We're stopped for the night and the map on the wall of the Holiday Inn says we are on the Tennessee River in Florence Alabama, what the hell happened to the Mississippi? Well let me tell you about it, after dinner last night started talking about time and the rising river and that got me thinking. So…this morning after breakfast we headed east for the Natchez Trace and turned northeast for parts unknown, spent most of the day riding the Trace.
The Natchez Trace was originally a bison migration route, and then the Indian tribes of the area began following the “trace” as a trail in the thick forests. President Jefferson ordered the army to improve it for wagon travel as a route from Nashville TN to Natchez MS. Today it is a two lane road winding through the forest with limited access and no commercial development. There is dense forest on both sides of the road occasionally meeting overhead to form a green tunnel then opening into a meadow so thick with wildflowers that the smell is overpowering from the bike, under high thin clouds and 70 degree weather. All this with no cross streets, fifty mile per hour speed limit smooth pavement and a Harley.
Pulled off the Trace to have lunch in some little town and drove from end to end looking for anything that looked like a place to eat. The biggest thing happening in town was the bake/rummage sale at the Pentecostal church we stopped all sales by rumbling by. Found the only place in town to eat the “Family Drive In” pulled in and had a great lunch served by a friendly family.
Stopped early today, lots of daylight left, but everyone needed to do laundry after six days on the road. Quick trip to the Laundromat then back to the motel for a soak in the hot tub where we discovered half a dozen young kids in the pool. Jan started and soon we were all doing cannonballs into the pool stirring up the kids to the consternation of the ladies watching them.
When we walk by a mirror it looks like a group of old guys that ride motorcycles but when I play back the days conversations and actions in my head it’s more like a group of teenagers on their first road trip, great group to be riding with.
Headed towards the Cherohala Parkway and Tail of the Dragon tomorrow.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
Chuck, that's a good call to head east for awhile. Looks like the 'ole' river is expanding her boundries...Be careful on the tail and hang on!!!!Carroll Venard
WOW! What a great day you had! Will my "teenager" be coming home with that attitude?? Am catching up, all is well here, just busy...Love you and ditto to Carroll's comment to be careful!
Post a Comment