Day 2 - 327 miles

Started out in a misty rain which stayed with us off and on all day. We took a route we had been on before Hwy 219 which took us thru Virginia, West Virginia, a little bit of Maryland and just crossed the line into Pennsylvania when we called it a day. Hwy 219 is the most beautiful road - Steep hills and valleys - grades from 7% to 9%. Great road for motorcycling and scenery - but grueling sometimes in the rain. West Virginia is the most wild country we have ever seen on our travels - probably the poorest state but lack of development has kept it pristine and natural. All the steep hills and hollers - I can't figure out how people get to their houses especially when it snows. I can see how it was full of bootleggers - probably still is. You could hide and no one would ever find you back in those hills.

Stopped for lunch at CJ Maggie's in Elkins, West Virginia - great pizza and salad. Spencer had an apparel failure - his rain suit leaked and he is pretty much soaked. He put on a dry shirt and were on our way - still raining! Pulled into Somerset very tired and wet - stayed in the hot shower for about an hour while Spencer washed clothes and popped popcorn. No 4th of July celebrations - all rained out.

Note: I love technology - I can watch Wimbledon on my phone and hear the audio thru my headset while riding on the back of the BMW. Only on straight roads though - got to pay attention in the curves.

SSB

The clouds over Witheville last night must have let loose a little as the parking lot was wet. We slept soundly and ate the usual plastic eggs and paper thin bacon for breakfast. It seems no matter how hard we try, getting away before 9 or 10 is impossible.

As an omen, I put on my rain pants but not far down the road I needed my jacket. Into West Virginia we ran in and out of heavy rain. I remembered we had been both wet and dry other times we came through here. The mountains are perfect for motorcycling but wet

roads make me nervous...especially two up.

In Elkins we stopped for pizza and salad. I was pretty much soaked to the bone and had to change my shirt. These small towns make me think AMERICA. Love the churches, squares, and homes (both kept and dilapidated). In some communities the Main Street was wide enough for two trucks, then sidewalk, then house; literally right on the street.

219 took us into Maryland for a while and the skies cleared. Once again, we were treated to sights of beautiful farms surrounded by thick green forests. Road markers were common telling us histories of the area.

In Somerset, Pennsylvania we got a room at the Holiday Inn Express where we weren't in walking distance of nothing. With clothes and gear spread all over the room to dry, I quickly dosed off as VB watched tennis. She's gotten good at handling the devices.

Riding all day in the rain is better than not riding at all. And not stressing about work is the reason we ride.