Day 2 Soggy Trip To Sweetwater, Tennessee

Day 2 Oldham Theatre Winchester, originally uploaded by Gail S.

It was a rough start today. We went to the town square to get this photo. It was such a pleasant surprise to find the Oldham Movie Theatre on the town square in Winchester, Tennessee. The entire historic downtown is undergoing renovation, and the theatre is showing current movies.

When we left the town square, I directed us to the wrong highway, so we had a side trip to Dechard and Estill Springs. Finally, with the help of a fellow biker who spotted us on the side of the road with the map, we made our way up Monteagle Mountain. Believe me, Sid wasn't thrilled with his navigator, but he was kind and gracious to me.

Day 2 Polly Crockett Festival, originally uploaded by Gail S.

On the way to Monteagle, we passed through Cowan, Tennessee, which was getting ready for the final day of the annual Polly Crockett Festival. In spite of the rain, it was busy and festive.

After making our way through the rain to Tracy City, we entered the Sequatchie Valley through Whitwell. Folks, we saw areas that looked like the old comic strip L'il Abner...poverty stricken Dogpatch. It was sobering. So many mountain folks living a hardscrabble life with little or no income in an economically-depressed area. I didn't shoot any photos...

Day 2 Sequatchie Valley, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The Sequatchie Valley is so beautiful, but we've never been here in pretty weather. Even on this dreary day, we felt privileged to be able to travel from Whitwell through Dunlap surrounded by mountains. We cheated a bit and took the four-lane Highway 111 to Soddy. You know, we avoid the big roads if possible, but we needed to make some time since the rain and wrong turns created a few delays. This view from Highway 111 shows a big section of this valley. One day we will come back and see the sun!

Day 2 Welcoming Committee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

At long last we found our motel in Sweetwater. While unloading the bike we were surprised to find these ducks standing in front of our room. They live in the pond just behind the motel and have formed an informal welcoming committee for guests. I guess they were looking for a little snack...of course, I gave them a few tidbits. Our neighbors at the motel, Darlene and Don, are looking for property in the area. Their home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was destroyed by Hurricane Gustav. They want to get away from the coast and come to Tennessee where four of their children have settled. What interesting folks with a fascinating story.

We had a long day and are looking forward to staying in Sweetwater for two nights. Tomorrow we plan to see The Lost Sea and visit Tellico Plains. We promise to update you. Keep your fingers crossed that I don't make many wrong turns!

Day 6 Good Morning, Signal Mountain!

Day 6 Good Morning, Signal Mountain!, originally uploaded by Gail S.

As soon as I woke up, I grabbed my camera to capture a shot of the spectacular view from the deck of Dave and Beth Harris's home located on the east brow of Signal Mountain, Tennessee! If you focus really hard, you can see the Tennessee River Gorge and parts of Chattanooga. Okay, that's on a clear day...this is the second day that Signal Mountain is socked in with pea soup fog.

Day 6 Pea Soup Fog Doesn't Stop "Real Bikers", originally uploaded by Gail S.

A little rain and a lot of fog won't deter "hardcore bikers" like Sid and Gail Spragins! We don our rain gear and wrap up the bike back pack. Sid shows his best side in this photo as he hooks up the trailer in preparation for our day on the road.

Day 6 Sid Says, "Look out for vampires and werewolves!", originally uploaded by Gail S.

I shot this as we were moving down Sawyer Cemetery Road toward Highway 127. We were going about 15 mph because the fog was so thick. This could be a very long day...

Day 6 Sequatchie Valley, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Less than 20 miles from foggy Signal Mountain, we emerge into the sun overlooking Sequatchie Valley as we head down the mountain toward Dunlap, Tennessee. Sequatchie Valley was named for the Cherokee Chief, Sequachee, who signed a treaty with the colonial government of South Carolina. Historians who have studied the language and lore of the Cherokee differ over the exact meaning of the word, but the general consensus is "opossum, he grins or runs."

We were heading for Dunlap, Tennessee, hang gliding capital of the East. The Tennessee Tree Toppers Hang Gliding group has two launching areas in the valley: the Henson's Gap ramp where their clubhouse and camping sites are located, and the more challenging Whitwell site. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see any hang gliding due to the threatening weather.

Day 6 Black Cloud Over Sequatchie Valley, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 6 Sequatchie Valley Waterfalls, originally uploaded by Gail S.

The drive through the valley was fantastic. The road was good, not much traffic and the views were incredible. I captured this photo of a farm with a waterfall in the background. We noticed countless waterfalls from the Cumberland Plateau as we passed through Dunlap, Whitwell and Jasper. If it hadn't been for the recent rains, we wouldn't have noticed the creeks coursing down the escarpment from the plateau. It was truly a sight to behold. If only I could have taken a good photo of them...but one is limited when riding on the back of a motorcycle at 55 mph...

We stopped for lunch in Jasper at Carol's Southern Cooking Cafe, a small place with only 6 tables serving delicious fare. We had a chat with Benny, a fellow diner who lives in Whitwell. He used to work in the coal mine in Whitwell until it closed after an explosion that killed 13 miners in 1981. He started working there when he was quite young and has arthritis as a result of many years in the damp environment. (I think Benny is in his late fifties.) He said there wasn't much industry in the valley and that most folks travel 33 miles in to Chattanooga to find work. He was very excited about 650 good-paying jobs that will be brought in to South Pittsburg in the near future. He explained that a school is being built to educate the workers for the jobs. He also shared that many retirees from Chicago and Florida have moved to the valley...it's a gorgeous place to live with a low cost of living and a slow-paced environment. Benny seemed very happy with his life in Marion County. I've posted photos of a couple of churches we passed in Jasper before taking Hwy. 41 N and heading up to the Cumberland Plateau toward Tracy City, Monteagle and Sewanee.

We passed Monteagle Winery, but didn't stop to visit because it was chilly and the sky had turned dark. We were a bit worried about being caught in the rain again. We also passed The University of the South, a gorgeous university in Sewanee that we have visited on a previous trip through the area. We descended from the Cumberland Plateau toward Cowan, a picturesque little town in a lovely valley in the midst of spring. Forsythia and redbuds were everywhere. I think I could live here! Finally, we hit Hwy 64 and stopped for the night just past Frankewing, formerly the largest shipping station on the L&N Railroad line. It was a good day.

Day 6 Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Jasper, TN, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Day 6 United Methodist Church, Jasper, TN, originally uploaded by Gail S.