PIC OF THE WEEK - SOLITUDE

SOLITUDE
Solitude n. the state of being solitary // loneliness // isolation // a lonely place.

Sounds lovely doesn't it?

I captured this lone rider Saturday on the Bill Nichols scenic highway (Hwy. 148) while Harley and I took a break on the side of the road quenching our thirst and stretching our legs. I love snapping road pics, and I consider myself very lucky to have the perfect subject come into my view while I was standing there.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week. Labor Day is just around the corner so happy holiday to all!

Ride safe and ride on!!

Lady R

CHIMNEY ROCK - LAKE MARTIN

CHIMNEY ROCK
Welcome to "Chimney Rock"... one of the coolest hangouts for boater's and thrill seekers on Lake Martin. This is kind of like going to bike night... on the water. It gives lake lovers a chance to float around and check out each others vessels (yes, I'm biting my tongue right now! LOL!) while you watch the young and the invincible earn their braggin' rights by climbing up this famous rock, and bravely jump off to the water below.

(If you look closely, you can see a girl entering the water.)

I loved being able to cruise around Lake Martin on the pontoon. It brought back so many memories of when we had ours and this weekend didn't do anything to curb Harley's desire to get another one. I reminded him of how fun the Sea Doo was and he said... "I can do that on the motorcycle... I want a boat!"

Thanks to Harley's uncle, we spent the whole weekend on the water and it was absolutely fabulous! It was the first time I played on a Sea Doo (I previously thought they were Jet Ski's, but hey... who's countin'!) and I had a blast. I'll post pics and story for ya real soon!

Until then... I hope you all have a great week!

Lady R

LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN

Lookout Mountain is located in the northeast corner of Alabama, the northwest corner of Georgia and along the southern border of Tennessee near Chattanooga. There's a lot of interesting things to see and do up in this area, and riding along the Lookout Mountain Parkway is awesome! During our stay in Ft. Payne over the 4th of July holiday, we spent one day riding north to explore this beautiful area and visit a few of the attractions that make Lookout Mountain a great vacation spot.

The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the air felt cooler as we encroached deeper into the foothills of the Smokey Mountains. For me, riding on a Scenic Parkway (wherever it may be) is always my first choice of travel. I think it gives me a better feel for the landscape and terrain of the area we're riding in. Besides, most parkways provide overlooks, allowing for safe stops, and that's always a big plus!

High on the bluffs, overlooking the city of Chattanooga, the residential community of Lookout Mountain is a twisted maze of tight curvy roads and steep hills winding throughout a fairy tale like neighborhood of grand houses and lovely cottages. Large or small, they all took on a storybook feel, as they were nestled in by it's lush mountain foliage and gardens in full bloom that were rich in color. The "streets" were identified with signs boasting of Snow White's Lane, Aladdin's Avenue, or Cinderella Circle. It was very unusual indeed to see mailboxes and driveways in an area that seemed like it was a perfect home for billy goats. The interesting attractions we seek are also nestled into this community like a welcome and pleasant neighbor.

ROCK CITY
High on the ridge of Lookout Mountain was Rock City, a site known for it's massive ancient rock formations and beautiful gardens laden with over 400 native plant species. I remember as a child, seeing large barns dappled along the countryside advertising "SEE ROCK CITY" on their rooftops. I've always wondered about it and now I can say... everyone should see this amazing place!


Rock City has an overlook where you can see seven states at once: Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Alabama. The view was breathtaking to say the least.

(postcard)
(postcard)

There's also a really cool spot for romantic suicides called Lovers Leap, just in case anyone feels the need to bond their eternal love into the life beyond. Fortunately, no one took advantage of the opportunity while we were there.


POINT PARK
As part of the Chickamauga - Chattanooga Military Park, Point Park is where General Joseph Hooker launched an attack 0n November 24th, 1868 that would become known as the "Battle Above The Clouds". The mountain, more than 1200 feet above the valley floor beneath it is surrounded on three sides by a near vertical rock wall that has afforded protection to the occupants of the top for hundreds of years. Although no fighting actually took place in Point Park, a Confederate artillery battery fired on Union soldiers, who were sweeping the mountainside. The view from up here is spectacular as I posted in my previous Pic Of The Week "An Eagle's View".

Erected by the state of New York to honor those soldiers who fought and died on this Civil War Battlefield, this ninety five foot high monument is the largest monument in the Chickamauga-Chattanooga Military Park and can be seen for miles.

Sitting high on top, is a bronze statue of a Federal soldier clasping the hand of a Confederate soldier as they stand beside the Stars and Stripes. On one facade of the monument are the words of President McKinley... "REUNITED - ONE COUNTRY AGAIN AND FOREVER".

THE INCLINE RAILWAY
On November 16, 1895 the railroad known today as "The Incline" opened, rising up the steepest part of Lookout Mountain. This railway boasted of a 72.7% incline at one point, making it the steepest passenger Incline in the world.


RUBY FALLS
At 145 feet tall Ruby Falls is one of the largest underground waterfalls accessible to the public. This remarkable beauty located deep inside Lookout Mountain has been a shared memory for generations of travelers to and through the Chattanooga area. We did not go into Ruby Falls Cave during this trip, but we've been through it a few years back. You really need a few hours to fully enjoy this awesome spectacle. There are several tours a day.

(postcard)

As the daylight began to fade, I was relieved to find ourselves cruising on back to Ft. Payne for the evening. Walking around in jeans and boots when the sun is shinning and the wind's not blowing on ya... it gets pretty darn hot. I was looking forward to a nice cool shower and a tasty steak dinner at the Golden Rule BBQ and Grill across the street from our hotel.

Spending the day playing tourist was sure a tiresome job! I'm just glad there were plenty of rest stops for an aging ol' gal like myself! I'll be back with more of our North Alabama stay-cay.

In the meantime... ride safe and ride on!!

Lady R

KUDZU - THE VINE THAT ATE THE SOUTH

KUDZU - THE VINE THAT ATE THE SOUTH
Here in the south, cotton used to be king... until there was Kudzu! This fast growing vine was introduced here by Japan in 1876 and is very prominent all over the southeast United States. It grows so rapidly and covers anything in it's path, it's even earned the nickname "foot-a-night vine". Throughout the history of this wild vine, there have even been tales told of children being covered up by the vine in their sleep, so you don't want to leave your windows open!

While riding along the beautiful highways of Alabama, you'll see amazing displays of Kudzu as it grows wildly over everything in it's path. It's unusually pretty to see how the lush green growth can soften the appearance of a hard wooded tree line, or make an open field appear as though it's covered in a soft green blanket of vines.

I hope you all had a great weekend, and even though I hate wishing my life away, I'm looking forward to Friday again. Harley's uncle is going to let us use his lake cabin for the weekend and I can't wait. We'll probably be leaving the Glides at home but don't worry... they have Jet Ski's!!

Have a great Monday everybody!

Lady R

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!

Ya'll are just gonna have to excuse me a moment while I take this opportunity to wish my mom a great big... HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

This was taken a couple years ago but I can tell you, she still hasn't lost her zest for life! In fact, she and my Aunt (Hotline) just returned home from a week and a half long road trip together. They hopped in the car and drove from Dubuque, IA to Cody, WY so she could visit some of her family. We nicknamed them "Thelma and Louise" and told them... "just don't go near the Grand Canyon!" LOL!

BTW... we logged close to 200 miles that day... she took it like a champ!

Happy Birthday mom... I love you very much!!

Your favorite daughter,
Me! (Lady R)

FRIDAY THE 13TH - JUST ANOTHER DAY... OR IS IT?

Today is Friday the 13th. How many of you will change your daily routine out of fear that something bad will happen today? Maybe take the cage instead of the bike? Take a different route to work? Or carry some comfort seeking charm to help ward off the negative karma? I'm not very superstitious, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that the stigma that comes along with this date doesn't cross my mind. The fear of Friday the 13th (friggatriskaidedaphobia) developed during the 19th century with the marriage of two older superstitions... 13 being an unlucky number, and Friday being an unlucky day.

Taken from Wikipedia:

In numerology, the number twelve is considered the number of completeness, as reflected in the twelve months of the year, twelve signs of the zodiac, twelve hours of the clock, twelve tribes of Israel, twelve Apostles of Jesus, twelve gods of Olympus, etc., whereas the number thirteen was considered irregular, transgressing this completeness. There is also a superstition, thought by some to derive from the Last Supper or a Norse myth, that having thirteen people seated at a table will result in the death of one of the diners.

Friday has been considered an unlucky day at least since the 14th century's The Canterbury Tales^[3], and many other professions have regarded Friday as an unlucky day to undertake journeys or begin new projects. Black Friday has been associated with stock market crashes and other disasters since the 1800s.^[6][9] It has also been suggested that Friday has been considered an unlucky day because, according to Christian scripture and tradition, Jesus was crucified on a Friday.^[10]

Now, as if we don't have enough to worry about trying to survive such an unlucky day, back in 1980, a writer named Victor Miller reminded us that this truly is a day to be feared. Yes, Virginia... there is a boogie man... and his name is Jason! (screeeeeam!!) Jason went on a rampage and has been killing teenage campers for... hmmmmm, 12 movies now. The question here is... will there be a 13th?

As I said at the beginning of this post, I'm not really superstitious, but... I will not ride my Glide without two special medals that I have tucked safely in the coin pocket of my jeans. One is a pewter cross that I acquired at an Easter service about 20 years ago, and the other is an old St. Margaret's Medal that was given to me by my Aunt when she discovered that I took up riding motorcycles. I never forget them and for some reason, I feel better knowing these are on my person.

For most of us, this day will pass with no significant disasters or trauma. Healthy babies will be born, loving couples will still have their weddings, and millions of people will arrive at their destinations without incident. Is it because that's just the way it was going to go anyway, or is it because we made a conscious effort to control the day's events.

So how about you? How superstitious are you?

Ride safe... and ride on!!
Lady R

PIC OF THE WEEK - LIFE'S A BEACH!!

LIFE'S A BEACH!!
It's summer time in the south, and about the only way to stay cool is to be in the water! While we were riding around Lake Guntersville State Park back during the 4th of July, we noticed a few campers and picnickers taking advantage of that very thing. Considering it was a holiday, it wasn't crowded at all, and it sure looked inviting. I should have joined them, but I was having too much fun already doing what I do... and that's ride the Glide!

Alabama is blessed beyond measure with great rivers and lakes, and we ride around them often. I plan to share some of them with you very soon. I just have to park the Glide long enough to type, but you know what they say... "Life's a beach"!!

Have a great Monday everybody!

Lady R

PIC OF THE WEEK - NAME THAT TREE

Saturday, while Harley and I were taking a much needed shade break to stretch our legs and drink some water, we found ourselves (again!) at Horseshoe Bend Military Park, just north of Dadeville. This place is one of our favorite places to stop while we're out riding, cause it provides a good respite from the sun... and it's also the home for some of our very strange, yet interesting Alabama trees.

NAME THAT TREE!
Hmmmm... is that a sack? (Where else is a tree going to store it's nuts?) Let me remind you about the "Kittywompass Alabama Taint Tree", another amazing tree that makes this lovely spot by the river it's home.

I have several thoughts in my mind as to what to call this tree but I thought it would be fun to get some ideas from my readers. So what do ya'll think... Let's name that tree, shall we?

Have a great Monday everybody!!

Lady R