Summer 2008

On June 27, 2008 my son and I along with four other friends headed East.  My son and I were eventially going to meet my wife and
in-laws in Savannah, Georgia for the 4th of July and then spend a week with the in-laws at their home in Orlando, Florida.  But, first all
of us were set to visit Mammoth Cave and Cumberland Gap in Kentucky, ride the famous Hwy 129 - "The Tail of The Dragon" before
splitting up with the other guys heading back to Texas.

Our trip took it through 12 state: Texas, Arkansas, Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida,
Alabama, Mississippi and Louisanna.  We step in to Virginia a few feet at one point.  
The total miles ridden - 3995
Total days 19
Total pictures taken 619
Total calories consumed - Two many!
Below are a few pictures from the trip.  
Morning of day 2.  About to leave Jonesboro, Arkansa in the rain.
Confederate cannons overlooking  the Cumberland River at Ft. Donelson
Day 2 leaving Jonesboro, Ark  Ft. Donnelson

 Fort  Donelson National Cemetery is a very solemn place.  It was very
moving to see the names of so many brave soliders who have fought to
defend our freedom.
We visited Abe Lincolns Birthplace National Historic Site.  Below is a
monument that house a log cabin from the time period of the President's
birth.  This is just outside Hogdenville, Kentucky.
Ft. Donelson National Cemetery Monument at President Lincolns birthplace
Mammoth Cave in Kentucky is the world's largest cave.  This is the entry
and exit we took on the River Styx tour.  There are numerous tours at
Mammoth Cave National Park.

 We rode the Mill  Springs Battlefield driving tour.  There were 9 stops.  
The country was beautiful and we learned a lot about the battle.  Below
 are the foundation piers of a Confederate field hospital used during the

Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
 Location of Confederate field hospital
We rode through southern Kentucky to Cumberland Gap.  We
visited Pinnacle Peak which is at the corner of Kentucky, North
Carolina, and Virginia.  This is the southern view from overlook.

 After a night in Pigeon Forge Tennesse we rode through the Smoky  Mt.
National Park.  Below is a picture of the SMNP  in North Carolina.
We stopped and ate lunch at Deals Gap before riding the "Tail."
Around 1500 motorcycles pass through on a summer weekday and that number can easily double on the weekend.		 All of us rode from Deals Gap to the Tennesse end of the Tail of the Dragon.  At that point we seperated.  My son and I rode the Tail back to Deals Gap.  Here we are on the Tail.
Deals Gap On the dragon
From Dragon Overlook you get a beautiful view of the mountains and of Calderwood Dam. The next day we rode a small portion of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  It was awesome!  This is the view from Lane Pinnacle.
Calderwood Dam View from Blue Ridge Parkway
On the way to meet family in Savannah, Ga we stopped by Patriot Point in Charleston, SC.  One of the ships we toured was the USS Laffey - The Ship That Would Not Die. The court yard at Ft. Gaines.  An important fort during the history of America and use during the Battle for Mobile Bay during the Civil War
USS Laffey Ft. Gaines
We went on a Alligator Bayou swamp tour while in Baton Rouge, La.  We saw a lot of alligators.  I highly recommend this particular swamp tour.  It was great!  Read another recommendation  Sunset on Alligator Bayou, a historical and beautiful place.
Gator Sunset