SPRING: IT'S COMING...I can feel the drums!

Actually, it's only early February,but here in North East Tennessee we've had a very mild winter and bikes have been out more than they have been put up. NICE! 

The weather has been in the high 50's with a few days where the mercury has soared into the low sixties! This is the kind winter weather we as riders pray for. It's a blessing from ... well if you have God, it's from God. If you have something else such as Karma .... perhaps it's just that this region has been blessed with good Karma? How ever you choose to garner your blessings, it's what it is. I'm happy to have what I got. Yes, the days can be a bit damp and cold, but I'm still riding. Life is good. 

I have been planning to ride to Columbia, TN for Mule Days. This is a celebration of the animal that started our trek across America as the pioneers started to make their way from East to West. The event continues for the entire Spring season! It's amazing. 


Starting on Feb. 25,2012 You can start your day watching mules in the Tennessee state pulling contest, and close the day with a beauty pagent. OK, so the gals are dressed in blue jeans and plaid shirts not bikinis. It's still pretty girls contesting one another on stage. It could be fun...maybe? But the real fun starts with the wagon train that wends it's way through middle Tennessee on the back roads for 2 days of slow mule paced plodding. Still, it has to be quite the sight. You can join for a ride and a night of camping for only $60 bucks! If you choose to come to the park and forego the mule train, admission for the day is 8 bucks or you can get a weekend pass for 15 dollars. Don't forget you can also camp for the weekend. I want to do this. Even if I can only stay one day. I'd better let my boss know I need a day off for this event. 


You can find more information here: MULE DAYS 


Did y'all hear? Last week I was riding around the Mars Hill N.C. area,

 and I stopped for gas. As I was in the store pre-paying for my fuel, some guy shouts "Hey! That guy just knocked that bike over at the pumps!" I fly out the door to give the joker some of my well earned ass chewing and to pick up my bike when he slides out from under my bike and jumps into a waiting pickup truck and takes off. 
I pick the bike up and check for damage. Not seeing any I go back inside to pay for the gas. The guy inside (whose ethnicity I shall not get into) is laughing his ass off at my predicament. I quietly tell him that he should remember me the next time he is facing down the barrel of a gun while some yahoo is robbing his store. It's the same feeling of helplessness and anger. That kind of shut him up. 

I fueled up and rolled out to the road, only to realize I didn't have a front brake. OK, Fred Flintstone panic stop before I get my wits and use the rear brake. Scary stuff. The front brake line had broken at the banjo fitting on the master cylinder. I'm ducking fluid as it squirts toward my face. Yeah, that was the muckiest part of it all (next almost dying.) My bike was down for a week, but the great guys at Smith Brothers Harley Davidson took care of me (as they always do) with compassion and speed. I love ya, Willard, Big John, and Tim.

So boys and girls, this is the start of a new year of riding.  I love the ride, rain or cold, sun or clouds, it's the ride that counts and the sights along the way!  Get yer dreams dusted and come on...let's ride!  

234(+) Miles, roads and sights you want to see!

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I live a rather nice life. I take care of my Mom and my Mr. and in return, I'm given time every week to ride and go where I please, for as long as it takes for me to accomplish this task.

Yesterday started out rather good. I awoke at 5:30 AM, and unable to go to sleep, I went about packing my day pack. I had made plans to ride to Sevierville TN. and back...I was excited about the prospects of all I had researched, the places to see, the things to do along the way.

As daylight encroached upon the domain of the night, it quickly became apparent the skies were not going to be the expected and much wanted "sunny and warm" days of both Saturday and Sunday. (Both these days had been called to have scattered rain showers with thunder storms late in the day. Both days had so much sunshine, I don't believe I saw a single drop of rain until the evening hit!) That wasn't to be the case on this day.

I bit my lip...I worried this and that...I really wanted to go for a ride. I checked the weather reports on two separte weather stations on the web...well, if the weather guy is to be believed, where I'm going is going to have some fairly good weather. I make the decision to ride...so what if I have to ride through some rain to get to the good stuff. Exposure to the weather is one of the great reasons we choose to ride!

I'm packed and on the roads. There is a fine misting all the way to Greeneville on Route 11 with one very heavy downpour just outside of Greeneville...My ass got quite wet...but my feet stayed dry. I love my old work boots...they keep me secure in any weather...and support my feel and ankles, (unlike those damn HD boots.) I wanted to photograph this neat old house in Greeneville...look at it...it's wonderful!



I jump on Route 11 business heading south toward Route 321. Once on RT. 321...I am in and out of rain for about another 20 miles...until just before Parrotville, TN.
This is one of the first sights that greet me with the sun's face...



Just before entering the town limits...I see this...I turn around to read what it's all about...and it turns out it's quite a find!



This is Swaggerty Fort, one of only two known remaining blockhouses in Tennessee. was built about 1787 by James Swaggerty for protection from the Indians. Located on land of his Uncle Abraham Swaggerty, it consists of three levels. The cantilevered structure was built over a stream which provided a water supply.



I climb on my trusty old girl...and ride about a mile down the road...I see what appears to be a Chevy P/U graveyard...how wrong can one be?







I pull in to take photos, and Woody steps out...



He's delighted to show me what he's doing...



He's restoring them...and turning them into classic cool hotrods, like the kids of the 1950's did...



You can find Woody at his shop building these amazing works of art...his shop is on RT 321 just outside of Parrotsville, about four miles north of Newport.
Less than a mile from Woody's shop...this sight came into view...I had to pull over and get this shot...I did not use a blueing lens for this shot...it is as I saw it...



Soon, I was in Newport. It's a quaint town, with a really cool old downtown district. I love this train depot...still in use by the railroad today...but not as a public building...



I like standing in the train tracks and getting shots like these....



There were many unquie buildings as I passed through this town. I have pictures, but this is the most important find from Newport TN. It was in the "bad" section of town, parked in front of the town's soup kitchen, owned by a volunteer who was there.



A stock, 1977, 750 Triumph....WOW!



One more view of God's country...Just outside of town...



Continueing on...just outside of Cosby TN., still traversing Route 321, I stopped here...I liked this nice little place. I went inside and asked if there were any covered bridges nearby...they told me about one!



I followed directions from a very nice and friendly local lady...and this is what I found....how fricken lovely?






This is the view out of one of the windows of the covered bridge...simply stunning!



I have many stunning views from this bridge of the surrounding area, but this one is the most...weird...this is a picture of a wedding party...the preacher just got done with the nuputuals...and is using the brides back to sign the paper work...OK....moving along....



Still on Route 321 inbetween Cosby and Pittman Center where the bridge was, I stopped at this wood worker's place...I guess the parrot could be for someone who lives in Parrotville?



I got quite a few shots at this place, thinking this guy's work was really good...



But compared to the next place I stopped at...which was very close to the Foothills Parkway...well see for yourself...













Returning to Newport, I jump on US 25/70 and head East toward Hot Spings NC. As your coming down the mountain into town...this monument sits on the side of the road.





Hot Springs is a cool little town with hiking, tubing, and the hot springs to keep you amused....Hot Springs, NC Is just 40 minutes north of Asheville. They are located at the junction of the Appalachian Trail and the French Broad River in a valley surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and the Pisgah National Forest. And, still to this day Hot Springs has the distinction of being the only town with hot mineral spring water in the Southeastern United States. And, North Carolina's only town that sits astride the Appalachian Trail.

Still on US 25/70...but not for long...these inspiring views come to me!







I'm now nearing the end of my journey...but it is no less inspiring...leaving US 25/70 for County RD 213 East...I'm heading for Mars Hill.

Mars Hill is a town that is rich in history, character, and people. It is located in the southern portion of Madison County, North Carolina in an area known for its beautiful mountain views and picturesque setting. The town's history is inextricably linked with that of Mars Hill College, the oldest educational institution, still in its original location, in Western North Carolina.

Leaving Mars Hill, I approach I-26. I avoid this interstate like the plage, but sometimes you have to ride it for a section at a time. I got off at the next exit...which put me on Route 19 North. They are working here...guess they need to make a four lane highway that goes to nowhere...lord what a mess, but it's the only way to get to US 19W. What another glorious ride through the mountains...curvy, twisty...green and lush, following the French Broad River as it makes it's way down the mountains...what a rush this road is...





All along this road you will find these suspension bridges connecting the home owners to their mailboxes on the main road...wow...



It started to rain pretty hard on this leg of the journey...but I still managed some pictures between the rain drops!



The picture above is just to the left of the suspension bridge...this is what they were crossing over...

Ladies and gents...we have come to the end of your participation of my ride...this is the last picture before I come into Erwin...which is a very close town to where I live...it was raining cats and dogs...and the cats were winning. I was tired, hungry and wet...so I went stright home!



One last thought for ya...this is after all the Bible Belt....