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 2 - Your Notes and Messages

Sid is still sleeping, I'm hunched over the computer trying to type quietly. When he awakens we must pack and go. We have a scenic...and soggy day ahead of us. We will head over Monteagle Mountain toward Tracy City, then to Gruetli-Laager, down to the Sequatchie Valley (heavenly place), eventually over to Sweetwater seeking two-lane roads the whole way. The rain clouds hanging in the mountains are quite beautiful. I wanted to share some of the messages I read last night after posting our blog.

Paul sent good thoughts and a correction - I told you all in an email that Patrick Dempsey had passed away. It was Patrick Swayze who lost his valiant battle with cancer. I hope I haven't jinxed Patrick D! Jane invited us to come to her home in Sevierville to spend the night - Sid and I are so tempted even though Sevierville isn't on our list of destinations. Helen, Georgia, sparked some emails - Kelly (who has a connection to Homer Hickam) lives just an hour from there and may come up to see us; Francine recommends the pecan rolls at the Amish bakery; Patti might come see us in Helen, too. Daphne tells us that some of her family are also on an extensive bike trip.

Cindy has just completed Homer's first book and is going back to the library for more. She also shared a touching story about a friend undergoing treatments for throat cancer - Cindy has shared a photo of Sid on the motorcycle with her friend as an encouragement. [Most of you know that Sid is a cancer survivor having received 35 radiation treatments in his throat/mouth area.] We were touched to know that Sid's story may provide hope for others. It makes me tearful. Cindy, your friend is in our prayers.

Dan Z suggested we put "On the Road with Gail & Sid" into production, and he asked us not to get into any bar fights. Adam thinks we are living life to the fullest...and we think he is doing the same! Judy is seeking a "mom & pop" motel outside of Roanoke for us and planning a family get together. Wouldn't it be great if Carolyn and Dana could join us? The four of us haven't been together since Mother passed away in 2001.

Finally, many others offered prayers, good thoughts for dry weather, and requests for me to take some great photos. We are truly blessed to have this opportunity to see our great country on two wheels and to have you all supporting us in our journey. Sid is awake and I must get my rain suit on. Thank you, dear friends and family.

Day 1 - Heading East through Tennessee

Day1 Rainy View, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We started our Fall Bike Trip on a soggy day during a soggy month. You know it's going to be bad when the Weather Channel does a special report about flash flood warnings in Pulaski, Tennessee...right on our route for the day.

I hate to admit that yesterday Sid almost had me convinced to take the trip in our Prius (which gets better gas mileage than the motorcycle does). I said, "How do we take our Fall 2009 Bike Trip - WITHOUT the bike?" He said, "We take the car and we don't get wet!" Two hours later when I was mentally ready to pack the car, he changed his mind with the rationale that we have been wet before.

So, we donned our rain suits and took off on our Honda 1800 VTX Retro with matching trailer attached to the back of the bike. It was raining periodically, so I kept the camera tucked inside my rain jacket. Thus, I missed the photos of some of the riders on the Trail of Tears Motorcycle Ride. They were heading from Chattanooga to Florence, Alabama. Sid noticed that most of them weren't wearing rain suits. Now that's a soggy ride!

See Rock City Barn, Mt. Prospect, Tennessee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We passed three Rock City barns today. Because of the rain, I was able to capture only this one...an elusive barn in a curve behind a big tree, just outside of Mt. Prospect, Tennessee. Sid promised me we would come back to photograph the one between Waynesboro and Lawrenceburg. I've never managed to get a photo of it, but have passed it so many times. I told him I would remember that promise.

We made it to Winchester, Tennessee, where we found the town square...and a motel at the edge of Tims Ford Lake. We met bikers from Florida on their way to Bowling Green, Kentucky. They rode for 9 hours today. Wow!

Well, I must finish planning our route tomorrow to Sweetwater, Tennessee. Keep us in your thoughts...think dry weather, please.

Watch For Updates from the Road

Bike Trip!!!, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Yes, Gail and Sid are on the road again. We leave tomorrow to visit places we've been and check out a few new ones. It is supposed to rain a bit...that doesn't stop us. Our first stop is Monteagle, Tennessee. http://www.monteaglechamber.com/

Monteagle Mountain is part of the lofty Cumberland Plateau, which runs the width of Tennessee like a gentle wall, forming the scenic western boundary of the Tennessee Valley. We will just be passing through on this visit. More to come...

Arin, the Intrepid Traveler

Arin, the Intrepid Traveler, originally uploaded by Gail S.

This precocious 10-year old was my seatmate on the plane trip to Philadelphia. His mom is serving in the US Army in Iraq. Arin was traveling to Pennsylvania to live with his cousins and attend 5th grade this school year. What a brave young man. It was his first time to travel alone, and he said he was nervous. We spent the entire 2 hour trip chatting and entertaining each other to help him forget that he was nervous. It was delightful. We took photos of each other to remember our adventrue together. Arin's mother must miss this little guy so much...

Images from the Aquarium in Chattanooga

Enormous Catfish!, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Yes, he is a BLUE channel catfish...and he is big!

Eeeek..., originally uploaded by Gail S.

This eel is about the size of Sid's leg. We were so engrossed in smaller fish at eye level near the glass that we almost missed the eel in the middle of the tank.

Sea Nettles..., originally uploaded by Gail S.

These stinger-laden jellyfish are global hitchhikers on the sea's currents and surface winds, They swarm where plankton are plentiful.

Striped Fish, originally uploaded by Gail S.

A Group of Gators..., originally uploaded by Gail S.

...gawking at gaggles of guests.

It's All About the Road

It's All About the Road, originally uploaded by Gail S.

A few more images from our motorcycle trip. This shot was taken as we ascended Lookout Mountain to see Rock City and Ruby Falls.

History at Rock City, originally uploaded by Gail S.

This is the metal "flag" that flies from the top of the original ticket booth for Rock City Gardens, which was opened in 1932. Sunny blue skies and budding trees round out the scene.

Ruby Falls, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Ruby Falls is a very tall waterfall located in a cave in Lookout Mountain. The tower of the old visitor center is pictured below.

The Old Castle built over Ruby Falls, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Blue Bridge in South Pittsburg, Tennessee, originally uploaded by Gail S.

I shot this from Hwy 72 heading in to South Pittsburg, Tennessee, near Chattanooga.