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In Sasha's Own Words:
Enclosed are some scenic pics from my recent
one-way ride from Orlando, Florida to
Prince William Forest Park which was our home for almost
a year, until we moved yesterday to
a private campground located in Northern Virginia.
Anyway, the move went smoothly, but that is
a story for another day. Check Out
April 2008 for that story.
I've been looking all over the USA for a
gently used and well FARKLEd (Fabulous Accessories, Really
Kool, Likely Expensive)
Suzuki VStrom 1000 for about 9-10 months now. I selected
this bike on the basis of suitability to my needs and a
significantly lower cost when compared to similar models in
it's class. A poor man's BMW GS Adventure in other words.
This bike works well for commuting, 1 or 2 up travel and
while not a dirt bike by any means, can certainly handle
National Park dirt roads and forestry roads like we expect
to encounter in the future, like this one for example:
 Anyway, last January, I finally found the
bike I was looking for. It was located in the outskirts of
Orlando, Florida and the seller proved to be a great guy,
very easy to work with and honest. By pure coincidence, part
of our family was planning a late-March vacation there and
had generously invited Laura and myself. We went back and
forth on going but when Laura found out the bike was in
Orlando, she booked a round trip flight for her and a
one-way for me.
I left Orlando on mid morning Tues 3/25 and
made it back to our old cabin late on the night of Fri 3/28,
making my ride a 4 day trip. I did not go the direct route.
In fact, I purposely rode hundreds of miles out of my way so
that I could experience the beauty of the
Blue Ridge Parkway. The Parkway meanders 469 miles
between Shenandoah and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.
Unfortunately, time did not allow me to ride the full length
of this amazing road. We were about to move after all and
Laura wanted me back by Friday night, can't blame her. I
ended up riding long lengths though, a long section in NC
from and most of the Virginia portion.
Day one route took me thru various Florida back roads
and the beautiful
Ocala National Forest.
 Day
2 route took me from Jennings Florida to Commerce,
Georgia. (sorry Richard, did not have the time to drop in).
Day 3 route took me from Commerce, Georgia to
Statesville, NC. (I really wish I had time to ride in Great
Smokey Mountains NP) This route included a good chunk of the
Blue Ridge Parkway.
Every time I get in North Carolina, I am
very
impressed
by
 the immensity of this state with it's wide variety of
terrain and amazing beauty. In the future, I want to spend
more time in NC and I think Laura agrees. They have it all
from beaches to mountains and everything in between.
Friendly people too.
 Day
4 route took me from Statesville, NC to home. This route
included almost the entire VA portion of the
Blue Ridge Parkway except for the last 10 miles. There
was a local forest fire in the area and rangers re-routed me
thru
Crabtree Falls.
Pics throughout.
Cheers!
Sasha of
Laura-n-Sasha.com
You can click on
the pictures to really see the pictures.
Check out April
2008 the Move and Workamping in Northern Virginia
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