First camping trip of the year 09

[Yamifj1200]

I thought I might do a little write up about last weekend’s ride out to Willville Motorcycle campground just west of Meadows of Dan Virginia.

http://www.willvillebikecamp.com/

Frank and I have been chomping at the bit to get out and do some mountain riding and camp at a motorcycle campground we have never been to before. I headed out a little after 7:00 am to meet up with Frank around noon at Mabry’s Mill on the Blue Ridge Parkway in southern Va. It was just over 40 degrees that morning and some heated gear was needed to make the ride more comfortable. The ride west from Richmond to the Parkway on rt. 460 was uneventful and rather boring as are most of the highways in the area. Once I got to the Parkway it was a perfect day to be on the bike, clear blue skies and warming temps made for wonderful ride south to meet up with Frank. There was little or no traffic on the parkway that morning making the ride even more special.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1475-1.jpg

Here is a couple of pictures we took at Mabry’s mill. Frank took his picture before I met up with him and my picture was taken on the way back north on Sunday.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1798.jpg

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1516-1.jpg

It was still late winter on the Parkway and none of the trees were even budding yet. I enjoy riding at this time of year because you can see so much more of the mountain. When the trees are in full bloom it is easy to miss some of the mountains rugged rock features.

From Mabry’s mill it’s only a couple of miles ride down to Willville Motorcycle campground. The campground is clean and well setup for bike camping. There were only 3 other folks in the campground so we felt like we had the place to ourselves. In a short time we had our camp setup and were able to start some coffee and enjoy the afternoon just relaxing around camp. Here is Frank’s setup, followed by mine.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1804.jpg

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1805.jpg

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http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1486-1.jpg



As most of you know Frank and I are both into cooking in camp and this trip was no different. I enjoy taking the time it takes to have a great meal after riding. I brought my gilliput and some charcoal to cook up a couple of steaks that Frank brought with him. We cooked up some asparagus, mashed potatoes and some spiced apples.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1817.jpg

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After dinner we cleaned up camp and relaxed by the stream listening to some music and just chilling out till dark. The campground owner Will rolled over some firewood and setup the evening’s fire all that was needed was Franks match to get it started. With a fire going a couple other campers came over and enjoyed the fire with us. We all swapped stories and trip reports and had a good time laughing until the firewood was burned up around midnight. I headed back to camp to get some sleep, with the cool evening temps I was asleep in a matter of minutes. In the morning I woke up to a view of my bike from my tent.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1499.jpg

Not a bad way to wake up. I packed up my tent and sleeping gear and was loaded for my ride back home.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1504.jpg

Frank and I were ready to head out so I took a couple more shots of the campground before I left.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1505.jpg

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Frank and I said our goodbyes and rode off on our routes home. I headed north on the BRP for an hour or so and decided to take a few more pictures before I got to the Peaks of Otter and headed east to Richmond.

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1519.jpg

http://i662.photobucket.com/albums/uu349/Yamifj1200/IMG_1518.jpg

We had a great time checking out Willville Motorcycle Campground. The weather was perfect, being able to spend time with friends, meeting new ones, having a good meal in a new place was a great way to start this year’s adventures.

Eric M

[Mellow]

Great Pics!.. Willeville is a great campground and Will is an excellent host.

[bdgflht02]

What an excellent post. This is just what we all need as the 09 camping season begins. I hope I can get honey-do's finished along with yard work so
I too can get outdoors. This post gets me really excited. Thanks much.

[Yamifj1200]

Great Pics!.. Willeville is a great campground and Will is an excellent host.

Joe,
I think Will was surprised to see so few riders there that weekend. The weather forecast for Sunday was for afternoon thunderstorms and that may have kept a few away. It was great to have the place to ourselves. I may never see it that way again....


Eric

[G wizz]

All I got to look at were a row of small boxes with red X's in em.
No pictures... What's up with that?

G wizz

[Ironheadziggy76]

Eric, looks like a great way to start out the riding season, great ride report. By the way, that is the best looking FJ I have laid eyes on! P^

[Yamifj1200]

Eric, looks like a great way to start out the riding season, great ride report. By the way, that is the best looking FJ I have laid eyes on! P^


Thanks Steve,
I had a great time and got to ride almost 200 miles of BRP with out any traffic. Thanks for the kind words on the FJ..

Eric

[Trekker]

I never get tired of riding in that part of the world. Willville is a great campground. Nice write up and pics! P^ Looks like you ate well too! :)

<<<< BTW- my avatar photo was taken at Willville in mid-April several years ago. Same situation: just a few customers.

[Trailace]

Eric, Great way to start the year off and Willville is a great campground. Man that food sure looked good as well as your bike. P^