Southern Comfort: Just Me, My Sportster and the Road.

I'm tellin' ya: If riding were dyin'....well, I'd welcome being dead.  As it is though, riding is living. I'm glad of that. Life is kinda suckin' this year. The money tree seems to be dryin' up, the rides aren't as far, and the planned travel for this year isn't happen'.  Saddens me, but I do ride. I do discover new roads right here in my own back yard, and I've got some rockin' photos to show you.

This photo is on the Tennessee side of Roan Mountain. Looking out over the valley and into the National Forest. Today, was a special day for the coloring. Most times you have a kind of "purple haze" that tends to obscure the distant view. Not so today!

This next view is looking back up the mountain toward the North Carolina state line.

There are several shots from this day that are purely fun and keep ya wonderin' WTF?

I took this shot as I was cruising down the mountain. I set the camera so the shutter would take a bit longer to close. These kind of shots tend to exemplify what the riders sees with a frame mounted engine. God I love this!

I leave Roan Mountain and I now find myself riding through Tiger Valley! A quaint little 6.5 mile road with cool things like this to feast upon:

You guys know I will turn around to photograph a mural. Next up for the coolness factor is the cemetery with unknown civil war soldiers buried and honored in it.

The Daughters of the American Revolution are quite active around here.

James Teague, PVT. 18th Infantry (Tennessee)1st Divison

I've moved on down the road from here, I've visited a few grave yards, shot some great shots, and found a few more previously unexplored (by me) roads. This particular road afforded a few great novelty shots. What ya think?

I found myself after 108 miles on a set of rails. You all know how I feel about trains, right?

About 5 miles from home is Buffalo Mountain. Another wonderful photogenic place for the "LIL GIRL". Tennessee is a rockin' place for riding. I don't mind being broke when I'm lucky enough to have a million back roads like these to explore!

Let's go home sweetie:

THREE STATE RIDE: TN, VA, AND KY. IT'S "THE BREAKS"

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MY ROUTE: TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA, KENTUCKY AND BACK INTO VIRGINIA AND HOME

I awoke without much of a clue as to where I was riding to. Nor did I have much "GIDDY-UP-GO". A few weeks ago, I read with interest the destination of a group of riders I like to follow and ride with, (Southern Cruisers: Club #77). They took US-23 from Weber City VA. into a town in Kentucky. I wanted to follow that route as well; although I knew darn well I wouldn't be able to go the entire way to the town they rode to. Instead, I told myself I would ride north on US-23 until 1 PM: at which time I should find another route back home. I like to be home by 4 or 5 PM to fix dinner for my family.

I rode out of Johnson City TN. on I-26 to Weber City VA. where I-26 ends and the road becomes US-23. I stopped at a gas station with 32 miles on my gas tank: not to fuel up, but rather to assess the oil spew problem I had noticed. I just cleaned the bike and I figured I would be able to detect where the oil was coming from. I had my suspensions. Common sense tells me it can't be from the crankcase breathers; way too much oil collecting at the base of the lifter blocks and not enough oil soaked road grime collecting around the carb.



OIL COLLECTION" BASE OF LIFTER BLOCKS



Now with the right side of the engine and cases clean, I figured I'd be able to see what's going on. The oil is coming from the rear push-rod seal at the bottom. Sucks. Just this spring they were in there and these seals are new...remember when they replaced the rollers? I do. Slow burn, cuz I know the shop won't recognize their culpability in this mess. I decide to keep an eye on the oil level and continue the ride. I've ridden that bike with the lifters bleeding so badly by the time I got from Dothan AL. to Vero Beach, FL. I had oil spray from my shoulders to my ankles. I kept the T-shirt as a reminder.  I did have to put 1/3 of a quart in before the ride was over.

My 1st sightseeing stop was at Benge's Gap in Virginia, very close to the Kentucky state line. The gap was formed by an ancient creek, flowing southward, which cut through the land being pushed up to form the mountains. The gap was used by Native Americans and migrating animal herds. Later, when the white men came it was a highly contested area that was eventually named by the whites after a Native American chief who fought diligently to defend it.



Overlook at Benge's Gap in VA.



Overlooking Benge's Gap

My next stop was in Norton VA. I needed a quart of oil. It's a quaint town, but the most interesting object for my camera I came across was the Cocoa Cola sign and clock.



Old Coke sign and Clock Norton VA.

I think the next little town I passed through was Jenkins. Its downtown was busy and very vibrant. I think they once heavily depended on coal, perhaps they still do.  I saw homes that reminded me of the "company store" homes I've seen in coal towns all across West Virginia.



Clock at Downtown Jenkins

In Jenkins, I realize the time is almost 1 PM. It's time to figure out what to do. I look at the map and realize I'm in Kentucky. As I scan about for possible roads of intrest, I find I'm very near The Breaks State Park in VA. I've wanted to see this area for a couple of years. No time like the present. I map my way to Breaks, Va. It's a good day and a better ride. Thoroughly enjoyed everything about the ride so far. I have stopped at a few places along the way to The Breaks, but when I saw this sign I was relieved. I was hungry as hell. Here I got good food at reasonable prices. You will too.



Snack Shack

Leaving the Snack Shack, I scared the piss outta myself. I checked the roadway for oncoming traffic...I checked it three times as I always do. When I started to pull onto the road to join the lane opposite of the place I was sitting at, I discovered I was riding out into oncoming traffic. I did the only thing I could. I corrected my steering to put me riding the outside of the lane...riding in the same lane as the oncoming car (I was facing him). But I at least was safe, he had room to swerve from my stupidity and I could move onto the berm if need be. All was good. He adjusted and didn't kill me...how sweet.

I arrived in good order at a overlook of the gorge. It's wonderful. You must stop here!





Leaving the overlook, I feel something that reminds me of my rear wheel being tugged at or bouncing over something. I'm wondering for a bit what the hell it was. I decided I must of rolled over wild life. It happened once more as I was turning into The Breaks State Park in VA. This time, I was thinking it felt like a tug. I then got a mental picture of one of the leather thongs I use to tie my bags on. I remember the rear set looked a bit loose at my last stop. I neglected to attend to the knots. When I got off to pay the attendant at the park entrance, I knew what it was. I felt very lucky for the second time that day. Man, any more stupidity will surely kill me...right? Whew.

I didn't have time to fully explore the huge park. I only stopped at one easily accessible overlook and I'm telling you: You MUST plan a full day there. If you're a hiker...well what's to say? So many great trails leading down to the gorge. There is camping or cabins and the park also offers wonderful lodging accommodations. There is horseback riding, a swimming pool and so much more! Be sure to come prepared for a weekend of fun!



State Line Overlook at The Breaks



A view of the route in from KY.



Looking over the gorge to the mountains beyond

After leaving the park, I headed for a little town on the map called Haysi. This is a very small town whose downtown deserves more than just rolling through. But that's all the time I had... I did stop to photograph this mural covering the side of the local food market.



Mural in Haysi Va.

Oh, I found myself on a road that I wasn't supposed to be on. As I rolled down it, directly in front of me about 50 feet...a full grown deer jumps out of the bushes on my left: bounding to the other side and up an embankment to the woods. He was handsome. Lucky again.

I'm about 90 minutes from home, I stopped to capture this old abandoned house. When I see these huge homes, I wonder how in the world they managed to heat a home like this. YIKES... I know there was some mighty cold spots in that house in winter.



I'm almost home now. I'm riding East toward home on I-26 when I notice my shadow is out racing me home.



That's it girls and boys. I'm home...and this is what I got... YOU LIKE?

Davey Crocket Days at His Birthplace...

I left my home setting my wheel westward...back once more toward Greeneville TN, with an intention of turning north on SR 70 and then looking for some new roads to explore.

I'm sure we all have heard of the saying, "The best laid plans of men and mice..."





Everytime I run out this way, I see the sign that points the way to Davey Crocket's Birthplace State Park in Limestone TN. Every time I pass it, I think to myself, I should take the time....

TIME by Erik on Flickr

This time, there were signs advertising the fact this weekend was "Davey Crocket Days" at the park. I have some time to think it over before the left turn across two more lanes of traffec on 11 E. I weigh the possiblities of some really fantastic pictures of early settlers life with unknown roads...I decided what the heck, the oppritunites aren't going to get much better than this. To not stop would cause me to kick myself later...I hate bruising my own butt....

Photo by: ehoyer Flickr

The die was cast. I turned down the street marked for the state park. I came across many great photo ops...I wonder what happened to them? My camera has gotten wet one too many times...it saves the pictures it wants to now...But this gives me another excuse to come back. This road has some very good photo ops.

But I am now in the park, and I'm walking toward a log cabin. This is an estamate of what they figure Davey was born in...it was what was popular for the day...and it's furnished in the same manner as what you would have found in the pioneer day as well.






As is quite common with these types of affairs, I found myself following my nose...BBQ food was being served. But I had already told myself I would not spend more then twenty bucks this entire day...I wish I had gotten the pork sammie...it was only four bucks. I didn't do half as well after leaving the park in search of food...

Photo by: blk3953 on Flickr

Veering away from the food, I head down the hill toward the river...I find an encampment of pioneers...look at the charactors I found camped down this way...








This next lady? She was making buttons with thread. It's amazing the handy work by our ancesters...can you imagine working half a day to make a button?





Then there was this woman weaving pine straw baskets. Her grandmother was Choctow Native American...taught her to do this. She gives lessons...I have her card...I think I will try my hand at it. Her work is museum quailty.




I came across several trapper camps...this is one....














I almost missed the Native American camp just down stream....








I'm starting to walk back to my bike, when this guy blows a cow horn...and shouts "Kings Mountain Regiment, fall in"

Then this little demostration of long rifles happens...it was pretty neat...








It's time to go...I'm still moving toward Greeneville on RT 11E. I sure didn't get very far before I came to this little "store". This guy collected Texeco Memorbila. I had to get pictures of my bike out by his pumps...very cool.





Leaving Texeco behind...I ride through Greeneville and find RT 70 North...this is the lower half of 70 that I haven't been on yet...this was worth the ride...




Once I came into Rogersville, I found a another RT I haven't been on before...this is SR 66 north...a nice 21 mile stretch of twisty road and switch backs...very tasty road for this rider...You'll enjoy this ride...


Moving on down the road, I came across this church...well it's no longer a church...it's now "HEAVENLY BIKE SHOP" I wish the sign would photograph better...ah well...I know what it is...and now so do you!





I left RT 66...but before I did...




Headins East now on CR 94 East...another wonderful road...until I realized I had circled back around to Rogersville! Ah well....

It's getting late, and I have supper to cook when I get home...

See ya another time...I do hope we meet on the road sometime!