Jonathan Smith is a web designer, graphic designer, and photographer in Harrisburg, PA.

My vacation time was just approved so now I’m going to start planning my two motorcycle vacations.

First I will be going to the BMW Finger Lakes Rally in Watkins Glen New York over Labor Day weekend. I’ve heard good things about this rally and have been asked for two years to attend. This will be my first motorcycle rally. The BMW Dutch Country Riders will have a cabin but I’m planning on taking my tent and sleeping bag in case some people are too loud and obnoxious. Can’t wait to ride into this part of New York!

Next I will be attending the Rally in the Poconos being held by the Black Diamond Beemers from September 25th to the 27th. This rally will be held at Indian Head Camp near Lookout, PA. Again, the BMW Dutch Country Riders are planning on having a lake side cabin here so I will take advantage of that.

My first motorcycle trip of the year will be to the Great Smoky Mountain Thumper Thaw which will be held in Cruso, North Carolina from April 23rd to April 26th, 2009. It will be a fun time camping at the Blue Ridge Motorcycle Campground and finally give me a chance to ride the Blue Ridge Parkway. It’s currently 21 degrees outside and mind is racing of thoughts of riding around the Smoky Mountains with a bunch of other inmates from f650.com. I’m choosing to stay in a cabin for the simple fact that the weather can still get mighty chilly at night and the elevation will play into the nighttime temperatures as well. Plus I’ll lighten up the bike a bit by not having to strap on the tent. Spring can’t come soon enough!

BMW offers some excellent riding events called XPLOR events. I attended the XPLOR the Pine Barrens event held in New Jersey last April and had an amazing time and met so many wonderful people.

I learned that BMW is holding another XPLOR event in Charlottesville, Virginia called XPLOR Blue Ridge. The event will be split into an off-road event and tarmac event and is being held June 13th, 14th, and 15th. The off-road event requires knobby tires which I don’t have on my bike so I opted for the tarmac event. These events fill up quickly so I contacted the event organizer and asked to be put on a waiting list. On Friday I found that some people dropped out and I was confirmed as a participant.

The event will be be staged from the Best Western Charlottesville Airport Inn & Suites. After some searching I found someone who had reserved a room for the event. A phone call later and I have someone to share a room with. So I’ll only be paying for one night.

More details on the event:

Join BMW XPLOR for a unique double ride event to discover the best of the Blue Ridge. It’s another of our famous off-road GS rides, but with a twist – we can now accommodate tarmac riders too. There is no charge for participation, as this is a way for BMW Motorcycles to say “thank you” to our fellow BMW devotees for all of their support.

Roam the Tarmac with Nate Kern

For our on-road participants on any of our BMW motorcycles, you will be given a route sheet for self-guided tours of the beautiful Virginia Piedmont region, featuring historic sites, horse farms, wineries and some of the best unknown two lane roads you’ll ever see. Well-known BMW Moto-ST racer Nate Kern will take out his personal bike to join up for one of the tarmac routes and he’ll show you how the track really can make you a safer street rider. You will link up with the off-road riders for dinner at the end of the day Saturday and of course, swap stories to argue about who had the most fun. You set your own pace: just remember, you are on public roads in a state not well-known for the tolerance of its police force or the laxity of its speeding fines, so be careful out there!

All participants will receive swag bags, a dinner banquet on Saturday night and much more, all FREE! You pay for your transportation to and from the event, hotel accommodations, and a meal or two — the rest is on us! Off-Road participants will receive training, maps and GPS routes (BMW Navigator/Garmin format).

I can’t wait!