She's Finally Home.. 3-30-13

So about after  month of having no bike. I finally get her back. After the insurance looked over the bike and came back with a total of damages. We came to a number of $6,627. Sadly the bike really wasn't that bad but cosmetically it was all scratched up on the right side. And of course you put the BMW logo on a part and magically the part prices pretty much double. As far as any major damages. The only large items that were hurt were the front left fork, front wheel and the right side crash bar.  All the rest was just cosmetic. So for my excitement and getting back on the road. I decided to take a tour of the OBX of NC that very next day. Got a late start on getting out of bed. I didn't hear the alarm go off. So I hit the road anyways. on the road by 8:50 I take off east down 64 to Kitty Hawk. Weather was warm but it had a cool breeze. Kinda refreshing but it helped it feel more like spring. Not aware of what the roads were going to be like or how far I was going to be able to make it. I didn't seem to care. I figured I had the right bike to tackle whatever the OBX terrain would throw at me. Once I hit the OBX the temp went up and it hit 60. After a long winter anything over 32 felt good. cruising a long I was going to take a detour onto the beach but then forgot that you need a permit and bikes are no longer allowed on the beach. Kinda a bummer but maybe next time. I made it to the Okracoke ferry and by surprise the roads were all pretty much drive-able  They did a good job cleaning up after all the hurricanes coming through. You can still see a lot of damage but the roads were all very clean. I only hit one small spot of sand that came across the whole road. If only I had a the song downloaded. I would have played "I'm on a boat". Ferry ride number one. 1 hour and 15 minutes. to Okracoke Island. Once I hit Okracoke it's nothing but a long straight line of sand and cars. kinda boring but a pretty view if you can see over the dunes. As I cruised around Orkacoke and looked around I went to go check the next ferry schedule. As I rolled up the last car was loading for the last ferry of the day. Next ferry was to leave at 7am the next day. Damn. If I was prepared for an overnight stay then I would have just stayed, so I hurried and paid the man and jumped on. Ferry ride number two. 2 hours and 15 minutes. At least the weather was still warm. Last man on the boat. I set up the bike once again and Were off. Came across a couple riding their Harley. Pretty much for the whole ride we chatted. Wife slept but I don't blame her. Her husband and I talked about bikes the whole time. Typical guy talk. Maybe I convinced him into a BMW bike next but we shall see. They say once you go BMW you don't go back. HA HA. But I'll admit I liked his bike and if I had it. I'd be doing the same thing and be riding the crap out of it too. He's done everything I would have done to it. Blacking it out and taking away the damn Chrome it was a good looking Harley. Only thing I would have added is a windshield for long trips.  But you have to love owning a bike. it's a cult and no matter where you are or what you ride. You make friends everywhere you go. After hitting dry land and headed back east. I take a few more detours through some small towns and after 3 1/2 hours later I'm finally home. For some reason I passed some town and I smelled burgers. For over an hour my mouth started to water and all I could think about was getting a burger. I tried to rush home for a burger but Tribeca Tavern was already closed. (Best burgers around btw). I settled for a burger at a local grill but I regretted it later. Never again. Anyways I clocked around 447 miles on the bike yesterday. Not to bad for a day ride. Gotta start slow and work your way up right. Don't want to rush into things to fast.

Finally back home.. 

From Hatteras Island to Okracoke Island NC

Out-n-about OBX NC