Ride Report - Charlotte on Charlotte

[malibu_dan]

My Spyder's name is Charlotte. Yes, it's a literary reference--and a movie we all cried at (admit it, it will make you feel better to be honest). However, she can't read. So, she wanted to visit the town that's her namesake.

Okay, that's not true. The trip is to go pick up a new (to me) used trailer from a bloke named Jerry, yes over in Charlotte. It all kind of happened quickly, first a buddy asked if I wanted to go to a Rally in Maggie Valley. Room was already paid for, and his wife bailed on him (foreshadowing). Speaking of domestic disturbances, see below... more on that later.



But the tale really revolved around me finding a trailer to pull behind Charlotte used... in Charlotte. Seemed like fate. Rally in NC. Trailer in NC. Charlotte... you get the idea. Feels like kismet. So, let's tear the Spyder apart and rewire stuff, and I don't know. It just seems every time a trip is on the horizon, the bike has to look like this a few days ahead of time!



...to be continued...

[Bob Denman]

Is ther going to be a web involved in this story?

Some Pig.jpg

I can't wait to see what happens next!

[pegasus1300]

Since my Spyder goes by the same name(from the same source) I have to see how this is going to turn out. Don't keep us waiting too long.

[malibu_dan]

Thanks for riding along folks!

Bob, spider webs would be a different story, back to a time about a week after bringing the F3-S home--and part of the impetus for her name. Let's just say the black widow painted on the saddle bag is in memorial to the first time I had to tear all the tupperware off the body (glad I didn't buy a RT).

[BoilerAnimal]

After years of listening to Paul Harvey, I'm waiting for "The Rest of the Story"!

[pegasus1300]

Thanks for riding along folks!

Bob, spider webs would be a different story, back to a time about a week after bringing the F3-S home--and part of the impetus for her name. Let's just say the black widow painted on the saddle bag is in memorial to the first time I had to tear all the tupperware off the body (glad I didn't buy a RT).

that sucker is HUGE

[malibu_dan]

Well, about 3 days before heading out, my buddy calls me up. "Hey, have you looked at the weather forecast for next weekend?"

Me, "No, why?"

"Well, they're showing rain all weekend for Maggie Valley," said my buddy. "Last year, it rained and that was no fun. I don't like riding in the rain. Why are you hard-core, would you go anyways?"

"I took the time off work, of course I'm going. Plus I have to pick up the trailer in Charlotte. With Charlotte," I replied.

"I'm not going to go, sorry." Foreshadowing fulfilled.

So, my daughter asked if she could go since it was no longer a 'guys' weekend. I enjoy spending time with my daughter, so out with the loser buddy, in with the baby-girl!

Up at the crack of before dawn, try to beat the rush-hour traffic out of town, first stop is breakfast in Gainsville!



"Huddle House, throw everything together and put it on a biscuit, please!"



...to be continued...

[pegasus1300]

(To be continued).............today....................so on

[Fjrwillie]

My Spyder's name is Charlotte. Yes, it's a literary reference--and a movie we all cried at (admit it, it will make you feel better to be honest). However, she can't read. So, she wanted to visit the town that's her namesake.

Okay, that's not true. The trip is to go pick up a new (to me) used trailer from a bloke named Jerry, yes over in Charlotte. It all kind of happened quickly, first a buddy asked if I wanted to go to a Rally in Maggie Valley. Room was already paid for, and his wife bailed on him (foreshadowing). Speaking of domestic disturbances, see below... more on that later.



But the tale really revolved around me finding a trailer to pull behind Charlotte used... in Charlotte. Seemed like fate. Rally in NC. Trailer in NC. Charlotte... you get the idea. Feels like kismet. So, let's tear the Spyder apart and rewire stuff, and I don't know. It just seems every time a trip is on the horizon, the bike has to look like this a few days ahead of time!



...to be continued...

Title says it

[malibu_dan]

So, baby-girl wanted to stop...



At this antique mall place.





But apparently, no one buys antiques on a Sunday in the mountains.



Lots of historicalicular towns up here in dem hills.



Don't think this tractor would have fit in the trailer anyways...



Well, let's jump back on the scooter and check out the waterfalls--I bet they're open!

...to be continued...

[malibu_dan]

During the early morning hours of November 6, 1977, after five days of torrential rain, the dam that held back the waters of Kelly Barnes Lake broke, and 176 million gallons of water surged over the 186 foot falls, crashing through the Toccoa Falls College campus below in the space of a few minutes. Most of the college personnel who lived in the path of the flood were asleep at the time, and 39 of them were carried to their deaths in the raging waters of Toccoa Creek. The dam was not rebuilt. A quick check of the skies to make sure no rain...



This is one of the few buildings that survived the disaster of 1977.



I wonder if the trailer is buoyant enough to float the Spyder to safety...



Gate must be to keep out the skinny dippers at night.







I don't get it. Why is it called "thumb face"?



Our first glimpse!



Some folks claim that Toccoa Falls is the tallest free-falling waterfall in the Eastern United States, though at least four others are taller, including Crabtree Falls in Virginia which is a 1000 foot cascading falls, including one drop of almost 400 feet.



We almost had the place to ourselves...



not counting this guy.



But within moments that all would change.



Oh, no, here they come. "Look Earl, it's a waterful!"





Let's get out of here.

...to be continued...

[kngfsh27]

I see a member of your family getting a degree in electrical engineering.

[malibu_dan]

I see a member of your family getting a degree in electrical engineering.

Hmmm, engineer? Might work. She needs to make good money, as she gets her expensive tastes from me. Her mom (and her brother) are the frugal ones.