Appalachian Highways for May 2005 Weather Notes, Camping, Presidential Hygiene Hi folks, Like me, you’re probably visiting the Weather Channel’s website for the ten day forecast on a daily basis, wondering when these overcast, sixty degree days will give way to "sunny and seventy-five." I have a hunch they’re right around the corner. We’re entering that period of the year when Appalachian touring is a fine proposition. Through the valleys and along the lower hills, trees are leafing out nicely while spring flowers are in full bloom. Streams are running full, many recently stocked with trout. Vistas along the high roads are particularly nice. Cool fronts that sweeten the mountain air will continue to sweep through the region for the next few weeks. This keeps the air clear and enhances the clarity and distance of your views. And yet, despite the cool air, the sun is now strong enough to offset most of the chill. You’ll feel it warm your leathers while you cruise. I’m pretty sure that as the spring season warms, I’ll be obliged to take a mental health day. The next time the forecast calls for sunny and seventy-five, I am outta here. I hope that will be next week! Happy Journeys, Dale ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Destinations -- Brandywine Recreation Area, Brandywine, West Virginia (I realize it’s a bit chilly yet for camping. Well, it is for me, anyway. But I like this area so much as a destination for motorcycle camping, I wanted to bring it to your attention earlier in the season. -- Dale ) Campgrounds are evolving from a get-away-from-it-all experience to an it’s-all-here-too resort. That’s the nature of progress, but it’s frustrating when you just want to camp. If you plan to car or bike camp this year, consider this unsolicited recommendation for Brandywine Recreation Area in Brandywine, WV. Brandywine has just the right mix of facilities for a quiet weekend around the campfire with your family or a group of riding buddies. The campground features about thirty shaded sites each with a picnic table, fire ring, and leveled spot for pitching a tent. That’s it. Oh, and yes, they also have hot showers. You’ll find those at a well-kept bathhouse near the entrance to the campground. Self- register at the entrance and pay a small fee ($13 USD per day). Nearby family-operated restaurants offer hearty meals as an option to lugging along food. If you plan to go on a popular camping weekend (Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day), show up on Thursday rather than Friday for the best choice of sites. There is no bad site, but I prefer the ones along the dry riverbed near the back of the campground. I last visited Brandywine in 2004 with my son Carl. We camped for three days, mountain bikes in tow, planning to tackle some of the areas fine roads. Weather was perfect whereas our conditioning was found lacking. We didn’t do much bicycling, but we had a great time exploring the surrounding countryside and enjoying each other’s company. Those few days spent hiking, skipping rocks on the lake, star-gazing, and chatting around the fire were priceless. (Carl will also forever remember Brandywine as the place where dad let him drive the car around the parking lot.) Brandywine is situated along US 33 in the shadow of Shenandoah Mountain, thirty miles west of Harrisonburg, VA. For more infor- mation, call the Dry River Ranger District at 540-432-0187. Riders take note: Routes around Brandywine, including US 33, will cause you to squeal with childish delight. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Road to Nowhere -- Washington Post Article A recent feature in the Washington Post Sunday Magazine by Tyler Currie tells the story of residents from Proctor, North Carolina; a town now hidden below the waters contained by Fontana Dam. If you plan to ride through the Fontana Lake area any time soon, this article is worth your attention. It will give you a better idea of events from the 1930’s and 40’s that shaped this region. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/04/26/AR2005042601151.html The Washington Post site requires that you register, but it’s free and relatively painless. By the way, if the link above appears on more than one line in your e-mail, you'll need to copy and paste both parts of the link into your browser to make it work. It's a pain, I know. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Your Calendar -- Observe Presidential Hygiene and the Fine Arts The good folks in Berkeley Springs have invited me to visit during the Berkeley Springs Studio Tour. Berkeley Springs LOVES motor- cyclists and they aren't afraid who knows it. Most people know the area for its namesake, the mineral springs at Berkeley Springs State Park where for many years people have been parking themselves for a good soak. Most people don’t know that the park features George Washington’s bathtub. Wouldn’t it be highly symbolic if newly-elected presidents took the oath of office while cleansing themselves in the nation’s most storied bathing facility? Headliner writers for the nation’s media would salivate at the prospect. I can see it now, a front-page story announcing "The End of Dirty Politics." Back to the invitation. Few people are also aware that Berkeley Springs is a hot bed of traditional and contemporary art including decorative glass, textiles, jewelry. One craftsman creates custom- printed stationary manufactured on a hand-operated press built in the 1870’s. (More on this in a future edition.) Each spring and fall, resident artists host an open house featuring tours of their facilities and demonstration of artful derring-do. The spring tour is this Memorial Day weekend, May 28, 29 and 30. Sadly, no public bathing exhibits are scheduled. Berkeley Springs is about a two hour drive from the Washington, DC area. The scenic route is via VA/WV9. For an express route follow I-70 west to US 522 south at Hancock, Maryland. Direct your browser to http://www.berkeleyspringsstudiotour.com for a full briefing. If you visit, please tell them you heard about them from Appalachian Highways! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Final Thought... I get a fair amount of correspondence from folks who are planning to visit the Appalachians as well as those who have followed some of the routes in MC Journeys and write to offer me some new information, changes to routes, etc. It really makes my day to get these notes. I’d like to ask in particular that you would drop me a line if you happen upon a destination, point of interest, road marker, historic site, restaurant, scenic vista, road, or anything you found unique in your travels through the area. Please forward your discoveries to me at: editor@appalachianhighways.com ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Really, the final thought If you enjoy Appalachian Highways, I’d ask that you please let others know. Send them to http://www.appalachianhighways.com where they can sign up for their own freshly-minted copy. If you’re part of a motor- cycle club, I’d appreciate it if you’d let folks know through your club newsletter or website. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Next Time... I’ll offer a few summer destinations for your consideration, route updates from readers, and notes on an "eccentric" book I think you’ll enjoy. ----------------------------------------------------------------------