This is the 2nd time trying to post this, first time it disappeared in cyberspace, not sure what happened.
July 2-3-4 2014
We were up at 4:45am on Wed. planned to leave at 5:30. With a quick stop in Ripley for breakfast at McDs. We were back on the road. I called Ed and he was only a few miles ahead of us, he would meet us at Waterways welcome center. We needed permits but the welcome center was still closed, so we decided to go on to Gilbert and get them at the community center.
We were staying at Millers cabins this trip, so we stopped in at the cabin first then headed on to get permits. Midget and Suze was to meet us at the cabin, but we found them at Livinggood lodging talking with Randy. We stopped and got permits from him since he was at home. We got the whole Copperhead snake bite story in person from Randy, as he still had a swollen ankle. We returned to the cabin , unloaded and was ready to go by 9:45.
We headed out with plans to ride mainly green and blue trails on our way to Man. As we got to the junction of 36 and 20 we saw nothing but temporary closed signs. So what to do??? So lets go on down 20 and see what may be in the way, we saw new graded road and gravel with construction over the hill. Made it to 20 and 37 then saw a guy loading a truck. He did not know 20 was even closed. So away we went.
As we headed up 16 to 40 Joyce and I saw a Black Bear in the trail, he didn’t wait long as he disappeared into the woods quick. Just as we got to 40 there was the first of 2 Rangers we would see for the day. He asked to see our permits, I showed we had them on the helmets. We told him about the bear and he said he has never seen one since 2001. We all chatted for a few minutes he went towards 15 and we headed on to Man for lunch. Lunch for today was at Starters. Sorry no pics of lunch. Midget and Suze went for gas, and we headed back to the trailhead and wait.
Our afternoon plans were to take 10 to 18 then up 31. Then on to 25 and 45. Midget and Suze decided to start back on 30. As Ed, Bev, Joyce and I headed down 33 and back around to 31 again. Then we headed back 30,41,42, 19 and 12 to Gilbert. 70 miles for the day.
We all planed to go to dinner after getting cleaned up. Midget and Suze drove over and visited while we got ready. Dinner spots were very limited as Wally’s was closed for the week, and Wise Guy’s pizza is permanently closed. The blue Moon was our first choice. We all climbed in the Gilbert Taxi, with Suze as our chauffer. The Blue moon was closed , Midget said lets try the Justonion . It was a nice place, friendly waitresses. Good food. We returned to the cabin and said goodbye to Midget and Suze, as they would be going home the next morning.
Thursday morning we were up early and ready to go to Buffalo Mtn for the day. Breakfast at the McDs. And then on to Buffalo Mtn. We unloaded and was on the trails by 9am. Plans were to take 20, 13, 17 , 16 30, 35, 23 and 21 into Matewan. We were going to have lunch at a place called Wingo’s but it was closed. Then saw a sign for Miners diner and Pizza, it was closed up too. We decided to cross into Ky and check out The Snack Shack, It was open and we decided to try it. Good place for burgers and frys and such. We headed back to the trails, on 21, 18, 16, 17, 13and 15. With plenty of riding time left we headed on to Williamson. On 22, 11,and 10. We stopped for gas at the newly reopened gas station. Then down the street to Starters for Dessert and a cold drink. It was about 4pm when we left there,so we decided to head back to the trailhead., on 10,24,25, 34 and then 15 to the trailhead. We loaded up and headed back to the cabin. We got in 67 miles today.
Dinner tonight was again at the Justonion , again good food and good service.
Friday morning we were up early again as we planed to ride Pinnacle Creek. Joyce and I loaded up our things, as we planed to go on to Princeton for the weekend. We stopped for breakfast and then on to Pineville. Arriving about 8:30. We unloaded and was on the trails by 9. We rode several green and blue trails before heading down to Pinnicle creek on 24 and 26 with a stop along the creek. Then it was up 23, 22, and 11 into Mullins for lunch. Everything was closed except the subway. As we were about to go to subway we talked with a guy that told us about a DAIRY QUEEN. So off to DQ we went. After lunch and some Ice Cream it was back to trails. We took 11,22,23 to 11 then 25, 10, 14 to 19. About ½ mile down 19 we found a tree across the trail. Turned around and went back to 14, decided to call it a day and headed back to the trailhead and loaded up. About 54 miles today. We headed to Princeton to spend the weekend with Grandson Ethan, and Melissa and Phil. Ed and Bev went back to Gilbert for the night and to see the fireworks. “ A good time was had by all”.
Break time on the trail.
Our cabin
dozer work on trail 17 at BM. Dozer is behind the tree and brush waiting on us to pass.
Lunch stop in Ky. Across river from Matewan.
Lunch stop in Mullins on Friday.
Tree blocking trail 19 on PC.
A few more pictures here
https://picasaweb.google.com/105395631070423848080/HMJuly2014#A good time was had by all.
Subject: July 2,3,4th 2014 ride. 
Sat Jul 26, 2014 9:19 pm
