OCTOBER 2011 NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY

Off we go again…heading down the Natchez Trace Parkway.
Roz and I left home on the Honda to a beautiful sunrise heading for Nashville with the purpose of entering the Natchez Pkwy at it’s origin there.  This beautiful highway stretches from Nashville, Tn 444 miles down to Natchez, Mississippi.  No commercial traffic, this includes tractor trailer traffic, no stop signs or traffic lights for the entire distance.


Our first night was spent in Tupelo, Ms after abut a 200 or so mile day.  Just a little rain shower as we were entering the Tupelo area. Just enough to dirty the bike.

Our second night was spent in Natchez, the end of the Parkway.
From Natchez we headed north on Hwy 61, up the West side of the State. 
A short ride of about 75 miles or so and we were in the historical city of Vicksburg, sight of a major civil war battle between the North and South.  We made a stop at the Vicksburg National Park and took the 16 mile riding tour of the North and South battle emplacements throughout the area.  A lot of statues and memorials depicting folks involved in this battle.

The USS Cairo, the first ironclad battleship of this was to be sunk, was on display here.  Very interesting ship, was built in Jan 1862 and placed on the Yazoo River to protect Northern shipping interests and in Dec of 1862 was sunk by a Confederate mine.  175 men on board, all of which survived the sinking.
Very interesting steam propulsion system and cannon placement, not to mention the many tons of iron cladding supposed to protect the ship.




Entrance to the cemetery.




Many brave men died and were buried here.




After our visit here was complete we headed on up north and stopped to spend the night at Cleveland, Ms and stopping just in time to avoid a huge thunderstorm. 
The next day the weather had changed, somewhat cooler and much windier….Almost a direct crosswind of 20-30 knots all day.  Later that day, after going through a lot of traffic in the Memphis area we reached our overnight area of Navy Memphis in Millington, Tn.  putting up there in the Navy Lodge.  Of course Roz had to make her mandatory trip to the Navy Exchange, even though we were on the bike and had virtually no spare room, she simply had to browse…it’s a genetic thing…
We had planned on spending a couple of days here, but upon getting up the next morning to a beautiful day we decided to hit the road and make for some place around Kentucky Lake for the evening.
After around 200 miles we arrived at Kentucky Dam Village, we got a room overlooking the lake and settled in for the evening..

View from our room the next morning. 
After much too much breakfast we loaded the bike and bid Kentucky Lake farewell  pointing the Honda towards home, a short 120 miles to the East. 
This was a much better ride than the previous day, even though the wind was still blowing strongly from the WNW, we were now heading East and that meant a nice mostly TAILWIND…We made a couple of stops on the way and arrived home around noon or so.  Our dog was waiting in the drive with tail wagging…
Another outstanding trip, thanks Roz..and Honda..and of course, God…..for our health and ability to enjoy this wonderful country…May I never grow up….

The Hills Visit “The Black Hills” of S.D.

September, 2011

Last year Roz and I had planned to include this part of the country in our trip out West, however had to abandon this phase due to a mishap.  During the past month or so we have been making plans to return and “finish the trip.” 

This trip our camping experience was to be just a little bit different…instead of taking the camper we chose to take our 6X12’ cargo trailer and convert it to a Toy Hauler/Camper…Having experimented with this setup a couple of times locally, just to see if Roz could adapt to the somewhat confined environment, we decided it was Doable…The plan, transport the motorcycle by day in the trailer and by night roll out the bike and ..SHAZZAM…a camper, of sorts. 

Actually, it is a lot more comfortable than it appears.  After adjusting to the MUCH smaller area, it wasn’t bad at all.  We had about all the conveniences of the Big Camper, ie, satellite TV, microwave, refrigerator(small), toaster oven, Porta-Potti, air conditioning….we had the routine down pat, including laying out the air mattresses, bed making, cooking…like a fine Swiss watch.

Leaving Kentucky for our 3000 mile trip our first night was spent at Scott AFB FAMCAMP in Illinois, and the camping experience went as planned, great.  On up the road to a place called Gen Pershing SP in Missouri for our next stop.  We were getting to like this little deal.  Just securing the bike each day was taking a little time, but not too bad, even getting the hang of that.

Next stop was at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Ne.  We had planned to stay at their FamCamp but were advised that it was flooded by the Missouri River and had been closed since June.  Plan B….check Base Lodging…Terrific, a very nice room, just hoping Roz did not get TOO accustomed to this hotel lifestyle overnight…

She looks like she got pretty comfortable to me.  On down the road, next stop, a great campground on the banks of the Missouri River, and Lake Francis Case,  called Snake Creek Recreational Area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Francis Case(largest wintering place for Bald and Golden Eagles)

 

 

From Snake Creek it was on down the road, next stop, Ellsworth AFB at Rapid City, SD.  Our first night here was spent in their FamCamp.  Weather was very interesting, a significant thunderstorm developed overnight causing not just a little concern to us, sleeping, or trying to, in our little motel..not going to happen.  Concern over the bike outside and us inside with the wind rattling our trailer, we spent a mostly sleepless night.

The next day we checked into Ellsworth Lodging for the next six days.  Great accommodations, a BIG step up from our little palace.

Now for Mt Rushmore and all the surrounding beauty of the Black Hills…

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Honda checking out the Park entrance…

 

 

 

 

George and the Boys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The fellow pictured was one of the original drillers on the mountain, very alert and interesting to listen to as he described the task ahead of them.

Roz and I in the shadow of The Boys…

 

 

 

 

Last one…maybe….

Being an ole boy from the flatlands of Kentucky all this beauty was somewhat breathtaking, just can’t get enough photos…

 

What’s that?  Think we will yield to the larger vehicle..one of the numerous tunnels on the Iron Mountain Highway…with its’ pigtail bridges and beautiful scenery…

 

 

This bridge loops back over itself, hence, the name “pigtail” bridge.

 

 

George can be seen from many different locations, this one several miles south of Rushmore.

 

 

 

This road had several wonderful curves, designed for the motorcyclist, I am sure…

 

 

 

Just a few of the MANY  buffalo encountered throughout Custer State Park.

 

 

 

The donkeys were too cute, looking for handouts from car to car…didn’t hang around us on the bike, probably knew a biker had NO food to offer…

 

 

Kids loved these animals.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Had to do the run to Deadwood and Spearfish, could have spent days here in this area.

 

 

 

 

Roz as a stop on the Needles Highway..

This road was a bikers dream, however could be very distracting if trying to take in all the amazing scenery while maintaining control of the bike…The back-seater did help ensure I stayed focused…more to come.

August 2011—Blue Ridge and Wing Ding

Off we go again, this time on the Honda Gold Wing with our friends, Randy and Donna, to attend the Honda Wing Ding event held in Knoxville, Tn.  The plan is to go via the Blue Ridge Parkway, all 467 miles of it, winding up in Knoxville.

Our routing took us through W. Va into Virginia and entering the BRP at Lexington, Va.  Our first night was spent at Charleston, WV and the second at Roanoke, Va.

 

The weather started out great, however as time passed the weather worsened…providing us with several torrential downpours while on the bikes.  Several days were spent in the rainsuits.

However this was all “part of the adventure” and even though somewhat uncomfortable, still a wonderful ride.

 

 

Just a few of the Honda bikes present, reported to be around 15,000 in attendance.  Very informative and organized event.

Spent a total of nine days on the road.

Roz and Donna playing “chicken” with the Titanic…

Great time was had by all.

2011 CATCH-UP September

Wow, has this been a fast year or what, the Fall Season is upon us and this is the first entry I have made this year.  Let’s see, where do I start?

February found Roz and I heading for Florida with the intent of eventually attending the Palatka, Florida Bluegrass Festival in late February, which we did.  Enroute we made several stops, Maxwell AFB in Alabama, then a COE park on Lake Seminole, near Bainbridge, Ga.  From there we went on to  a place called Ross Prairie near Dunnellon, Florida.  This was a neat campground catering primarily to horse folks, however we really enjoyed the place.

All spaces were very wide and drive through.  Lot of walking (horse) trails surrounding this park.

There were several very scenic parks in this area.  We spent a couple of days just  exploring and enjoying the area.

 

This is one of the natural springs feeding a nearby river.

 

 

From here we proceeded to Ortano South (COE) campground near Labelle, Fl.  This was a terrific location on the banks of the Lake Okeechobee waterway.

While staying here we took the opportunity to visit Roz’ sister, Ellen, living in Ft Lauderdale, about 100 miles to the SE. 

 

 

Perfect location and the weather was typical Florida, outstanding, while Kentucky folks back home were enduring VERY cold temperatures.

After leaving here we wandered a little further up North to a place called Salt Springs, a NFS campground located in the Ocala National Forest near Palatka, Florida.  FHU facility in a beautiful area.

Roz and I really enjoyed our visit here, such beautiful scenery and terrific temperatures.  However, the true reason for our trip to Florida was near, the Palatka Bluegrass Festival.

After spending a week here we moved a little further North to the campgrounds at Rodeheavers’ Boys Ranch at Palatka, the site of the Festival.  We were to be here four days. 

 

Joining Roz and I at this event was her sister, Ellen, a real newbie at both camping and Bluegrass.  Roz and I were thinking this could be a true event if Ellen were to dislike both camping AND Bluegrass…We were both relieved and elated that she truly enjoyed both experiences, so much so she made her reservations for the upcoming year in advance.

 

A look at the upscale “conveniences” located within the campground.

 

 

A beautiful sunrise out our back window.

 

 

Ellen arrived from Ft Lauderdale via AmTrack at this station in Palatka.

 

 

 

After the Festival was over we all said our good-byes and Roz and I started our venture back towards Kentucky, and winter.  First stop just up the road about 200 miles or so to one of our favorite places, Kings Bay Naval Sub Base.

This is near several areas of interest, Jekyll Island, St Mary’s, Savannah to name a few.

After a week here it was On The Road Again.

 

We eventually arrived back home, all safe and sound, to much colder weather.  However, we were loaded with terrific memories of this wonderful trip.  Now…where to next?  That is the dilemma…

January 2011 On The Road To Warmer Weather

As much as it hurt us, this is the weather we were leaving in Kentucky for someplace South offering warmer weather.  Our first overnight was at Maxwell AFB Famcamp at Montgomery, Al.  We spent two nights here and enjoyed our stay very much.  Great walking trails, FHU, close to Exchange shopping, quiet and secure. 

Did have an issue with a brake adjuster coming loose and flopping around inside the wheel on the RV causing us to locate a repair facility for the fix.  Prattville RV and Auto repair did the job, quickly and professionally.  We were in and out within two hours, minus about $285. 

Leaving Maxwell Thursday we travelled about 200 miles to beautiful Lake Seminole, Ga located a few miles south of Bainbridge, Ga.  This is a COE campground located on the waters edge at the very south end of the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Kentucky standards this is a huge body of water, somewhere in the area of 16,000 acres of water impounded.  A large COE lake in Ky is typically in the 5000-6000 acre range and fluctuates wildly from winter to summer pool. 

 

 

 

 

 

All this peace and quiet, some of the best bass fishing in the country, for $10 a night(with the Senior Pass).   Only thing missing is our boat and motorcycle…Yep, I could live here.