Byways, Bikes & Bridges - A Memorial Day Weekend Adventure

What a marvelous, fun filled weekend!  I don't even know where to begin.

BT invited me to ride with him at this year's Rolling Thunder event in DC, the world's largest, one-day, motorcycle event.  He described it to me as "millions of bikes that gather at the Pentagon and ride into DC". He has the tendency to exaggerate from time to time.

Well, he wasn't far off.  I've never seen so many bikes in my life!

But first let's rewind to the previous night (Saturday).  AKA, "hell in a tent".  Our original plan was to to drive up to Quantico and camp out at the Prince William National Forrest campground.  We had both been looking forward to checking it out.  Well, we didn't really think to make a reservation, so, of course, they were full...of bikers, no doubt.  On to plan B.  Oh, that's right, we didn't have a plan B.  You're lucky we even had a plan A!  What to do?  The sun was starting to set.  We had no place to stay.  I was hangry.  Hangry Laura is not happy Laura and BT's patience was wearing thin.  A quick rather lengthy GPS search on his bike (that he has yet to figure out how to work), and we were on our way to the Aquia Pines Camp Resort.   We checked in with the nice gentleman at the front desk and noticed that the lobby was full of beer making supplies.  He explained to us that they just started selling their own brews the day before, with three to choose from on tap.  Music to our motorcycle-exhaust-deafened ears!  Did we pick the right place, or what?!  

After setting up camp, we headed to the nearest "Walmarts" for some supplies.

THIS is how you shop for camping!

Back at the campsite we built a great big mediocre campfire, drank a few too many beers, and told ghost stories BT told life stories.  ;)  

Sleep did not come easily that night.  At least for me it didn't.  Our campsite literally sat right next to I-95, so we were serenaded by the sound of convoys.  ALL.  NIGHT.  LONG.

Oh well.  Nothing a little coffee couldn't fix.  We packed up, stopped for some breakfast, and were on our way to DC.  

To say that I was blown away by the number of bikes/bikers when we arrived would be an understatement.  The amount of people that came out for this thing was incredible.  

A quick history, via about.com:

Rolling Thunder began as a demonstration following the era of the Vietnam War, which was a difficult time in America's history. Similar to today's political climate, our nation was divided over issues of peace and war. However, many of America's military were killed or missing in action and their remains were not being brought home to be respectfully buried and honored. In 1988, veterans of the Vietnam War rallied together their families, fellow veterans, and veterans' advocates to organize a demonstration at the Capitol Building in Washington, DC during the Memorial Day weekend. They announced their arrival with the roar of their Harley-Davidsons, a sound not unlike the 1965 bombing campaign against North Vietnam named Operation Rolling Thunder. Approximately 2500 motorcycles participated in this rally, demanding that the U.S. government account for all POW/MIA's. The group became known as Rolling Thunder and each year since has held an annual "Ride for Freedom" to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

"When I die, this is what I imagine heaven will look like." ~B.T.  

We were under the impression that the ride started at noon, which it did, but little did we know, we were in the very last parking lot to ride out.  So we sat and waited.  And waited...and hung out under an overpass like a couple of homeless bums.  

...and waited.  And took reflection selfies.  

...and waited.  And tried to keep each other entertained.  

He's going to kill me for posting this.  

At last!  It was time to go!!!

Gentlemen (and ladies), start your engines! 

The ride itself lasted all of 15 minutes - a trip over the bridge and into downtown DC, but it was amazing.  I was able to capture a bit of it on video.  

After the ride, we found parking and braved the masses to pick up a few souvenirs.  By this point, I was on the verge of a breakdown.  The combination of heat, hunger, and lack of sleep was really starting to take a toll on me.  Neither of us was in any mood to ride all the way back to Norfolk, so we grabbed a hotel in Stafford for a gloriously comfortable night's sleep.  

Well rested and fueled up for the trip back, we spontaneously decided to make a detour to the Natural Bridge.  It was kind of on the way home, right?  

Yeeeeah....not so much.

It was SO worth the trip!  BT mostly took the state highways, so the ride itself was serene and scenic. Most times it felt like we were the only ones out there.  

Photo op!

The Natural Bridge was stunning!  Much larger than I imagined it to be.

There was about a mile long walkway after the bridge of fun, little things to explore.  

I think that yellow chain was there for a reason.  #rulebreaker

The Native American kitchen.  

A nice gentleman saw us taking a selfie and insisted that he take a picture for us.

Not bad.

Cute, but where's the bridge??

We'll stick to taking selfies.  Thanks.  

A breathtakingly beautiful photo op on the way home.  

Four painful hours of riding back and we were finally home! 

This trip was an absolute blast.  Sure, there were some not so fun parts, but those just make for good storytelling!  I'm so fortunate to have BT in my life and love that he's always up for anything I throw his way.  Motorcycles, leather, and exhaust fumes one day.  Scenic byways, natural wonders, and fresh air the next.  That's US in a nutshell and I wouldn't have it any other way!