Ok so after you R-U-N-D-O-F-T you have to come home. Nobody says you have to go straight home. I awoke the next morning to look out my door at Doll Baby. You know I had to take a photo of her.
I wasted little time running through the falling water and you already know from my last post that I didn’t have to worry about choosing something to wear. Though I did have a brand spanking new pair of Marino Wool socks to wear. I checked out of the motel and prepared for my Sunday ride. I must admit I could have done without seeing the sheet draped half naked 70 year old Mr. Patel. So much for breakfast. YUK!
I headed south on HWY 22 towards one of my favorite places on earth. You see back on Sunday and Monday April 6 and 7 of 1862 there was a major turning point battle of the War of Northern Aggression at a place named Shiloh. I carry with me a veteran hiker award from Shiloh. I’ve logged in over a hundred miles on foot down there. I still get shivers down my spine any time I am on that hallowed ground
I spent a few minutes riding around and thinking about the experiences I’ve had at Shiloh and thinking about the 24,000 thousand casualties at that battle. I read a diary from one of Bedford Forrest’s men who happened to be a relative of a classmate of mine. Holding that piece of history had to be one of the coolest things I’ve ever done.
I took some back roads out of Shiloh and worked my way down to Pickwick Landing State Park. I then took Hwy 57 over to Michie for a wonderful late morning breakfast of Tenderloin and Eggs. Yum Yum.
Travelling further west I was able to get a photograph at Big Hill Pond State Park. This was going great as for knocking out some of these parks.
This next part was real fun. You see I love maps. Always have for some reason. In fact I have yet to break down a buy a GPS. I say all I need is a good map and my compass or the sun. Spydie always calls me his Indian guide. Especially back when we rode four wheelers together. I have a Tennessee Atlas Gazetteer that is awsome for finding pig paths to ride down. In fact I have several states of these maps.
Upon reaching Pocohantas I take my beautiful short cut. I’m making great time and taking the road less traveled. This is the life…….that is until that dreaded sign. ROAD CLOSED DETOUR AHEAD. No problem I have plenty of fuel and what’s a little detour? Nothing until the asphalt ends and the chip and seal begins. Fun times.
I made my way through Bolivar and on over to Chickasaw State Park for another photo op. This is great I’m racking up the parks today. Cool beans.
Now it was on to the next state park of the day. I rode over to Henderson and up Hwy 45 north to Pinson where I was able to capture Pinson Mound State Archiological Area. The ranger here was very friendly. He asked if I was alright or needed any help. I explained I was on a quest to visit all of our state parks and get a picture . He then asked if I’d like to be in the picture too so I explained the camera has a timer and I can take it myself. He thought that was the stuff.
Shortly after capturing this park I decided it was getting to be like work so I just took some roads to see where they would lead me. I wound up passing through Clifton and down to Hwy 64. Turning east I made my way over to Larwrenceburg which isn’t far from Iron City that Road Captain posted about. I took Hwy 43 north through the towns of Mt. Pleasant and Columbia where I turned east again and headed toward home.
All in all it was only a 400 mile day but it sure was a fun one. I met some really nice folks along the way and took many roads I’d never been on before. See how much fun you can have when you let yourself go out drifting and shifting.
Ride Safe
Ronman
