Smoke Hole Caverns

May 17, 2013 Friday Smoke Hole Caverns Adventure

Well the “Over the Hill Dogs” rallied up for a 3day ride in the hills of West Virginia on the 2nd anniversary of our Arizona Trip.

Our oldest Dog Richard sold his 1997 Harley Road King, this year and is spending more time with his horses (R I D I C ULOUS). He and his prayers are greatly missed but we did 

talk to him during our trip.  A few new faces this year, starting with the young Pup and Cat, Nick & wife Karen. And I hate to say it and hiding it well, the Over The Hill Cat (>50) Angela.

10 minute road closure for construction

 

Day1 Friday Smoke Hole Caverns Adventure (262 Miles 5:48 hrs)

Tony & Angela, Bill, Glen, Nick & Karen all rode west to meet Dale at Sheetz in Knoxville, MD. We took the long way to the Smoke Hole and enjoyed all 262 miles of it.

Route: 340 Harpers Ferry, 50 out of Winchester, 29S to Baker WV, 259S & 613S in VA, 33W back in WV, 220N, Smoke Hole Rd north to Smoke Hole Cavers.

  

Day2 Blackwater Falls, Canaan Valley, Elkins Valley Bend Wetlands, Handley Wildlife Area, Droop Mountain Highland Scenic Highway loop, Spruce Knob, Seneca Rocks. (293 Miles 7:30 hrs)

As with most of our trips we are going to find a black cloud somewhere. The forecast was all over the place. Two days before we started this trip it look great. The closer to Day1 the worse it got. The rain prediction was > 50% Friday, 80% Saturday, 90% Sunday. With that being said we stayed dry for the most part. I think it’s because Dale finally broke down and bought some rain gear, thanks Dale. 

We did stop and put on rain gear because as we motored up the mountain we got into the clouds. Once we got to Droop Mountain Highland Scenic Highway loop area we stopped at an overlook to take in the sights and remove our rain gear, which I found harder getting off over my boots then putting on.

Overlook at Highland Scenic Highway loop

It was 12 miles up to Spruce Knob but well worth the trip with challenging twists & turns and a great view at the top. There might have been a “PUCKER Of The Day” by one or two riders up and down that mountain. From there it was back up 28N past Seneca Rocks back to base and out for dinner. We ate at 3rd Base Sports Bar & Grille and it was pretty good.

Route: 55/28W, Co 28/7N, 42N, 93W to Mt. Storm Lake & Davis, 32S Blackwater Falls, 55/33W to Elkins, 219S, 219/55S to Droop Mt. & Highland Scenic Highway loop, 39/55N, 150N, 219N, 66E, 28/92N, 28/33N to Spruce Knob overlook, 28N to Seneca Rocks, 55/28W back to the cottages.

 Day3

Heading home we stopped for a good breakfast at Summers in Moorefield WV. We then got on the beautiful highway 55E to its end in Wardensville, WV.  Then we went north on 259N to 50E though the town Winchester where we lost Glen, Nick & Karen. It started to drizzle and apparently Glen’s Face shield was fogging up and he had to pull over. After a fuel stop and some phones calls we rejoined on the east side of town on route 7. Dale pealed off at 340N and we all continued on 15N to the Whites Ferry. It was a somewhat familiar county road trip back to Baltimore.

This really turned out to be a great ride with a verity of highways, county and back roads, hills, valleys, mountains, twists and turns and only a little light rain despite the forecast.  It sounds like everybody really enjoyed it I just wish Richard could too.