Motorcycle Alabama

Sandy was in Dyersburg, TN (Just north of Jackson, TN). After looking at the map, I decided to detour up and have lunch with her. We headed east on I40 to Conway, AR. There we took Hwy 64 over to I57 north. Hwy 412 through Paragould, then I155 to Dyersburg. We pulled into the parking lot and circled around to the office.

Some crazy redhead came running out of the office hollering, "My Husband, My Husband!". After a big hug, I asked if she saw me when we pulled in, "No I saw Chuck and his trailer". The hug released all the stress she had from the past 2 weeks and put it back on my shoulders.

I asked if she was staying til the next day as she planned. No, she finished the inspections and was heading home in about an hour. I said I'd hang around and follow them back home. I told Chuck to unload the trailer and he could head back to South Alabama. I thanked him for being a great wingman for a second trip.

As we head home, I had to get fuel and we got separated. About 50 miles later I'm cruising about 5 over on a little 2 lane road. As I top a hill, I see blue lights and slow down. Just before I get to the trooper, a gray Equinox pulls from in front of the trooper. The car looks familiar, then I notice a fire fighter tag. I realize it's Sandy in the new car she just got. She pulls over about a mile past the trooper, I just shake my head and keep going.

About 5 miles up the road a find a good place to stop, and she pulls in behind me. 4 weeks earlier I paid $200 for her doing 60 in a 45, so I asked, "How much is that going to cost me??". She got a warning this time after informing the trooper she was trying to get home to bury he MIL. She now sets the cruise control on ALL trips.

We make it home that evening. I was gone 2 weeks and a day. Had several setbacks, but a lot of memories and fun times. Put a little over 5000 miles on the bike for the trip.

it was a good ride. Clutch and water pump worked properly. The front tire had a better balance on it also. LOL

Looks like a very enjoyable ride. I'm glad you got to enjoy it!!

Chuck

Left the house and headed to Gurley for breakfast. I stopped at My Brothers Coffee Company and had a coffee along with a muffin. I didn't have a plan, just to ride.

After coffee, I went 1 block to Gurley Pike and headed north.  Right on Hurricane Creek Rd/Hurricane Rd through the hills and curves over to New Market and right on Winchester Highway. Left at Elora Tn on Hwy 121 to US 64, then right on Hwy 50 to Lynchburg Square. 

Backtracked a little to Hwy 129 over to US 231 N for a minute, then left on Hwy 129 again. On to Petersburg and north on US 431 into Lewisburg. US 31A N and then right on Hwy 64 to Shelbyville. Turn on Fairfield Pike, left on Hwy 269 into Bell Buckle. Back to Hwy 269 and head toward Wartrace. Zigzag through Wartrace on Hwy 269 to Normandy and on to Tullahoma. Left on US 41a then over to Hwy 130 in Tullahoma. Left on 476, across Awalt Bridge, then left on hwy 50. I made a loop through Tims Ford Park.

Right on US 41a to Cowen and up to the overlook at Sewanee for a short break. I headed on to Monteagle, turned back to Hwy 156 and rode off the mountain through Franklin State Forest and into South Pittsburg.

Right on US 72 and met Sandy at Warehouse 207 for a beer and wings.

All the roads were good condition. 121, 129, and 156 were all good roads with nice curves. The roads from Bell Buckle to Winchester were also good curves.

325 miles for the day in about 8 hours.

Thanks Dad

Leaving from Gurley on Wednesday morning around 9am to burn some Motorcycle Fuel. Just riding around on back roads in Alabama, maybe Georgia, maybe Tenn.  Holler if you want to join in.

Mom made it clear that she was ready to go, she was 88 and health was declining. She lived on my property for the last 7 years, so I got to spend a good bit of time with her. She was starting to get dementia and was adamant about not wanting to live with that.

Sorry about your Mom. 

Good to see someone doing a ride report here.  It looks like you saw some real interesting scenery.  I was out at Mexican Hat around 10 years ago but missed the spot from Forest Gump.  I guess I need to go back.

On Saturday night we stayed in ALBUQUERQUE NM. There we bleed the hydraulic clutch and got it working again. No more pumping when trying to stop.

I planned to ride up the Sandia Crest, Well-known 10,678-ft. peak with a long forested ridge, plus a hiking trail & aerial tramway. I wasn't sure about the road going up and Chuck had concerns about his knee. So he road ahead and waited while I went up the mountain.

I stopped to fill up and started talking to a guy at the pumps that rode and he invited us out to his house for the day. After a 2 hour story telling session, I told him I had to go and headed out.

I started up the mountain, into Cibola National Forest and ended at the Sandia Crest. The views from the mountain were unbelievable.  after about an hour, I headed back down the mountain and to our meet up station.

We headed east in I40, stopped at the Cadillac Ranch, then at the Big Texan for a steak. We only covered about 300 miles for the day and decided to stay at the motel beside the Big Texan Steakhouse.

I called to check in with Sandy and she said Mom had passed away about an hour earlier. My brother Jason was with her as she went peacefully to her Heavenly Mansion.

We bypassed downtown Vegas and headed toward Monument Valley.
My wife told me Mom was septic and couldn't have surgery. My sister and her informed the doctors to keep her comfortable.  Again, I asked if I needed to head home. Again, the answer was no, we have it handled. Enjoy your trip.
We toured Monument Valley, stopped at the Forrest Gump Point where he stopped running in the movie and saw the Mexican Hat.

Heading north in California -  From Santa Monica we headed north on Hwy 1. after about 6 hours we stopped at San Luis Obispo Bay.  Took a few pics from Nobi Point on Avila Beach Drive.

I noticed I had a text from my wife to call her.  She informed me that my Mom was hurting and she called an ambulance to take her to the Hospital.  I asked if I needed to head home. She said her and my sister had it handled and to enjoy my trip.

Went a little farther north to San Lucas and headed east. The next planned stop was the Sequoia National Forest.  We went through Visalia.  We stopped at a Sinclair Gas Station with the green dinosaurs. We fill up and move on.

As we arrived to Isabella Lake, we noticed smoke on the mountains. As we rounded the next curve, traffic was backed up and the road was blocked.

I hear a noise and see a Chinook helo coming in low toward the water. I grab my camera and they drop a hose into the water, fill their tank , then head back toward the mountain. We didn't have time to wait, so headed toward Las Vegas.