My parents are in hurricane-ravaged Fort Myers. I would like to see them. Flying, rental car, hotel…been there, done that. It’s 950 miles each way, but with all my available vacation, and a BMW K1600GT motorcycle, could I make a multi-stop trip and enjoy myself?

My parents are not the easiest to help, even with the obvious need. They live in a massive retirement complex, but my visit each day needs to be very short in duration, and in ways that are hopefully positive in emotion. My sister and family are also in the same area, so visiting them would be part of the visit.

So, I’m thinking this forum might have ideas for enjoyable spots along the way? If I ride the BMW, I would have about 250 miles before fueling, and I have NO experience on a long motorycle trip. Never done it. It would be a bucket list event. If I had to stop a couple of places along the way, spend the night, see some sight, take a few pictures, I’d be happy.

USS Savannah? Don Garlits Ocala FL museum? I really gots no ideas. If you have any suggestions, for enjoyable places to visit between Richmond VA and Fort Myers FL it would help me decide if I want to drive, ride, or fly.

Stop at Buc-ees at least once. You’ll hit the one in Florence, SC, first - right off 95.

It’s not optional and will change your life if you’ve never been.

-Rob

Have you ridden the Tail of the Dragon?

Have toured Tail Of Dragon thrice.

Do you like watches?

DavidSW is on International Drive in Orlando and you get to ride on I-4, which is just like the Tail of the Dragon except instead of turns and trees it has multiple lanes of bumper to bumper traffic all trying to kill you for miles and miles.

I wouldn't go down 95.
Go west and down I81, maybe some parts on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Some back country parts along I77 and from there you're on your own.

quote:

Originally posted by 220-9er:
Go west and down I81, maybe some parts on the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Definitely this! It's a time consuming road but the views are spectacular.

JP

quote:

make the trip memorable and enjoyable

I'm thinking enjoyable often starts with avoiding unpleasant surprises. So here are two suggestions.

1) Winter in the mountains:
Keep in mind winter comes early in the mountains, and rainstorms often turn to ice/snow at altitude. I'm not a biker but enjoyable seems a possible stretch, if storms come up.

I'd want a really clear forecast and a plan B before planning to do a lot of mountain stretches.

2) Check in advance re: accommodations
I would bet a lot of people still haven't gotten their homes liveable in the Ft. Myers area post-Ian, and that would tend to drive up hotel occupancy, possibly making rooms scarce/expensive. It would be worth checking that out beforehand, unless you're planning on staying with your sister.

Drop everything and go to this museum in Savannah, GA.
https://www.mightyeighth.org/

I stopped here for a night while riding my R1200GS from Fairfax, VA down to Jacksonville, FL for transport to Phoenix, AZ. Poured rain all the way too.

Mighty 8th AF Museum...good idea
Buc-ee's...need to visit
DavidSW...poor man, not able to enjoy

Find Big Enos and see if he needs me to take beer from Richmond to Fort Myers...why didn't I think of that. I bet he is on Facebook.

For years we used to travel down to Tampa to see the Orioles play the Rays. Now I travel down to the Ocala/Orlando area to see my parents.

When I was leaving from Richmond, and now Durham I always stop at the 8th Air Force Museum to walk around.

Another great place to stop and stretch your legs is:
Fort Clinch State Park - Amelia Island, Florida

A well-preserved Civil War era fort and beautiful natural surroundings make up Fort Clinch State Park with daily tours, trails, biking and hiking, ...

EDIT:

I am not sure what your likes or dislikes are:
I am a history buff so most of my stops are for historical sights:

There are various sights in Brunswick, GA

Just past Savannah near Richmond Hill is Fort Mcallister state Park.

Fort McAllister State Park is a 1,725 acres Georgia state park located near Keller and Richmond Hill in south Bryan County, Georgia and on the south bank of the Ogeechee River. It is roughly ten miles south of Savannah. The park is home to Fort McAllister, the best-preserved earthwork fortification of the Confederacy. Wikipedia

Old Fort James Jackson is a restored nineteenth-century fort located one mile east of Savannah, Georgia, on the Savannah River. It hosts the Fort Jackson Maritime Museum

This message has been edited. Last edited by: mrapteam666,

Based on the responses thus far, it seems there won't be much to make the trip enjoyable. If you haven't done it yet, you can make it memorable and get some bragging rights by riding 1,000 miles in a single day.

Drive north for an hour and a half, then take the auto train to Sanford. Have a steak, get a good night’s sleep.


Sorry, 95 sucks, as do 77, 81, 85, 75…..you choose

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the auto train every time I’ve done it

quote:

Originally posted by Kevbo:
Drive north for an hour and a half, then take the auto train to Sanford. Have a steak, get a good night’s sleep.


Sorry, 95 sucks, as do 77, 81, 85, 75…..you choose

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the auto train every time I’ve done it

this,

I would drive 95 over 81 any day of the week,

also a RVA native, and have been to the 8th museum,

suggest making a bee line to the Rents,, the slow cruise back,

savannah, Charleston, etc maybe a ride up the coast

Isn’t the weather rather unstable for a motorcycle trip with time constraints at this time of the year?

Barber Museum. Cars and motorcycles.

It is one of the few “MUST DO THIS items” on my stateside bucket list

Believe it is near Atlanta in north Georgia.

Maybe do it traveling down and again on the return.

Think there is another one. Something like “Wheels Through Time” museum in the Maggie Valley, NC. All motorcycles. All running condition.

Maybe one stop southbound, the other northbound. Being a BMW rider, those two places should eclipse your visit to FLA.

Were I to do such a trip (from PA) I might leave a few days to sit out any inclement weather. On a bike in the rain is not a pleasant trip.

Ybor City to the cigar district if you are into cigars.

The Barber Museum is east of BHM in Leeds, Alabama (Right off I-20 about 120 miles from ATL). There is not only a Bass Pro Shops, the Barber Motorsports track but there is a Bucee's as well. Sort of a BHM trifecta.