Waynesboro, VA to Maggie Valley, NC
We spent the week of May 14th on vacation in Virginia and North Carolina. Earlier this week I uploaded blog posts about the first two days of our vacation. This blog post is about our third day of vacation.
We checked out of Best Western Waynesboro on Tuesday, May 16, at 7:00 am, after a complimentary breakfast at the hotel.
We logged most of our miles driving south on Interstate 81.
I was at the wheel for about 20 minutes from Warren PA to Maggie Valley NC; Bob drove rest of the time.
Around 11:00 am we ate a picnic lunch at the Tennessee Welcome Center along Interstate 81 (Bristol, TN).
Bristol, TN
(photo by Bob)
We stopped briefly at Metcalf Overlook, shortly before the North Carolina border.
I think that the overlook on the opposite side of Interstate 26 would provide more interesting photo opportunities. I will have to remember my thoughts the next time we pass through this area.
We were within 50 miles of Maggie Valley, when I took this picture.
Those mountains call my name!
We arrived at A Holiday Motel in Maggie Valley NC around 2:15 pm. We checked in and unpacked. A Holiday Motel, where we would spend the next 5 nights, is home base for the Southeast Vulcan Riders and Owners (SEVROC) motorcycle rally. The rally’s official start was not until Thursday, but rally attendees began arriving on Monday. SEVROC is an annual event. This year marked its 19th year. This is our fourth SEVROC rally. We attended the rally previously in 2008, 2014, and 2015. Our mode of transportation in those years was by motorcycle AND car. I have never been able to ride long distances on the motorcycle, but I have been able to make the drive. I was uncertain if I would be able to drive this year, as the arthritis in my right knee appears to have worsened in the past year or so. Therefore, we opted to travel by car only. VROC rallies are more about the PEOPLE than the bikes, so it doesn’t really matter how you travel to a rally. What is important is that you come to the rally! Over the years I have come to think of a VROC rally as a family reunion.
We spent our 5-night stay in Room 4, the room right next to the office on the left. In 2014 and 2015 we stayed in room 5, which is located next to the office on the right. In 2008 the rally was held at another hotel in Maggie Valley. Room 4 is furnished with two full size beds separated by a nightstand, which occupy three walls. A mini refrigerator, topped with a microwave and coffeemaker, and a two drawer dresser topped with a small flat screen TV occupy the fourth wall. The fourth wall contains the door to the bathroom and a small closet. It is a small, but comfortable and clean room.
We didn’t see any of our VROC friends, when we first arrived at A Holiday Motel. I would say within an hour of our arrival, though, “Skid” and Sandy rode in. “Skid” and Sandy arrived at A Holiday Motel on Monday afternoon and had been out for a ride and ice cream at Dairy Queen. While chatting with “Skid” and Sandy, “Bass Man” rode in.
At 5:30 pm we left for dinner. We ate dinner at Sagebrush Steakhouse in Waynesville with “Skid” and Sandy and “Bass Man”. “Skid” and Sandy accompanied us in the car. “Bass Man” followed on his motorcycle. Sandy ordered a half size Harvest Salad. “Skid” ordered Rodeo Chicken. Bob ordered Tenderloin Tips, sauteed with peppers & onions and mushrooms. I forget what “Bass Man” ordered for dinner. I ordered a Turkey Cheddar Melt with bacon and tomato, served on toasted Wheat Berry bread. Sandy and I each ordered a blackberry cobbler with ice cream for dessert. The cobbler cost only $3.99 and was huge. I shared my cobbler with Bob. Sandy didn’t share her cobbler, and she wasn’t able to finish it. The food was excellent and reasonably priced. Service, however, was slow especially when waiting for the bill. It was around 8:00 pm, when we returned to A Holiday Motel.
“Wrong Turn” and “KT” arrived this evening. We chatted with “Wrong Turn”, “KT” and Sandy, before retiring at 10:00 pm for the night.
Our friend “Skid” wrote a blog post about this day as well. Please click here to read his account of the day. Some of the photographs that “Skid” shared in his post include pictures of Bob and me.
The Beauty Around Us 
2 Responses to “Waynesboro, VA to Maggie Valley, NC”
That sounds like a real nice trip and I enjoyed reading about it and seeing your photos. Ending the day chatting with friends sounds lovely. Sorry to hear about your arthritic knee.
We’re very familiar with the route you drove on this segment of your trip. I’m glad you were able to meet up with friends so soon after arriving in Maggie Valley.