Just Sharing Another Ride Report - BamaBob

[BamaVenture06]

On Saturday, 9-20-08, it was once again time to mount up on the steel pony and gallop about the area roads. We met up with one of the couples we ride with, Duane and Dawn, at the Exxon gas station on Hwy. 72 in Gurley, Alabama at 8:45 a.m. This was a perfect spot to watch the Trail of Tears riders before heading east to find whatever adventure awaited us this day.

 

The first Trail of Tears riders came through at about 9:15, with an Alabama State Trooper motorcycle escort leading the way. This years’ group was much smaller than in years past, possibly partly due to the overcast and drizzle, but mostly due to the fact that the Trail was broken into two factions and two separate routes this year. One followed the original Trail of Tears route through Alabama down Hwy. 72, while the other took Hwy. 64 across Tennessee, then down to Florence, AL, and on into Waterloo. The main group of riders had passed within about 30 minutes, and once they passed we saddled up and headed east on Hwy. 72 towards Scottsboro.

 

http://s37.photobucket.com/albums/e82/BamaVulcan04/2008%20Trail%20of%20Tears/

 

Once into Scottsboro, we headed south on State Hwy. 35, across the B.B. Comer bridge, and up Sand Mountain towards the town of Section, AL. The overcast skies, light off-and-on drizzle, and wind made for a cool time once we reached the top of Sand Mountain, so we stopped in Section for a cup of coffee. From there, we continued on through Powell’s Crossroads and into Rainsville, Alabama. Since it was approaching 11:00 a.m. and we were beginning to think of lunch, we decided to head west on State Highway 75 towards Fyffe, the home of Barry’s BBQ, which were had heard was one of the best BBQ spots in this particular section of Alabama. Another memeber here also had told me it was a good place to eat. It’s a family owned and operated place that is actually on the family’s farm. Once into Fyffe, we stopped and got directions to Barry’s.

 

When we arrived, it looked like a typical neatly kept house on an area farm from the road, except for the small sign that read “Barry’s B-B-Q” with an arrow pointing towards the farmhouse. But once we turned in, we could see that they had a great set up for some fine down home eatin’. The smell of meat smoking permeated the air. We were greeted by a friendly lady with a big smile on her face. “How ya’ll doing? We don’t open for business ‘til noon, but ya’ll park your bikes and come on over and have a seat. Won’t be much longer now. Where ya’ll from anyhow?” she asked. We took her up on the offer, and mosied on over to the back patio and sat down. All the while, the sweet smell of the BBQ was making us more hungry by the second. Finally, at noon, we were able to enter the block building that housed the treasures we so anticipated. The aromas were almost more than we could tolerate, and everything on the menu looked absolutely fantastic. For lunch, they offered a pulled pork BBQ plate, a smoked ham plate, a broasted chicken plate, a chicken liver plate, and a fried catfish plate – each served with your choice of two side orders – baked beans, cole slaw, potato salad, or french fries, and a slice of thick bread. For desert, they offered homemade vanilla, chocolate, or strawberry ice cream, or homemade peach cobbler. Duane and I got the pulled pork plate, while the wives settled for the smoked ham plates. When our plates arrive, they were overloaded with food. None of us could eat all that was on our plates. Needless to say, we all thoroughly enjoyed our lunch, but unfortunately had no room left for the tempting deserts. The entire cost of this fantastic lunch was $14.50 per couple, and I have to say, it was worth twice that much!

 

BamaVulcan04/Barrys BBQ - Page 1 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

Feeling like hogs that had been fattened for slaughter, we somehow managed to mount the bikes and head back towards Rainsville, where we took a right on Hwy. 35 and headed south towards Fort Payne. Yep - Fort Payne, Alabama – once know as “The Sock Capitol of the World” and the home of the famous country music group ALABAMA. Just for grins and giggles, and to give the buns a little rest and walk off some of the fine food we had previously ingested, we stopped in at the Fort Payne Power Sports shop to look around for a bit. They had a beautiful candy red 2008 Yamaha V Star 1100 with only 2300 miles on it that really caught my eye. The original owner was a friend of the dealer, and he had purchased it back in April with the intention of using it as a work commuter. She was definitely a beauty with lots of extra chrome added by the original owner. I really had to practice some self control to keep from buying that sweet little ride and adding her as a second bike!

 

After leaving the bike shop, we headed up Lookout Mountain on County Road 89 about five miles to DeSoto Falls, located in DeSoto State Park, which is in the Little River Canyon National Preserve. Indian Falls is located just below the A.A. Miller Dam, and DeSoto Falls is a 100 ft. waterfall located just below Indian Falls. It is a beautiful place, and being there one can only imagine how the Native Americans must have enjoyed it’s beauty and bounties – water, fish and wildlife - as they lived there years ago, much as if it were their own personal Garden of Eden.

 

BamaVulcan04/DeSoto Falls 2008 - Page 1 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

After about 45 minutes of enjoying the serene beauty, we again mounted our horses of steel and headed down the back side of Lookout Mountain into Hammondville, Alabama and back through Fort Payne. We headed south on US 11 towards Collinsville. From there, we took Hwy. 68 west through Albertville and on into Guntersville, Alabama. Once in Guntersville, we stopped to see the Antique and Hot Rod Car Show they were holding downtown.

 

Dawn’s parents were there with their 1940 Ford Coupe which he had entered in the show. In my opinion, it was the sweetest street rod there, and there were some nice vehicles, for sure.

 

BamaVulcan04/Guntersville Hot Rod Show 2008 - Page 1 - Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

 

After visiting with Dawn’s parents and walking around the car show for almost an hour, it was time to head north over Grant Mountain to Hwy. 72 and point the ponies west for the 45 minute ride back home. As we rumbled west, the sun was setting and the air had a definite chill of the oncoming fall. Another wonderful day of riding the bike, navigating the back roads, seeing the sites, eating good food, and sharing some good times with friends was done.

 

Man, I already can’t wait until the next ride!

Edited September 23, 2008 by BamaVenture06