I have thoroughly enjoyed riding around in South Carolina for a couple days.  I started yesterday with a leisurely ride up to Greenville.  Some of my adopted family lives there and they have been stationed in Hawaii for a while so I haven’t seen them in 3 or 4 years.

South Carolina has some very good motorcycle roads and it’s the last place I’ll be able to ride without a helmet for awhile.  Here’s a map of where helmets are required, just in case you were wondering..

I don’t know all the numbers but you would think that if the yellow states were saving tons of money, and/or lives, with their helmet laws, the other states would get on board….

I got a bit of a late start this morning, which if I must admit it, was by design.  I spent some extra time on the computer and avoided starting my ride with all the cold gear on.  It’s not THAT cold but mid 50’s is a chilly way to start the day.  SO – I waited for the sun to get a little higher in the sky, besides – it’s a short day.

Good ridin’ roads with some elevation changes and turns.  It was fun to get the sides of my new tires into the game.  Pretty tame roads with some traffic here and there but overall, I was very happy to be in the hills vs. flat lands.

This is Gather GVL (Greenville).  It’s kinda like a food court at a shopping mall but with over 20 places to eat.  The Mexican place has a full bar, there’s Hen Dough (Chicken & Donuts), Lob Father (Lobster Rolls etc.) The Big Rinkowski (Pub food) — you get the idea.  If these buildings look like shipping containers to you – you’re right.  Cleverly placed shipping containers.  And they are busy for sure.  These open seats were all being saved by someone and every couple minutes someone else asked if they could take one or two.

Brandy, Jayson and I had a very nice visit and some good food to go with it.  Downtown Greenville has a lot of other stuff including a creek/river with a waterfall that runs right through the middle.  What do you do with that – build a park around it.  Falls Park

Both retired from the Air Force and enjoying their new, high tech, working from home jobs.  We are very happy for both of you and look forward to seeing you more often.

I had a little electrical problem with the bike yesterday.  It’s acting like the voltage regulator isn’t working.  Lucky me – there is a Harley dealer here in town and they can get me in first thing.  I packed up and headed out.  When I got a block or so away, I decided maybe I should get something to eat.  Well Lookie HERE….

The HOT sign wasn’t on, but as you can see – they were as fresh as a donut gets.  One or two of those and a pint of cold milk was just what the Dr. ordered.  I was optimistic on my way to get the bike worked on and was outside the Service doors 15 minutes before they opened.  They were waiting for me and got the bike right in.  I thought too late that I shoulda brought a couple dozen Krispy Kreme’s with me for the service crew.  For those of you that don’t know – When you are “on the road” and need to get your Harley worked on, the dealerships move your bike to the front of the line.  I’ve taken advantage of this more than once or twice.  In fact, if I had to wait in line – I might be riding something else.

With over 80K miles on her, my bike is starting to wear parts out.  The electrical problem was in fact the voltage regulator but the reason it was ruined is because the stator (alternator in a car) was fried.  In addition, they found that the compensator was worn out, and a few other things.  They replaced about 2/3 of the metal you see lying there on the lift table.  I was very lucky that they had all the parts.  This is what the stator looked like.

A great big shout out to L-Rod.  This guy is the Scotty Sheffler of the torque wrench!!  He got right on my bike and was happy to discuss the repair and options with me.  I was very impressed – Thanks Again L-Rod, if I’m ever here again, I’ll be asking for you.

L-Rod got me out of there with enough of the day left to go for a ride.  Everything was working well again and I headed for Campbell’s Covered Bridge.  The road out there is a designated scenic route and I have to agree, best in SC so far.

There were nice houses all around this lake.  And, it didn’t look like they were too close together.  (remember you can click on the image to make it full size and zoom in)  I could live on a lake, but I’m very happy living on a ranch instead.

One more day in SC tomorrow as I make my way back to the Atlantic Ocean.  You’ve likely heard it before but I’ll leave you with this quote:  All Who Wander are Not Lost