591 miles, 28 hours. Man, what a trip!
We got a late start and I should have abandoned plan A right then and there instead of risking getting to Richmond after dark. As it was, we got to Petersburg, WV, and had some lunch and, instead of going on into Smoke Hole, we decided I was a complete idiot and we started B lining, down 220, 33 over to 81, down to 64.
220 and 33 are great roads so, it wasn't a total bail. The 81 and 64 parts were and, once we got onto 81, it was hammer time. 130 miles of it. That and the setting sun.
The last hour was in the dark and I stayed plenty warm feeling like a complete idiot for putting us in this situation; against the clock, riding at dusk and into dark.
400 miles, 8 hours.
In any event, we roared into town, the Double Tree folks treated us like royalty, even gave us a special place to park the bike in the garage. Dove in the shower, ate the two chocolate chip cookies they give guests for dinner and sat down in some pretty good, but tight, seats, 2 minutes into the show.
AMAZING show and up on on the road again by 9:30, home around 2:30, much more direct but, still gorgeous route home. 33 to 522, then over to Orange on 651 (IIRC), then up 15 to Culpepper, then 229 to 211 and then 688 ot Orleans and a very cool place to have lunch, 688 all the way to 17, West on 50 then 601 across the mountain, rt 7 to Purcelville, 690 to Roundhill, 9 to Harpers Ferry road and then home.
Christmas present; heated gloves for Lori!
In bed by 6:30!
