A Great Group Of People
For nine years now a rag-time team of good friends has been doing their own thing to support the Blue Ridge Parkway. In their words which are annually renewed when I meet them is “we want to help” and “we wish that more people would join us.”
Under the banner of Cruis’in the Blues, Richard McDevitt of Charlotte and Ray Mayeu of Asheville have provided the leadership for a very small scale event when they ride from one end of the Parkway to the other — sometimes, north; sometimes, south but always staying in the best that the Parkway has to offer — Peaks of Otter Lodge, Doughton Park, and the Pisgah Inn. I have accused them of riding, eating, and sleeping; riding,eating, and sleeping; riding, eating, sleeping. They do not deny the accusation and I witnessed the same when after what I consider a very full meal at Tuggles Gap Restaurant, deserts were ordered almost all the way around.
Their perennial grins are what bring me back every year to offer my encouragement; to congratulate them on their accomplishment and endearing enthusiasm for the Blue Ridge Parkway.
The check that they present to us every year for the “money raised” pales to their sincere patronage that is genuinely portrayed in the expressions on their faces.
We thank them for sharing in the journey of the Blue Ridge Parkway which connects, as they have discovered, a lifetime of enriching memories.
This is the ride that i wait for every year. It was great to see y’all and to meet the new friends. I can hardlyh wait till next year and keep up the good work.
Houck,
Great to see you again. We want to thank you and your staff for all you do in support of the Parkway and our group. We start planning and counting down to next years ride almost the moment we get back. We’re glad to help. We definitely meet some interesting people along the Parkway, but that’s another story!
Thanks Houck!
If I was able to take only one motorcycle trip a year, I would do everything in my power to make sure this was the one.
The Cruisin’ the Blues gang plays but a small part in the preservation of this American treasure, but it’s worth each and every aching bone and sore muscle when we return home.
Houck,
Thanks for kind entry on the event and what a great blog!
The ride is a labor of love, absolutely. And we’re always glad to see you and get all the latest Parkway news.
We seem to get a little larger group every year as news of this friendly, inclusive ride grows. This year we had folks from Ohio, Pennsylvania and North Carolina on everything from BMWs to Buells and Goldwings to Yamahas. That’s cool because, as you know, we like bikes!
Looks like a record year for fundraising as well….totals and a check to BRPF next week.
Many thanks and ride well!
Richard McDevitt