Day 14 – Athens, OH to Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Day 14 – Athens, OH to Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON

Thursday, August 25

This day or should I say early (very) in the morning started with a major thunder storm and torrential rain + lighting.  For the most part the bikes were under the cover of the motel parking entrance canopy, but they did get wet.

The plan was to get underway at 6:30am and head for home in one day, a distance of about 661km  (411miles).  The server storm and rain delayed our departure to 10:30am or about 4 hours, well that is life on a motorcycle.

Ben had decided head home via his parents home in Windsor so he will break off from my route about 3 miles up the road from Athens and take I-75 most of the way back.  I will continue to Zanesville, take I-70 East to I-77 North to East Cleveland and then I-90 to Buffalo. 

Once North of Athens the clouds gave way to sunshine and cool weather, daytime high of 27c, so that made for nice riding weather.

One last photo of Glouster, OH (x-NYC) Riailroad Station

I stopped for Gas and Lunch at Cambridge, OH, and met another motorcycle rider heading to Indianapolis, IN for the GP Motorcycle races, he has left South Jersey at 6am, and was already across PA and into Ohio, he was making good time on his BMW.  There was another bike with trailer and UK license plates on a Honda Goldwing also going West, they had been touring the US for the past 2 months and would head home at the end of August, "one last ride", I know the felling.

I am always sad when the trip comes to an end, and I wish I was home and at the same time wish I could do it all again. - but then again there is always next year.

Day 13 – Bardstown, KY to Athens, OH

Day 13 – Bardstown, KY to Athens, OH

Wednesday, August 24

The weather has settled down and it is cooler, as we head North, with the daytime high around 33c vs 44c, and overnight it drops to 24c.

Today we are heading for another Bourbon Distillery called Buffalo Trace [http://www.buffalotrace.com/] in Frankfort, KY which is also the state capital. This place is hugh, with a number of impressive turn of the century buildings and of course a selected source of "bourbon water" which is the secret ingredient in this whole process. 

Buffalo Trace Distillery

Buffalo Trace Distillery - hand bottling room

Buffalo Trace Distillery - Barrel rail line

Cuthbert at Buffalo Trace Distillery

After a quick lunch at Buffalo Trace Cafe, we are on our way to Athens, OH, there was no particular reason to stop in Athens, other than it was 500km from Bardstown and we usually ride for 500km per day.

We are going to take I-64 again, and branch off to Ironton, OH on US60, Ashland, KY has two bridges over the Ohio River, one painted Green and the other one painted Blue, reason for the two colours ?? just another mystery from the road.  After crossing into Ohio we are on some good twisties on OH93.

With all the excitement of Buffalo Trace, this made of another long day in the saddle and we were both glad to see the Holiday Inn Express come into sight in Athens.

Now no epic motorcycle journey would be complete without at least one official photograph, so here is the last one of the trip.

(I think that Ben might have had one too many - but this a road trip)

Day 12 – Cave City, KY to Bardstown, KY

Day 12 – Cave City, KY to Bardstown, KY

Tuesday, August 23

Another early start, but this time to beat the rush of people going to Mammoth Caves National Park, [http://www.nps.gov/maca/index.htm].   Mammoth Cave National Park preserves the cave system and a part of the Green River valley and hilly country of south central Kentucky. This is the world's longest known cave system, with more than 390 miles explored. Early guide Stephen Bishop called the cave a "grand, gloomy and peculiar place," but its vast chambers and complex labyrinths have earned its name—Mammoth.

By 9:30AM. we are on the bus with 4 others to explore the New Entrance, this part of the 390 mile cave system is 250ft underground and runs for about 3/4 of mile, but one is under ground for about 2+ hours.

Frozen Niagara



In the cave - Frozen Niagara

After lunch it was time to explore cave #2, this one is from the entrance called the "historic entrance", at one time this was the only entrance into the 390 mile cave system, and back in the early 1800's not much was know about how extensive the cave system was, even today it is still being explored.  This section is 300ft down, and will cover about 2 miles of cave tunnels.

The story goes that the cave was found by a hunter chasing a bear into the cave through this entrance, perhaps this is was happened to the hunter (see photo below).

Gypsum on cave ceiling (bear vs man)

Historic Entrance Mammoth Caves

So after spending most of the day underground in dark and tight spaces, it was time to get going, leaving Cave City on I-65 and heading Northeast.  Somewhere we crossed back into Eastern Time and 4pm became 5pm, and our hope of making it to Makers Mark [http://www.makersmark.com/] bourbon distillery before they close was next to impossible, and it was they close at 4:30pm (which I did not know).

However, we did get there at 6pm and got some photos.

Ken at Makers Mark

After Loretto and Makers Mark it was time to head for the overnight stop, Best Western in Bardstown.

Bardstown, KY

If you are ever in this area I would recommend following this trail, the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, check out the web site [http://www.kybourbontrail.com/], you will not be dissapointed. 

 

Day 11 – Millington, TN (Memphis) to Cave City, KY

Day 11 – Millington, TN (Memphis) to Cave City, KY

Monday, August 22

Another hot day on the road, but we are leaving early again to beat the heat, and so far this strategy is working.  We are traveling Northeast on US79 to Paris, TN and onto Clarksville, TN. 

Enroute in Brownsville, TN, we stopped for Gas, but found what looked like an electrical sub-station from a distance.  In closer inspection someone with a lot of steel and time built this "art item", I am not sure what it is, but here is the photo.

Brownsville, TN on US73

Clarksville, TN has one of the largest US Army bases in the country, called Fort Campbell which is on the Tennessee Kentucky border, and this place is huge, US79 follows the fence for miles, and there are a lot of solders in uniform shopping in the stores etc.  Fort Campbell is home of the 101st Airborne Division  [http://www.campbell.army.mil/units/101st/Pages/default.aspx] it is this division that took out Bin Laden, so I am told, they built and 1:1 replica of the compound on the base and trained for several months before the raid.

Continuing on to Bowling Green (where GM makes the Corvette) and onto Cave City, KY.

Cave City will be the jumping off point to explore Mammoth Caves National Park on Tuesday.

Photo Site - Pictures Posted

The link below will take you to the photos of the trip.

http://www.liveshare.com/stream/1581289

Day 10 – Natchez, MS to Millington, TN (Memphis)

Day 10 – Natchez, MS to Millington, TN (Memphis)

Sunday, August 21

We decided to try something different in order to beat the heat, leave early.  Well we skipped the hotel breakfast and were on our way at 6:50AM !! (a new record for this trip).  We crossed the Natchez to Vidalia, LA Bridge over the Mississippi, and entered the "West" because the river is the great divide between the East and the West, it was also very apparent that Louisiana was not as prosperous as Mississippi in fact it looked a bit rough in parts.  So we waisted little time in the urban area and pushed West on US 84 (425) until we got to Farriday and turned North on US 425 and US 65 and at that point we were North and heading for home.

Natchez to Vidalia, LA Bridge over the Mississippi

Our breakfast stop was about an hour latter at Tallulah, so far we have seen nothing but cotton fields and a few "gins" or processing centres, also went through Waterproof, LA, not much there but an interesting name for a small town on the flood plain of the Mississippi (must be some kind of a local joke).

Ken at the Arkansas State Line

By 11AM we are in Lake Providence on the border with Arkansas, and the lake has some strange trees that grow big at the bottom and grow right in the lake, see below:

The highway back over the Mississippi is on a brand new and very elegant bridge, this is the link to the photo[http://static.panoramio.com/photos/small/45521084.jpg] which is near Greenville, MS.

Pushing on in the now 40c+ heat it is about 2pm as we continue North on US 61 and US 278, we reached our hotel just North of Memphis in the town of Millington, TN at 4pm, and it was time for a dip in the pool.

Day 9 - Natchez, MS

Day 9 – Natchez, MS

Saturday, August 20

Today is a day of rest, that means laundry and NOT being on the motorcycle.  Ben and I going to explore Natchez on foot, and I am looking for my mint julep drink, which I still have not had yet.

[http://www.drinksmixer.com/drink5382.html]

As well this is another 45c day of extremely hot and humid weather, the heat just drains one, and even walking becomes a chore.  But the city of Natchez has lots to see, there are just so many old and well preserved homes and big estates, some have been turned into restaurants, like this one below.

Stanton Hall and Carriage House Restaurant, 401 High Street

My first mint julep was at  lunch at the Carriage House Restaurant, and excellent place and the food was great.  [http://www.stantonhall.com/]

Ken's fisrt Mint Julep

In the late afternoon we explored "lower natchez", this is the harbour area which is right on the Mississippi River, with a paddle wheeler - well it is a "Wheeler" but it was constructed about 20 years ago from a barge and is run as a floating casino.

[http://natchez.isleofcapricasinos.com/index.aspx]

View of the Mississippi River at Natchez, MS

After the return walk (hike) back up the hill we were exhausted.

Dunleith Inn

For our last night in Natchez we decided to eat in the best restaurant in town the Castle Restaurant at 84 Homochitto St, Natchez, MS (601) 446-8500 also know as the Dunleith Historic Inn [www.dunleith.com] again the food and service were excellent as were the mint juleps, I should start some kind of "julep" rating system 5+.

Here is the link to the Visitor Information for the city. [http://www.visitnatchez.org//]

Day 8 – Tupelo, MS to Natchez, MS

Day 8 – Tupelo, MS to Natchez, MS

Friday, August 19

Day 2 of the Natchez Trace Parkway

Well today was shopping day at Best Buy, I needed some technology and a new point and shoot camera for all the action on the Trace, so as a result we departed around 11am, and have 287miles in front of us before reaching Natchez.

Ken on the "Trace"

First stop is the National Park Headquarters for the NTP, to purchase some patches and post cards, etc.  [http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm]

We decided to reduce the number of stops for pictures, but then because of the heat we had to add a water stop every 45 minutes. I also had a Euclid rescue (that is a turtle if you didn't already know), he was smack in the middle to the NTP, and by the time I got turned around and back to were he was he had changed directions a again and had took off for the grass.

I scooped him up, no fuss, he and 2” long yellow nails, and this might be the Euclids that can climb trees, anyway he was going back into the big lake – so I pushed him into the water, mission accomplished another Euclid was saved.

Ken resting from the heat

By around 4pm we are in Jackson and only about 70 miles from the end of NTP in Natchez, MS. But the heat index is now 45c and the air temperature is 41c, so we are stopping a bit more, still NO traffic on the parkway, in fact there are 20 minute periods that we see no other vehicles at all.

At 6:40pm we are in Natchez, having completed all 444 miles of the famous Natchez Trace Parkway. It is something that I will do again, much like my 8 trips on Route 66, the Trace draws one back – it is magical in someway.

We are staying at the Natchez Grand, right downtown, and by the time we are checked in and get a celebratory drink at the bar, we need to find somewhere to eat fast, restaurants in these parts close at 9pm.

So we found a great spot call the Pearl Street Pasta Cafe at 105 S Pearl Street (601) 442-9284.

So ends a most enjoyable time on the Trace, tomorrow we will explore the other New Orleans – Natchez (as it is called).

Day 7 – Nashville, TN to Tupelo, MS

Day 7 – Nashville, TN to Tupelo, MS

Thursday, August 18

Day 1 of the Natchez Trace Parkway

We got a good start today from Nashville and took some local roads to the start of the Trace which is in Belle Meade, which looks like a higher income area of Nashville, judging from all the horse farms / estates.

Cuthbert on the "Trace"

After a few obligatory photos of the “start” sign on the entrance of the parkway we are off, on an adventure of 444 miles, and back in time to the middle-late 1800's, when walking for Natchez to Nashville took 3 months, more on the history later via some links.

Our journey will be by motorcycle and I will cover the 444 miles in two full days, each being about 220 or so. As I have pushed South, the day time temperature has been raising, today it hit 38c and the heat index was 41c, so it is very HOT and not very Humid.

Link:  http://www.nps.gov/natr/index.htm

What makes up for the heat/humidity discomfort is the ride on the Natchez Trace Parkway (NTP), this his to be the best motorcycle road I have been on in all my 6 years of riding. Just imagine having a private road of 444 miles, no trucks, maybe 50 cars pass you, and maybe you see 12 other bikes ALL day, curves are smooth there are NO cross roads, every major road crossing is on a bridge and the scenery out of this world. There are historic buildings, Indian mounds and of course sections of the Trace its self, I would say a point of interest about every 6 to 10km.

You get off the NTP only to find a restaurant or fuel, otherwise there are picnic areas and rest rooms all along the Trace.

I spent a lot of time taking pictures today so my arrival in Tupelo was a bit later than expected, but none the less it was before 6pm. Tupelo is a strange place NO economic problems in this city of 35,000, why you ask, one word “furniture”. There at least 8 major furniture plants in and around the area, so everyone has a job and is out there spending, big brand new mall, with 50+ stores, a Super Walmart, Best Buy, etc..

Day 6 - Robinsonville, NC (Tail of the Dragon) to Nashville, TN

Day 6 - Robinsonville, NC (Tail of the Dragon) to Nashville, TN

Wednesday, August 17

One word for today HOT!! one sign said 96f and another said 90f.

We left the Two Wheel Motel around 8am and got breakfast in Robinsonville, before taking on the famous Cherohala Skyway (NC#143 / TN#165), this road has plenty of turns and runs on the ridge tops of the local mountains and get above 5,280ft (one mile) in place, so we were in the clouds with a light rain shower.   Please visit this web site for all the info on the Cherohala Skyway http://www.cherohala.com/, it is as famous as the tail of the dragon.

Ken at the end of the Cherohala Skyway

What again interesting, there is no one on these roads, we talked to 4 other bikers and saw about 10 cars and 10 more bikes the from 10am to 1pm, which is great to have the road to one' self.  We reached the end in Tellico Plains just at 1pm, and found a nice local cafe for lunch, excellent food and service, and had wifi too.

After lunch we had about 250km to still ride to get to Nashville, so in the heat of the day, we made time, and again found ourselves on I-40 Westbound at 130kmh.  We reach Nashville right at rush hour, lots of traffic, with only a 2km section of stop and go traffic, we were both hot, tired and exhausted when we arrived at the Best Western in West Nashville.

Tomorrow is day 1 on the Natchez Trace Parkway, an easy 440miles at 35mph and tree covered most of the way - looking forward to the next two days.

Day 5 - Ashville, NC to Robinsonville, NC (Tail of the Dragon)

Day 5 - Ashville, NC to Robinsonville, NC (Tail of the Dragon)

Tuesday, August 16

Today we rode the famous Tail of the Dragon, all 318 curves in 11 miles.  One word - unbelievable.

OK, that was to days major high, but lets go back to the start of the day, we got away from Ashville right at 9am, and were on I-40 for only about 15miles, and then we were off on some nice local roads like US19 and US441.  US19 goes through Maggie Valley, a motorcycle destination in its self, with a number of club meets held in town.

We also were on the Blue Ridge Parkway for about 15 miles, as well.  The views from the pull offs were fantastic, there was a lot of valley fog this morning as the temperature at 6am was only 15c, and yes the mountains are "blue", it is like a blue haze, not pollution just a blue mist.

The Blue Ridge Parkway ends at the entrance to Great Smoky Mountain National Park, which is one of the largest parks in the lower 48 states, it straddles the states of Tennessee and North Carolina, and at the highest point on the highway (US441) reaches almost 5,000ft.

Great Smoky Mountain National Park

There were a number of fast moving streams which were worth the stop for a few pictures, one can see that this crystal clear water would make some fine "moonshine".  Also of interest there are not a lot of tourists about, no traffic on the Blue Ridge and the park had light traffic too.

Lunch stop was in Gatlinburg, TN, at a biker bar called the pub and grub, OK place, with a woman on a cell phone for 25 minutes wondering through the place.

After our lunch stop we are off on the Foothills Parkway, this road has NO traffic at all, we saw about 15 motorcycles and two cars.  The Foothills is a real joy to run, long straight sections and medium curves, there were some awesome vista points as well.  The Foothills Pky, ends at the start of the Tail of the Dragon (US129) at Calderwood.

We started our run on the Dragon at 4:15, and made it to Deals Gap (TN-NC Border) at 4:40.  At Deals Gap is the Deals Gap Motorcycle Resort, not maybe your 5 start resort, but it has a bike wash, a pin stripping booth, a restaurant and a well stocked souvenir shop (what more would you ask for in a resort).  After spending 25minutes at the place, and allowing the bikes to cool down and cool the brakes, we are off, half way through the Dragon.

Cuthbert at Deal's Gap Tail of the Dragon

We stopped at Cheoah Dam (also called the Fugitive Dam from the movie the Fugitive), this dam is high!!, this is the end of the Tail of the Dragon section of US129
.

Fugitive Dam

Well that ends another day on the road, more days and miles to come.

Day 4 – Staunton, VA to Ashville, NC

Day 4 – Staunton, VA to Ashville, NC

Monday, August 15

We had an on-time departure right at 8:30am, again we are back on the "super slab" Interstate 81 South, to Ashville, NC

But this time it is not rain, but it is cool (17c) so on with the jacket liners, to keep warm, remember we are moving at 70+ MPH (or 120km), so we create our own windchill.

What stands out today was the clouds and mist that hung in the blue ridge valleys and some of the visits when we were high on the mountain tops or passes.

We also go in around 4:30pm, so this allowed for a dip in the pool, the roads (I-26, I-240 and I-40) are hard to navigate and the exit ramps go from 60mph down to a curve of 25mph, so some very good riding skills are necessary to tackle this plus the numerous pot holes and tire carcass junk on the road made for an interesting afternoon.  This motel (the Comfort Inn) has a pool, a bit cool, what this helps ones back mussels to relax.  We even found a Mexican restaurant across the street from the motel.

Day 3 - Wellsboro, PA to Staunton, VA

Day 3 – Wellsboro, PA to Staunton, VA

Sunday, August 14

This is the official start of this year epic motorcycle adventure which includes the tail of the dragon (US129) and the Natchez Trace Parkway, in the next 12 days we will ride about 3,000 miles and travel through 14 states.

We (Ben who is traveling again with me this year) got away from Wellsboro a bit behind our schedule, but the first day that is not unusual.  Within 30 minutes of leaving Wellsboro we had to stop and put on rain gear, and it rained for the next 2 hours, and these mountain roads can be slick (slippery).  By the time we reached Sunbury, PA the rain had stopped, so off with the rain gear.  Also by that time it was time for lunch anyway.

After our lunch stop it was time for some serious riding on I-81, heading South to Staunton, VA, which we arrived at around 7:15pm, but not after having to put the rain gear on again, about an hour from Staunton, so we arrived a bit damp, but safe.

Day 2 – Wellsboro, PA Loop Ride

Day 2 – Wellsboro, PA Loop Ride

Saturday, August 13

The big event for our Southern Cruisers weekend is a loop ride out and back from Wellsboro, I have had the opportunity to put together this years ride.  The highlight will be travelling along the bottom of the Pennsylvania's Grand Canyon (so it is called).

The route I planned way back in February included lunch at the Waterville Tavern in Waterville, PA, they we so excited that we we were coming to the restaurant that they made up a welcome banner.  (see photo).

There were some major detours because a key bridge into Waterville was washed out about a week ago during a monsoon rain storm, this resulted in a detour of about 30miles (50km) and added an additional hour to our trip.  But with all this everyone arrived safe and we all had another adventure out on the road.

If you are in the area a good place for lunch is the Waterville Tavern; 10783 N State Route 44, Waterville, PA 17776  (570) 753-5970

Day 1 - Niagara to Wellsboro, PA

Day 1 – Niagara to Wellsboro, PA

Friday, August 12
Today was a leisurely ride to Wellsboro, PA from Niagara-on-the-Lake, with several stops along the way.

We are going via Ellicottville, NY were we are stopping for Lunch at the Ellicottville Brewing Company. Karen and I ski every winter in Ellicottville so we know this town very well and it is one of our favorite places.

After our stop for lunch we continued our trip via Olean, NY taking NY417 Southeast to the NY-PA state line and then on PA#44 to Coudersport, PA, which for us is a traditional rest stop. 

We arrived in Wellsoboro at 5pm, and for the next two days we are at the Sherwood Motel in the centre of town. This is a well run independent motel, which is neat and very clean, I would give it 4 1/2 stars, check it out at http://www.sherwoodmotel.org/

Wellsboro is just a great place to send some very relaxing time, the street lighting is still gas, and there are some good restaurants to visit, so check out http://wellsboropa.com/, for more details on this town in the hills of PA.

Getting Ready

Thursday - Aug 11

Packing is just about done,  just making sure that the technology (cameras, radios, GPS and Spot) are on board, charged and ready to go.

And of course for every journey one needs an official ride patch, ours is below

The official ride patch

Weather looks good for the next few days, so our start should be rain free and hopefully a bit cooler, anything is better than 95+.

"See you out there"
Ken