Best wishes to your wife (and you). My melanoma diagnosis was a principal reason that my wife wholeheartedly supported me in getting back on a motorcycle after a long hiatus (and the reason I'm always wearing a long sleeved jacket, even when it's 103 degrees outside). There are lots of survivors out here. No reason your wife won't be another.

I ride all over Virginia (my beautiful home state) and venture into Maryland, West Virginia and Pennsylvania (not Southern by definition--the Mason-Dixon line separates Maryland and Pennsylvania). If you want a suggested routes, let us know. There are many forum members in the region.

Two no-brainer routes you might want to try are the Blue Ridge Parkway and Skyline Drive.

 

Not trying to compare. I want to get to your beautiful country soon. But just out of curiosity, HighPlainsDrifter, where are the high plains in the UK?

 

Since I am not a youngster any longer I don't tend to ride below 50 degrees. I cannot remember the last time the bike sat for a whole month without riding
I have to agree with Billet upstate SC is a cool place to live!

Thoughts and prayers are with you and your wife.

 

When you get to the outskirts of DC look for a metro station & take the subway downtown to the mall. It's easier than trying to fight the traffic and limited parking down there. Also ride the Metro to Union Station, there are great eateries there. Good stop for lunch.