Motorcylcle Madness on Freaky Friday

Friday around 4pm the four of us, Shane, myself, Dustin & Yessie headed out for Blowing Rock, NC. Traffic was not that bad although Dustin about took a ride on a trailer behind a mini van. Funny now, but not then. His foot peg clipped the trailer and Yessie had to lift up her leg to avoid hitting the trailer. Not sure what happened there. We got right outside of Hickory when it began to pour down rain like crazy. Nothing like getting pelted to death by rain on top of the fact that it was thundering & lighting everywhere. That is scary. We couldn't see on top of that so we pulled over to one of those roadside places that sale birdhouses, honey, & boiled peanuts. They apparently sold rocking chairs and swings so we had a comfy place to sit and wait the storm out.

From the first few pictures you can see how hard it was pouring. We were soaked and all only had one pair of pants. Shane said it was my fault because I had to run back into the gas station for a Twinkie and sunflower seeds. All we needed were those 5 minutes. Sorry guys!!

We finally left around 7 pm from our detour. We were literally only about 3 miles away. LOL But when you can't see on a motorcycle not too smart to keep going. Anyway we got to the hotel about 5 minutes later and checked in soaking wet. We went to try and dry our clothes out by hanging them by the heater and ironing them out. LOL It was insane. We had reservations for dinner there at 8:00pm so we had to hurry. We all still went to dinner with semi wet pants. Oh Well. We were the only ones in the 10 table dining room. The hotel said it was historic. It was HISTORIC alright!! LOL It smelled old and like smoke. You could hear the broiler and all the water pipes hung down from the ceiling. We all just laughed. We knew it was trips like these that we would never forget.

Shane's parents got there around midnight. We got up the next morning to head out and low and behold Dustin's pipe on his motorcycle had cracked. So Shane had to go to a hardware store and get some metal zip ties to hold it together till we got home. LOL I am telling you it was hilarious. Things just kept happening. We fixed that and went for breakfast at a place in Blowing Rock called Knights. Shane's parents had eaten breakfast there on their honeymoon 35 years ago. It was a mom and pop type place with good food.

After breakfast we headed for the Linville Caverns. It took about 45 minutes or so. Yessie had no idea of what to expect, but I think overall she enjoyed it. We left there and went to the Linville Waterfalls about 15 minutes up the road. We hiked to the first waterfall and we were pooped, at least I was. I could tell I haven't exercised much since I was diagnosed. I intend to remedy that. There are 4 or 5 waterfalls total with picnic areas and such. It would be a great day trip full of hiking and God's beautiful creation.

Leaving there we headed for a small town called Little Switzerland, NC. We ate at the Switzerland Cafe. They have awesome sandwiches and sweet potato fries. If you have never tried our southern sweet potato fries you have no idea of what you are missing. Don't knock it till you try it. They are really good. We eat them at home all the time. After lunch, we parted ways with Shane's parents. They headed home and we took Hwy 80 down the mountain home. It was a good ride, but as we came around one corner another biker had apparently had to lay down his pretty blue Harley. He was still laying in the road but talking. We asked if he was OK. He said he was. There were already other people there too. It wasn't until about 15 minutes later that we saw the EMT headed up the mountain. Hopefully he was fine and just needed a way to get down the mountain seeing as how it didn't look like he was going anywhere on his bike.

We went thru Polkton, Lincolnton, & Huntersville heading home. As we were riding thru one part a dear jumped right in front of Dustin & Yessie. It was a huge doe. We were able to slow down in plenty of time, but you never know what could have happened. It was really pretty thru there. You could see all of the beautiful acreage of rolling hills and lots of land. Makes you start dreaming...... I want land one day for my kids to ride their four wheelers, ride a horse and explore. I only have about 7 years till Chandler will not want anything to do with us and has a job and probably won't be home much. So hopefully in the next few years we can achieve that dream.

We finally got home around 7:30 pm. We were sore & exhausted. Chandler was waiting for us outside. Grandma Lin and the kids, more Grandma & Chandler, had been busy planting flowers and some vegetables for us this summer. Yummy. He was very proud of the hard work he had done and so were we. Mom said he carried 40lb bags of dirt for her. He didn't want her to do it. What a gentleman! He can be sweet when he wants to.

So as you can tell we had a great time with a lot of excitement. And we came home safe and sound to our children. I am thankful to my mom for watching the kids for us so we could go. Thank you Mom. We had so much fun. I am also thankful for a safe trip. As you ride along, you see all of creation it makes you really grateful for all you have and for such an awesome God.

All my love,

Rachael