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Wednesday, September 17. 2014
2014 Lake Hope Rebel Rally
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| 2014 Lake Hope Rebel Rally |
Via a new route, I traveled via Fort Louden, through Somerset and Bedford, past the Youghiogheny Dam, and down to the familiar route 50 west. Google indicated this would be shorter than my previous 522 to 50, but in actual practice I arrived in Athens, OH about 11 hours later; similar to my previous route. A contributer to this was likely the additional civilization on this route, which was comforting on this trip due to my recent oil seal issues, but certainly slowed the trip.
Arriving after dark, it was a good thing I had practiced setting up my new tent. Site 89 at Lake Hope turned out to be an excellent campsite for arriving late as the light from the shower house was just enough to light my setup area but not bright enough to be annoying at night.
In the morning I headed to the usual Rally point, where baggie omelet joy awaited me. This clever breakfast trick involves boiling bags of eggs which each participant makes from an ad hoc fixings bar. Once filled up on conversation, eggs, and coffee, it was time to head out.
Our first destination was the Bob Evans Farm. Honestly, I didn't think such a thing existed; I always figured it was purely a marketing construction. It wasn't how Bob Evans got started however, he started with a restaurant, opened a farm to make sausage which then became the linchpin of the company, then later started opening restaurants to diversify. We discovered via the museum on site Bob Evans popularized KFC as the first franchisee of their chicken in Bob Evans restaurants.
Next we arrived in Point Pleasant WV to visit the Mothman Museum. This destination offered a beautiful view of the Ohio river; not something to miss if visiting. Perhaps the most interesting points of the Mothman Museum to me weren't the Mothman legend itself, but the history of the Silver Bridge collapse, and apparently one of the first references to Men in Black. Government agents were hanging around town to investigate the bridge, they happened to wear black suits and were around during the Mothman stories, and legend spiraled from there.
Our last stop was Hillbilly Hot Dogs, a famous Food Network featured restaurant. This destination along the river was a popular biker destination, as bikes rolled in and out while we were dining. A ramshackle collection of shanties and school buses for dining areas, the hot dogs were good too.
More destinations were planned, but as it was getting late we headed back to the barn. On this trip back we ended up on 677 which Guba has dubbed the Zaleski roller coaster; a short thrilling road just south of the park. Upon our return Guba started his chili while we started consuming items we had picked up on the grocery stop on the way back. Campfire, food, and conversation was enjoyed by all.
The next day, as others headed out throughout the morning and we said our goodbyes, I stayed at the park and relaxed. Step one was to hang out along the lake front and enjoy leftover goodies. Visiting the new lodge, I found out about a Moonville Tunnel and decided to try to find it. It turns out I made a wrong turn, but I enjoyed the ride along a local back road and refilled my tank when I ended up in Macarthur. On my way back I stopped at the lodge and loaded up on firewood; I had been offered some but turned it down since at the time I wasn't sure I was staying. Of course, if I had accepted it I would have missed the adventure of hauling firewood on my Rebel.
After my relaxing day and a good night's sleep, I packed up in the morning. Leaving early was impossible due to a soaked tent, but I was able to get my gear dry enough for traveling using the sun in a nearby parking lot in a few hours.
Since we had done so much freeway riding the day before, I was newly confident riding my Rebel on such roads, so I decided to take the freeway to save time. As I had been told at the Rally, the Rebel does indeed do just fine on the freeway for hours. Fortunately the 50 / 70 / 68 route I took wasn't particularly boring, but between the scenic stops, finding a wrench to fix a few bolts that were working loose, and slowing down to get up the numerous mountains, the route wasn't significantly faster than the other ones I had taken before. Also of note for future reference, between the freeway and the extra gear my fuel economy was down to hitting reserve at 128 miles; normally I get at least 160 miles before hitting reserve.
Overall, once again a memorable adventure. Looking forward to next year.
Arriving after dark, it was a good thing I had practiced setting up my new tent. Site 89 at Lake Hope turned out to be an excellent campsite for arriving late as the light from the shower house was just enough to light my setup area but not bright enough to be annoying at night.
In the morning I headed to the usual Rally point, where baggie omelet joy awaited me. This clever breakfast trick involves boiling bags of eggs which each participant makes from an ad hoc fixings bar. Once filled up on conversation, eggs, and coffee, it was time to head out.
Our first destination was the Bob Evans Farm. Honestly, I didn't think such a thing existed; I always figured it was purely a marketing construction. It wasn't how Bob Evans got started however, he started with a restaurant, opened a farm to make sausage which then became the linchpin of the company, then later started opening restaurants to diversify. We discovered via the museum on site Bob Evans popularized KFC as the first franchisee of their chicken in Bob Evans restaurants.
Next we arrived in Point Pleasant WV to visit the Mothman Museum. This destination offered a beautiful view of the Ohio river; not something to miss if visiting. Perhaps the most interesting points of the Mothman Museum to me weren't the Mothman legend itself, but the history of the Silver Bridge collapse, and apparently one of the first references to Men in Black. Government agents were hanging around town to investigate the bridge, they happened to wear black suits and were around during the Mothman stories, and legend spiraled from there.
Our last stop was Hillbilly Hot Dogs, a famous Food Network featured restaurant. This destination along the river was a popular biker destination, as bikes rolled in and out while we were dining. A ramshackle collection of shanties and school buses for dining areas, the hot dogs were good too.
More destinations were planned, but as it was getting late we headed back to the barn. On this trip back we ended up on 677 which Guba has dubbed the Zaleski roller coaster; a short thrilling road just south of the park. Upon our return Guba started his chili while we started consuming items we had picked up on the grocery stop on the way back. Campfire, food, and conversation was enjoyed by all.
The next day, as others headed out throughout the morning and we said our goodbyes, I stayed at the park and relaxed. Step one was to hang out along the lake front and enjoy leftover goodies. Visiting the new lodge, I found out about a Moonville Tunnel and decided to try to find it. It turns out I made a wrong turn, but I enjoyed the ride along a local back road and refilled my tank when I ended up in Macarthur. On my way back I stopped at the lodge and loaded up on firewood; I had been offered some but turned it down since at the time I wasn't sure I was staying. Of course, if I had accepted it I would have missed the adventure of hauling firewood on my Rebel.
After my relaxing day and a good night's sleep, I packed up in the morning. Leaving early was impossible due to a soaked tent, but I was able to get my gear dry enough for traveling using the sun in a nearby parking lot in a few hours.
Since we had done so much freeway riding the day before, I was newly confident riding my Rebel on such roads, so I decided to take the freeway to save time. As I had been told at the Rally, the Rebel does indeed do just fine on the freeway for hours. Fortunately the 50 / 70 / 68 route I took wasn't particularly boring, but between the scenic stops, finding a wrench to fix a few bolts that were working loose, and slowing down to get up the numerous mountains, the route wasn't significantly faster than the other ones I had taken before. Also of note for future reference, between the freeway and the extra gear my fuel economy was down to hitting reserve at 128 miles; normally I get at least 160 miles before hitting reserve.
Overall, once again a memorable adventure. Looking forward to next year.
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