Bridges | The Beauty Around Us

North Carolina Vacation – Day 1 of 9

Our 9-day North Carolina vacation began on Sunday, May 11. We traveled in separate vehicles. Bob rode the motorcycle, and I traveled by car. The amount of traveling planned for our vacation was more than I could do on the back of a motorcycle.

Our first day of vacation was a traveling day. We left home (Warren, PA) around 7:00 am. We were not sure how far we would get, so we didn’t make a hotel reservation for our first night’s lodging. It was a good traveling day. It started out chilly but warmed up the farther south we traveled. Bob shed his leather chaps in Waynesburg PA, after about 3 ½ hours of travel. When we left Warren, it was sunny. It clouded up around Tidioute PA and stayed cloudy into the Pittsburgh PA area. It looked like rain might have been on the way, but it didn’t rain on us. The sun did come out again soon after leaving behind the Pittsburgh area; the sun stayed with us for rest of the day.

We made several stops along the way. We made three fuel stops: one in Franklin PA, where Bob filled up; one in Waynesburg PA, where we both fueled up; and a third stop in Sutton WV, where Bob filled up. I wrote that we “both fueled up” in Waynesburg. I filled up; Bob didn’t. The gas pump that I used ran normally, whereas the gas pump that Bob chose ran slowly. In the amount of time it took me to fill up my car, Bob didn’t even get 3 gallons into his motorcycle gas tank. The third fuel stop was because Bob didn’t fill up his gas tank in Waynesburg. In addition to fuel stops, we stopped for lunch at a rest area in West Virginia along Interstate 79 and made two photo stops.

Bob took this “selfie” at the rest area, after we had eaten lunch.

Our picnic lunch included Bumble Bee tuna salad with crackers (ready to eat), no-sugar added diced peaches and a sugar free chocolate chip cookie. We brought the makings for this picnic lunch for FIVE picnics!

The two photo stops were made in West Virginia along Route 19. The first photo stop was at a scenic overlook just north of Summerville WV.

A group of young men and one young lady asked Bob if they could have their picture taken on his motorcycle. He agreed, but cautioned each person to not touch the hot exhaust!

After the bystanders had their turn having their picture taken on the motorcycle, I had Bob ride to a different location at the overlook where I took his picture on the motorcycle. I left my car at the first location and rode the motorcycle to my car. It was the first time I had ever ridden the motorcycle without a helmet. It was a very short ride, but it felt really odd not wearing a helmet!

The second photo stop was at the Canyon Rim Visitor Center.

A wooden boardwalk and a series of steps descend into the gorge. The boardwalk has two observation decks. We hiked down to the lower observation deck, which offered an unobstructed view of New River Bridge and the mile wide gorge it spans.

New River Gorge

New River Bridge is the longest steel arch span bridge in the western hemisphere.

We made it as far as Oak Hill WV, arriving there around 3:00 pm. We stayed overnight at the Comfort Inn, about 5 miles south of the Canyon Rim Visitor Center. We would stay at this hotel again. The hotel was reasonably priced; our room a bit cramped but comfortable and clean. Our hotel room was on the second floor and faced the front. Our view was Route 19. We hoped that the traffic noise would not disturb our sleep; it didn’t. I would, however, ask for a room in the back if the opportunity presents itself that we stay there again. The complimentary breakfast included the basics: coffee, juice, milk, Danishes, and cold cereal but didn’t stop with those selection. A hot breakfast of eggs, sausage, biscuits, sausage gravy, make-your-own waffles, milk, fresh fruits, and yogurts was provided as well. When we left the next morning, we did not have to stop for breakfast somewhere else because this Comfort Inn provided a complete breakfast.

Here is a map of our first day travels.

We could have traveled a greater distance, but there was really no need to go further. Why hurry? We were on vacation!

Weekend Visit in Cuyahoga County, Ohio: Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Post #6)

Our sixth stop in Cuyahoga Valley National Park was at the Everett Road Covered Bridge.

I wanted to take a picture of the bridge from the creek bed; however, there was a wedding party in the creek bed being photographed. I didn’t want to disturb this photo shoot, so I captured photographs only at the same level as the bridge.

This is as good a time as any to point out one of my pet peeves, when photographing landmarks and nature scenes. I hate to see empty soda cans, trash, bottles, etc. lying around. The trash inevitably finds a way to slip into my photograph. See that split rail fence on the left side of the bridge? The post closest to the bridge had two full water bottles sitting on top of it. I suspect the water bottles belonged to the wedding party.