DAY 13 "THE TRACE" DAY 14 WALKING IN MEMPHIS

DAY 13

It was a good day, headed out late after waiting for the fog to lift this morning. That was ok since I got to bed late watching a Man From U.N.C.L.E. golden oldie on tv. Headed north and found another beautiful road through the Talladega National Forest. I never get tired of smooth roads crowded right to the shoulder with trees then opening up into small towns with large farms on the outskirts. Finally jumped on a divided road to get us to the Natchez Trace but ended up on a narrow two lane winding back and forth for miles before getting to the trace. I’m amazed how well the county roads are maintained, they have almost all been in great shape, smooth pavement, no  billboards, in fact almost no signs at all including how far to the next town. Someday we will come back and ride the entire 444 miles of the trace, a road similar to the Blue Ridge. (CLICK FOR INFO) We have ridden Trace two times but still fail to have covered all of it. We stopped at the Meriwether Lewis grave site along the Trace next to the log cabin where he is believed to have committed suicide. In his 36 years he managed to explore the west as head of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, serve as a secretary to the president and become governor of the Louisiana Territory. 

I've also noticed that most of the southern states appear to be lacking in the teaching of general life skills, I don’t know if this is a school curriculum issue or a funding issue. We have noticed that many squirrels, possums, armadillos, snakes, deer and one alligator never received any training in how to safely check for traffic before crossing the street.

DAY 14

W.C. Handy
Won't you look down over me
Yeah, I got a first class ticket
But I'm as blue as a boy can be

Then I'm walking in Memphis
I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?

I saw the ghost of Elvis on Union Avenue
Followed him up to the gates of Graceland
Then I watched him walk right through

Now, security did not see him
They just hovered round his tomb
But there's a pretty little thing
Waiting for the King
And she's down in the jungle room

When I was walking in Memphis
I was walking with my feet ten feet off of Beale
Walking in Memphis
But do I really feel the way I feel?

Marc Cohn

Short day today trying to stay away from the terrible weather plaguing so much of this part of the country. Started with a quick run to Memphis where we spent a few hours walking Beale street down by the river front. This is the birthplace of American blues and still very much alive with music along with the ever present tourist trap souvenir shops.

Left Memphis headed north on more green dotted scenic roads stopping for the night a hundred miles up the road. Managed to stay dry all day riding under cool cloudy skies dressed appropriately and looking good. Also posted new pictures.

Do you remember those days hanging out
At the village green?
Engineer boots, leather jackets
And tight blue jeans
Drop a dime in the box play the
Song about New Orleans
Cold beer, hot lights
My sweet romantic teenage nights

Billy Joel

Yea there’s something about leather jackets, jeans, boots, and Harleys that make us feel young again until the aches and pains start or we get to close to a mirror. Finished the day with some good laughs, a good meal, and a cup of coffee in the hotel lobby.