SPRING RIDE WITHOUT LONG SLEEVES

It's a great time of the year, don't you agree? The time when nature gives you a freebie, a day of sunshine accompanied by heat, warmth, and sun burns. The time of year when we take off our jackets and expose our Lilly white arms to the warmth of the sun. Exposure of a sort that don't do much for the libido but sure helps us forget the gloom of the past few months of winter!


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Sunday March 10th was just such a day. I waited for the fog to burn off. I puttered about the house until almost noon, then started the bike and headed for my spring destination: The Snake (US-421). I took a round about way to get there. I live less than 30 miles from this semi-famous motorcycle destination in Shady Valley, TN.

The way I take is SR-37 to US-321 in Hampton TN. US-321 heads up into the mountains and around Lake Watauga. This is a nice little twisty road that eventually leads out of Tennessee and into Western North Carolina.


image caption: Into the mountains

Our winter has been quite wet. It's a rock strewn ride around mud and rock slides as I travel this road.



It's here the road becomes of interest to me! All of a sudden, even though I've traveled this road for almost 5 years, I realize there are some very cool back roads that need exploration. I decide to take one of them as I enter the valley floor near US-421. The road is called "OLD US-421". I decide to take it. How can ya go wrong? It was worth the ride.


image caption: A blast from our past ESSO

Not far into the detour I ride into a small town known as Sugar Grove, NC.
As I'm weaving down the road, I spy an old ESSO gasoline sign! "This is gonna be good!" I think to myself. I was right! Here in little Sugar Grove, across the street from the Library is a little museum. It's known as "D.T. Garage Museum".


image caption: Antique gas pump


image caption: Antique gas pump


image caption: D.T. Brown Garage

Leaving the Garage Museum behind, I travel a few miles down the road to discover these photogenic buildings standing next to a creek whose soft, misty undertones helped produce a hypnotic beauty in my mind. I hoped to capture that same beauty through the lens.


image caption: early 20th century architecture

I barely kicked the bike into 2nd gear after leaving the old buildings, then I came across this old steam engine. I've not a clue what it was once used for. Do you?


image caption: Vestige of a steam engine

I'm a fan of the old style country church. I saw one that caught my eye as I was riding down the road. I decided to snap my camera as I rode. I like the way the tarmac of the road gives way to the speed of the bike while the old church sits center frame in the distance.



All too soon, Old US-421 rejoins the new and "improved" edition of US-421 and I turn my wheel toward the town of Trade TN. Trade sits on the shared state lines of Tennessee and North Carolina. It has a fun festival every year which celebrates the old grist mill that still sits in town. Some time, I'll have to look for the photos I took when I attended with my sister a few years ago.

Just after passing the grist mill is SR-67. I turn right at this road and follow it up into North Carolina again. The road now becomes NC-88. A fine road for photo ops, but I don't stay on it long. I want to get back onto US-421 and head for Shady Valley via Mountain City. I was ready for a few technical twists and turns on US-421 known locally to us bikers as "The Snake".


image caption: the Mountain City side of The Snake.



In one shot I took (on the west side of Shady Valley heading toward Bristol TN.) I stopped to get a few shots. I never noticed my lens took a hit from a juicy bug, but it tends to lend character to the photo.


image caption: Shady Valley

I turned the bike around at South Holston Lake, retracing my ride back to Shady Valley. I didn't stop at the Shady Valley General Store, which is the prime destination for many riders. I came to ride, not socialize. No time for the hundreds of bikers standing around telling war stories. I like to make my stories as I ride, and I'll them to ya here. Much better this way. Don't ya think?

Switch Back Creek Campgrounds, Or...IT DON'T SUCK TO BE ME!

A VIEW FROM NEAR THE SWITCH BACK CREEK CAMPGROUNDS @ http://www.switchbackcreek.com/
CONTACT INFORMATION:
570 Wallace Rd.

Shady Valley Tn 37688

407-484-3388

E Mail

switchbackcreek@earthlink.net



I know I’m one of the luckiest people alive today! I’ve been taking advantage of the warm weather we’ve been having here…the last two days! Temperatures have ranged from the low 80’s to the high 80’s! Now add to the fact I have been riding in the mountains rather than the hills or lowlands…we can take away about 7 of those degrees…and we have perfect riding temps for me and my little girl! She likes 75 degree weather…and so the hell do I!


I know I promised you a story on the Nortons, but I have been looking at the pictures, and I’m not satisfied with them. I’ve called Windy and asked him if he and I could do a real photo shoot next weekend, take the bikes out to a picturesque place with a non distracting background and do a real shoot that will give the bikes some justice. I also will need Windy to take that tank bag off…but hey, hold on…I’ll give y’all a sneak peak into both bikes right now!





You know, on Friday, when I went for my ride to visit with Windy...I stopped and got some shots of how to find him...street signs and of course around here, we all use landmarks rather than street signs to tell people when to turn...so here is what I got from Windy...and I have to admit...it works!



First Windy tells me to look for this street...no problem, I can read...who needs landmarks? Well...I passed it and drove about another mile before I called him and complained...he then told me to look for this landmark....



"The stone house on the corner!" I found the place right away....
Next, continue down the road to the first right....OK...I can do this! Oh and in case there is any doubt...and you can read...there is always this to point the way!



Now as I'm making my way down the road towards the campground, I see this field. I had to stop and snap a picture...lovely....I think Tennnessee has some beautiful places...right smack dab in the middle of no where!



I find the campgrounds easily enough...it's just where Windy said it would be...surprise surprise! I see Windy in the middle of his open field...talking with one of his guests...and ride up to him. I turn my bike off, stick out my hand and say..."I guess your Windy?" and sure nuff...he was.



Now climbing off the bike after making sure the ground I was "camped" on was firm and level...I climbed of my little girl and spun around...checking things out...yes, I think to myself, "It's as he discribed on the blog cast...good, I'm dealing with an honest man!" So I ask Windy, "What's your vision for this place in a few years?" Wow...did I ever learn a few things! "Look down here if you would please Ma'am..."



"I've got a road roughed in now...it leads down to the creek, where I plan to put some primitive tent sites in." The road leads down into a bowl shaped depression below the main level of the camp. At one time, it was a Laural thicket...now Windy has cleared most of the brush away, and I can see something wonderful this way will come. I can almost make out the small stream in the distance. Windy has 21 acres to play with here...and he has loads of plans to help make your camping and riding dreams come true!

Here is where Windy is planning a small lake. There is a stream that will feed it seperate from the creek that runs out beyond the area we see here!



Here is the creek...



Now I realize it don't look like much now, but once he gets the area properly cleared...including the bank area...you will see exactly what he does...and I can see it as well...in a year maybe two...you will see a lot of wildlife and some great camping down there.

For now though, your regulated to the field. I forgot to take pictures of that area...but if you scan back up at the field I posted earlir...that's pretty much what you get!

Windy has his bath house built and ready for your bathing and toilet needs...check out what you get!







Hot water on demand...


If you don't want to rough it...then book one of his quaint cabins! They feature twin beds an in wall AC unit, electricity, and a vainty. Comfortable units to be sure!





I'd like you to keep in mind this campground is a work in progress. Windy is develouping his dream as he is able. He trades labor with neighbors all around him. This one has a business which clears land...Windy will trade his mechcanical skills for the machinary to clear his land...it takes time to do something good...it takes longer still to do it right. I believe Windy is doing this right.

This area is full of great motorcycle riding! Within a mile or two of SR421...or better known to the locals as "The Snake". click here to read more about SR 421 and The Snake! http://www.squidoo.com/the_snake