Post by Larry M on Aug 5, 2018 20:19:58 GMT -5
Just want to say how much I enjoyed the ride on Saturday, August 4th, 2018. There were 14 vehicles and 18 people. We rode to Sophia, WV. After getting our fill at the Chinese Restaurant, we went exploring. We went looking for a Fire Tower East of Sophia. We couldn't find it, but we happened upon some locals who were drinking beverages along the side of the trail. Sure enough, they knew where the fire tower was, but they said it was inaccessible. There wasn't a road or trail to the fire tower. They said we could get close by taking a nearby trail. So we took off in that direction. We never found the tower, but we did find an incredible overlook. See pictures below. At the bottom of the Overlook was an unpaved roadway that had been hewn through the mountains. Later research revealed it will be an extension of the Coalfields Expressway. On our way back, we went through the now famous Barkers Creek mud hole. I hit the mud hole too slowly and wound up with all four wheels off the ground. I was nearly vertical. Back wheels were in the air above. Front wheels were in the mud with no traction. Bad news was my radiator was in the mud for a good deal of time, while Mike F. pulled me out with his tow rope. On my way back to Hilltop, I boiled out all of my coolant in my radiator. Warning lights kept telling me my engine was overheating. I ignored the warnings while my SxS went into limp mode and slowed down. I finally made it to the Car Wash area on Crumpler Road. Had plenty of water to clean my radiator, but engine still said it was overheating. That's when I took off my radiator cap and found no antifreeze; not even in my reservoir. Filled it up with spring water and made it home. This morning, Sunday, August 5th, Mike F. had a flat tire. While fixing it, Doc Best noticed the entire tire was sitting at an angle. Mike took his center cap off and found that the axle nut was barely on by a few threads. Found that the axle nut had sheared off the cotter pin. Its the only time I could say that someone was lucky they had a flat tire.
Here's a tidbit. Did you know that Sophia, WV was the hometown of the late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. Here's another tidbit. The Coalfields Expressway abruptly ends several miles down the road.
Pictures
Here's a tidbit. Did you know that Sophia, WV was the hometown of the late U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd. Here's another tidbit. The Coalfields Expressway abruptly ends several miles down the road.
Pictures