old houses, nice waterfront/downtown area, good food. Enjoy your trip! (Message edited by hughlysses on March 24, 2009) | ||
| Jphish |
Ditto !! John, USMC 1966-70. He'll be real happy to see P.I...in his rearview mirror. Give him my Respect & best wishes. | ||
| Thetable |
If I were planning that route, I would have a hard time not running through WV, so many great roads, which one is just up to you (If I were trying to make time, I would probably go 219 for some decent twisties and great views. Outside of WV, I would make a B line for the US129 through the Dragon, then continuing on US129 across Blood Mountain. Ah, now I'm seeing why I don't do much two up touring... As to where to sleep, well I rarely plan that much out, then again, I rarely take maps either. There's just something nice about getting lost and having to ask locals for information. | ||
| Hardlya |
Give my thanks to your son on his service to our country. Whatever you have to do to get there do it!! I had the honor of "pinning" my Navy son when he made Chief back in September. The traditions of the Navy and Marines are fantastic. It will be something you will never forget. | ||
| Cyclone8u |
Thanks all for your well wishes and I will pass your thanks on to him. I'll be writing him a letter tonight. Gugnheim - Thanks, it's the sharpest glass I own... What it does Court - I've worked my a$$ off my whole life to get where I am now, and that meant not being there for a lot of his growing up. I did the best I could to give him a good foundation to build his life on, and based on what I'm seeing from him; he took a lot of it to heart. The least I can do is be there on his day in the sun. I wouldn't miss it for all the money in the world. Hughlysses and Thetable - Thanks for the travel tips, that's just the sort of info I'm looking for - keep it coming. And again, thanks to all the Badweb support. I've been here a long time (mostly a lurker) and it's the community here that is one of the best fringe benefits of owning a Buell! | ||
| Nevrenuf |
give your son my thanks for his contribution to this nation. although i was in the navy, i know how great it was to see my folks at my graduation. and as far as south carolina goes, the upstate is better anywhere but still a great state over all. you'll enjoy it none the less. | ||
| Crusty |
On your ride home, I suggest you ride through the Outer Banks, then take the Chesapeake Bay Bridge/Tunnel and go up through Delaware. My family and I did that a few years ago (in a car), and it's a very scenic and enjoyable route. On a Uly, it would be especially nice. | ||
| Gsilvernale |
Make sure that you have the correct equipment to ride on a Military Base. I believe that high visibility vests and helmets are required. They will probably NOT let your son ride on your bike with you. Motorcycles are becoming "non-gratis" in the Marine Corp. That said, do not miss Family Day (I think you called it Open House) - the day before the graduation ceremony. Your heart is going to bust with pride. Mine did. | ||
| Wolfridgerider |
SEMPER FI!!! SGT M.A. Gainer 1985-1991 He is going to be SO glad you made the trip! He will be changed for the rest of his life.... for the better. Don't be surprised if he speaks in a whole new language....LOL... I still love the Jarhead lingo... | ||
| Cyclone8u |
Gsilvernale - thanks for that info, I was going to contact the base to get specifics. I am also contemplating renting a car once we get down there. I know that getting on to the Brunswick Naval Air Station requires a thorough search of the vehicle and you're not allowed to bring any backpacks, large camera bags, guns, knives, cell phones, etc. And I'd rather do it in an empty rental vehicle than on a bike with loaded bags. Plus my wife will probably rather dress up in normal street clothes rather than riding gear and helmet hair. | ||
| Hughlysses |
Cyclone8u- I'm glad Gsilvernale brought that up. I'd call the base before you leave. For active duty military and civilian employees at least, they instituted new requirements starting 1 February 2009. Basically, in addition to the right gear, you have to have a motorcycle endorsement AND an advanced MSF course to ride on base. No idea if that applies to visitors or not. It's a ~2 mile walk from the main gate to the parade grounds. BTW- if the weather is inclement they'll have the ceremony in a building. I spec'ed the plumbing and HVAC for that building, but I'm most proud of my suggestion for them to install Big Ass Fans. They work great! | ||
| Cyclone8u |
but I'm most proud of my suggestion for them to install Big Ass Fans. They work great! Hope they're not quiet, loud fans save lives! Actually, walking away from a bike making that much noise on a military base would probably draw a little attention, one more reason to go with the rental car.  | ||
| Cyclone8u |
Well I've started to plot a rough map of our routes, both down and back. Looks to be about 2500 miles +/-, pretty doable over a week and half. Still looking for more good road/route suggestions. I like the local "flava" suggestions put forth so far as well. - keep 'em coming! I'm getting amped for this trip, and this is the week I should be getting another letter from Parris Island! I just realized that the departure of our trip is the day after the Whitehorse Gear http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/327 77/362524.html?1211325666 open house, any New England Badwebber's going? | ||
| Chopotter |
You can't go wrong riding the Blue Ridge Parkway down through Virginia and North Carolina. Limited access, no commercial vehicles, clean roads, great views, 400 miles of perfect turns. Reserve a night at Peaks of Otter; no TVs in the rooms, and beautiful, peaceful scenery outside. There's a ton of stuff to see on the way, and if you're inclined, a lot of fun roads just off the parkway. I've been the length of it 6 or 8 times, and love it every time. The most fun part is the southern 100 miles. If you need to rub a flat spot out of your rear tire, the parkway is the road to be on! If you take Skyline Drive, which continues to the north of the Blue Ridge Parkway, be very careful of your speed. It's a very frustrating 35 mph. Posted speed limit on the Parkway is 45 mph, and you can have a very good time at 50-55 -- or a _really_ good time at 60 mph. The rangers might pull you over at that speed (though I've never had that happen). Do more than 20 over and risk a $500 ticket; they don't like bikers being reckless. But you won't need to go that fast, trust me. | ||
| Wbrisett |
This past fall I flew out to MCRD San Diego for my nephews graduation. It was the first time I had stepped on MCRD SD since my graduation in 1984. For those who went through Marine Corps training, it's like a time warp, very little has changed. I find that absolutely amazing. More importantly though, my sister and brother-in-law were very glad that I could help welcome him into the "family". Congratulations to you and your son! Semper Fi, Wayne CPL USMC 1984-1989 (Message edited by wbrisett on April 01, 2009) | ||
| Court |
Wayne: The entire time I was at MCRD San Diego (Platoon 3015) I kept feeling like I was in an episode of Gomer Pyle! MCRD is one of the most beautiful places in San Diego and, if I recall, one of the longest continuous covered arch walkways in America. After Boot Camp I spent the entire remainder of my enlistment as the Congressional Aide to Commanding General Joseph. C. Fegan, Jr. and our offices, in Building 31, looked out over the parade deck. I always joked that is was designed to be a runway. I also recall early morning PT with the Southern Cal mist in the air and watching the planes leaving Lindbergh Field and dying to be on one . . . . You're not there very long before, listening to them land and take off every 4 minutes, you can tell any jet by sound alone. Anyone traveling to San Diego should take a bit of time to check out MCRD San Diego. Semper Fi Court CPL, USMC 1974-1980 | ||
| Court |
John: SEND me your son's name, shirt size and mailing address at MCRD. . . he'll need "civies" and, trust me on this . . . he'll be eager to get out of his USMC issue stuff the moment he gets out. Court | ||
| Thetable |
As much as I like the BRP, I would recommend it as a destination more than a route. I ridden it several times end to end, and I really do like it, but it really takes a minimum of a day and a half to do, and 2+ days to truly enjoy. Usually if I have few extra days, that is my route to and from the Dragon. And every time I take that route, I find something new to stop and see. As to enforcement, I have "known someone who has" run 10+ on the SLD and BRP, and never been harassed. If you do decide to go that route, then definitely either download or request a copy of the Blue Ridge Parkway Directory. it really is the absolute best resource I have found that pretty well covers most of the attractions and lodging/food. | ||
| Cyclone8u |
BRP sounds interesting, destination or route. It sounds like something that needs to be seen more than once, so maybe a "pass through" would be fine the first trip. Court - PM sent, forgot the shirt size. Large. Thanks again. Thanks all for the continued support and trip planning ideas. I'm reminded of a post I did more than half a decade ago, http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/406 2/11603.html In the last couple of paragraphs I wrote; in so many words, that the people that are Buell riders in general and Bedwebbers in particular, are just unbelievably great people. While the bike is a great piece of machinery engineered by some truly great people, it is the people that call Buell their motorcycle that make the bike great. I am truly humbled to be part of a group such as this. (Message edited by cyclone8u on April 01, 2009) | ||
| Crusty |
While the bike is a great piece of machinery engineered by some truly great people, it is the people that call Buell their motorcycle that make the bike great. +1 | ||
| 12x9sl |
 +2 | ||
| Ullygan |
I'll go +3 but I don't have any fancy animations...! | ||
| Jphish |
"Golleey Sarge" - Yep, an almost Gomer Pyle experience... except the Gunnys weren't that caring. They just hadnt gotten in touch their feminine side yet. MCRD SD is as I recall a rather picturesq palm tree populated facility. Havent been back since I left for my free introductory surfing lessons at the Camp Pendleton country club in 67'. Nice of you to send some civies - He'll appreciate that in a big way. I find that I'm much more 'fond' of the whole experience... since it's now almost 40 years behind me. JP Daly, Sgt USMC 66-70', 2327859 - Semper FI Court. |
