Around the Lake - always bring a camera

We went to Virginia for a wedding reception this weekend. Traveled about 1,300 miles in a cage between the two days. I took today (April 24th) off because I knew I wouldn't be ready for work - and I wasn't.

I only planned on taking a short ride with Elizabeth, which wouldn't amount to a "trip" so I didn't bring the camera. The trip consisted of moments of "I wish I brought the camera."

We started off by going to Highland Marina. The marina visit is because I have often said that Elizabeth and I are going to live in a house boat when the kids have moved on. If you say something enough, someone listens. Elizabeth recently thought about it and expressed enthusiasm over the idea. So, I've been looking more serious into the perspective plan.

After the Marina we went to the West Point dam and visited the visitor center. Behind the center are a couple benches overlooking the lake. The provided the first opportunity for me to say, "Why didn't I bring my camera?" I will bring my camera next time and you'll see what I mean.

After driving across the dam, we drove through a couple state parks. All of these were beautiful and contained more camera moments.


Then we stopped at the South Harbor Marina. We bought a few diet cokes and the lady behind the counter told us that we could go out on the docks and look at the boats, as a few were for sale. The first dock housed some beautiful boats and we left really excited about the possibilities. We started out onto the second dock and Elizabeth grabbed me and yelled, "Stop." I looked ahead and saw a cottonmouth relaxing across the dock. Elizabeth was like, "I'm done, let's go." I grabbed a stick and, after much prodding, convinced the viper to move into the water. We ended up going down the dock, but Elizabeth was far too concerned with her feet to look at any of the boats. At this point, she is trying to erase the experience from her mind. She likes the idea of a house boat and is completely freaked out by venomous snakes - a normal reaction. Oh, this was another time I said, "I wish I had my camera" - because I happen to be completely intrigued by all snakes, but especially venomous ones - not exactly a normal reaction.


We then went home and had ravioli.

Pine Mountain - Peace & Coffee

I think "we went to Pine Mountain today" is going to be a reoccurring statement. This trip was on April 24th. When we only have a few hours, this makes for a great ride (another is over the dam and around West Point Lake). After packing our lunch we hit the road - another beautiful day.

Elizabeth in front of the Callaway Store
and the view in front of her.

We had our lunch outside of the Callaway Country store. A group of riders from the military base, I believe, arrived there right after us for lunch - as seen behind me. We saw lots of bike out this day.



This has become the standard stop. Elizabeth and I had the overlook all to our self today and we relaxed with a cup of coffee. I wish I could do justice to this time in writing, but I can't. There are those perfect moments of contentment and this was one of them. My wife, the natural beauty of the mountains, the coffee and the perfect weather. We had a wonderful ride in the morning and another to look forward to when it was time to move on.

I always liked pictures of the road and now I know why.

Horseshoe Bend, Alabama - Part I

Just as I am late getting this blog out there, so were we late when we headed to Horseshoe Bend, Alabama on April 17th. The trip was too short and we didn't get to see all that we wanted. This is going to be part I to be concluded with a family trip at another time.

It didn't take us long to get there and the back roads were beautiful. Nothing eventful about the ride, so I'll move onto the park.

This is from the website link above:

"On the morning of 27 March 1814, General Andrew Jackson and an army of 3,300 men consisting of Tennessee militia, United States regulars and both Cherokee and Lower Creek allies attacked Chief Menawa and 1,000 Upper Creek or Red Stick warriors fortified in the "horseshoe" bend of the Tallapoosa River."

"Facing overwhelming odds, the Red Sticks fought bravely yet ultimately lost the battle. Over 800 Upper Creeks died at Horseshoe Bend defending their homeland. This was the final battle of the Creek War of 1813-14, which is considered part of the War of 1812. In a peace treaty signed after the battle, both the Upper and Lower Creeks were forced to give the United States nearly 20 million acres of land in what is today Alabama and Georgia. The victory here brought Andrew Jackson national attention and helped him to be elected the seventh President of the United States in 1828."


There is a museum in the visitor center as well as a movie, but we didn't have time to spend there and we were hungry. After eating lunch on the lawn outside we took the bike along a 6 stop driving tour of the park.



This was the first stop and faced an island across the water. Andrew Jackson's men were ordered to kill anyone trying to escape the area and it was said the the river water was red and unusable after the battle. Both Elizabeth and I were saddened by the whole scene. I understand that there are many sides to a story and it can be difficult to see all of these. It is said that this battle led to Andrew Jackson becoming president, which also led to the Trail of Tears. This park is such a beautiful place but led us to feeling very sorrowful.




We took a different ride back that led us through construction as well as a fast & busy roads. We won't be going that way again. During the construction portion, I had to take the bike off of one raised lane of the road and then back up onto the raised portion after the work area. I haven't had to go over raised areas before and was pretty nervous about it. I made it without difficulties, but didn't like it.


I'm noticing that these summer rides are giving me face a lot of sun and I'll need to break out the suntan lotion in the future. Also, there are a lot more bugs out and my face is taking a beating on these rides. I wonder about getting a 3/4 helmet with a face shield. Bugs at 60 mph hurt.

a Zen moment

29 Dreams & Barber Museum

This past weekend, T and I went over toward Birmingham Al with the Newnan HOG group to stay at 29 Dreams and visit the Barber Museum.

We left our house around 6:45 with a temperature below 50F. It was a very cold ride up and we were hoping for some sunshine that wouldn't show up until the next day. Upon arriving in Newnan we met up with the HOG group, had some coffee, and were briefed on the ride. Then we hit the road with 14 Harleys (18 people).



The trip took us back through LaGrange, down to West Point and then over into Alabama. The ride would have been a lot nicer if it wasn't so cold and if I was better prepared for that fact. At one point I couldn't stop shivering. The leather jacket did not come off all day.


Just before we got to 29 Dreams an owl flew out of the woods and across the road in front of me - very nice. There must be something about birds and bikes. T and I were set up to camp in a tent, but another couple had to leave that night and gave us their cabin, which we shared with Bill.



We signed into 29 Dreams and they served us and excellent lunch (pasta, meatballs & bread).


After lunch, we took some twisties through the mountains and rode into Birmingham to visit the Barber Museum. The museum has lots and lots of bikes. I wish I knew more about motorcycles because I am sure that I could have gotten more out of it than I did. A return visit is inevitable.




Saw a very cool replica of the chopper from Easy Rider.


After more twisties through the mountains, we arrived back at 29 Dreams where we had a couple beers and sat around a fire while waiting for supper (ribs).


Once supper was finished we hung out be the fire and toasted marshmallows. We were all pretty tired and I was crawling into my sleeping bag before 9:00 Alabama time.




The sun showed up the next day and we started it with some good coffee and a full plate, or two, at the 29 Dreams breakfast buffet.



We had one more photo op before hitting the road and then we were off. The ride back was great. The sun was shining and the temperature was perfect.


We left the group in Roanoke and were home by 12:30 for our Easter celebration. The miles for the trip were about 344 and we put on a little over 60 the day before for a total of over 400 miles for the weekend - not too bad.

Pine Mountain Hike - Callaway Store

April 10th the family went down to Pine Mountain for a hike. This was a big trip because Jessie Ann finally decided she wanted to try out the bike. She had ridden around the neighborhood once, but that was it.


She started the journey holding on for dear life and soon loosen up a bit and enjoyed the ride. It was a nice ride - slightly overcast but not cold. We hit some construction on the way with loose gravel on the roads, so decided to take a different route home. Loose gravel is bad - thankfully it was on a straight away and not on curves.

We were supposed to get rain later on in the day so we were racing the to get in the hike and then get home before it hit. I didn't bring my rain gear and was taking a very long ride the next day and didn't want to deal with wet leather.

We started the hike at Callaway Country store and followed the ridge along one side, crossed the road, went down for a spell and then gradually climbed the ridge on the other side. It was an easy and relaxing hike - 3.4 miles.

We saw one deer on the hike and lots of nice scenery. It did sprinkle on us a little but not enough for us to get wet.








We took the long way home which took us through West Point. Dylan rode with me most of the trip and then T hopped on for the final leg.