Tennesse Trip Day 5

Day 5

Sept 12, 2010

382 miles We started our last day the same as every other day, a prayer from our leader. Headed out at 0800, traffic was light being a Sunday. Crossed the river into Arkansas, fueled the bikes, then took the scenic route 14 through Arkansas towards home. Started cool, wearing jackets, warmed-up later. Nothing but blue sky and sun! Scott set a great pace through the hills and curves. We stopped several times for fuel and food, the last stop was at Branson.
There we said our good-byes to our friends, this is one of them, Ben. I appreciate my new friendships, these are some nice folks! God blessed us all in many ways. Its great to be home, too! I really missed my wife and family, think I'll stay home for a while now, but I know fall will provide some good riding opportunities.

Tennessee Trip Day 4

Day 4

Sept 11, 2010

0 miles

Slept in today, I think riding in the rain makes you more tired. I didn't ride the motorcycle today, although about half in our group did ride to Graceland and a Harley dealership in Mississippi--they rode in rain again this morning. I rode the trolly in Memphis instead.

Went down to Beale street for lunch, I was lookin for ribs.

Found those ribs at the Rum Boogie Cafe. Yum! Spent the afternoon checking out the stores and blues joints there on Beale street.

I met Clyde Hopkins, the Godfather of the Blues. He has a gold note on the sidewalk with his name and title on it (like a Hollywood Star, but blues in Memphis). I listened to his music and bought his CD. The gal in the store told me about Robert Plant coming in this summer and showed me her picture with him. This town isall about music and barbeque. Love it!

We ate dinner, ribs again, at the famous Rendezvous. Rode the trolly along the riverfront after dinner, then some walking, back to Beale street.

Beale street was really hopping as the sun went down. Heard a couple more blues bands, walked around looking at the crowd, then back to the hotel. Leaving bright and early for the ride home in the morning--Nancy says we're taking the scenic route, and the weather forcast is for sun!

Tennessee Trip Day 3

Day3

Sept 10, 2010

265 miles

No rain whenwe got up, on the road at 8 for a 15 mile ride to Lynchburg, TN. There we parked at the Jack Daniels Distilery to take the tour. No drinking, its a dry county.
The tour was quite interesting, takes about an hour.

This is one of 4 Jack Daniels motorcycles, a Heritage Softail.

We ate lunch at the famous Miss Mary Bobo's boarding house. Amazing, genuine southern cooking! Walked around the town for a while, the town is just a giant gift shop--whisky and tourists are the main industry. Was very peaceful place, I'd recommend stopping.

Left at 1pm to ride the 260 miles to Memphis. The sun was shing, temp was great, it was a fabulous day for a ride in the TN countryside! Well, that lasted 50 miles, then the rain started, we doned our rain gear, and rode in rain off and on for the rest of the day. Some rain was pretty darn heavy, too. Had some things to lay around the motel room to dry. We are at the Downtown Mariott where they have valet parking, but they let us park our own bikes. Ate a very late supper at the hotel. Beds were really great, slept in the next morning.

Tennessee Trip Day 2

Day2

Sept 9, 2010

313 miles

Good night's sleep at Bullwinkles. Not raining when we left at 0730, but 20 miles down the road we were stopping to put on our rain gear. Rode in light rain through the Missouri bootheel and into Tennessee. We saw a lot of cotton fields. One person in the group said they had only seen cotton on Farmville!

Put the rain suits away after lunch and had a very nice afternoon of riding, haven't used any sun screen yet. Met quite a few log trucks on the road, and enjoyed the smell of freshly sawn wood. Stopped at the Harley Davidson dealership in Columbia, TN for a while. I personally think Cycle Connection in Joplin has a way better selection of everything. It is apprently custumary to visit HD dealers along the way.

I have gotten to know all the folks riding with us, a good bunch! We checked into our motel in Tullahoma, TN and ate at a local fish fry place called Uncle Bud's. Yum! Best hushpuppies and shrimp I've tasted.

Tomorrow we head to Lynchburg for the distillery tour and Miss Mary Bobo's, and then to Memphis. Will it rain again?

Tennessee Trip Day 1

Day 1

Sept 8, 2010

266 miles

13 motorcycles and 15 people left Joplin today at 1pm from the Cycle Connection. Rode west towards Springfield and experienced sprinkles until past Springfield. Started in jeans and T-shirt, added chaps at first stop, jacket and gloves at next stop--it was getting chilly. Trying out my new full-face helmet today and really like it.

Uneventful ride down highway 60 to Poplar Bluff. Nice steak dinner at Colton's, enjoyed getting to know some of the folks I am traveling with. We're gonna have some fun! Just down the road we checked into Bullwinkle's Rustic Lodge. There is my only picture of the day. Leaving at 8 tomorrow, heading for Lynchburg, Tn. Sure hope the rain stays away.