|
We left New England on Friday evening February 21, 1997 and stayed
overnight in Darien, CT then Charlotte, NC. We arrived in the Atlanta, Ga
area on Sunday February 23, 1997. Upon leaving the highway for secondary
roads for the final 30-40 miles to Conyers, Ga, the Virago was immediately
unloaded from the truck, while the Seca remained. (Someone had to continue
to drive the truck, afterall! :-( ) It appeared that Jackie was *really*
enjoying her 1997 maiden ride as evidenced by the large grin on her face!
Monday the Virago was loaded back into the truck for the trip to
Orlando. Arriving fairly late on the day, the bikes stayed on the truck
until the next day.
Any bike miles accumulated in the Orlando area were mostly just
short rides here and there. Although, Jackie *did* find out just how far
she can lean the Virago over when she scraped her highway pegs on the pavement!
Saturday March 1, 1997 the bikes went back into the truck for the ride
to Marco Island, Florida on the Gulf coast. We'd considered riding one of them
but wrote it off as a long boring highway ride. On Marco we toured just about
every road on the island with the bikes. It's the ONLY way to see the island!
On Wednesday March 5th we headed out for the Keys. We crossed the Everglades
on state route 41 hoping to see, but not HIT some panthers. (no luck)... The
ride was pretty boring because it's almost all flat and straight, but beautful
all the same.
As we entered the Miami area, we kept looking for US route 1 south as
the suroundings became more and more city-like. Finally we stopped and asked
directions and were pointed to an alternate route to US 1 rather than just
continuing down 41. Within 10 miles or so we were headed south on route 1,
although still quite city-like with many stoplights. Eventually, we broke free
of the city and spied a sign stating "Key West 123 Miles"! We solved this
little "city" problem on the return trip by taking the Florida Turnpike from
US 1 back to route 41.
The ride out to the Keys cannot be described by mere words. I think
my best attempt would be to compare the fun factor of nice curvey roads to
straight flat ones on a motorcycle. Even though the road out to Key West was
essentially flat and straight it was better (although different) than any
nice curvey road. Each bridge was a new sight to behold and of course since
we weren't "caged" we were essentially *IN* each new sight. Incredible, just
incredible!
The Key West ride alone was worth trucking the bikes down to Florida!
We stayed overnight at the Holiday Inn in Key West. It was OK, but
nothing special and a little pricy. We headed back the next day to Marco.
Again just exquisite!
We packed up and departed Marco on Friday March 7, 1997. We swung
thru Daytona just long enought to get caught in the "trying to get outta
the speedway" traffic. We passed the New Smyrna speedway where there was a
motorcycle demolition derby taking place. Does anyone know what the heck this
is?!?!? Stayed overnight in Savannah, Ga Friday then drove straight thru
to lovely, icy, cold New England on Saturday/Sunday AM...
Summary:
If you can make the opportunity to take your bike out to the Keys,
by all means, DO IT! You won't be dissappointed!
|