SPRUCE KNOB, SENECA ROCKS, FALL COLOR 10-13-23

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Today has to go down as one of our best rides in West Virginia. I had heard on a DC TV station that Spruce Knob (highest mountain in West Virginia) had the best fall color in the area and they were right.

We left at 9:00 am. I had mapped out a route which would take 5 to 6 hours of riding time with no stop. A long day for sure. None of us knew we would enjoy our stops at Seneca Rocks, Spruce Knob and the Korner Cafe in Franklin, so much. We enjoyed every minute of the day.

Jon got the best picture of the COLOR

Roger, Gary, Jon, Alan, Ralph, John

From Wardensville we got on Corridor 48 and zoomed over to the Sheetz in Moorefield for a comfort stop. Corridor 48 is a nice ride anytime, but there was very little color to be seen. I was getting a little worried as to whether we were going to see any color or not.

From Moorefield we headed south to Seneca Rocks. We couldn't see any climbers, but there was more activity at Yockum's than I had seen since before covid. We got snacks and visited both stores. There was interest in the climbing school, but we didn't have time.

Thanks Jon for sending me this picture

There was a lot of interest in the caps

Notice the sign PLEASE DON'T PLAY WITH AXES OR HAMMERS!! Love it

After a nice stop at Seneca Rocks we headed further south to Spruce Knob Mountain. Those who had never been to Spruce Knob before, got a big "thrill" out of the ELEVEN mile one lane road up the mountain which had two way traffic on it. Ralph, especially enjoyed it. He couldn't stop talking. We made it to the top and the color was amazing. We had hit it at its peak. Sorry, it just doesn't show up in the pictures

Arriving at the top

Here comes Jon

Here comes Alan

Here comes John

Here comes Gary

We all made it

The color in this picture was magnificent

Such beautiful color, so sorry I can't share

We spent a lot of time up on Spruce Mountain. We climbed the tower and Alan found a trail that went around the top of the mountain. The trees had blocked some of the view from the top of the tower, but from the walk around the top of the mountain you could see in all directions.

After we had recorded the beautiful color in our minds, because our phones wouldn't record it, we took Ralph back down the eleven mile one lane, two way traffic road with the 1000 foot drop-off. We had to stop for John O., to look, because he said he was so busy driving he couldn't look at the scenery.

Jon got the best picture of the COLOR

Our destination for lunch was the Korner Cafe in Franklin, WV. It was delightful, a "Mom and Pop" cafe with down home cookin' . We were welcomed like family. A perfect stop after a fantastic ride.

After lunch we headed off to the Lost River State Park, in hopes of finding the "LOST RIVER". We couldn't find it, because it was all dried up from the lack of rain.
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The sign in front of the Korner Cafe had seen better days

Everyone looking for the Lost River, couldn't be found

As you can see from the REVER Tracking above, Moving Time 6:22 Total time 8:35 and 267 miles it was a long day, but everyone had a good time. We had 1 spyder, 1 Harley Trike, 1 Triumph Rocket III, 1 BMW, 1 Suzuki and 1 Gold Wing. All good riders and they meshed well together. Thanks for coming today. I really enjoyed the day and I hope you did too.

SENECA ROCKS
https://wvtourism.com/company/seneca-rocks/

SPRUCE KNOB
https://www.summitpost.org/spruce-knob/150796

KORNER CAFE, FRANKLIN, WV
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100056436086106

LOST RIVER STATE PARK
https://wvstateparks.com/park/lost-river-state-park/

LINK TO THE REVER TRACK OF THIS RIDE (This is a "Keeper". A record for me, no gravel and no turn arounds)
https://go.rever.co/MiNBiccdSDb