PRE-RIDE JITTERS
I know most of you can relate: I tossed and turned all last night, dreaming of the ride I planned to take today. I read a post regarding Lake Norris before I went to bed. I checked maps and decided I would go there and explore. I could/will ride the back roads there, photographing the things I spot along the way, and boot scoot home the highways...I guess all this excitment during the night sleeping hours went for naught. I forgot to check the weather and I find myself staring at rain this morning with the weather dude calling for 50% chance of it going on most of the day. Rain sucks. Tomorrow looks better. I guess I will just do some long awaited maintenance on my Lil Girl today..she'll be a better ride tomorrow!
3 STATES AND 125 MILES, TN, VA AND NC NEVER FAIL ME!
How many of my readers can say this? I live in an area where riding in and out of three states in a matter of a few hours is the norm. These three states also happen to sit inside the Appalachian Mountain Range. Such a wonderful region: mountains, mountain streams, and of course the trees and floral fauna of the Blue Ridge: which around here translates to the Catawba Rhododendron, Mountain Laurel, assorted pine, hemlocks, cedars and not to mention about 50 more varieties of trees.
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I left home with sun dumping down on my shoulders. The weatherman was predicting temperatures nearing the century mark. By 10 AM, the mercury was soaring into the high 80's. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt, and as I always do these days a pair of black pants. I was cooking. The humidity was quite high and my body was heating up sitting astride the engine of my little Sportster. It was then I made my mind up. I was going to the Mountains. No...Not a Bush commercial, I was really heading for the mountains! My ride would take me up into the area of Watagua Lake and into the town of Butler. Every year Butler celebrates "Old Butler Days". As I'm closing in on that little town I remember to slow down and pull over in order to read the history sign that I've managed to pass by for three years without stopping. Because of this sign, I now have an understanding of what they are celebrating at "OLD BUTLER DAYS"! I think I might ride up there August 8th and help them celebrate. I'll let you read the sign yourself. Here ya go!
Moving along from there (I was sitting near the town of Butler on TN 67). A few miles past Butler: I spy an off shoot road known as TN 167 North. Leaning into the turn for this northbound asphalt, I'm smiling. I was remembering some old buildings on this road I've been meaning to photograph. But until I find them I have some mild twists of the road, spiced with views of rocky pastures on my right and stark rock bluff faces on my left. There were shallow shouldered quarries on the left, interspersed with rock crushing machinery and land moving Cats climbing the steep un-natural "road" zigging up the rock faced mountain side: breaking off shale and granite for the rock crushing machinery below. I didn't stop to photograph these because of traffic building behind me. But I was able to pull off the road safely for this shot of a great old farm house.
IMAGE CAPTION: A Grand Farm House off TN-167
Still further along TN-167, I run across an example of bad luck. This family was burned out.
IMAGE CAPTION: ANOTHER VICTIM OF WINTERS HEATING BLUES
I crossed into VA. still on SR-167. It's beautiful as always. So green and lush; and the homes are of the cabin variety making them photogenic in addition to being full of stories that only the weathered grain or the cracked panes of glass are able to tell. If only they could.
IMAGE CAPTION: peeling paint, weathered wood cracked panes
IMAGE CAPTION: WHAT WILL THE WOOD AND GLASS PANES TELL US?
Before long the road "T"s into NC 88. What? When did I weave into North Carolina? I honestly don't know. But I was happy to find myself on NC 88. I knew I hadn't been on this far West on 88 before, but I have been further east. I turned left and headed east; I got as far as Warrensville before I decided to turn around. I was hungry, so I stopped at The Whistle Stop Cafe: A small 12 table eatery on the side of the highway featuring a gravel parking lot, 1 waitress, 2 sheriffs eating, and me busing a table I wanted to sit at. The poor waitress was taking orders, busing tables, serving and playing cashier. It took a very long time for my "super hamburger" and side salad to arrive and I was forced to ask the poor harried girl for my iced tea. She admitted to forgetting. My burger arrived at my table and she apologized for the delay. She whispered they ran out of hamburger meat and had to run to the store to get more. I've run a small town restaurant like this one before; I had no problem understanding her predicament. Besides, why be in a hurry when you're out going nowhere?
IMAGE CAPTION: WHISTLE STOP CAFE WARRENSVILLE NC
Oh, I love this place! The front yard was full of used cars for sale. The out buildings were covered in porcelain or metal signage. This was located on NC-88 near Warrensville. There was an auction business across the street. I suspect the owners of the auction business also owned these out buildings.
IMAGE CAPTION: I remember ESSO
How many of you remember when ESSO became EXXON?
I liked this view, so I stopped and photographed it. I don't have the proper lens to capture it correctly, but it still offers an inkling of how stunning the view is. There was very small generating station hooked up to this little dam.
IMAGE CAPTION: A nice little place to stop and admire the view.
On NC-88 in the middle of nowhere, I found an older firetruck, the out buildings are covered in hubcaps and license plates.
IMAGE CAPTION: HUBCAPS AND FIRE ENGINES
IMAGE CAPTION: FARM IMPLEMENTS AND HORSE SHOES
I've completed the loop. I'm on my way home, I've run "The Snake" and I'm on TN-91 in Carter County. Every time I run past this place, I swear to myself I will stop and take photos. I DID STOP ON THIS RIDE! YAHOO!
IMAGE CAPTION: all lenses are original on this car. GLASS!
IMAGE CAPTION: WOULDN'T YOU WANT ONE OF THESE?
IMAGE CAPTION: CHEVY'S EMBLEM
IMAGE CAPTION: I THINK THIS IS A WILLYS JEEP!
I take a final look at my surroundings. Here ya go...
IMAGE CAPTION: MY HOME, TENNESSEE
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I left home with sun dumping down on my shoulders. The weatherman was predicting temperatures nearing the century mark. By 10 AM, the mercury was soaring into the high 80's. I was wearing a long sleeve shirt, and as I always do these days a pair of black pants. I was cooking. The humidity was quite high and my body was heating up sitting astride the engine of my little Sportster. It was then I made my mind up. I was going to the Mountains. No...Not a Bush commercial, I was really heading for the mountains! My ride would take me up into the area of Watagua Lake and into the town of Butler. Every year Butler celebrates "Old Butler Days". As I'm closing in on that little town I remember to slow down and pull over in order to read the history sign that I've managed to pass by for three years without stopping. Because of this sign, I now have an understanding of what they are celebrating at "OLD BUTLER DAYS"! I think I might ride up there August 8th and help them celebrate. I'll let you read the sign yourself. Here ya go!
Moving along from there (I was sitting near the town of Butler on TN 67). A few miles past Butler: I spy an off shoot road known as TN 167 North. Leaning into the turn for this northbound asphalt, I'm smiling. I was remembering some old buildings on this road I've been meaning to photograph. But until I find them I have some mild twists of the road, spiced with views of rocky pastures on my right and stark rock bluff faces on my left. There were shallow shouldered quarries on the left, interspersed with rock crushing machinery and land moving Cats climbing the steep un-natural "road" zigging up the rock faced mountain side: breaking off shale and granite for the rock crushing machinery below. I didn't stop to photograph these because of traffic building behind me. But I was able to pull off the road safely for this shot of a great old farm house.
IMAGE CAPTION: A Grand Farm House off TN-167
Still further along TN-167, I run across an example of bad luck. This family was burned out.
IMAGE CAPTION: ANOTHER VICTIM OF WINTERS HEATING BLUES
I crossed into VA. still on SR-167. It's beautiful as always. So green and lush; and the homes are of the cabin variety making them photogenic in addition to being full of stories that only the weathered grain or the cracked panes of glass are able to tell. If only they could.
IMAGE CAPTION: peeling paint, weathered wood cracked panes
IMAGE CAPTION: WHAT WILL THE WOOD AND GLASS PANES TELL US?
Before long the road "T"s into NC 88. What? When did I weave into North Carolina? I honestly don't know. But I was happy to find myself on NC 88. I knew I hadn't been on this far West on 88 before, but I have been further east. I turned left and headed east; I got as far as Warrensville before I decided to turn around. I was hungry, so I stopped at The Whistle Stop Cafe: A small 12 table eatery on the side of the highway featuring a gravel parking lot, 1 waitress, 2 sheriffs eating, and me busing a table I wanted to sit at. The poor waitress was taking orders, busing tables, serving and playing cashier. It took a very long time for my "super hamburger" and side salad to arrive and I was forced to ask the poor harried girl for my iced tea. She admitted to forgetting. My burger arrived at my table and she apologized for the delay. She whispered they ran out of hamburger meat and had to run to the store to get more. I've run a small town restaurant like this one before; I had no problem understanding her predicament. Besides, why be in a hurry when you're out going nowhere?
IMAGE CAPTION: WHISTLE STOP CAFE WARRENSVILLE NC
Oh, I love this place! The front yard was full of used cars for sale. The out buildings were covered in porcelain or metal signage. This was located on NC-88 near Warrensville. There was an auction business across the street. I suspect the owners of the auction business also owned these out buildings.
IMAGE CAPTION: I remember ESSO
How many of you remember when ESSO became EXXON?
I liked this view, so I stopped and photographed it. I don't have the proper lens to capture it correctly, but it still offers an inkling of how stunning the view is. There was very small generating station hooked up to this little dam.
IMAGE CAPTION: A nice little place to stop and admire the view.
On NC-88 in the middle of nowhere, I found an older firetruck, the out buildings are covered in hubcaps and license plates.
IMAGE CAPTION: HUBCAPS AND FIRE ENGINES
IMAGE CAPTION: FARM IMPLEMENTS AND HORSE SHOES
I've completed the loop. I'm on my way home, I've run "The Snake" and I'm on TN-91 in Carter County. Every time I run past this place, I swear to myself I will stop and take photos. I DID STOP ON THIS RIDE! YAHOO!
IMAGE CAPTION: all lenses are original on this car. GLASS!
IMAGE CAPTION: WOULDN'T YOU WANT ONE OF THESE?
IMAGE CAPTION: CHEVY'S EMBLEM
IMAGE CAPTION: I THINK THIS IS A WILLYS JEEP!
I take a final look at my surroundings. Here ya go...
IMAGE CAPTION: MY HOME, TENNESSEE
FIXING MY JIFFY STAND AND A RIDE WITHOUT SPARKS
Today I had my jiffy stand repaired. Again. My motorcycle has about 180K on it these days. Loads of miles for a Sportster. Ever since 2005, I've had problems with my jiffy stand. I worked for Glendale Harley Davidson as a service writer. They couldn't figure out what was wrong. Everything the guys did...didn't fix a darn thing.
IMAGE TITLE: THE INFAMOUS "BEFORE" SHOT
I finally took the bike to an Indie shop. There he discovered the hole in peg where the pin was inserted was walled out. We discussed a few options...actually there were no options. Welding the walled section was the only true fix. He did fix it. He put a weld and filled up the part that was walled out. The fix worked for a few years, but as before, it's dropped down again and it's wearing out bushings like crazy.
IMAGE CAPTION: SIDE BY SIDE
The welder wasn't at my shop today, so for now I went with inserting a new brass bushing. I have a wonderful technician at the shop I frequent, his name is Shannon. He puts up with me observing and shooting over his shoulder. I also ask him to talk to me as he's working...I like knowing what's going on in his head.
In this next shot, you can observe the pin and the bracket that is the culprit to my perplexing and annoying problem.
IMAGE CAPTION: PIN AND BRACKET
IMAGE CAPTION:PULLING THE COTTER PIN
Shannon and I discussed the problem for a few minutes. He adjusted the pin and bushing until it held the stand up...better!
IMAGE CAPTION: THE FINISHED PRODUCT, IT WILL LAST ABOUT A YEAR
I went to the parts department and paid my bill. This is the cheapest I've ever left this shop. The charge was $15.00. Which made me happy! I cranked the bike, left the shop onto SR11E North toward Bristol. I didn't have a plan, but I knew I didn't want to go to Bristol. I headed toward Piney Flats. There is one road I haven't explored yet, so I thought since they were so proud of their "HISTORIC DISTRICT", I would see what was hidden in Piney Flats, Tennessee.
IMAGE CAPTION: GENERAL STORE, PINEY FLATS
This "GENERAL STORE" isn't open. It looks to have been moved there, but I'm not sure. Across the street was a closed up garage. It appeared to be built around the same era of the general store. Then I noticed this wonderful large old building. You will enjoy these shots. This was a factory that in it's day, built church furniture.
IMAGE CAPTION: WONDERFUL OLD FURNITURE FACTORY
IMAGE CAPTION: WOLF BROS. AND CO.
IMAGE CAPTION: SIDE VIEW, WOLF FACTORY
It was such a hot day today. I rarely will ride without long sleeves and today was no exception. I got back on the bike and headed north. I couldn't believe my luck as I came upon this train "resting" here at this crossing. It was up a hill on a private road, but I don't think anyone would of minded. All I wanted was to get a few shots of the train. You know how much I like trains right?
IMAGE CAPTION: RAIL ROAD CROSSING
IMAGE CAPTION: YEAH, IT'S A CHOO CHOO
I eventually found my way to Stony Creek. I turned my wheels right on Blue Springs Road, which soon changed to Iron Bridge Road. This is the road on an earlier posting I had taken pictures of the OLD IRON BRIDGE being torn down. It's a great road if I continue straight toward Wilber Dam. Just before entering TVA property and the dam, you come across this little country store: Misty Waters. I stopped for a bottle of water. I ended up eating a chili dog and drinking a very sweet soda pop. The company of the proprietor was excellent. He gave me riding suggestions to another steel bridge around here. I've been there, and I have promised my Mom to bring her there. It's an excellent ride. But for now, this little country store gave me some great photos.
IMAGE CAPTION: LUNCH?
IMAGE CAPTION: VIEW FROM NEXT DOOR MISTY WATERS GENERAL STORE
The gentleman running the store informed me that the building next to his store was the old depot for the railway that ONCE ran through here. It's been turned into a cow shed now.
IMAGE CAPTION: RAILWAY STATION TURNED INTO A COW SHED
I'm moseying along right up to WILBER DAM. I stopped for a few shots.
IMAGE CAPTION: WILBER DAM
I'm tired, at this point I discover it's 4PM. I have to go home. It's dinner time.
I'm going to ride again tomorrow...I hope it's as good as this one...
IMAGE TITLE: THE INFAMOUS "BEFORE" SHOT
I finally took the bike to an Indie shop. There he discovered the hole in peg where the pin was inserted was walled out. We discussed a few options...actually there were no options. Welding the walled section was the only true fix. He did fix it. He put a weld and filled up the part that was walled out. The fix worked for a few years, but as before, it's dropped down again and it's wearing out bushings like crazy.
IMAGE CAPTION: SIDE BY SIDE
The welder wasn't at my shop today, so for now I went with inserting a new brass bushing. I have a wonderful technician at the shop I frequent, his name is Shannon. He puts up with me observing and shooting over his shoulder. I also ask him to talk to me as he's working...I like knowing what's going on in his head.
In this next shot, you can observe the pin and the bracket that is the culprit to my perplexing and annoying problem.
IMAGE CAPTION: PIN AND BRACKET
IMAGE CAPTION:PULLING THE COTTER PIN
Shannon and I discussed the problem for a few minutes. He adjusted the pin and bushing until it held the stand up...better!
IMAGE CAPTION: THE FINISHED PRODUCT, IT WILL LAST ABOUT A YEAR
I went to the parts department and paid my bill. This is the cheapest I've ever left this shop. The charge was $15.00. Which made me happy! I cranked the bike, left the shop onto SR11E North toward Bristol. I didn't have a plan, but I knew I didn't want to go to Bristol. I headed toward Piney Flats. There is one road I haven't explored yet, so I thought since they were so proud of their "HISTORIC DISTRICT", I would see what was hidden in Piney Flats, Tennessee.
IMAGE CAPTION: GENERAL STORE, PINEY FLATS
This "GENERAL STORE" isn't open. It looks to have been moved there, but I'm not sure. Across the street was a closed up garage. It appeared to be built around the same era of the general store. Then I noticed this wonderful large old building. You will enjoy these shots. This was a factory that in it's day, built church furniture.
IMAGE CAPTION: WONDERFUL OLD FURNITURE FACTORY
IMAGE CAPTION: WOLF BROS. AND CO.
IMAGE CAPTION: SIDE VIEW, WOLF FACTORY
It was such a hot day today. I rarely will ride without long sleeves and today was no exception. I got back on the bike and headed north. I couldn't believe my luck as I came upon this train "resting" here at this crossing. It was up a hill on a private road, but I don't think anyone would of minded. All I wanted was to get a few shots of the train. You know how much I like trains right?
IMAGE CAPTION: RAIL ROAD CROSSING
IMAGE CAPTION: YEAH, IT'S A CHOO CHOO
I eventually found my way to Stony Creek. I turned my wheels right on Blue Springs Road, which soon changed to Iron Bridge Road. This is the road on an earlier posting I had taken pictures of the OLD IRON BRIDGE being torn down. It's a great road if I continue straight toward Wilber Dam. Just before entering TVA property and the dam, you come across this little country store: Misty Waters. I stopped for a bottle of water. I ended up eating a chili dog and drinking a very sweet soda pop. The company of the proprietor was excellent. He gave me riding suggestions to another steel bridge around here. I've been there, and I have promised my Mom to bring her there. It's an excellent ride. But for now, this little country store gave me some great photos.
IMAGE CAPTION: LUNCH?
IMAGE CAPTION: VIEW FROM NEXT DOOR MISTY WATERS GENERAL STORE
The gentleman running the store informed me that the building next to his store was the old depot for the railway that ONCE ran through here. It's been turned into a cow shed now.
IMAGE CAPTION: RAILWAY STATION TURNED INTO A COW SHED
I'm moseying along right up to WILBER DAM. I stopped for a few shots.
IMAGE CAPTION: WILBER DAM
I'm tired, at this point I discover it's 4PM. I have to go home. It's dinner time.
I'm going to ride again tomorrow...I hope it's as good as this one...
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