Day 1 - Chickasaw State Park

Day 1 - Chickasaw State Park, originally uploaded by Gail S.

On the way to our place on the Buffalo River we pass this great park. This is a view of Lake Placid just down from the lodge. Isn't this foot bridge pretty?

Chickasaw State Rustic Park is situated on some of the highest terrain in west Tennessee. Of the area's 14,384 acres of timberland, 1,280 acres are used for recreation. The remainder is state forest managed jointly by the State Forestry Division and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency. The park is located in Chester and Hardeman Counties, 18 miles south of Jackson, Tennessee on State Hwy. 100.

Rowboats and dreamboats are available for rent on Lake Placid. No personally owned boats or gasoline powered motors are allowed on the lake. However, electric trolling motors are allowed. Fishermen, young and old, enjoy the lake and often dine on fine catches of bass and bluegill.

Day 1 - Blooming at Chickasaw State Park, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We headed on toward Middle Tennessee, stopping for a brief visit in Linden, Tennessee, where they were celebrating the season with the annual Bloomin' Arts Festival at the town square. Folks set up booths to display and sell all sorts of arts and crafts. There was music and food. One vendor told me that she had seen "everyone in Linden" at her place. It wrapped up at about 5 pm and we headed on to Lobelville, Tennessee, for more festivities!

2009 Spring Bike Trip

Spring Bike Trip, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Yay! We are hitting the road tomorrow. This should be a slow-paced trip. We are heading to our place on the Buffalo River in middle Tennessee for a Springfest. On Sunday, we'll take the Natchez Trace Parkway down to Alabama. We're planning to spend a day at the US Space and Rocket Center. Next we're planning to take a few mountain roads up to Chattanooga. After that, who knows? Keep your fingers crossed for smooth roads and good weather.

Cat Packing!, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Spooky gave me a hint that he is planning to join us on our trip. What a cutie. Making sure we get plenty of cat hair on our clothes to remind us about our kitties waiting for us at home...

It's a Banjo Obsession!

It's a Banjo Christmas!, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Even though Sid doesn't know how to play his new banjo, that doesn't stop him from making music every evening. In this shot he is sitting on the back porch of our place on the Buffalo River in Middle Tennessee next to the fire.

Our Snowy Haven

Our Snowy Haven, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Okay, okay, this isn't a current shot. It was taken on March 8, 2008, but it gets one in the mood for Christmas, doesn't it?

We've put our bike away for the winter. Took lots of short trips this fall to enjoy the amazing colors in Tennessee.

What a blessing. Happy Holidays to you all.

Memories - Day 4

Day 4 - We Were in 16 of These Today, originally uploaded by Gail S.

We were in 16 of these well-crafted tunnels today. I have a love/hate relationship with the tunnels. I loved it until I realized there was ice in some of the tunnels, then I hated it! It was loud, really loud in the tunnels because of our loud pipes on the bike. I felt the light played tricks with your vision in the tunnels...creepy! It's an entirely different experience for me traveling though the tunnels from my experience in a car. The stonemasonry was gorgeous.
Blue Ridge Parkway Tunnels

Memories of the Trip - Day 4

Day 4 - Our Ride on the Parkway, originally uploaded by Gail S.

Here's our bike, Honda 1800 VTX Retro, and our trailer, a Bushtec Roadstar Retro. I'm really fond of this set up that carried us on our trip for more than 2800 miles. On Day 4 we were traveling the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of my favorite roads ever. It's a smooth ride, well maintained roads and overlooks. The speed limit is 45 mph and there is limited access to the parkway.

When we are on the bike, I feel like we are invisible to other drivers and in danger from all other vehicles on the road. On the parkway, no one is going to merge into our lane without seeing us, no one is going to pull out from a busy side street in front of us. People are on the parkway for the ride...just the ride...just like us. They aren't distracted by rush hour traffic and their busy lives...they are on vacation, on a pleasure ride, not in a hurry, taking time to enjoy the view and meeting others on the road...just like us. It's a place of peace, and it is beautiful. I miss it already.

Couple of Bears - Day 3

Couple of Bears - Day 3, originally uploaded by Gail S.

I'm still posting some images from our trip. Sid and his burly friend strike similar poses in the lobby of our hotel in Cherokee, NC. This hotel had the most gorgeous landscaping - everything was in bloom!