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Apr 18, 2009 | 06:27 PM

#51

badinfluence63

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Back in NC for some much needed R&R before heading back to NH. Tons of construction in South Carolina. I mean 20-30 miles in a stretch. It was Saturday so they're wasn't anybody working. I rode 70 mph again and did another 485+- miles. Just before Fayetville,NC there was a 3-4 car major wreck so we road the break down lane for a couple miles and jumped off the exit 161 and lucky us it was a roaD TO rt 13 WHICH GOES RIGHT INTO gOLDSBORO...WHERE WE WERE HEADING.

For you NH boys take it slow, ease into it and you'll do great. The traffic in SC was bumper to bumper both lanes heading north and for as far as the eye could see but it was moving 60+mph.

I am lucky in that I been working for the same place for over 20 years and both my wife and I get 5 weeks vacation. But we are tapped out for now. Last April rode to Asheville, NC. Nova Scotia in August. Outer Banks in NC in December then this trip. Time to reload. Its been a blast.

You NH riders be safe and again ease into it and you'll be fine. At some point you become one with the road and the ebb and flow of the traffic. Until then,descresion is the better part of valor. I stayed to the far right and only in the left to pass occasionally. Still was able to maintain 70 mph. At 53 I am not the fearless rider I once was. I'm still gonna ride.

The big HD dealership in Daytona is exit 273. Its a small village. Rus something? Its right next to the highway. it seems to be blocks long? The Daytonna speedway is exit 261. again easy off easy on.

Apr 18, 2009 | 06:33 PM

#52

badinfluence63

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Quote:

Originally Posted by bdn56

Sounds like your having a great ride. I can usually take off a couple or three days at a time. I need to save up a little more time and take a 2 week ride.
You are a lucky man Bad. My wife has been wanting to go to the keys for a couple years now. When you get back, I'll have a few questions for ya.
I like to see people spreading the wealth.
Ride safe. Try to behave.

BDN,

I was suspect from what folks told me and was ready to come home early if I wasn't comfortable. But I was pleasantly surprised and recommend that ride and location to anyone. What a freaken hoot of a good time. To much to see and do. You could spend a little or a lot. We did a little of both. Days Inn was about the best price for a hotel and it was an okay accomadations. And a waffle house was a part of the hotel so thats where we got a late breakfast to start the day. You won't regret it and wished you'd gone sooner.

Apr 18, 2009 | 06:37 PM

#53

MattInFla

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From: Central Florida

Quote:

Originally Posted by badinfluence63

The big HD dealership in Daytona is exit 273. Its a small village. Rus something? Its right next to the highway. it seems to be blocks long? The Daytonna speedway is exit 261. again easy off easy on.

The big HD dealership is Bruce Rossmeyer, @ exit 273. Lots of food there as well.

Matt

Apr 18, 2009 | 08:16 PM

#54

garyb

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Badinfluence sounds like a great trip.I live on the coast of nc and was working in NJ I drove the 95 corridor for awhile which sucks.and decided to try a different route a friend who lived in philly told me about. I took 17 to norfolk 13 across the bridge tunnel up to dover delaware and hit 1 and came out just before the delaware mem bridge.The time was about the same whith alot less stress.It once took 4 hrs to get from richmond to fredricksburg.

Apr 20, 2009 | 03:40 PM

#55

buffettphan

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Joined: May 2008

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From: New Hampshire

Bad, glad you had a great trip. Where in SC was the traffic, the whole state? I will be on 95 at 26, then south on Tuesday of next week.

Apr 20, 2009 | 03:43 PM

#56

badinfluence63

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Quote:

Originally Posted by garyb

Thanks for the tip. I will have to look on the map.
4 hours from Richmond to Fredricksburg must have been a heck of a traffic jam. Thats about an 80 mile stretch??

Apr 22, 2009 | 12:21 PM

#57

badinfluence63

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Well I am finally home. 3600 miles later. 2000 miles was on the bike. Stopped in Jacksonville, Daytona (saw the speedway),Miami,Stuart,Riviera Beach,Key Largo, Marathon and Key west Florida. Stayed in Key West for 4 days to see the sights. Key West is a rocking fun place. There must have been 75 bars of varying levels of expense to see. Sloppy Joes, Margaritaville,Boars Nest and Irish Kevins were our favorite. There was a rum bar associated with the Pirate Soul museum that had anthologies of rum to choose from but they charged 1$ per glass for ice. We didn't go back.

Went to Pirate Soul Museum and the Mel Fisher Atocha museum. Both were very good in their own right. Pirate Soul woudn't let you take pictures but we video'd and took pictures in Mel Fishers. The cheapest spanish copin one could purchase was about $250 and it didn't even remotely resemble its former shape.

Mel Fishers was best from the point of view of actual artifacts from that Atocha and another ship. Pirate Soul did have the only known original pirates chest on display. In Mel Fishers I got to hold an acual gold bar worth 16,240$$$. Joey, my grand son tried to ge it out of the box. Mel Fisher had the real boxes of stacked spanish silver coins and piles of silver bars on display found from the wreckage of the atocha. There was tons of authentic gold chains some with rubies and emeralds on them from the recovery of the Atocha too.

Both Mr and Mrs (Dolores) Fisher are deceased.

I will hopefully be able to post some photos this evening.