Riding around Kentucky, Tennessee and Illinois

Last week Jimmy & I took off on our bikes going nowhere in particular. Just where the roads led us was our only destination. I took many side roads that were new to me and by the first days end I found myself a couple hours from my brother Dennis's house so I headed for Princeton, Kentucky where I knew there was a nice clean & neat motel to rest our heads for the first night. And besides, the motel was just a stones throw from my brother's home. Early the next morning I called Dennis and asked him to meet us for breakfast and his first thought was that we were joking. I assured him that we were close by and made a date to meet him at one of his favorite dining spots for breakfast, but unfortunately the cafe was closed. We ate at another near by cafe and then we all went back to Princeton, my brother in his truck and Jimmy & I on our bikes. We went to Princeton to surprise my sister-in-law Laurel and my grandson Allen at work and by the time we talked to both, Jimmy & I decided that it was more important for us to stay there and spend some time with family for the day and the night than to travel on.

Below are just a few of the pictures that we took while on our trip.

Jimmy, Sandy, Dennis, Laurel.
Just as soon as Laurel got off work at noon we all headed
for Tennessee. It was Laurel's idea and a good one it was!

Jimmy, Sandy, Dennis

Jimmy, Dennis, Laurel.
We walked for hours and had a great time at a place
called The Homeplace, which took you back in time
to the 1800's and life at that time.

The Smokehouse

An old split rail fence & some fodder shocks

The Homeplace, Main house.
This was an active working farm with farm animals, gardens,
blacksmithing, woodworkers.

Jimmy taking a picture of the large oxen used to pull the plows.
Don't you love that fence? It had to be strong because the
oxen were HUGE.

Later in the evening we met with Tina & Allen and the kids.
L-R: Tina, Hana, Parker, Allen (red shirt), Dalton, Jimmy

Dennis, Tina, Hana, Parker & Allen.
That's Laurel in the blue shirt. Sorry Laurel.

Day 3
Waiting for a ferry to cross the Ohio River from Kentucky
to Illinois.

Our bikes and ourselves, along with several other passengers
are on the The Cave in Rock Ferry crossing the Ohio River
from Kentucky to Illinois.

A nice picture of Jimmy riding The Cave in Rock Ferry

Picture of the Ohio River.
We're almost to the Illinois shoreline. My brother Dennis
worked near this area and there also is a cave beyond
the boats in the middle of the picture.

After we got off the ferry we traveled north in Illinois for a few miles until I finally made my way back into Kentucky where I again traveled only roads that I had never traveled on before. The day was very hot and the cornfields of Illinois and northern Kentucky didn't provide us with much shade so I headed south on the little windy roads of Kentucky, roads which I prefer to travel on. You see more while traveling on the secondary roads and there are many places of interest to stop at and to take a break and stretch our legs.

While in Grand Rivers, Kentucky which is in the Land Between The Lakes we stopped at what is getting to be a familiar place for us to stop and eat, and that is Patti's Restaurant. The food is quite good and they're famous for their fat juicy pork chops. I was fascinated however by the clay flower pots filled with home baked bread and I think I could have made a meal just with the bread alone.

Home baked bread in a clay flower pot

Dennis at Patti's Restaurant
lifting the bread out of the clay flower pot

As you can see by the background in the picture of Dennis above, Patti's Restaurant is a very festive place and you need to make reservations to eat there but so far we have been extremely lucky to have squeezed in there to eat because we show up at such irregular hours and not the usual dining hours. But even at such odd hours you can see that it's still quite a popular place to eat.

With Fall weather now upon us we hope to do some more riding. The leaves on the trees should be changing to their Fall colors soon and everything is going to take on a different look. A look we are looking forward to seeing from the seats of our bikes.

To see more photos of our trip CLICK HERE

What a difference a day makes

Jimmy & I decided to go riding again today because they were predicting rain for tomorrow.  Sunday we rode North East, because we had already been South and hadn't seen any changes in the leaves.  So today I was prepared to leave the state if I had to, but I didn't have to go far until I started seeing just what I wanted to see...beautiful fall colors.  The leaves started getting really pretty in London, Kentucky so I headed East over to Manchester and the road to Manchester was beautiful and very much worth the ride.  When I reached Manchester I took 421 North to McKee, Kentucky and then I cut off onto Hwy 89 North and again was amazed at all the beauty that I was seeing.  Hwy. 89 North to Irvine, Kentucky is worth seeing, but it's a very curvy little road and without guard rails, and sometimes without a center line, you really have to pay attention to the road.  We weren't the only motorcycles enjoying the fall colors on  Hwy. 89 but we didn't see many cars.  I guess there are better, straighter roads to get from here to there than 89, but as for us we weren't trying to get anywhere.  We were just out enjoying the day.

Once we reached Irvine, Kentucky we stopped at Cedar Village for supper and then took the Brassfield Road home from Hwy. 52.  On these little narrow country roads with no shoulders it's hard to stop and take pictures just any time you see something worth shooting, but we did get some pictures when there was a place we could safely stop at.  Below are some of the pictures that we took today.

Creek on Hwy. 89
View from bridge

Me on 89 bridge that overlooks the creek

Our bikes

At the Harley shop in London, Ky. on the
road to Manchester, Ky.

Hwy. 89 from Mckee, Ky. to Irvine, Ky.

Jimmy taking a picture

My bike

  

Mother's Day Ride

Sunday was a beautiful sunny day and I was entrusted, for the very first time, with my grandson Brandon. I practiced all last summer just for this occasion. Brandon usually rides in a sidecar on his dad's bike, but when I suggested that he ride with me, on the back of my bike they said that would be fine. Of course his parents stayed RIGHT behind me all the way and I'm sure it was to keep an eye on their precious cargo, which was seated behind me.
We didn't plan on a route and just headed out with me leading the way. I always have to lead ... they don't think I can keep up with them on their two wheelers and truthfully, I couldn't if they decided to ride fast on curvy roads. My bike is just no match to theirs, and with all the wheels I have, I really have to be careful and slow down on sharp curves. Now put me on an interstate highway and they can't keep up with me. hehehe

Since it was Brian & Reva's first time out riding this year, we made a lot of rest stops along the way. I usually try to stop at interesting places where we can walk around and enjoy the sights, but sometimes just a wide spot in the road or an empty parking lot will do.

Brandon took this opportunity to sit on his dad's bike. He's really grown taller these past few months and I'm wondering if he's going to fit in the sidecar anymore. He may have to trade places with his mom (Reva) who is now a few inches shorter than Brandon. Since it was planned for Brandon to ride with me, Brian didn't attach the sidecar to his bike and I'm sure they enjoyed their ride much better without it.

Knowing that I had a 12 year old as a passenger, I knew that I had to pick places to stop where Brandon could get off and enjoy himself. Kids aren't much for scenery although Brandon did tell me that he really enjoyed riding to the western side of the U.S. where things really looked different. He said we had too many trees here in Kentucky and he liked looking at rocks and deserts.

I didn't have time to take him to Arizona, so I stopped at a creek on Barnes Mill Road in Richmond, Kentucky....It has rocks and I know that little boys love rocks and water.

We stayed here for quite some time. The waterfalls here aren't very tall...maybe 8 feet tall and that's measuring from the top of the water below the falls. The creek is pretty wide and mostly shallow with a few deep pools for swimming here and there. I don't think it's listed anywhere on a map...it's just another creek and we have lots of creeks like these here in Kentucky.

Of course, Brian & Reva do what they always do...walk around holding hands and picking up pretty pebbles and rocks for their rock garden at home. In August Brian & Reva will celebrate their 25th wedding anniversary and to watch them sometimes, you'd think they were on their honeymoon. They're so sweet!

Brandon spent his time skipping flat rocks across the water and I spent my time taking pictures and walking around. Jimmy went further down the creek to watch and talk with the people fishing for bass...or whatever they could catch.

I asked Brian & Reva to stop and pose for a picture before we left. I had taken all the pictures I wanted here and I was getting hungry. So I asked everybody if they were ready to go get something to eat and everyone ran for their bikes. Since Brandon loves chicken we went to Lee*s Fam*ous Re*cipe...they have an all you can eat buffet there. After stuffing our faces, we all needed a good nap, but decided that a good walk would be better...so I took them to Lake Reba which has a fine walking trail around the lake and ball fields.

This is about all the walking that was done. They headed straight for a nice spot on the grass with a long park bench. There was a steep grassy embankment near us and Brandon spent most of his time rolling down the hill to the edge of the water. We tried to get him to roll in, but he wouldn't. He knew that we were just kidding because close to him was a VERY LARGE SIGN that said, NO SWIMMING.

Jimmy is off walking around, Brandon is busy rolling down the embankment and I am taking pictures. Brian & Reva are enjoying the wildlife on the lake. I thought since it was Mother's Day that everyone would be at home celebrating or having cookouts, but I think everyone was here at the lake. I have never seen it this crowded before, but then I usually only come here to fish on weekdays when everyone else is at work.

See the bird in flight? You might have to click on the picture to get a better view. The water fowl have been provided with an Island out in the lake for nesting purposes. Part of the Island can be seen right above the bird in flight, extending to the right of the picture. Humans are not allowed on the Island and the reason I know that is because I read the signs posted on the Island from our small fishing boat.

The landing gear is about down...I only see one leg, but I'm sure the other will follow shortly.

Isn't it a pretty long legged, long necked, water bird? I'm hiding behind a tree taking these pictures.

The bird is in a stance and being very still. I'm assuming it's hunting for small fish in the water plants. As I tried to get in closer, I was spotted and the bird flew away...I should have just stayed still and waited for it to catch something.

There's the walking trail and I see Jimmy coming back.

Brian is looking down at Reva who can't get up because Brandon is holding her down, and since he's bigger, he's winning. The Canada Goose has come to see what all the commotion is all about. Usually when there is a commotion, it involves squealing kids who have food for the ducks.

As we were walking back to our bikes to continue on with our ride, we were delightfully surprised by a ringing bell...It was an ice cream truck and the first one I've seen in a long time. When I was a child in California, the Good Hu*mor Man would cruise down our street and I remember waiting in anticipation for his bell to get closer and closer. No one around here has ever heard of the Good Hu*mor truck and seldom do we see a roving ice cream truck of any kind. These kids just don't know what they're missing on a hot day. When my kids were young we lived in Lexington, Kentucky and I wonder if they remember the ice cream truck who cruised our street. They would get so excited and come running in for money to stop the truck...they could hear it from the next street over and knew that it was on its way.

NEVER CHOKE IN A RESTAURANT IN KENTUCKY

Mama Bear of the Four Bears in the Woods, sent me this advise and being as I'm from Kentucky, I thought I'd share it with you, just so you know and are fore-warned...

NEVER CHOKE IN A RESTAURANT IN KENTUCKY

Two KY hillbillies walk into a restaurant. After ordering their cornbread and beans, they talk about the latest addition to their junkyard business.

Suddenly, a woman at a nearby table, who is eating a sandwich, begins to cough. After a minute or so, it becomes apparent that she is in real distress.

One of the hillbillies looks at her and says 'Kin ya swallar?' The woman shakes her head no.

'Kin ya breathe?' The woman begins to turn blue and shakes her head no.

The hillbilly walks over to the woman, lifts up the back of her dress, yanks down her drawers and quickly gives her right butt cheek a lick with his tongue.

The woman is so shocked that she has a violent spasm and the obstruction flies out of her mouth. As she begins to breathe again, the hillbilly walks slowly back to the bar.

His partner says, 'Ya know, I'd heerd of dat dere 'Hind Lick Maneuver', but I ain't never seed nobody do it.'

Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park

Today Jimmy & I rode our bikes to Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park looking for fall colors and we found some just as we neared Hyden and Hazard, Kentucky.  Some of the trees had already lost their leaves and other trees were still green, but in certain spots the colors were rainbows of reds, yellows, orange, copper and various shades of green.

Sandy

Jimmy

Ron came by for a visit this morning and after taking care of some business we all went for brunch at Ron's favorite breakfast restaurant Cracker Barrel.  After brunch Ron went shopping and we came home and then decided to take advantage of this beautiful day.  By that time it was 1 o'clock in the afternoon, so we got a late start and Buckhorn turned out to be much farther away than I thought it would be.  I had no idea that I had to travel all the way to Hazard, Kentucky to find Buckhorn.  We had ridden there many times before with Brian & Reva, but I hadn't paid attention to how we got there.  Now I know a shortcut because I had to resort to taking it on the way home because it was getting late and there was no time to dilly dally along.  It gets mighty cold in those mountains when the sun begins to set, and speaking of sunsets, we saw the prettiest sunset on our way home.  I wanted to stop and take a picture of it but I remembered that everytime I take a picture of a sunset it never does it justice and this sunset was so beautiful that a picture wouldn't of been able to capture all of it's beauty....not with my little pocket camera anyway.

To see the rest of the pictures of Buckhorn Lake State Resort Park Click Here

Ride to Pine Mountain in Pineville, Kentucky

Today we went in search of fall colors and all of us decided that maybe we could find some south of us at Pine Mountain State Resort Park in Pineville, Kentucky....so that's where we went.  Below are just a few of the pictures of our trip, not even the highlights.

We were surprised that we didn't find very much color as everything down there is still pretty green.  Maybe in the upcoming week the leaves will be at their peak.  We did however find a few trees so our trip was not a total waste.  Besides, bike rides are never a total waste if you enjoy riding for pleasure as we do.

Here I am at the Herndon J. Evans Lodge at Pine Mountain

Reva, Brian, Jimmy & Brandon

Our chariots

A bit of color

Quiet peaceful roads on the mountain

To see the BEST PICTURES of our trip CLICK HERE

Today our ride led us to Sharon's house

After working all day Megan stopped in to visit her mama.
Megan has 8 weeks to go before the arrival of
baby Myles.

My daughter Sharon Walker and granddaughter Megan Malear.

My sweet granddaughter Megan Malear.

Today our ride was short.  We rode to Irvine, Kentucky and ate at Cedar Village then I decided to visit Sharon in Richmond, Kentucky.  We also rode to Walmart to look for about a 16 gallon cooler to carry on my bike.  Right now I carry one that is 28 gallons and sometimes also a really tiny one that only holds 6 cans of pop.  I want one that is in between those two sizes, one that will fit nicely on my passenger seat and won't be too cumbersome.  When I find the one I want I'll buy it, but until then I'll keep searching.

Jimmy, Zac and I are thinking of going on a ride together.  If Sharon can get off work by 12:30 p.m. she can also join us and we can all meet Megan for lunch and then continue on our ride.  Sounds like a winner to me.  It's about time the family gets in gear and we start riding together again.  Life's too short to waste any more time.