Falling in Love with Tennessee

[1joeranger]

So as some of you may know I am exiled to the state of Tennessee, Chattanooga to be exact, while my daughter attends college near by. Pretty damn good gig actually!

 

Yesterday my riding buddy and I left Chattanooga heading in the general direction of the Grand Ole Opry Hotel/Convention center in Nashville with only one goal in mind, TO GET LOST! Well we managed to get lost while trying to get lost!What a ride, what a day! Again what was suppose to be about a two hour ride or so turned into an all day excursion with us, again, returning after dark.

 

For those of you that don't know Tennessee has mountains, Tennessee, has curves, Tennessee has scenery! I find myself falling in Love with this state. The icing on the cake is that the people are mostly down to earth and friendly to, even to this transplanted Aggie!

 

Destin, FL will always be my favorite place in the world but if it wasn't for the fact that funny white stuff falls outta the sky during the winter and that the beach is over 400 miles away it would become my permanent home. I might have to Summer here 3 months outta the year and Destin the other 3 months with 6 months of traveling, the long way, back and forth. Hmnn might have to find a rich girlfriend!!

[bongobobny]

Yah!! Fell in love with that state 25 years ago while in Nashville on business. Managed to see a lot of the western side of the state, and in a few years saw some of the eastern side as well. Always thought of retiring in that state but now it looks like we will probably stay here but who knows.

 

Also liked the western side of Virginia, nice country there as well!

[Guest scarylarry]

Glad you like our state and I wish I could say the same, if I had a wish Florida would be the one place I would sell my soul almost to live.

 

I know it is world's largest sand box but after riding these roads for 30 years there is nothing new, if your looking for a good ride try Lynchburg Tn. on Saturday I don't know why but that town attracts more bikes on a Saturday than most bike shows...

 

Winter time place is dead but summer time it is hoping.

 

The one place in Florida that I love to vist and would live is Navarre beach spent a lot of time there also Navarre state park where the pier is where my ashes are to be pour out..

 

There was a small resturant right there on 98 and before the bridge that takes you over the bay was a toll road but they remove it, anyway they had the best grouper and now it is a mexican resturant, to be more exact it was across from cowboys which got wipe out by a hurricane..

[pegscraper]

Yeah, but live in TN long enough it will eventually get boring. There will come a day when you just want to get somewhere and you will wish for a flat straight road, and there aren't any.

 

Well, maybe not. Riding in TN, you sure do learn what the sides of your tires are good for. Here in northern IN, we don't use the sides.

[Guest scarylarry]

Yeah, but live in TN long enough it will eventually get boring. There will come a day when you just want to get somewhere and you will wish for a flat straight road, and there aren't any.

 

Well, maybe not. Riding in TN, you sure do learn what the sides of your tires are good for. Here in northern IN, we don't use the sides.

 

Vist west Tn. flat and straight only turn you make is into a parking lot or driveway..

 

You are right it gets boring but I'm sure other places do to I just want the chance to get bored..

[rentalguy1]

I've lived in extreme NE TN for almost all of my life (minus time given to Unlce Sam and a few stints for employers), and I never get bored where motorcycle riding is concerned. I never get bored where boating is concerned, either. If you are a history buff, there is more than enough here to keep you searching for a lifetime. While crime is on the rise in this area, it is still only a small fraction compared to most other places. Wages are low here, comparatively speaking, but then again, so is the cost of living.

 

We have a over-abundence of true redneck hicks. You know, the kind that still throw candy bar wrappers out the car window, and can turn any beautiful spot into a trash dump in a matter of weeks. That said, these are the people that will watch out for their neighbors and give them the shirt off their back in hard times. They are also the kind that will stand up for their friends, family and neighbors in a fight. You don't mess with folks down here, because you end up messing with a entire clan.

 

The weather in the spring, summer, and fall is typically beautiful, and the snow in the winter is awesome. We had our once in a lifetime anomaly the other night, though. Somewhere between 7 and 12 EF2-EF4 tornadoes in our area over a 3 hour period. It was exciting, but never want to go through it again.

[b2dad]

We also have a few curves and hills in NW TN. Either way it's a beautiful place to live (when we're not having storms / tornadoes). Oh yeah...and a little bit of flooding too. Mother Nature is really mad right now I think. But where are you going to live where there is not something? Snow, earthquakes, tornadoes, wind, flooding, summer heat, humidity...the list goes on and on. I don't think anyplace is perfect.

 

So I say if you are bored with where you live, the roads you ride on, MOVE or GO ON VACATION! lol

 

Either way, hope you ride safe. AND come to visit us in TN...and here is my SHAMELESS PLUG...

 

B2DAD'S MEET N EAT...MAY 21ST. CHECK THE CALENDAR!

 

Patti and Don

[Squidley]

We almost ended up in that area by Chattanooga, Cleveland to be exact. I love TN and if I would have found work there with TVA we would be living there instead of Texas. Lots of awesome roads to ride and like mentioned friendly folks

[Guest scarylarry]

We also have a few curves and hills in NW TN. Either way it's a beautiful place to live (when we're not having storms / tornadoes). Oh yeah...and a little bit of flooding too. Mother Nature is really mad right now I think. But where are you going to live where there is not something? Snow, earthquakes, tornadoes, wind, flooding, summer heat, humidity...the list goes on and on. I don't think anyplace is perfect.

 

So I say if you are bored with where you live, the roads you ride on, MOVE or GO ON VACATION! lol

 

Either way, hope you ride safe. AND come to visit us in TN...and here is my SHAMELESS PLUG...

 

B2DAD'S MEET N EAT...MAY 21ST. CHECK THE CALENDAR!

 

Patti and Don

 

If the Feds would have not lock me in here, I would have move but since this is my home base they would not allow me to transfer, I can vist all I want to just can't move to any...

 

I will give your area the most credit with Ky. lake and LBL only if it had white beaches and coastline.

 

Pam is wanting to ride the area again this year just not for sure when she love the lake rides, with her being from Va. and right at the end of the skyway she said a change is needed...

 

Glad ya'll made it thru the storms and yes mother nature must be mad at yall seems we miss it so far this year...

[Guest scarylarry]

I've lived in extreme NE TN for almost all of my life (minus time given to Unlce Sam and a few stints for employers), and I never get bored where motorcycle riding is concerned. I never get bored where boating is concerned, either. If you are a history buff, there is more than enough here to keep you searching for a lifetime. While crime is on the rise in this area, it is still only a small fraction compared to most other places. Wages are low here, comparatively speaking, but then again, so is the cost of living.

 

We have a over-abundence of true redneck hicks. You know, the kind that still throw candy bar wrappers out the car window, and can turn any beautiful spot into a trash dump in a matter of weeks. That said, these are the people that will watch out for their neighbors and give them the shirt off their back in hard times. They are also the kind that will stand up for their friends, family and neighbors in a fight. You don't mess with folks down here, because you end up messing with a entire clan.

 

The weather in the spring, summer, and fall is typically beautiful, and the snow in the winter is awesome. We had our once in a lifetime anomaly the other night, though. Somewhere between 7 and 12 EF2-EF4 tornadoes in our area over a 3 hour period. It was exciting, but never want to go through it again.

 

I was surprise that yall had a strong of a tornado in that area I sat and watch on the radar move across the southern part of Nashville right up the eastern part..

 

I can related to the stand by type I have family in Livingston Tn. great people just don't mess with still, look and even sample but don't touch....

[1joeranger]

The one place in Florida that I love to vist and would live is Navarre beach spent a lot of time there also Navarre state park where the pier is where my ashes are to be pour out..

 

There was a small resturant right there on 98 and before the bridge that takes you over the bay was a toll road but they remove it, anyway they had the best grouper and now it is a mexican resturant, to be more exact it was across from cowboys which got wipe out by a hurricane..

 

Got caught doing the bump ugly at that state park late one moonless evening along the waters edge. Well there was a moon but ... oh, never mind!

 

I actually remember Cowboys and ate there a time or two. Bridge is still there they just stopped charging toll. Before the hurricane you could ride along that island all the way to Pensacola Beach. Remote and scenic!

 

Started my Superintendent career right there building houses at Biscayne Point and have actually landed a Cesna 172 right next to the subdivision. They have a grass airstrip where they fly the banners out of that you see from Destin or Pensacola Beach. Fun to watch em snag em and get aloft. They tip toe the edge of stalling without much room or height for error. Good memories but Destin still has my heart!!

[Guest scarylarry]

The Air Force base in Mary Esther would do the night testing on bomb dropping that was odd thing to listen too.

 

I wish I could remember that place right there on the corner though, it was known for their BBQ, I knew it for the grouper....

 

I camp a few times at Topsail off 30A it was real hard to get a reservations there.

 

Like I said that area of all the places I been stuck with me as a favorite and that is from the west coast to Maine...

 

Only place to find a white beach is in the panhandle...

 

On edit: Have they still not repair the road leading back to opal beach... It was out last time I was there seems to be a pi$$ing contest between State and Federal on who would pay for it..

[1joeranger]

Yeah, Eglin AFB can make it sound like thunder. On some nights you can see the Spectre Gunships or AC130's firing. They look like they are pissing fire from the sky. You don't actually see the plane just their fire! (Ranger favorite). I don't remember the BBQ name but how about "Juanna's Pagodas" when you come over the bridge? It is the first establishment on the right. White sand beach, Volley Ball nets, half naked, good looking people!? Can you tell I'm missing Florida?

[Guest scarylarry]

Yes I can tell and I know I am....

 

Hell wanted trade places? LOL

[1joeranger]

Good to be me, at least that's what God tells me!!!

[Guest scarylarry]

Are you still in Tennessee?

[1joeranger]

Yep, sitting here in Soddy-Daisey cleaning my Paslode nailer, getting ready to frame in my kitchen ceiling. It was either that or go bonkers thinking about beaches in Florida!

[Guest scarylarry]

And besides the rain moving in that area if it hasn't..

 

You heading up to Nashville?

[OldBear]

Head up toward Tellico Plains..great ride on the Cherahoula Skyway and a neat little town. Good little bakery there and check out Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters. One of my favorite places:bighug:

[1joeranger]

Did that yesterday. Fooled around a little while at the Grand Opry Convention Center then checked out the new Bass Pro Shop. Came up 27 to Sale Creek, then northwest to 30 passing by Fall Creek Falls. Rode 111 up to Cookeville and came into Nashville on 70N. Great roads! Rode all the way back via 41!

[Capt-D]

The one place in Florida that I love to vist and would live is Navarre beach spent a lot of time there also Navarre state park where the pier is where my ashes are to be pour out..

I grew up fishing on Navarre Pier, great spot, skipped a lot of school to hang out there.

[1joeranger]

Head up toward Tellico Plains..great ride on the Cherahoula Skyway and a neat little town. Good little bakery there and check out Tellico Motorcycle Outfitters. One of my favorite places:bighug:

 

Yep, was there 2 weekends ago after riding over to Neal Gap near Dahlonega, GA. Came back via Hiwassee? River and wound up in Tellico Plains! We like getting lost!!! This weekend if my buddy gets his front tire done (pushing Jake Wilson on him) and I get my rear brakes pads replaced we may hit the Cherahoula Skyway and maybe even the Dragon.

 

Here is a kick! Rode my bike to the Big Church downtown Chattanooga today and was told to park in front, in the yard. Talk about VIP treatment. Seems they want to let everyone know they are no longer stuffy! Minister evidently rides to and wants a bunch of us parking out front! For a minister he is all right even if his son is a Texas Longqueer, I mean Longhorn.

[Guest scarylarry]

Did that yesterday. Fooled around a little while at the Grand Opry Convention Center then checked out the new Bass Pro Shop. Came up 27 to Sale Creek, then northwest to 30 passing by Fall Creek Falls. Rode 111 up to Cookeville and came into Nashville on 70N. Great roads! Rode all the way back via 41!

 

Hell I might have passed you on 41-A we was coming back from Lynchburg around 4ish

[Guest scarylarry]

The one place in Florida that I love to vist and would live is Navarre beach spent a lot of time there also Navarre state park where the pier is where my ashes are to be pour out..

I grew up fishing on Navarre Pier, great spot, skipped a lot of school to hang out there.

 

Pam said when she pours me out there, sharks are the only thing will be feeding there from now on...

[1joeranger]

The one place in Florida that I love to vist and would live is Navarre beach spent a lot of time there also Navarre state park where the pier is where my ashes are to be pour out..

I grew up fishing on Navarre Pier, great spot, skipped a lot of school to hang out there.

 

 

Last house I built on Navarre Beach had a lot of wind load requirements enacted by the county. We complied and lou and behold they worked! The house to the left and right of mine was condemned due to storm surge but mine was standing talk with 1 broken window pane. Came a big believer in the wind load requirements and Florida has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to that!

 

Unfortunately Navarre Beach State Park did not fare as well during the same Hurricane. Money had just been pumped into it and they had updated the facilities with new buildings and board walks. They remained open about a month before the hurricane hit and have been closed ever since. Well still closed 2 yrs ago when I left to tour the country!