Riding, Camping & Motorcycle Parts (p1)

(Part 1) BY MARILYN ELMORE BRAGG

The adventure began on Saturday, March 8^th, 2009. The old girl and I set out for Fishersville, Virginia from Johnson City, Tennessee. First on my agenda was to arrive at my intended campsite, get the bike unloaded, set my tent up and then get back on the road to explore Fishersville and Charlottesville. In order to accomplish this feat, I decided to ride the quick way up on I-81 from Bristol. That’s what I did for the most part; except for a small stretch where I just got so damn bored I thought to try US-11north. That decision was problematic, as it was slow going through all the small towns it ran through. I ended up back on I-81 until I came to exit 132.

Exit 132 was my planned stop over, Dixie Caverns and Campgrounds. I decided on this stop for the price only, eight dollars for primitive camping which included the heated shower and toilet facilities. Comparable sites closer to where I was going, that’s if they would be open to campers yet, were $22.00 a night. Hell, I like riding well enough that the hundred miles I was shy of my true destination for the next day (Fishersville and a swap meet held there by Departure Bike Works of Richmond Virginia) should be a breeze.

I had unloaded my gear, put up my tent, inflated up my air mattress, and stowed my gear in the tent.  I’m ready to go exploring. Once more I turn my wheels onto I-81 north, my sights set on Fishersville and vicinity. It’s a 100 mile ride on a road I hadn’t been on before. The time passed quickly.  Before I knew it, I was in Fishersville exploring the area.  I was there in search of the Augusta Expo Building.  That’s where the motorcycle parts swap meet, sponsored by Departure Bike Works was to be held.

The ride up to Fishersville was uneventful.  Once there, could see the Augusta Building from the highway.  I knew where I had to be the next day, and now that I was there I had some time for more adventure riding. I made my way to Charlottesville and then found some back roads leading the way to Batesville. Once in Batesville I stopped at what was touted as a general store to get a bottle of water and some directions. Whoa again sister, when I entered that “general store” what I found would have made me feel I was in some large city. The floors may have been old wood floors, the walls were tongue and groove, but the booths and tables all had plugs in the walls or floor for the patron to plug in his/her laptop.  The glass shelving was loaded with pastries of all kinds, and gourmet coffee wafted to the nostrils of this poor tired girl.  I knew I was out of my element here, the gourmet coffee and poofy pastries were too rich for my blood.

Back at my tent, I lit a small campfire then drank a half gallon of water and finally took a really long hot shower to help ease the cramping of muscles that remained dormant through winter.  My shower finished, it’s time to crawl into my tent and slip between the folds of the sleeping bag. The weather for the evening was to be in the low 40’s, clear and perfect for sleeping within the confines of a tent.  I slept like a baby.

Me, my old gal, tent and Dixie Caverns