Today, we traveled some spectacular country roads, visited two famous resorts, did a little souvenir hunting, and kinda-sorta played golf.  Another 200 miles in the saddle, another memorable day.

Sadly, I wasn’t able to keep my news streak alive. After getting front-page coverage in Sunday’s News Virginian, I’d hoped to make it two in a row in the Monday paper.  No such luck.  Just your basic Wall Street Journal, free at the Staunton Comfort Inn.

Bummer. But it is a beautiful day to ride, much cooler than it has been. I don’t even take my jacket off all day. We head South on Highway 42, through some rustic areas.  First stop, Craigsville, Virginia. The reason should be obvious in the photo below.

We continue South on Highway 42, then on Highway 220, where we stop at our first resort of the day.

Yes, The Homestead, in Hot Springs, Virginia, high in the Allegheny Mountains.  The Homestead bills itself as “America’s most historic resort.”

Apparently, Sarah and I aren’t the first to brand a resort  Those of you who have stayed with us know we’ve staked out our turf — The Murr/Lesser Resort @ PGA West: “Five-Star Quality, Zero-Star Prices.”

Well, the Homestead is a true five-star resort, with golf, skiing, fishing, croquet, and other activities to attract the East coast glitterati.  The grounds are immaculate, and everything is pricey, so I hold my spending in check and buy a gift for someone at home.  We’ll keep the recipient a mystery for now.

The Homestead has a fascinating history, and is run by — PGA West folks take note — KSL Resorts.

The Homestead is just off of Virginia Highway 220, also known as Sam Snead Memorial Highway.  Turns out Sam Snead was born in Ashwood, Virginia, near Hot Springs. He worked as a caddy and later ad an assistant pro at The Homestead.

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Before continuing our journey South, Ray confirms our route, as he always does. Ray is an engineer who does everything with an engineering-like penchant for accuracy and precision.

Reminds me of my favorite movie line, from City Slickers: “We’re lost, but we’re making really good time.”

Turns out we aren’t lost at all. We head South on Highway 42, one of Virginia’s so-called “Scenic Byways.”  It is another great day for two wheels.

That’s me in the photo above.  Almost looks like I know what I’m doing.  What I’m doing is pointing my bike in the direction of our next resort stop.

It’s The Greenbrier in White Sulphur Springs, another five-star resort.  The grounds here are beautiful, too.  The Greenbrier is located on Sam Snead Blvd. In White Sulphur Springs, Virginia.

The Greenbrier has a storied history as well, and it has an even stronger Sam Snead connection.

Snead was named head pro at The Greenbrier in 1944. He went on to win 7 majors and 82 PGA tournaments, a record that may survive the Tiger Woods era.

There is Sam Snead memorabilia everywhere. Even the restaurant overlooking one of the resort’s three courses is called Slammin’ Sammy’s. So we grab a bite to eat.

Ray’s having a Sam Snead Club Sandwich. At least one of us is eating healthy.

Only a few things left to do before we saddle up. One involves supporting the local economy.  I’m shopping for Sarah.  I actually emailed her this photo while I was in the pro shop, waiting for approval from the home office. She likes it!

Finally, you may be familiar with The Greenbrier from the PGA Tour event that’s played there every summer. It’s played on the Old White course, where Stuart Appleby shot a final-round 59 last year to win the tournament by one stroke.

I consider, for a moment, playing the Old White. We’re right here, having lunch, overlooking the 18th green. Workers are busily erecting the corporate skyboxes for the event, which will be held in late July.

But two things conspire to keep me off the course:

1).  Price. Green fees are $385 for non-guests (we’re staying in the Comfort Inn!), plus $80 for a caddy and $36 for a cart. That $500 is roughly what my entire Harley Hillbilly Holiday will cost.

And 2).  The course is closed in preparation for the 2011 Greenbrier Classic.

So instead, I do the next-best thing: take a photo on the first tee, a 454-yard par 4. A person’s gotta dream, you know.

Yeah, yeah … for you purists, I did not have a club in my hands. But give me a break; I’m riding a Harley Davidson!

What will tomorrow bring?