Starting in the last week in June my wife and I will take our first (2) week vacation ever. Our plan is to start in Alabama and hit the coast somewhere around the Carolinas then go north. Camping along the way riding the Road King and taking in the sites going as far as Baltimore, DC (I have never been), ect... (don't forget a few light houses)then getting on the Blue Ridge Parkway's north end and bringing it back to sweet home Alabama. My question is to you who have done similar, any advice? What are the must see's and what should I avoid? It will be (2) weeks with my wife, Harley and Raptor, can it get any better than this ?
2006 Keystone Raptor 3612ds
2005 GMC Sierra 2500 Duramax
2000 Road King Classic HD
A Wife that will ride with me anywhere.
Just spent a week riding in the Hiawassee, GA area. The riding was beautiful. Be sure to do the Tail of the Dragon. Then we moved up to Asheville for a week and did the Blue Ridge, Lake Lure, Boone and Blowing Rock.
From Asheville you could head on over to Elizabeth Beach and then head to Norfolk and cross the bridge. Go up to Easton and then cross the bridge to Annapolis and continue to Baltimore.
I would go back 81 and spend some time in east Tenn. Should be great riding. Have fun.
2007 Newmar Essex 45'
2006 Honda CR-V and 2005 Chevy Silverado 1500
2004 HD Electra Glide Ultra Classic
2006 HD Heritage Softail Classic
Overbilt Lift
In Virginia visit Colonial Williamsburg, Yorktown, and Jamestown. It is a little known fact that you don't have to pay at Colonial Williamsburg. Park at the visitors center, go inside and pick up brochures, go out bus loading area and walk a short path to the historic area. After walking the historic area the first day, buy a ticket the second day to enter exhibits. You can spend two days at Williamsburg but only need an afternoon at Jamestown.
When you see DC, park outside town and ride the Metro. The DC Metro is beautiful and well maintained, takes you everywhere you will want to go. Most of the monuments, the Capitol Building, Smithsonian, and Whitehouse are within maybe one square mile of the Mall station. Easy walking unless you want to go to Arlington National Cemetery, (recommended) it's a little further.
While in the DC area you might want to go up to Gettysburg, PA for a day.
Enjoy the BRP on the way back. It is much better seen from the seat of your Harley. Lots of places to stop, hike, and/or sightsee. If in the area of Floyd, VA on a Friday stop in for the Country Store Jamboree, it's a hoot! I like Mabry mill in VA. also Moses Cone Manor and Grandfather Mountain in NC. You might want to stop in Asheville, NC and visit the Biltmore Estate. The Biltmore admission is expensive but it is one heck of an estate to visit. Be aware that the campgrounds on the Parkway do not have hookups if I remember correctly.
Have fun!
Tim
"Okay, I admit it, the only thing I'm really good at is being me."
Thanks for the advice, this kind of info doesn't come in a book! I'm really excited about DC and I hadn't even thought about the Dragon's Tail ! Thanks!
A couple other sites to visit. MT Vernon (George Washington's home). It's just outside the beltway on the water. Also Monticello, that's Thomas Jefferson's home near Charlottesville, VA. There are also lots of civil war battlegrounds in and around the area. Gettesburg was mentioned and it's only 2 - 2.5 hours north into Pennsylvania.
It's easy to visit the monuments downtown. Riding the Harley you'll find easier parking. If you ride the train/subway, be ready for lots of walking. Have comfortable shoes because things are not as close as you think. In July it will also be quite warm, but your from Alabama so you know about that.
If your staying in the RV, have you looked for a campground yet? Are you able to access military bases? Both Quantico Marine Base and Andrews AFB have a military campgrounds. There are a couple other campgrounds near quantico. Prince William County operates a campground just north of Quantico and there is a private campground (more of an RV park) in Stafford (just South of Quantico). There is also a KOA here in Spotsylvania County.
Lots of nice places to ride the bike too. Skyline Drive is the very Northern end of the Blue Ridge Parkway. Lot's of other places to ride as well. How much time will you have in the DC area ? If we're in town while your here, I could show you some nice roads to ride.
I know most of the back roads too.
Mike
05 Ultra Classic
Still searching for my next RV
Thanks Mike , Thanks Road Pilot. At this point we don't have a schedule for how long we spend where, but it's these tips from all of ya'll is a great help. And Mike,we may take you up on that offer, I'll let you know.
vacation ever. Our plan is to start in Alabama and hit the coast somewhere around the Carolinas then go north. Camping along the way riding the Road King and taking in the sites going as far as Baltimore, DC (I have never been), ect... (don't forget a few light houses)then getting on the Blue Ridge Parkway's north end and bringing it back to sweet home Alabama. My question is to you who have done similar, any advice? What are the must see's and what should I avoid? It will be (2) weeks with my wife, Harley and Raptor, can it get any better than this ? 
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