Wilson Dam, AL

The route, 227 miles:

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Filling up, just about ready to go...

Passing through Leipers Fork (look -- a KTM Super Duke in front of Puckett's.)
Down Natchez Trace...
under a beautiful sky.
A stop for food in Collinwood, TN
We'd never been there before, but apparently it's a popular motorcycle stop.
On down to Florence, Alabama and Wilson Dam

This guy was trying to photograph an osprey that lives on top of a tower next to the dam.
The dam

My trusty Lowrance XOG GPS








Jeff, muttering threats to litterers everywhere, does his best to be a good citizen and put the trash where it belongs.
Getting ready to head home.

Across the dam


Sunset -- time to make the long trek home in the dark.

Land Between the Lakes

The route: Franklin, TN to Grand Rivers, KY (Land Between the Lakes)
Near Dover, TN I took a little lunch break. Wow, that guy needs to shave!
Beautiful Kentucky Lake

Supper stop in Grand Rivers, KY

Fall Creek Falls

This Sunday's ride took us to Fall Creek Falls State Park. Besides beautiful scenery, the highway right near the park has some wonderful curves.

Here's the route:
The beautiful Fall Creek Falls

People playing in the pool below the falls
Wonderful curves (a couple of these took my by surprise -- I still have a LOT to learn. I'm definitely the n00b of this riding group!)

Riding buddy Sam
and Troy
Hack and Steve
Sam and his sister on the Suzuki SV650S
and last but not least, JB with his trusty FJR (also Steve's Yamaha TDM 850 and my SV650)

Cherohala Skyway

Cherohala Skyway is not quite as spectacular as Blue Ridge Parkway, but it is quite a bit more fun to ride. The road is narrow and has enough great curves to please all but the most demanding of motorcyclists.


Here's a sped-up video fly-through of my ride. About half-way through I got stuck behind some slower Harley riders. Any wobbling or bouncing you see is me fooling around trying to get them to pull over and let me by. No such luck!

Blue Ridge Parkway - South and West from Asheville

I took the Blue Ridge Parkway south from Asheville. It was more beautiful than I expected. Winding curves, scenic overlooks and morning mist made the ride nearly perfect. Hopefully the pictures and video can give at least a sense of this great road.

Misty morning on the Blue Ridge

A great view

Cato Coati enjoys the scenery.


Cherry Cove Overlook

Courthouse Valley Overlook

Another beautiful overlook.

Hanging Out in Asheville, NC

These are some photos from the two days I spent with Aunt Martha and my cousin Stephen, his wife Colleen and their kids in Asheville.

We went to a park by the French Broad River, which was very high. The little trail next to the river was flooded. Stephen and boys decided to wade it.
A river of chocolate milk.
This little spider climbed along her barely visible thread just above the rushing water. I caught this pic just as she reached her destination, high and dry.
Kayakers putting in for a little fun in the high water.


After the park, Martha, Stephen and I headed downtown to an art show. I caught this very bad photo of a very cool coffee shop as we walked by.
Asheville Area Arts Council where the show was held.
We also checked out Minerva Gallery, where I was introduced to the fantastic art of Chris Sedgwick.
I had a great beefalo burger and a couple glasses of Highland Oatmeal Porter (the best beer in the world) at Barley's.
And off into the sunset, back to Martha's.
More inspiring than the art galleries was getting to be around my uncle's art again at Aunt Martha's house. Her brother died in his mid-thirties, but his art inspires me and I often refer to it in my own work. Here are a few of Zahn's pieces.



An unfinished painting, but beautiful as is.
To top off the visit, I left with this little crazy beauty. An acquaintance of my aunt's gave it to her, and she passed it on to me to be cherished.

Next installment: Blue Ridge Parkway and Cherohala Skyway on the way back to Nashville.