Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/738714
67 www.thunderpress.net THUNDER PRESS nNovember 2016n view, abloom with huge crepe myrtle trees. We know we are working our way into new territory as cloud-capped mountaintops appear. Copperhead Lodge in Blairsville, Georgia, is our destination and it is a bikers retreat. Owner Michelle Evans rides with us for the rest of the ride, after hosting a night at her cottage resort. Each cabin is decorated in mountain décor, complete with hot tubs, grills and garages. A large rus- tic lodge has a stone motorcycle set over the fi replace and a welcoming bar, dining area, outside deck with fi replace, a pool and outdoor amphi- theater. This is heavenly and we don't want to leave, but dawn brings Day 3 of the Dream Ride. From Copperhead Lodge, we head out via the Great Smoky Mountain Expressway and Blue Ridge Parkway, to Little Switzerland, a tiny village with a Swiss Alps feel. Riders meet a group of very enthusiastic athletes from several counties for the medal ceremony and settle in for dinner. The charming inn overlooks the mountains and is nearly as spectacu- lar at dusk as sunrise over the crest, which we see during breakfast before we get on the road to the next stop, Lynchburg, Virginia. In Lynchburg the Craddock Terry Hotel is a favorite stop. The cobble- stone streets give way to the renovated shoe factory turned top-notch boutique hotel. The decor, excellent service and food make this place as special as its Special Olympics programs. Here, the State of Virginia shared how their pro- grams have grown to include sports, education, health and community, thanks to the Dream Ride. On to Smoke Hole Caverns & Log Cabin Resort in Cabins, West Virginia! Winding roads through bucolic farm country and small towns take us to Douthat State Park for a picnic lunch. The route makes this a favorite ride and destination as the Smoke Hole Resort drops off Northfork Highway in the middle of nowhere, into a circle of log cabins surrounding a big stone house. There, the athletes challenged the riders with their cheerleading talent. They went one-on-one with a group of Enforcers who followed the athletes' lead in a hilarious cheer-off with everyone winning in the competi- tion over laughs and hugs. After a team bike washing, we were all cleaned up in time for a fabu- lous dinner, including homegrown gar- den vegetables from the Smoke Hole garden. The morning breakfast under cloudy skies and imminent rain led to a delayed departure. We left in rain gear, expecting the storm to pass, as it did, after just enough rain ruined our washing efforts, but not our spirits. We were on to Hazelton, Pennsylvania. The ride to Hazelton goes through historic Gettysburg, which is worth a ride any day to experience the National Military Park, battlefi elds and cem- eteries. Our visit could only accom- modate a brief lunch at Battlefi eld Harley-Davidson, an impressive store with an outdoor pavilion, but we were back on the road to reach the Hazelton athletes. Over a festive pizza party at the Hampton Inn, the athlete meet-and- greet was emotional and fun with the outdoor patio offering a gorgeous view of the area. Friday, anticipation mounts as riders ready for the fi nal day ride into Farmington where the three-day Dream Ride Experience kicks into gear. Though mostly highway, the Connecticut State Police escort into Farmington from Danbury is impres- s ive as the police help the caravan maneuver through traffi c and road construction. As the ride pulls into its fi nal destination at the Farmington Marriott Hotel, hundreds of athletes and fans wait with banners and signs. It makes the fi nal stop rewarding and exciting and is the start of the weekend festivities. This year, in addition to the Saturday athletic events, Dream Cruise, Sunday bike ride, and car show, a bike show and midway were added to expand the fun. After enjoying all the vendors, raffl es, shows and rides, everyone joined together for the closing award ceremonies. More gifting came as Bozzuto presented the Connecticut State Troopers with new helmets as thanks for their ongoing support. Presenting the record total $1.5 million check at the awards ceremony is an emotional experience for Bozzuto who tearfully thanked the athletes for their efforts and inspiration. "We all learn and get so much from you!" he said with open arms. "Everyone here has a heart that is 10 times bigger than most humans' hearts and we are so happy to keep 'bringing the world together, one smile at a time!'" I realized as we left each of the Dream Ride destinations, we didn't want to leave. We wanted to stay longer to enjoy the experience—the "high" of riding, loving and sharing in spectacular places. Leaving the Dream Ride is the same; that is why we keep coming back for more—making dreams come true. The Dream Ride 2017 will take place August 25–27. To be a part of the Dream, visit www.dreamride.org. 4 Athletes, bikers and Doll Face girl band party at the Dream Ride Cheer-off between West Virginia athletes and the Enforcers MC Steve Kent of Massachusetts sharing the biker experience Dream Ride Continued from page 42