Well, Midget, Yampol, Tequila & I set out on an adventure this past weekend -----
We met up w/Yampol & Tequila Saturday morning, on our way to Snow Shoe. Started out the usual way, past Cowan's Gap State Park. Someone in the group, no names will be given, needed a pit stop at the park, so we pulled in. After leaving the park, we made our way down the road. About 1 mile or so down the road -- we saw an amazing, exciting site -- a black bear in the left lane. You should have been in our truck at that moment !!!! I started yelling & grabbing for the radio, but Midget beat me to it. He just started saying "bear on the left, bear on the left". Since we were in front, we slowed down and eventually stopped, only to see him disappear into the woods before I could get a photo. (There is a rumor that Tequila may have snapped a photo).
Also made the usual stop at "Toms", and this time there was a horse & buggy tied to the post. Had to grab a picture of that !!!
Made it to Snow Shoe without incident. Unloaded, and headed out around 9:45 or so. While unloading, a sherrif checked us all for our permits. (First time for everything, I guess.) Started down the rail trail to the other trail head, with a few stops and photo op's along the way.
About noon-ish, we decided to head to Coopers for lunch. I went in and asked for the menu, only to have the gentleman tell me that on that day, they only had burgers, fries and wings to eat, and water or beer to drink. Oh well....some in the group were happy for the drinks...
Made our way on some of the side trails...and put in about 53 miles or so before we loaded up around 5 pm.
Gassed up, then hit the road to Westport to ride the Whiskey Springs trail system on the 3rd. It took us about an hour to drive to Westport.
Once we arrived in Westport, we checked in at the Kettle Creek Inn along Route 120. Nice, little motel w/8 rooms and a restaurant. Had a good dinner that evening, sat outside and watched the fireworks right across the street !!! How lucky was that
Went to breakfast at the motel the next morning around 8, picked up our "packed" lunch for the trail, then we got ready to roll. Didn't have to trailer, we could ride straight from the motel to the trail head, about 2 -3 miles up the road.
Hit the trail about 9:30. We let Yampol & Tequila lead, since they have been there one time before
They gave Midget & I a map also, so we could track along.
Rode several trails before lunch. Found the playground and ran into several groups. Ended up at the campground for lunch. It wasn't too hot that day. A little dusty, but not the black coal dust.
After lunch, we hit the trail again. One area we rode through was solid fern.....you were just riding through a field of fern with a trail down the middle of it !! Yampol & Tequila were still leading, when all of the sudden we saw Tequila flapping her arms around and pointing....and over to the right was ANOTHER black bear
Man, I was nervous & excited all at the same time. This bear was smaller that the first one, but this one was standing up on his back legs. He stood there about 10-20 seconds or so before he ran off. All I could think of was that a bigger, possible Mama bear would be coming along on the left.....so I wanted to see the bear but I wanted to get the h**l out of there at the same time.
Rode till about 4 pm, and did about 50 miles that day also. It was a good time. The trails were tame, but Yampol did find two "testy" areas. I would definitely go back.
That night, back to the motel to clean up and eat at the restaurant. Then, more fireworks that night.
Midget & I took some pictures, so he posted a link below. Enjoy.
Oh -- and I have to mention (Sorry Tequila & Yampol), Midget realized he was the youngest person on this ride, and believe me, he let us know it several times. He being the youngest on a ride doesn't happen often.
https://s188.photobucket.com/albums/z268/suzeatv/?albumview=slideshow