After a very good ride to get Fried Green Tomatoes, My riding partner and I decided we should plan another trip. And when better than in three days on Saturday March 19. I had this ride on my mind for a couple of years so not much planning was needed. Our trip this time would carry us to central Georgia. We were heading to the Museum Of Aviation in Warner Robbins, Georgia. I had visited here on a previous ride and knew Craig would love it. He is an ultralight flier.
On this ride would be Craig, his wife Angie and myself. They arrived at my house at 8:15 as planned. This is the start/end point of the mapped ride. The day was perfect. Crystal blue sky, but cool. We started in leathers. We left from Rocky Ford going toward Metter. This is all county roads. In Metter, we turned onto GA121 toward Cobbtown. We stopped near I-16 interchange to fill up with gas and get some snacks. This was breakfast. While taking this break we realized it had warmed up and packed the leather away. We put on jackets and prepared to leave. Pulling out onto GA121, it is about 15 miles to Cobbtown where we took a Right onto GA152 toward Lyons. There are onion fields everywhere along this road. In Lyons, we continued straight on GA292 jumping over onto US280 in Vidalia. Lyons and Vidalia are just minutes apart. And YES, this is the Vidalia where Vidalia Onions are from!!
We followed US280 west through Mount Vernon, Glenwood, Alamo all the way to McRae. In McRae we stopped for gas and a break. US280 was mostly two lane, but a nice ride through the small towns and rural country side.
After our break we turned north out of McRae on US23/US341/GA27 toward Eastman,Ga. This road was four lane with minimal traffic. Through Eastman we continued north on US23/GA87. In Cochran our road became US23/US129/GA87. And the US129 is the same route you know as US129 home of the 'Dragon' in western North Carolina. Our road carried us to an intersection with GA96 just east of Bonaire,Ga. We turned west to Bonaire, merging onto GA247 north into Warner Robbins.
Warner Robbins is home to an Air Force Base and also the Museum of Aviation right next door. Visit www.museumofaviation.org for info on planning your trip. We went into town to find a lunch spot as it was about 12:20p.m. We figured on doing this before going to the museum.
The weather continued to be perfect as we loaded up to ride over to the museum. The sky was clear blue and the temp was near 80. excellant for a mid April ride.
There is plenty of parking at the museum near to the entrance. They have covered tables and picnic tables also for those interested in that. These are near the parking area.
We first entered the Eagle Building. The museum is FREE, but there are collection boxes around for a donation. It is solely run off of donations and grants and volunteers. There are five buildings housing planes and articles associated with flight. Many artifacts from WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War are on display. Most of these are personal items on loan to the museum.
There are many planes restored and displayed so as to allow you very close access. Some of which you can actually touch a part of. There is also a static display outside of the buildings. You can walk under great large Cargo planes, fighter jets and the great work horse, the B-52 bomber. There are to many things to describe here. I will let the pictures below show you. Visit the website to learn more.
Above; This is a P-51 Mustang
Above; This is a Spitfire like those used by the Flying Tigers who flew missions over China.
Below; The great SR-71 Black Bird spy plane. (now retired)
I hope the pictures themselves will entice you to make the trip.
We stayed til closing at five. Never did get outside to view the planes on display on the grounds. We sat in the grass under the wing of a plane to discuss dinner plans and the return trip.
Craig said we were only 18 miles from Macon. There are many choices for dinner there. There are many choices in Warner Robbins as well. Angie stated she had a taste for a slice of Vinnie's pizza. I said it was settled then. Let's load and ride down to Savannah.
We geared up and headed out to GA96 east. Followed GA96 to I-16. Took I-16 east toward Savannah. We stopped just off I-16 at Dublin for a break and for gas. Back on the road on I-16 we locked in on the top speed you can run before gettting a GEORGIA SUPER SPEEDER FINE, 85mph. We stopped again at the exit for GA67 to get gas and to put on a jacket. It had gotten near dusk and had cooled off alot.
After this break, our next stop... Montgomery Square, downtown Savannah, Georgia. Off one side of this square between East and West Bryant streets is 'City Market'. This is a area of small shops and small local resturants. Vinnie-Van-Go Go's New York style pizza is on Montgomery Square end of the market. Sold by the slice or pie. This is great pizza. Also it is a 'cash only' resturant.
We had a long wait due to the after Saint Patrick's day celebration was in full swing. After getting our table we learned only pies could be ordered. No slices during the event. We enjoyed our pizza, beer and talking with the owner for a while as well.
After the dinner the hour was late, so we geared up to ride home. Getting around through the blocked streets are trouble at times. But though crowded with traffic, most everyone was patient. We made it to Bay Street and headed north to Garden City. Here we exited onto GA21 and followed it back into Screven County where we split up in Newington and headed on to our homes.
This completed two rides on two seperate days in the same week for Craig and I. We covered somewhere near 830 miles never leaving the state of Georgia!!
Great friends and great rides....that's what it's about.
This is a motorcycle ride in the state of Georgia. This motorcycle route has 8 scenery characteristics and other road conditions to help you plan your road trip. This motorcycle map was created by troy30455 in June. Click here to see other Motorcycle Roads by troy30455