A Glimpse of Fall on a Winter Day

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The weather in South Carolina has been mild for the most part this winter.  Riding a motorcycle here is quite the treat, since you can ride almost all year long.  The roads are not in great condition, thanks to our politicians' graft and corruption, but the climate is just about ideal.

The scenery is nice too.  We live in the Piedmont -- which means the foot of the mountain; the Blue Ridge Escarpment -- so there are some nice hills and twisty roads winding through them.

In the fall, I took a short ride up to Whitewater Falls in the Jocassee Gorge area, just into North Carolina on SC-130.  It is one of my favorite destinations, as you can tell if you have followed this blog for any time at all.  The roads are good, the curves are somewhat challenging, and the falls are picturesque.

The pictures along the road show the fall colors well.  Those colors were to be gone just a few days afterward, and they will not return again for several months.

Here are some highlights.

This fellow coming the other way reached our so far that I almost could have touched him if I had been a little further to the left in my lane.  

 He seemed particularly enthusiastic about his ride that day.  It was an ideal time to be out on two wheels. 
 

Since that ride of just over a hundred miles back in early November, those leaves have fallen, but the temperatures have been very warm on many days -- sometimes into the mid 60s!  I have ridden quite a bit since then.

Unfortunately, there has been a great deal of rain in January and early February, and now the temperatures have taken a dramatic turn downward.

Take a look at today.

We don't often get snow, but it is now 32 degrees and the low is to be about 28 tonight.

No riding for a few days, I'm afraid.  

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Chicago?

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Where do you think this picture was taken? 

• Chicago?  
• Toledo?
• Alaska?
• Siberia?
• Antarctica?
• South Carolina?

If you guessed any but South Carolina, you are wrong.  We have gotten hit again with the fluffy -- or not so fluffy -- white stuff.  Must have been meant for Chicago. Yea, that's it. 

Since I have not recently been to Chicago, I instead took a walk while it was coming down.  Sleet, now, actually.  Over the 3+ inches of snow.  ...and more to come tonight. 

Here is my little old friend Ronald sitting on the bike, waiting for the next ride. 

Enjoy the scenery and the kids playing in it with sleds that seldom get any use.

A little creek.

A future Olympian luger.

A dad, with his children.

Pretty to look at, and fun to play in, but it is supposed to be up in the mid-60s by the weekend.  Hurray! 

Motorcycle weather, maybe.  We'll see. 
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Oh, No. Snow!

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Well, it has been quite cold here in normally balmy South Carolina.  The temperatures have been below freezing for several days at a time.  Rather unusual for us. 

Fortunately, there has been little precipitation around home.  Otherwise, we would have been subjected to accumulations of that white, fluffy stuff. I forget what they call it....

Now, I was born a Yankee (definition: somebody who comes from a Northern state), but I have been in the south for many years now, and I don't miss that white stuff much at all.  Rusty cars, heavy shoveling, roads with ruts instead of lanes, frozen door locks, high heating bills, etc., etc. ...and no motorcycle riding for several months out of the year, though I didn't have one back then.  

Over this last weekend, the temperature went up into the low 50s, so I went out for a quick ride to Whitewater Falls, a place I have been many times in my riding career.  Some of those times are chronicled here:

• First Trip to Whitewater Falls
• Fall is Here
• Same Route, Different Scenery

But this time, I spotted something I had not previously seen there. 

Someone had built a snowman, and there were remnants of snow on the ground way over there on the shady side of the hill. 

Now, the elevation difference from home to the falls is about 1500 feet, so the temperatures are colder up there.  Hence the ...oh, now I remember...snow. 

Fortunately, all of the roads to get there were clear of debris, salt, and gravel, so the ride was easier that it might otherwise have been.  The roads, US-178 from Pickens to SC-11 and SC-130 from SC-11 north to the North Carolina state line, are a great succession of mostly sweeping curves.  The wind was very gusty, however, and was particularly strong in open areas.  It pushed me sideways a few times, but it was manageable. I was bundled up enough that I didn't even feel a cold draft anywhere.  

That is an interesting feeling, almost an invincibility -- the wind howling and cold, but not affecting you.  Those nice warm heated grips and Hippo Hands help a lot, too. 

I didn't stay long at the park, and didn't hike the trail to the falls itself this time, as my daylight was failing.  I saddled up and made my way back down 130 and then cut through on SC-133 and Shady Grove Road to Pickens and home.   Again, all sweepers.

I didn't time it, but it didn't seem to take as long going up and coming down 130 as it usually does.  This time around, there were no cars or trucks that slowed me down in either direction.  That could be it.  Maybe I was enjoying it so much that the time passed quickly.  Or, maybe I am riding a little faster.  Not sure.  

Anyway, it was good to get out on a clear day in the middle of winter.

Snow, keep away! 

Oh, by the way, let me give you some perspective on the size of that snowman.  

Cute, eh?  I am sure, though, that little man is long gone by today.  


January 28, 2014, 7:30 PM

Update.  Well, I thought the little snowman would be melted by today, but the way it looks now, the snow followed me down to the lower elevations, and they got more at Whitewater Falls, too. 

We got about an inch here, but this paralyzes us here in the South, where I think we have one snow plow for all six or seven southeastern states.  The snow certainly prevents two-wheeled travel in all but the most unusual cases.  Maybe like this guy: 

Found on AdV Rider Forum

Fortunately, the snow does not usually last very long.  Here's hoping. 

See you on the roads again after the thaw! 
 
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Christmas Snow

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Snow isn't common in South Carolina, and a white Christmas is even rarer.  The last one in our part of the state was in 1963. 

Fred, a business associate of mine, has recently begun experimenting with his photography, and is doing quite well.  These are his pictures of Hagood Mill in Pickens County, taken the day after Christmas.

Happy New Year

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Early Christmas Morning Ride

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The weather outside is [going to be] frightful [at least for South Carolina] later today:

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AccuWeather.com ALERT
SEVERE WEATHER
EASLEY, SC
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
437 AM EST SAT DEC 25 2010
WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM NOON TODAY TO NOON EST
SUNDAY...
* HAZARDS...HEAVY SNOW.
* ACCUMULATIONS...2 TO 4 INCHES.
* IMPACTS...ONCE THE SNOW INCREASES IN INTENSITY IN THE AFTERNOON
HOURS...ROADS WILL RAPIDLY BECOME SLICK AND DANGEROUS...
ESPECIALLY BRIDGES AND OVERPASSES. HEAVY SNOW MAY ALSO BRING
DOWN TREES AND POWER LINES.
* PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
A WINTER STORM WARNING FOR HEAVY SNOW MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER
CONDITIONS ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW
ARE FORECAST THAT WILL MAKE TRAVEL DANGEROUS. ONLY TRAVEL IN AN
EMERGENCY. IF YOU MUST TRAVEL...BE SURE TO TAKE ALONG YOUR CELL
PHONE. WEAR A WARM COAT...GLOVES...AND BOOTS. KEEP A BLANKET...
FLASHLIGHT...FOOD...AND WATER IN YOUR VEHICLE IN CASE OF AN
EMERGENCY.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



...so I sneak out early this morning, before anyone else is up, for a quick ride. 

It is 32 degrees, and I am out by 6:30, headed southeastward on SC-8 to Williamston, Pelzer, and Ware Place.  I watch the sun rise as I ride along.  The continually changing beauty I enjoy this morning can only be of God.

I turn back toward Greenville, and ride through the nearly deserted streets toward home.  On the way, I notice the clouds have formed in rippled patterns.  It looks like snow to me.  I have never seen clouds like this before.   Maybe it is another gift from above.

When I reach home, about 9:00, the temperature has only risen to 35 degrees, but I am not too chilled from my short 71-mile ride this morning.  I'm glad I went, as I may not be able to go out again for several days if the snow materializes. 

I find another surprise at home.

Someone has left presents under the Christmas tree, and some of them have my name on them! 

No coal this year for Bucky!

Merry Christmas to All 

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Snow.......Again!

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Well, it has been about eight weeks since I have ridden. It seems like ages. The weather has conspired against me. It has been cold, rainy, and occasionally snowy and icy. When it hasn't been bad weather, I have not been able to get out for other reasons.

This last Saturday, I had planned an easy trip to see a couple of local sights and, in between, have lunch at a place I have never been. Here was the plan:

• The Central Railway Model and Historical Association is a model railroad club that has set up its layout in a house in Central South Carolina. They hope to be something like the Apple Valley Model Railroad Club someday.


• Sardi's Den is a restaurant in Clemson South Carolina that is supposed to have great barbecued spareribs. (I think there may be a little college in that town, too. I forget.)


• The Lunney Museum is over in Seneca South Carolina and is located in a California-style Arts and Crafts bungalow built in 1909. It contains a collection of Victorian furniture as well as Oconee County historic memorabilia.

The ride would have been about sixty-five miles, but with three long breaks, and none of it in the mountains. It would be a "get reacquainted" ride to polish my atrophying skills.

Well, my plans were dashed when it snowed a little more than two inches the night before. I pouted a bit, but I couldn't do anything about the snow. Even though it would be melted by the next day, I try not to go out riding on Sundays. Anyway, Sunday was Valentine's Day, and I needed to be with mine, my bride of thirty-five years.

In lieu of showing you some riding pictures, I am instead posting pictures of the snowy landscape near our house:
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Just after sunrise.

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The river flows amongst the snow-covered branches.

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A little rapids here.

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A lonesome horse waits.

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I have a friend who has snapped several excellent shots in his back yard. I asked him to allow me to post them here.

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[Above two photos courtesy of Fred]

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By the way, my Valentine gave me two nice-sized gift certificates to Cycle Gear. Isn't she the greatest?
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Snow!

This morning we awoke to about three inches of snow, deposited on ice formed after heavy rain yesterday. We needed the rain desperately, so we are thankful for that...and the snow was like a gift of diamonds and pearls to feast the eyes on. I took a few shots outside before dawn. The white spots are snowflakes illuminated by the flash.



The snow and ice were also welcomed by school-age kids: No school!

Snow in South Carolina virtually paralyzes us. There is no snow removal equipment to speak of, and salt is hardly used. Most drivers have no conception about handling an automobile in slippery conditions. Sand is scattered on the road in places, particularly in the mountains. Motorcyclists especially must watch for residual sand when riding during the winter.

Alas, the fine Ninja motorcycle has to sit forlornly waiting in the garage, peeking around the corner. There is no letting it out of the barn today.

Hmmmm. ...but maybe with a set of snow tires....



The snow and ice mostly melted later in the day, and temperatures are to be in the 70s by this coming Saturday. Now that will be a good day to ride.

Addendum:
Talking about snow tires, I found this item for diehard winter motorcyclists:

I don't think I would risk riding in snow even then.