June 24, 2007

Time of departure:  7:15 A.M.

Temperature:  68 degrees

Elevation: 637 feet

Total Mileage: 198


“So, is this the place where..?”


“Yes, it is.  You see that bridge over there?  That’s where it started.”, said the convenience store clerk, abruptly cutting me off and rolling her eyes at me at the same time. 


I realized, after asking, she must’ve had to answer the same question a thousand times by now. 


Meredith and I had landed in Selmer, Tennessee for the evening.  If you’ve been keeping up with the news, you might recognize the town name.  Last week, during a town festival, a drag racing “funny car” was giving a demonstration on the main street that we had just driven down.  As you may, or may not, know, drag racing is dangerous, and cars can easily lose control. 


This car did.  Very unfortunately, the main street was lined with spectators.


I was a bit surprised the attendant acted like she was tired of answering the question.  It seems T.V. stations have no problem finding people to talk about the incident.  I guess there’s just no glamour in answering the questions of a scruffy twelve year old riding a motorcycle covered in dust.


Of course, the reason for the dust was the fact that Tennessee is in a severe drought.  Gravel roads are becoming more common. 


We left Columbia this morning on our way to Selmer.  Soon after leaving, we came upon what looked to be a buzzard sitting in the middle of the road.  As we approached it, I realized
it was no buzzard, but a hawk.  It wasn’t going to fly if not made to.


We approached it slowly.  Finally, it flapped its wings and reluctantly flew a few feet.  I’m guessing it was a fledgling just learning.


We continued on down the road.  Several hours later we crossed the famous Natchez Trace Parkway.  It seemed very nice and something we’d like to come back and drive one day.


Then came the “slick” creek crossings that took their toll last year.  As you may recall, these creek crossings have a bottom of solid rock, which then grow moss.  This makes the slickest crossings known to man. 


After busting my butt last year, we knew how to attack these areas better.  Instead of even trying to ride across them, we immediately dismounted and walked the bikes across one at a time.  No problems this time.  But they were still slick!


The land in this part of Tennessee is flattening out.  Houses are becoming less kept, and it seems the income level is dropping.  Mississippi is fast approaching . 


See y’all down the trail.


Ron and Meredith


June 25