The Outer Banks

I am now heading south and back in North Carolina. Taking Highway 12 south
on the Outer Banks. This is a thin strip of land that skirts the coast and
is amazing. It is joined by causeways and bridges and it takes two ferry
journeys to complete. Throughout its length has the most stunning golden
sandy beaches and quaint towns. I am on Ocracoke Island where I catch the
ferry at 2pm tomorrow for the 2.5 hour journey back to the mainland. The
sun is shining and I am looking at a beautiful sunset over the bay (and
sipping a nice beer). Altogether this is another 'must see' if you are on
the east coast. Thanks to Michael and Margaret from New York State for
their donation to the charity.

Atlantic at last

I reached the Atlantic Ocean this afternoon when I arrived at Virginia Beach having travelled along the US58 highway. I feel as if I been in England today having passed Southampton, Norfolk, Suffolk, The Isle of Wight and Portsmouth. Virginia Beach is very nice and the weather is great. I am looking out of my 7^th floor window at the breaking Atlantic surf and golden sands but thinking all the time of the cold and damp of home….not! There is a very large Naval Base here and it is like an air show with all the F14 fighters going out over the bay. Some nice restaurants too which I may visit tonight for some fresh seafood. Outer Banks today.

Clarksville, Virginia

Headed east along the border of North Carolina and Virginia. Took in some more of the Blue Ridge Parkway mountain road and the beautiful rural countryside before finally stopping in Clarksville, Virginia. This place is situated on the shores of Kerr Lake and is an acknowledged historical town. The buildings are 18^th/19^th century and have been well preserved. This is unusual in the States as the ‘chains’ (McDonalds, KFC etc) usually spoil most of the historical parts of US cities by throwing up their gargantuan signs or building an outlet next to an old building. The lake looks nice but I will get a better look in the morning. Will hit the Atlantic coast tomorrow at Virginia Beach before heading south on the Outer Banks which is a ‘causeway’ style road running the best part of 100 miles on the Atlantic. Should be good for photos. Weather was perfect today and the autumn (fall) has begun making the journey most pleasant. I got carried away and covered 350 miles and hardly noticed it. Weather looks great tomorrow. Above: Some photos of Clarksville at night and Blue Ridge Mountains.

More from North Carolina

 

The Smokey Mountains

I left Tennessee (Gatlinburg) and headed toward North  Carolina. The best road for this journey is the Blue Ridge Parkway. This is a special road running through the Smokey Mountains and will take me to Virginia where I shall turn south toward my final destination in the USA….. Miami.  The Smokey Mountains are stunning and I experienced the conditions that gave them their name. Low cloud shrouded part of the mountains leaving gaps for stunning views and blue sky. Heading north I can also see why the name Blue Ridge is used for that range. The cloud and sun combine to make the immediate scenery clear and the distant mountains are hazed by cloud and appear a very light blue colour. The combination of  twisty roads and fantastic views made it a  great days riding. In a place called Little Switzerland (Switzerland Inn) tonight . It is located in a remote part of the Smokey Mountains and has a Motorcycle Lodge as part of the hotel. Good place for bikers. Met a bunch of blokes from South Carolina, yes one is a police officer yet again!!! Also visited an emerald mine where they give you the chance to find a gem in the piles of mined rock and guess what………..I found nothing!  Heading north to Virginia on Sunday as a rainstorm is due today.

                                                                                                                                                                                                          

Happy Anniversary Pam

21 Years!!! Lots of Love Tom xxxxxx

Flying high in Tennessee

Yesterday Jeaneen took me the scene of Battle of Stones River which was a
Civil War battle between the Union forces of the north and the
Confederates of the south. The Union won this one which is evident in the
war graves adjacent. There are no Confederate graves as in the heat of
post-battle they were buried in a mass grave in the vicinity. There is a
quaint story about the army bands playing tunes together on the eve of the
battle (New Years Eve 1862). There is also reports that Stones River ran
red with the blood of the soldiers. Later I hit the high life when Dan
kindly took me up in his private plane. What an experience! We visited two
other airfields and I was able to take the controls (for the most part) of
the four-seater for a couple of take-offs and landings. A fantastic view
of the Tennessee countryside and lakes. Tennessee looks very different
from the sky with huge areas of land thick with fir tree forest. Also flew
over the Center Hill Dam and Lake mentioned in a previous blog. A VERY BIG
THANKS to Brad, Julie, Dan and Jeaneen for their kindness and
hospitality. They are fantastic people and made my stay in Tennessee a
very memorable and enjoyable event. Can't wait for them to come over to
Scotland again to repay their kindness. Travelling toward Gatlinburg near
border with North Carolina. Took an interesting photo in Pigeon Forge of a
world turned upside-down? 1. Battle of Stones River 2. & 3. Flying High
4. Center Hill Dam 5. Upside Down

An old DC10

Found this in an airfield near Murfreesboro. For those old enough…a DC10.

More than a dash round Nash

 

Toured round Nashville after dropping the bike into Bloodworth BMW to get the fuel sensor replaced. Got a feel for the history of Nashville by visiting a reconstruction of Fort Nashborough which was established in 1780 almost bang in the middle of downtown Nashville. I presume they came here for the country music and the pubs! The downtown of the city has an abundance of music venues and it appears that they are singing as soon as the bars and restaurants open in the morning. On to the Hall of Fame then for lunch at the hugely popular ‘Loveless’ restaurant and hotel. Lovely grub and a ‘must do’ if in Nashers. Later this evening we went to the Grand Ole Opery House for a show. The top stars of past and present country music performed and the show was brilliant! A big thanks to the Benedicts and Lewallens for a great night out. I am getting spoiled here!

Photos: 1. Grand Ole Opry Stage tonight 2. Grand Ole Opry  3. The Batman Building Nashville 4. Jeaneen, Dan, Julie and Brad (+ me) outside Loveless.

Murfreesboro Visit

Visited Murfreesboro (the former capital of Tennessee). Dan had arranged a visit to the Police Department where I was lucky enough to meet the divisional commander Major Clyde Atkinson. Clyde gave us a tour of the department and updated us on their excellent work in the city. Some badge and goodie swapping took place then we headed to the County Hall where, after meeting with the County Mayor Mr Ernest Burgess we were introduced to Rhea Seddon who you may recall as a former astronaut. Dr Seddon is a three-flight veteran, first on Space Shuttle Discovery in 1985 then Columbia in 1991 and 1993. Tomorrow…Nashville tour and the Grand Ol’e Opry. Stayed with Dan and Jeaneen and Maggie the dog……She got dressed up for the occasion! 1. Dan (L), me and Major Atkinson 2. Rhea (White Top), Mayor Burgess (Brown Suit) outside the County Court House 3. Rhea Seddon and me 4. Maggie

Lake Center Hill, Tennessee

Went  with friends Brad, Julie, Dan and Jeaneen  to their place at Lake Center Hill. Took a trip  on the lake in nice weather. The lake was created in 1948 by the creation of the Center Hill Dam. and is now a beautiful natural looking lake. It has an interesting bridge that is falling apart and due for replacement through the government’s recovery and stimulus package. Passing under the bridge after driving over it Dan pointed out the netting placed there to catch the falling pieces of concrete…which were substantial! On the way back to the lake house we passed over the bridge again….this time holding my breath. The lake house is about 300 feet above the lake and has stunning views. It is visited by humming birds (see blurred pic on last entry) and groundhogs which decided to stay away today.Thanks to Jeaneen for a lovely meal which reminds me...Mrs Beazley...Julie is looking for your pavlova recipe!  Photos: Lake center Hill, The boat, Tom on the lake, The bridge with the concrete hanging.

Some photos from TN

Some more photos from Tennessee.

 

Dan and Jeaneen’s lake house, a visitor to the lake house, bike post and wall of fame Nashville Country Music. Tomorrow, Bllodworth BMW for a new fuel sensor, 99 cent shop for new skivvies and socks and Murfreesboro Police Dept.

Tennessee Photos

Photos of wee Jack and Miss Bobo’s Restaurant.

Tipsy? Tennessee

Arrived in Tennessee and visited Lynchburg, the home of Jack Daniels Tennessee Whiskey. The funny thing about the distillery is that is located in a ‘Dry County’ and unusually at the end of the tour you get…..a lemonade? Got the tour and then had lunch at the famous Miss Mary Bobo’s. Miss Mary Bobo's Boarding House began in 1908 when the young spinster assumed ownership of the historic Salmon Hotel. It used to be a traveler's hotel and was built over a spring. Miss Bobo died in 1983, just five weeks short of her 102nd birthday. She remained sharp-witted and involved in the Boarding House all her life. The food in this place is excellent and home-cooked. An absolute ‘must do’ if you are in the area. Book well ahead. On the way home we saw a turtle struggling to cross the highway. Being animal lovers we risked life and limb to rescue the creature and relocate it in the creek. Later had a tour of downtown Nashville and the music scene here. Another great experience. ( Pam, they were playing all those country songs we heard in California/Nevada…you would have loved it).  Heading to the lakeside  tomorrow with Brad and Julie.

 

Guntersville Alabama

Guntersville survived the flood and dried out nicely for me in the morning. Got invited to tour the Fire Station and meet the crew. Surprisingly they did not have many calls to flooding. Thanks to Anthony and all the staff for the T Shirts.  Heading to Tennessee to visit Nashville and our friends Brad and Julie. Photos – Guntersville Fire Dept and views of lake Guntersville.