A desert rat explores the south.

[Domromer]

I've been posting a lot of day trips lately. I noticed a few other inmates have started one long thread to cover all their travels. I figure I'd do the same instead of having 25 different day trip posts.

A little background. A year ago I left Arizona and moved to Charleston, South Carolina. This place is about as different as a place could be from my home in Flagstaff, Arizona. When I got here I also picked up a vstrom and a KLR. The vstrom was really my first true street bike and the beginning of my transition from a daily commuter and a dirt rider. To someone who goes on road rides for a couple hundred miles or a few days. Up until yesterday I also had a honda silver wing that I'd use for the occasional foray. The Silver Wing was a cool bike but not great for two people. It has definitely rekindled my interest in scooters though, and I'm thinking a zuma might be my next bike.

So here are my travels around the south. It's a damn pretty place and a great place to ride. I take a lot of photos as pretty much everywhere down here is new to me and I want to document it all before I get used to it and it no longer seems so special.


I'll start off by putting all my old threads in here then adding new stuff as it happens.


Silver Wing in the Marsh by dsrphotography, on Flickr

[Domromer]

No this isn't a very adventurous ride report. My back has been bothering me so I haven't ridden much this week. When I woke up it was very foggy and we've been having some high tides so I thought it might be a good time to go for a spin and check out the beach and marsh. I probably didn't ride more than 15 miles exploring my little island.

Also went 100 miles south later in the day to check out another beach...thought I'd add the pics as well.


Oyster Shell beach by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Birds in the Marsh by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Silver Wing with dolphins fishing in the background by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A cool road out to the marsh by dsrphotography, on Flickr


More of the same road by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Shrimp boats docked by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Bridge working posing for me by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Bridge construction even on Sunday by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Workers putting together steel frame by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Colorful Bridge construction by dsrphotography, on Flickr


I've not seen the water this high since hurricane Irene by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Walking right into the surf by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Getting past the breakers by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Heading home again. by dsrphotography, on Flickr

[Domromer]

I'm finally taking my Silverwing on a trip! In the past few weeks I've been on ebay getting all my camping gear. Now that I've got it all together its time to hit the road! I'm not going very far. Just from my house in Charleston SC down to Fernandina beach Florida. I'll be taking back roads and stopping to grab geocaches on the way. This little trip will bring me through Beaufort Sc, Savannah, Jekyll island, and finally to Fort Clinch state park. Here are the pics.


Stopping on the Edisto river for a drink and to add another layer. by dsrphotography, on Flickr



Fisherman heading up the Edisto for some trout and redfish by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Stopping at Sandy beach to look for sharks teeth by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Found this geocache along the marsh at Sandy Beach by dsrphotography, on Flickr


The water was like a lake. by dsrphotography, on Flickr


The watch tower at the Port Royal boardwalk by dsrphotography, on Flickr


The view from the watchtower at Port Royal by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A fisherman heading out in his skif by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Finding a geocache along the Port Royal Boardwalk by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Port Royal Boardwalk and watchtower by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A rice mill on the Butler plantation, also the hiding spot for a geocache by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Scooter at Jekyll island Campground by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Jekyll Island campground by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A feeder creek on Jekyll Island by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Another creek view by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Looking out over the harbor by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A cool bridge at the mouth of the creek by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Fisherman on the bridge by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Exploring some of the dirt roads on the island by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A breakfast of biscuits and gravy, while watching the sun rise by dsrphotography, on Flickr


One of the many beach front bike paths on the Island by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Just another gratuitous shot of the silver wing by dsrphotography, on Flickr


I brought all this crap on the scooter by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A view of the fishing boats in Derry Georgia by dsrphotography, on Flickr


The water front in Derry Georgia by dsrphotography, on Flickr


One of the many creepy old houses in Derry Georgia by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A buffalo farm along route 17 by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Met this cool little kitty at the Buffalo farm by dsrphotography, on Flickr


A little Donkey at the Buffalo farm by dsrphotography, on Flickr

[Domromer]

It was in the 70s Saturday so we decided to go for a ride through the National Forest. The plan was to check out the visitors center and look for some geocaches while exploring the dirt roads. As soon as we got to the national forest it became apparent that it was hunting season. There was hunting trucks along the roads and packs of hounds. No big deal I thought. I can still cruise down the dirt roads. I just won't go into the woods. We kept passing tucks of hunters and they didn't give us the usual friendly wave that you get from most people in SC. I didn't think much of it and kept going.

On the way out I saw a DNR worker at a check station. I asked him how the deer hunting with dogs worked. He explained that the packs of hounds chase the deer through the woods and then when the deer crosses the road the people sitting on the trucks shoot at the deer! On the road! From the bed of a truck. This blew me away on many levels. One people hunt from the road while sitting in the bed of a pickup, and two I was pretty much riding right through people hunting. It's like there was a guy in a deer stand and I decided to park my bike right in front of him. Well that would explain the lack of friendly waves.

Here are some pics from our ride. I wish I got some pics of the dogs. We kept running into them while I was riding doen sandy roads. They were friendly little things.


The National forest visitors center by dsrphotography, on Flickr


I own you bitch! by dsrphotography, on Flickr


More diorama goodness by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Who can resist a diorama by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Red wofl by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Red wolf at the visitor center by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Creepy church in the woods. by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Creepy church from the outside by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Old organ in the vampire church by dsrphotography, on Flickr


This church was very creepy even in the day by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Having a drink at a fork on the road by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Should this one make me smaller or bigger? by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Finding a geocache in the woods by dsrphotography, on Flickr


I wonder if these are edible by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Exploring a dirt road by dsrphotography, on Flickr


Cruising through the national forest by dsrphotography, on Flickr

[Domromer]

I'm a morning person and my wife is not. Saturdays morning are a constant struggle in out house. If she sleep in till 8 I feel half the day is already over. Where she thinks 8 is two hour too early. With that in mind I work up nice and early today, took care of the dogs and got on the scooter while the morning light was still nice. I didn't go far. Just 40 miles or so. There was a new geocache that I wanted to grab, that was located in a pretty tidal marsh area. When I pulled op to the spot there way a lady chicken necking for crabs. She had only caught one so far but had already lost a few. She also mentioned a beach across the marsh that was covered in fossilized shark teeth. To get to the beach you need to swim or have a boat so that will have to wait for a warmer time of the year. On the way out I grabbed the geocache and two foxes ran across my path. All in all a great ride, early in the morning where I had the roads all to myself. Don't look below if you don't want to see gratuitous Silver Wing pics!

[Domromer]

Decided to go on my first overnight bike trip, drove from Charleston to Asheville and stayed at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle campground...here are some pics.

Stopping for gas and a good view of the mountains..also some pork skins



We explored Asheville a bit, this is called chicken alley



We found this place that did indian fast food, I had a naan bread a chai tea..it was nice to warm up as it is very chilly compared to home.



Here are some shots from around the campground

[TheAdmiral]

Very interesting "new" thread. You've gone too, seen, and taken some really nice photo's! I like geocaching as well, and sometimes this hobby has taken me to some places I probably wouldn't have otherwise visited.

Good stuff!

[Mudclod]

Love it! Hope you're enjoying the relocation.

[fatherof4]

Just curious what size are your pelican cases on the Wee?

I am trying to figure out if I want pelicans or alum panniers.

[Scribe]

Beautiful photography. Thanks for taking us along.

[Kenisis]

Thanks for Sharing your travels, a really beautiful part of the world there!

[Wolfgang55]

Neat

[Domromer]

I figure I can make this like a blog, just post random stuff..Well it's been cold and raining the past few days and it's got me thinking of warmer rides.

Which naturally reminds me of riding through the desert in the spring. The weather is warm, humidity is low and all the flowers are in bloom.

[1200gsceej]

What's your camera? (when you are on the road w/the bike?).
How do you take and process what appear to be your HDR photos?
Nice work.
-ceej

[Ross1969]

Thanks for posting - very interesting locations and photo's.