2008, Our 1st BRP End-2-End.

We made 4 "long weekend" trips from 5/29/08 until 10/18/08. We used as our "hub": Waynesville, NC, Boone, NC, Roanoke, VA and Waynesboro, VA. Wayne rode a 2002 Yamaha VStar 650 Classic and Karin rode a 2007 Yamaha VSTAR 650 Custom (aka "Red Rocket"), which we trailered to and from our home in Raleigh, NC. From Waynesville, NC we also rode to Pigeon Forge, TN and back via 441, which was a blast. What we call the "Asheville Elbow" gets our vote for the overall best section of the BRP. Other BRP favorites are: The Highest Point, Aunt Orlena's Cabin, Mabry Mill, James River, Craggy Gardens, Mt Mitchell (great restaurant), The Tunnels (honk the horn), Linn Cove Viaduct, the Roanoke Mountain, the high ridge just north of Roanoke to name a few. We packed plenty of beverages, food, a ground cloth and took many long rest stops...some of which included a nap..or 2! From Wayneboro, VA we also rode north for half of Skyline Drive too! We visited many local restaurants along the way, trying to find those "special" spots to eat. We have ridden the BRP on 2 and 4 wheels for over 30 years, and we always said "we must ride it end to end"...and now we have. The BRP becomes a part of you that you can't stand to be away from for very long...and we won't. Remeber, "take away nothing but your memories, pictures and video and leave nothing behind but your foot prints".

- Wayne and Karin from Raleigh, NC