TALLADEGA SCENIC HIGHWAY ON MT. CHEAHA ~ ALABAMA ~ photo taken by Dianna Stover
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Monday, November 23, 2009

PIC OF THE WEEK - THE ROAD THAT SAYS "AHHH!"

This country road is part of Pike County, the same area that last weeks cotton field picture came from, and is home to many southern pastures and farms.

THE ROAD THAT SAYS "AHHH!"
There's no doubt I have fun on twisty curvy roads to challenge the playful side of me, but nothing says "ahhh" like a nice long sweeping country road that lets you see in front of you... sometimes up to a mile or so.

These old barns and farms have a lot of character in them and as I cruise by, I think about my home in Iowa. I grew up in the heart of farm country, but there's something just a little more charming about the farms in south. Maybe it's just the absence of pigs! Shew!!

Have a nice Monday everyone!

Lady R

Author's note: I feel like I've been neglecting my blog lately, as it's been quite a while since I've posted a nice ride report or let you peek into my diary. I've been very busy of late, and have had more computer issues, but hopefully that's behind me now. I know I'll continue to be preoccupied over the next week, as I have my brother and his kiddos coming for Thanksgiving. I'm very excited to have them, but I'll probably not be able to post anything of significance for a few days. Please don't give up on me, and I hope to be back in the swing of things again real soon. In the mean time... just ride on!! Lady R

Monday, November 16, 2009

PIC OF THE WEEK - WAY DOWN SOUTH IN THE LAND OF COTTON

Saturday was a beautiful day for riding! Clear skies and warm temps (low 70's... again!) so Harley and I decided to head south this time for our road therapy. Instead of the woodsy, twisty terrain of the Talladega National Forest that we usually enjoy to the north, we experienced a more relaxing ride as we encountered the rolling hills and open pastures that grace our southern Alabama farmland.

WAY DOWN SOUTH IN THE LAND OF COTTON
We stopped to take a picture of this cotton field on Hwy. 29 in Pike County. It's amazing at how much this looks like snow!

Here's our future bath towels! LOL!

Have a great Monday everyone!

Lady R

Monday, November 9, 2009

PIC OF THE WEEK

About five years ago, Harley and some pals took a boys trip down to the everglades and the Key West area. The original destination of this particular trip was to go to a Nascar race at Homestead, but they found themselves with plenty of free time to explore other places of interest while they were in the area.

FISH CAMP
IN THE EVERGLADES
This little cabin seems like the perfect place to spend a quiet peaceful weekend and fish till your hearts content. The kind of place you can go to and nobody knows how to find you. The kind of place that is so secluded that your cell phone will be nothing but dead weight on your belt. Sounds nice, heh?

The only problem is... this is the only way to get here.
That's right... they had to park the bikes and hop on board this air boat, but they said riding on that thing was an awesome good time! I've never been on one, but I can assure you, I would definitely enjoy taking my turn!

I enjoyed a busy girls weekend with some PC girlfriends, and Harley also enjoyed his kitchen pass down there on a poker run with the guys. Since I didn't get much riding in myself, I pulled these pics from the archives. They took this trip during November of that year, so I felt like this would be a good time to share them.

After my gal pals left on Sunday, the sun was high and the air was warm and I just couldn't resist the urge to start that motor. So I ran a couple errands then rode down Hwy 231 until I met up with Harley who was on his way back home. So you see... I wasn't completely skunked!

Have a nice Monday everyone!

Lady R

Friday, November 6, 2009

HAPPY FALL YA'LL

I love fall. To me, while growing up in Iowa, fall meant... bright foliage and burning leaves, cold noses and sweatshirts, football games with blankets, and the anticipation of... snow days! It seemed like a nice transition from the warm and sunny summer to the long cold winter that allowed us to linger in between that change of season. But now that I live in Alabama, fall for me just isn't the same. Believe it or not, we can get pretty cold here, but it usually goes from warm to cold without much in between. While I've been reading about everyone else's dropping temperatures and winterizing their bikes, I'm thinking... WTF! It's still hot here!

I've been belly aching for weeks that I was ready for cooler weather and the brilliance of fall to show itself. The lingering summer heat was beginning to wear out its welcome as far as I was concerned.

Two weekends ago on the day we rode up to Mt. Cheaha State Park, we finally got our cold snap. The temperatures dropped to the low 50's with an overcast sky, so it was quite chilly during our ride. It was nice to feel cold air around me for a change. Hell, the weekend before this one we were still riding around in nothing but a long sleeve t-shirt with sunny 70's! (oh... I guess I had my jeans and boots on too!) But the point is... we in the south finally got that cool blast from the north we so desperately needed. Thank you Mother Nature!

Riding north for 85 miles made such a difference in the color we saw that I felt priviledged to be so close to such a pretty area. I put together a slide show of our wonderful scenery while we were on our peeping expedition. The great road shots you are about to see were taken by Harley while we were on the move. Who needs a helmet cam??!!

Mt. Cheaha is the highest point in Alabama at 2407 feet and we love to come up here when we're riding. I highly recommend a visit here to anyone who finds themselves near the area.

There's a small lake that borders the camping and picnic area and while we were snapping pics of the view, we noticed this poor chap pushing his bike to the camping area where we were parked.
By the time he made his way by us, I spoke a sympathetic hello in his direction and he managed to mumble out a return greeting. I felt a little guilty that right at that moment, that he was not sharing my jubilant attitude... understandably so.

We had a great rest of the day, and I really enjoyed our "cool" ride through the park. Our afternoons still like to heat up to the high 60's and low 70's, but the crispy 42 degree mornings are a promise of what's to come.

HAPPY FALL YA'LL !!

Lady R

Monday, November 2, 2009

PIC OF THE WEEK

"I'M WATCHING YOU!!"
Last weekend, while leaf peeping at Mt. Cheaha, Harley was able to capture this handsome dog in his mirror while he waited for me to pay our way into the park.

There's a little country store with a gas pump at the entrance to the park with folks coming and going, but this pretty brown boy seemed to be very comfortable with his surroundings. He was quite amusing to watch as he walked around and greeted the guests and wagged his hellos to everyone. Apparently, Mt. Cheaha has a mascot!
Usually dogs and motorcycles don't mix, but he stayed very still when we were moving around. Thanks fella! I'll be sure and bring you a bone the next time I come back!

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Happy Monday everybody!

Lady R