Lost Roads: Sneedville TN.

I left home about 10:00 AM.  The temperature was in the high 40's, the skies were gray and overcast.  The weather guys said it would be sunny. I figure he pretty much didn't have a clue.  No rain but sun was a rarity the entire day.  It's a good day for photographic work. 
I start my journey as I always do these days: I photograph my trip meter.


PHOTO CAPTION: Speedo start of trip.

Riding west on I-26 to Gate City VA. and US-23 North to US 421/58 West.  Once I'm on US-58 West, I know I will be looking out for SR-600 and the start of my Lost Road Ride.  I almost missed it! I thought I would find it further west than I did.  If not for the car turning ahead of me...I 'm sure I would have missed it!

The problem with this? I wasn't prepared. I thought I would have more time to buy fuel. When I found VA-600, I already had 53 miles on the Lil Girl.  I decided to chance it. I know she should get about 90 miles before I was sucking air...and while I did not really study the map before I left, I figured "Hey, there is gonna be a gas station around here somewhere..." uh huh... right.  60 miles gone, 65....70.  I stopped to drag out a map. Something I don't usually do, but I wanted to be sure I shouldn't be knocking on the door of a farmer out here...rather than sitting on the side of a lonely 2 lane road.  Before I could get the map, a pick-up truck truck stopped and asked if all was well.  I asked the guy if there was a gas station within 10 miles. He smiles and tells me of a store ahead, it had no gas but they could tell me where the closest station was.  It was 3 miles ahead.  This guy was not from around here, he was going home after having bagged his buck.  This day was the opening season and he got his boy.


IMAGE CAPTION: Bagged deer at the check station


IMAGE CAPTION: Wildlife check station and convenience store

This is a really nice country store, housing a small restaurant, a wild life game check station, and a convenience store.  The inside was quaint with wood floors and heavy wood old time shelving.  It smelled good in there, but I was on a mission. Gas, photos...LOST ROADS!  



 IMAGE CAPTION: Old barn and weathered wood



Almost as soon as I round the corner and head toward Sneedville and the closest gas station (ten miles away) I find an old barn with great weathered wood to capture with the lens.  It's not as dramatic in these photos as it should be...I was/am disappointed. I'm in Kyles Ford, TN.



IMAGE CAPTION: couldn't hit the broadside of a barn?


IMAGE CAPTION: barn door?

Oh, by the way...I had crossed over into TN about 1/8 mile before I found the wildlife check station. The name of the road changed to TN-33 South.  I find the gas station, I've got 80 miles showing on the trip meter and the pump says I had .06 gas left.  Whew...I love riding my little sporty with her 2.3 gallon tank!  This store also served hot food.  I pumped my gas, moved my bike and ordered a hamburger.  Oh it was sooo good!


IMAGE CAPTION: 80 MILES DOWN WITH .06 AND FUMES LEFT TO GO.

I had found Sneedsville.  As I rode into town on their main street, I stopped to photograph their court house. It's a stately structure for a town this size.  I liked the architecture of the building.


IMAGE CAPTION: Court House in Sneedville

I found the jail museum easily enough, it is on Jail Street...the next block over.  It was closed. What a bummer the sign says it's open 2 days a week (both of them weekdays. No weekends.)  Oh, and once October is over, it's not open at all. If you want to visit, you must call for an appointment.  OK, I should have read the fine print. 


IMAGE CAPTION: Jail of Sneedville sign.

As I'm leaving town, I see this bright red structure with the quilt design on it.  I like this design on this red building as a back drop for my bike...


IMAGE CAPTION: closed business, red background, and my Lil Girl

Leaving Sneedville on TN-33 you will cross over the Clinch River and come to a "T". Here if you turn right you will find yourself on TN-31 south. This road appears to have one very twisty section on it as you wind your way toward TN-11, it appears to be called "The Treadway".  Makes it sound pretty good huh? I didn't go that way. I tipped my bike to the left and followed TN-66 south.  I've been on the lower half of TN-66 and found it to be a lot of fun.  I've been wanting to explore the upper part of 66 for almost 18 months. It's high time to do so.  WHAT A GREAT TWISTY ROAD FOR EXPLORING! 

I came across a few "CENTURY FARMS" At one, yes...I stopped to photograph a few out buildings.


IMAGE CAPTION: Century Farm Out Buildings


IMAGE CAPTION: Sign for the Century Farm


IMAGE CAPTION: More outbuildings

You'll find this farm at an area on TN-66 called Stony Gap. TN.-66 is a nice twisting road leading south to RT-11W and back home.  It rises to the mountain tops a few times and descends into the valleys below. The sharp twists and turns will test the experienced rider as well as the new rider.  It's a road worthy of seeing.  Along the way, just before I turned off TN-66 I found this piece of property. It contained so many great shots, but there wasn't a safe place to pull off the road to capture them.  I took the chance here after turning around and I got this great shot.  Best one of the day I think!

IMAGE CAPTION: best shot of the day on TN. 66.

It's early, I want to continue to explore new roads, so I turn off on Caney Creek Road.  I didn't know where it would lead, how long it was, or what conditions I would find.  As it turns out, it was rather tame and only lead me to TN-70.  But I did find some cool things here!


IMAGE CAPTION: Roadside wonder...


IMAGE CAPTION: I'm a fan of Corvettes...

I soon found my way to TN-347 East. I cruised a few back roads, can't remember the names, and I found this great shot!



IMAGE CAPTION: Lost roads and forgotten cars

The rest of the the ride home is uneventful...when I rolled into my driveway, I had 173 miles racked up.  It was another great day y'all! 

Now, it's time for YOU to ride some LOST ROADS!
Till next time .... ride well, be well....

Another great day and RIDE in Tennessee!

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I left out of my house after walking my dog, getting breakfast for all in the house...and checking my email.  Walked to the carport...pulled the little girl into the driveway, cranked her up....ah she sounds so dang sweet.


I've decided to play tourist at Bristol Caverns.  It's really a first for me...I have to pay $13.00 to go down in a hole in the ground....yeah, can ya believe this cheap ass gal is gonna open her pockets for a great trip down in the ground....


BUT...before I get there, I want to stop and get a picture of this stuff.....check it out!




Check out this barber shop's sign here on the "back door".





Are you gonna tell me this isn't cool?




OK...Now I'm heading north on 19E.  It's a four lane hiway that leads or rather dumps into 11E which is known as the Bristol Hiway.  This road will take you directly past Bristol Motor Speedway.  I don't go there that way...I find a back road.  I head east on Hiway 44.  Heading toward Bluff City...I actually think this road is pretty darn good.





After I cross the rail road tracks in Bluff City, I come to this little park.  It's really quite nice.
Geese, A rail car, water...cool stuff...














I left the park still heading East on 44...when somehow I got side tracked...and found myself on SR 394, which runs on the backside of Bristol Motor Speedway.  How the hell did I end up here? ah well...so if your looking at the map, you'll see I stay on this road until I hit SR421.  As I am crossing the hiway onto SR421, I see this:





Tell me, how many of you have passed these signs where you live, without slowing down to see what it says?  Man so much history passing you by! STOP AND CHECK EM OUT!

I now have my GPS pegged to my ear...it takes me the rest of the way into Bristol Caverns! Love my GPS...it's hooked up to my phone so I just follow Michelle's voice!


Here we are!





I'm walking down into the caverns...I see all the stair heading DOWN, I'm a couch potato...figure out how bad that gets on the tour back up...there were seven people on our tour...I'm the only one who is puffing on the way back out...one of the guys on the tour is about sixty something...and he's not even breathing hard! Rat bastard!

















There's a whole bunch more...this is pretty impressive...right here in our own back yard...I think you guys would like it.  I did...and I recovered well from the climb...so should you!


I left out of the Caverns, with every intention of heading home...but I kept seeing the signs for TVA South Holston Dam.  I had to see it.... well here it is!

















This is on top of the earthen dam...in fact every one after this one is from on top!














Leaving from South Holston Dam I find my way back to SR44. Heading south this time...I find these treasures....so cool!


This log cabin home is very OLD...and people still LIVE in it!  Oh wow...cool!








Love this nice old barn...don't you guys?





Well this is about it Folks...I'm on my way home!