All I wanna do is ride..cant a girl get a little ride around here??

All I wanna do is ride..cant a girl get a little ride around here??.

I’ve never done this before…I’ve never put a link-back to another blog, but…Judy has inspired me with her unselfish acts of kindness, and I just want to do the same for her!

She’s writing her heart out, she’s working her fingers to nubs…working the social sites and the blogs of others to help get her new venture off the ground! It’s all about MAPS! A favorite subject of mine.

Check out her web site. It won’t be much longer…I’ll have a few more maps for you all to download for your own cool LOST ROADS ride!  Till then…keep your souls and your bikes “WILLIN”   cuz ridin’ is what we have for sanity and life!

>Wytheville VA.: BACK ROADS RIDING

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I had been reminded recently of how long it’s been since I took time to ride in VA.
Oh, I know, I’ve been riding in VA. quite a bit lately, but I mean up into Appalachia portion of VA. In order to make this part of VA. a day ride with loads of new roads, I have to ride on Interstate for 2 hours. Yes, I know, but as the roads I’ve ridden become more numerous, I have to move further and further out of the circle. Meaning: I must do some Interstate riding if I’m to have enough time in the day to enjoy the back roads I so love!

Image Caption: Main Street, Wytheville, VA.

Wytheville VA. is a cool little town off I-81 and I-77. It has it’s own Harley Shop, so I made the HD shop my kick off point. Stopping in and 1st asking the girl who does the greeting at the door about a “nice little loop ride”…I get a blank look. She tells me she’s not from around here. “I just know how to get on the interstate get here and get back home.” Good God…I won’t say what I’m thinking. But I believe y’all have an idea of what it could be. The greeting gal takes me back to see the service manager. She says he should know where to go for a ride at around here.

Once again, I’m at a loss to understand how come people don’t “get it” when riders come into the HD shop asking for a great loop ride in the area to visit. JC tells me about Walker Mountain Lookout. Once he talked about it, I realized I’d been there before. It’s on US-52. I found it on my way home from West Virgina a couple of years ago. I decided not to ride up there this day…been there did that not into it today. I wanted a hot dog, and JC tells me of Skeeter’s World Famous Hot Dogs down on Main Street in Wytheville. I take the road into old downtown and find Skeeter’s. It’s really cool. I loved it! Best advice all day!

Image caption: Skeeter’s Famous Hot Dogs: Main Street

Image Caption: View from inside Skeeter’s

When you walk into Skeeter’s, you’re immediately taken back to a simpler time. The store reminded me of a place I would visit for ice cream and shakes when I was a kid. It had a long counter with stools facing the isle where the waitress would make your hot dog after you ordered. On the wall above shelving and counter space were dozens of photos taken over the years of people enjoying the dogs! The menu is small. Hot dogs and a few simple sandwiches (bologna and cheese!) During the right season, you can also have a bowl of Chili Beans. It was the right season and I got a nice big bowl of em. Yummy. I also ordered the “Everything” chili dog, a glass of unsweet tea and a bag of corn chips to put on my chili! Oh- I was in heaven.

Image caption: Cheap Date and heaven for a simple gal like me!

I paid for my meal after devouring it, and headed out the door for US-52 west. I thought I would find Black Lick Road and follow it to a town called Rural Retreat. That’s a back road I haven’t been on before, and I was told it’s picturesque. It was. This part of VA. is hilly. Not mountainous, but hilly. Here is where you find beef cattle and trout farms. I was thrilled with the views, with the farm lands, the hills and the buildings. Let’s have a look shall we? I was amazed at the amount of snow still lying on the ground in shaded areas and depressions. This particular bit of snow reminded me of glaciers…

Image Caption: Puts me in mind of glacial ice

Image Caption: Rolling hills and cattle land Wytheville County off Black Lick Road

The ride was beautiful. After so much snow and cold, it was amazing to be riding once again. Not much could have marred this outing. If I was to let anything mess with it, I’d be a fool! My momma didn’t raise no fool!

Image Caption: Modern home overlooking a simple log home.

The town of Rural Retreat is a simple and small town. Just as the name implies. I almost passed by this old rail station.

Image Caption: Rail Station in Rural Retreat VA.

I passed through Rural Retreat, the road now becomes VA-74. If I stay on it, it will take me all the way over to US-21 and Speedwell VA. I knew I didn’t have the time to continue on this path, though I wish I did. I’ll have to save this ride for a nice warm Spring day in the future, because the map shows this to be an inviting route.

Instead, I turned off onto Cedar Springs Road, heading south.

Image caption: Derelict store on Cedar Springs Road. VA.

At VA-16 I went north and headed for I-81. It was time to head home. I didn’t jump on I-81 right away, I took US-11 south through Abbingdon VA. before giving up the back roads.

Image Caption: Machine shed off US-11

Image Caption: Abandoned homes like this are common throughout the ride

It was a wonderful ride of over 250 miles. Next sunny day will see me back up here. I found some really good roads that called my name and needed my front wheel and my camera to explore them!

>Riding the Roads of Cumberland Gap

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Image Caption: Infinity view of snow and tracks

This winter has been “weird” according to the old timers who’ve lived here longer than me. They say “it’s not been this white of a winter since the 50′s”. They said that last winter too. Seems memories of mild winters will be the norm, while we sit by our fires, under our electric blankets, looking at the heat bills, crying for relief from the icy grip of winter.

Image Caption: Winter Blues

Last weekend, I got that relief. I called a twitter friend I’d never met face to face, and asked if he’d like to go riding. He affirmed he would not be on the road that weekend and he indeed would enjoy a bit of throttle therapy! @SGTJohnD and I met up at Bean Station, in Tennessee. That’s about a 90 minute ride from my house, and about 20 minutes from where John calls home in Kentucky.

Image Caption: Country Boy Gift Shop and Bait Store

I stopped at a gas stations in Bean Station, and called John to tell him where I was. The phone went to voice mail so I guessed he was still on the road. He called me a few minutes later, he had stopped at the gas station up the road to see where I was. Great minds think alike. This is what I found next door to my fuel station: A BAIT STORE/SOUVENIR SHOP! I found this amusing…

Image Caption: John and his Buell

John rides a nimble little Buell. It’s seen some road time, and John is an expert rider who kept the Buell right beside me as we moved along side by side on the roads around Cumberland Gap. That little motorcycle was a pleasure to ride beside with John guiding her front wheel. Not to mention that John was an excellent guide to the area. He grew up around there, and was able to show me some great sights, fun roads, and cool historic and photogenic places! I plan to ride in the summer with John, he has some great roads planned for the rides! Life is good.

Image Caption: John leading the way to Cumberland Gap

Our first stop of the day was in the little town of Cumberland Gap. It’s here you will find a small but beautiful park/picnic area, an old mill house, and what’s left of an old iron foundry.

Image Caption: The Old Mill House in Cumberland Gap

Image Caption: Side view of the mill house in Cumberland Gap

A few hundred feet up the hill is the remains of the Iron Furnace.
Although all that remains is the lower portion of the original 1819 30-foot-high blast furnace, it is actually a very small part of what was originally an entire complex known as the Newlee Iron Furnace.

Image Caption: Stream that runs beside the Furnace

The outside of the furnace was built of sandstone with a liner of firebrick. Furnaces were usually built with an incline just behind to ease charging and loading. The trestle leading to the charging point was usually built of heavy planks with a track on it. Men, often slaves, would roll wheelbarrows of raw materials over this trestle and dump them into the top of the furnace.

The daily product of the Newlee Iron Furnace was 3¼ tons, at a cost of $19.40 per ton in 1877 figures. The iron made at Cumberland Gap was shipped down Powell River to Chattanooga. This furnace was the only furnace in the Dyestone belt still using charcoal in 1877.

Image caption: A view into VA. at the Pinnacle Overlook

Image caption: A view of 3 states…somewhere in that valley

John and I left the Iron Furnace and he led me into Kentucky, where we visited Pinnacle Park. A state park in Kentucky that has a beautiful pinnicule overlooking the area of three states and where they converge. (Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky)

The road to the Pinnacle Overlook is a nice little twisty road, ya can’t do fast road riding on this…don’t forget it’s a state park, thus loaded with looky-loos and lumbering mini vans, laboring to find their way to the top…loaded with babies, toddlers, pre-teens, grandma, grandpa and don’t forget the fact Mom and Dad dragged all these folks into the vans…kicking and screaming…only to ohhh and ahhh when they get to the out look. Yes, it’s beautiful.

We left the park, and headed into the lovely little town of Middleboro, KY. It’s pretty nice. Every time I’ve ridden into this area, I avoided riding into the town. I’m not gonna make that mistake again. When I come to Middleboro next time, I will be stopping to photograph the architecture of old downtown. Stopping at the local air field I snagged these photos of a WWII era tank and jet fighter.

Image Caption: WWII Era tank

Also in the town of Middleboro, is a structure built of coal! It presently houses the Chamber of Commerce.

Image Caption: House made of Coal

This is John, sitting astride his Buell at the Coal House Museum.

Image Caption: John, sitting astride his Buell

Later John invited me for lunch. We stopped at Arby’s and by the time we were finished, the day for me was about over as well. I still have to get home and prepare dinner for Mom and the MR. I was 2.5 hours from home, so I bid farewell to my new riding buddy and headed home. I still was able to stop at a few places on the way home to capture some images of yesterday in this historic area of Tennessee and Virginia.

Image Caption: Old train depot in Duffield VA.

Image Caption: Old train depot in Duffield VA.

So, that’s my day…it was what winter daydreams are made of.

>Classic Rides, Motorcycles, and Life on the Road

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>My Nolan Helmet ROCKS ME!

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I shall preface this document with the following statement:  As a rider of 40 years, I’ve not been a fan of helmets.  That is until I was involved in a slow speed accident where I knocked my noggin on the road surface and continued to roll like a bowling ball for 80 feet down the pavement.  When my brain became cogent of what had occurred: I realized how lucky I was. That was four years ago.

I asked  people I communicate with on Twitter, “What do you recommend for a helmet?”  Many answered “GO WITH NOLAN”. 

• Ready for N-COM communication system
• 6-in-1 crossover helmet design with quick-change accessories allows for customized look and functions for every ride
• Includes clear shield, integrated sun shield, peak and removable chin bar
• GE Lexan chin bar is EPS lined; mounted with strong stainless-steel latches, it passes the tests for full face helmets of the European standard ECE-2205
• Removable and washable liner is antibacterial, antifungal, and wicking
• Quick-change shield is optically correct and fitted in an exceptionally large eye port. It accepts the Pinlock anti-fog insert (sold separately)
• Microlock® (adjustable quick-release) retention chinstrap system (Microlock chinstrap helmet lock extension available ~ sold separately)
• Top vent with rear exhaust grid and shield vent
• “Outlaw” versions of Nolan Helmets include a sleeker look that excludes any Nolan logos, otherwise this helmet is identical to other N43 helmets
• DOT approved
• Helmet Weight: 3 lbs. 7-3/4 oz. (1579g)  

The Nolan is a company based in Italy.  Founded in 1972, their ability to thrive is based on their unique technical and production skills as well as their dedication to innovation.  At least that’s what I’ve read.  When I see riders like Jorge Lorenzo and Casey Stoner (both MotoGP riders) wearing the Nolan helmet, I have to realize there are some convincing technologies that have made their way into my new helmet.

The day the Nolan Helmet arrived I was pleasantly surprised. How is it possible to weigh less than my half shell helmet? It does indeed weigh less, and somehow feels less clumsy in my hands.

The next day I put the helmet on my head (only after carefully reading the instructions.) I tested it in some fairly harsh conditions. The vestiges of a hurricane were passing though the area.  The deluge of heavy precipitation would test what I thought to be the limits of my kind of weather riding.  I was very surprised at the lack of fogging that occurred on the inside of the visor.  There was some, but it didn’t drift into my field of vision.

One of the many excuses I have used over the years to disclaim full helmet use was my experience with the old style helmets and their propensity to limit peripheral view.  I had no such problems with this helmet. I in fact felt I had a better side view in this helmet than in my half shell.

The top vent on the Nolan N43 helmet works very well. I forgot to close it on my rainy day ride, causing my scalp to feel quite chilled. Once I located it on the top of my helmet while riding, it was a simply matter of moving the lever to close it. My head warmed up right away and I was quite comfortable. 

The next day I tested the helmet in sunny and warm conditions. Here, I was using the sun visor. Switching between the sun visor and the Lexon face shield was as simple as pushing a slide to retract the sun visor into the shell.  The slide is easily operated with my gloved hand. 

As I rode on the 2^nd day, I realized there was much less wind drag on my head with the Nolan than with my half shell. That alone is worth high praise from me. As a high mileage rider, I find anything reducing fatigue to be worth its weight in gold.

The chin guard is easily removed by latches on both sides of the helmet located near the mid jaw line.  If the need ever arises it is a quick disconnect and the helmet can be safely removed with less injury to the neck. I’m impressed. 

The Nolan N43 is also equipped to be wired with the Nolan NCom system.  I have a slightly different Blue Tooth motorcycle communication system.  I’ve found my system will work within their design, but it’s really not as “clean” as their own communication system.  When the funds permit, I will be switching over to Nolan’s blue tooth communications arrangement. 

In conclusion, I quite like my Nolan N43 Trilogy Outlaw helmet.  It’s so light. It’s very aero-dynamic, its clear visor and smoked sun visor are easily put into use.  The chin guard is one heck of a cool innovation, allowing the rider to make his/her own choice as to the style of helmet we care to entrust our heads and necks with.  The com integration center is easy to use and quite the bonus to the riders who like to have music, phone, and navigation electronics integrated into one simple design. As a newly converted full helmet user, I’m convinced I will be wearing a Nolan on my incredibly round Charlie Brown head for a very long time. 

Thanks Nolan  Helmets…for giving me a feeling of safety and security that I  have lacked for An exceedingly long time!

>Chessie’s Rides….My favorite shots! PT. 3

>Here are a few more photos I like…just for you to view!

This is me…at the pinnacle of Roan Mountain.  I always feel on top of the world when I ride…a photo like this is worth a 1000 words.

This shot is one that I hope helps the viewer understand a bit about being “behind the bars” and the views.

This is from Cades Cove (Great Smoky Mountain Park). Perhaps my favorite shot from this day’s ride.

Well…perhaps not my favorite. This park is so beautiful. Amazing shots all around you.

Here’s another shot from Cades Cove…yeah it’s hard to pic the “Best” one of the day!

People will tell you, “Don’t go to Cades Cove on your motorcycle.”  I’m here to tell ya, if you go early enough, and on a weekday… riding though Cades Cove is very rewarding. You sure can’t stop and grab photos like this while driving your car through the loop.

This has to be my all time favorite home.  It’s on Flag Pond Road.  With Sam’s Gap in the distance, and a grave yard up the hill.

This is the deconstruction of the Iron bridge on Iron Bridge Road in Carter County, TN. I was sad to see this.

I love being able to stop and notice “the little things” when I ride.  Something you don’t normally do when riding in a 4 wheeler….

A short hike from TN 97 is this wonderful sight.  I parked my bike and hiked the AP Trail a short distance. Next year, I want to hike farther. I’m thinking of joining the local hiking club.

Here we are at Grandfather Mountain. Perhaps one day I will get off the bucks to actually walk into the park and out to the sight seeing platform…???? NAAAAA

This is a shot of the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virgina.  I’m down at the bottom of the gorge on an old iron bridge that crosses the New River…what a wonderful state WV is. I can’t wait to do this again!

This is Kanawa Falls in West Virgina.  I love that state for riding. What a grand time I had.

This is a beautiful mill house in West Virgina.  Don’t you agree about it’s beauty?

I can go on forever…but it’s best I don’t! Did ya enjoy these shots? More to come!

>More Of My Favorite Photos

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Image Caption: Blue Hole, Elizibethton, TN.

In 2009, I got on a “WATERFALL” kick. I looked for as many photographic waterfalls I could find. I rode my bike as well as hiked to find them.  These were taken with my FinePix camera…and I think they leave some to be desired. Oh what the heck, I’m still figuring out how to take great photos…

Image Caption: Butler Island, GA.

I took a road trip to Florida. Side roads for the most part. I’d never been this way before. I found Butler Island GA. and the marshes of GA to be absolutely magnificent.

Image Caption: Near Rogersville, TN.

And then we have great opportunities for finding old log structures like this one. What better way to photograph a great old home like this, then with my bike in the foreground?

Image Caption: Old Country Stores are novelties now

Who doesn’t like these novel and eclectic country stores?  Fun on the outside, and just “WOW” on the inside!

Image Caption: This log outbuilding is classically cool

For me, riding is all about noticing your surroundings. Would you have seen this well enough to stop and photograph from your car? Doubtful.  I’m a tourist when I ride my bike, and I don’t care who knows it!

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Image Caption: Mountains Purple Majesty. 


I’m so very lucky to live here in this part of the country, where the roads offer such views.



Image Caption: Kitty Hawk NC

This photo is not of any particular fancy grade, but I did enjoy my trip to Kitty Hawk, I think I want to do it again.

Image Caption: Grand Guitar Building, Bristol TN.

Isn’t this a fun building? I was so impressed with it. I stopped and photographed it. I had a bit of a problem with parts falling off my bike when I took this ride from Bristol to Greenville, but it was one of my most memorable rides in this area.

Image Caption: Another iconic view, depicting the views of beautiful Tennessee

Let me ask you, why you don’t stop to take photos like these? I know you ride in place that rival Tennessee in beauty…does shots like these make you think “I know a place like this, very close to where I live!”

Image Caption: I love old cars.

All of you who have followed my adventures for a while know how much I love old classic cars found on the roadsides!

I think I should leave some photos for another posting! I have so many…come on back y’all!

>It’s just photos today…

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This is at JoAnn’s shooting booth… in Waxhaw NC. (Crazy Horse Painting)

This is at Jim Bortel’s shop. Love the beefy-ness of this unit….

This is JoAnn and an example of her flame work. This is her chopper….

I don’t know why…but I like this shot of JoAnn on her Chopper…

This is a “busy” photo of Wheels Through Time, but it gives you an accurate look at what just how BUSY YOU will be as you visit from one exhibit to another. I love this place.

This is an antique headlamp for an early motorcycle.  I can’t remember which bike I was photographing when I took this…but I love it.

Well that previous statement was dumb of me. Here it is… DOH!

This display is one of my favorites as well. Nicely put together…the Quarter Masters School and the HD’s for the couriers

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This is another photo I heavily favor…the patina, everything about it … well. I Like it

This is enough for now I guess. Thanks for coming.

Lost Road Riding Carter and Washington Counties From Bulls to Quilts

I’d have to qualify the year 2010 as an amazing year for riding.  I was able to ride most of the year in 2010 without much down time due to nasty weather or bike repairs. Yes, my bike goes through her share of repairs now she is over the age of 15 (she’s 18 years old these days).  Yes, in 2010 I did have a few major and expensive repairs done on her, but I was able to pay the ransom and be riding once more without feeling as if I were a junkie looking for a fix in all the wrong places!

 

Today’s lost ride will take us through the local back roads I had explored to some degree but not been able to stop and take photos of.  This is what I worship when I ride.  The ability to stop and investigate a locale:  learning to appreciate the beauty and the wonders of the roads I ride through.  That’s right! I ride THROUGH these roads, not on them.

On Sinking Springs Road in Carter County Tennessee, I’ve encountered what I believe to be the last standing iron bridge in this county! It spans one of the beautiful rivers that flow in this county and is surrounded by farmland and wooded terrain. There is no stopping allowed here, but the traffic is very light and on a motorcycle, even if you stop you’re not hampering the flow of traffic. 

 A bit further on Sinking Springs Road, I’ve noticed an interesting photo subject. It’s an old bleached dead tree.  Its roots wrap around a boulder clinging to a hillside, while the branches point uselessly into the sky.  I stopped for a photo here and while I was capturing the tree, the horses in the field came to investigate me and my bike.  It was such a cool photo moment: My iron steed and her flesh counterpart eyeing her.

Less than a mile down the road I find a little paved avenue named Sycamore Shoals Road.  I’ve never been on this piece of pavement so I turned my wheels into the small lane and followed it.  I soon discovered a nice little shed with a quilt pattern attached to it.  Its part of the “QUILT TRAIL” that is so popular here in N.E. Tennessee.  I pulled to the side of the road and captured the structure.  I find it lovely.  Its fun to discover the many out buildings and barns that sport the quilted patterns for the discovery of others like me!

Not more than 1000 feet up from the quilt barn, I discover a very handsome black bull grazing near the road at the fence line.  I stopped at this point and set him in the camera frame with my bike.  Handsome animals…both the bull and my Iron Horse!

Riding along these lost roads; I always enjoy finding old cars, trucks and farm vehicles.  By the time I found this burned out Caddie, I was quite confused about where I was.  I couldn’t tell you anymore.  I was in the hollers of Carter County on small 2 lane roads that will squash you like a bug if you’re not diligent regarding the speeding Ford pickup trucks rounding the turns here.  The guys driving the trucks will always smile and wave at you as they come inches from side swiping you off the roads!  Nice friendly people here, they didn’t kill ya…so you know they liked ya! 

 

If you’re paying attention to the wooded acres surrounding you, the vestiges of human habitation will catch your eye.  You’ll stop to see these left over bastions of a previous life and you’ll wonder about the lives that were affected here.  I saw a lone fireplace chimney of a long burned down home.  I think about the lives that had no home after this disaster and wonder who took them in?

Riding the lost roads near your own home will bring results like these for you too!  Riding roads  you haven’t been on in years because of the boulevard that was built, resulting in faster drive times to your destination-will bring you closer to becoming an explorer of your own home town and county!  Come on y’all…the roads are calling! The burned out buildings harbor ghosts from the past that will crank and rev your imagination!  The animals are waiting for you to capture them with your own mount in the foreground!  There are memories and learning situations along the lost roads and only the fool discounts the ride! 

>The Back Roads of Carter and Washington Counties in Tennessee

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I’d have to qualify the year 2010 as an amazing year for riding.  I was able to ride most of the year in 2010 without much down time due to nasty weather or bike repairs. Yes, my bike goes through her share of repairs now she is over the age of 15 (she’s 18 years old these days).  Yes, in 2010 I did have a few major and expensive repairs done on her, but I was able to pay the ransom and be riding once more without feeling as if I were a junkie looking for a fix in all the wrong places!

 

Today’s lost ride will take us through the local back roads I had explored to some degree but not been able to stop and take photos of.  This is what I worship when I ride.  The ability to stop and investigate a locale:  learning to appreciate the beauty and the wonders of the roads I ride through.  That’s right! I ride THROUGH these roads, not on them.

On Sinking Springs Road in Carter County Tennessee, I’ve encountered what I believe to be the last standing iron bridge in this county! It spans one of the beautiful rivers that flow in this county and is surrounded by farmland and wooded terrain. There is no stopping allowed here, but the traffic is very light and on a motorcycle, even if you stop you’re not hampering the flow of traffic. 

 A bit further on Sinking Springs Road, I’ve noticed an interesting photo subject. It’s an old bleached dead tree.  Its roots wrap around a boulder clinging to a hillside, while the branches point uselessly into the sky.  I stopped for a photo here and while I was capturing the tree, the horses in the field came to investigate me and my bike.  It was such a cool photo moment: My iron steed and her flesh counterpart eyeing her.

Less than a mile down the road I find a little paved avenue named Sycamore Shoals Road.  I’ve never been on this piece of pavement so I turned my wheels into the small lane and followed it.  I soon discovered a nice little shed with a quilt pattern attached to it.  Its part of the “QUILT TRAIL” that is so popular here in N.E. Tennessee.  I pulled to the side of the road and captured the structure.  I find it lovely.  Its fun to discover the many out buildings and barns that sport the quilted patterns for the discovery of others like me!

Not more than 1000 feet up from the quilt barn, I discover a very handsome black bull grazing near the road at the fence line.  I stopped at this point and set him in the camera frame with my bike.  Handsome animals…both the bull and my Iron Horse!

Riding along these lost roads; I always enjoy finding old cars, trucks and farm vehicles.  By the time I found this burned out Caddie, I was quite confused about where I was.  I couldn’t tell you anymore.  I was in the hollers of Carter County on small 2 lane roads that will squash you like a bug if you’re not diligent regarding the speeding Ford pickup trucks rounding the turns here.  The guys driving the trucks will always smile and wave at you as they come inches from side swiping you off the roads!  Nice friendly people here, they didn’t kill ya…so you know they liked ya! 

 

If you’re paying attention to the wooded acres surrounding you, the vestiges of human habitation will catch your eye.  You’ll stop to see these left over bastions of a previous life and you’ll wonder about the lives that were affected here.  I saw a lone fireplace chimney of a long burned down home.  I think about the lives that had no home after this disaster and wonder who took them in?

Riding the lost roads near your own home will bring results like these for you too!  Riding roads  you haven’t been on in years because of the boulevard that was built, resulting in faster drive times to your destination-will bring you closer to becoming an explorer of your own home town and county!  Come on y’all…the roads are calling! The burned out buildings harbor ghosts from the past that will crank and rev your imagination!  The animals are waiting for you to capture them with your own mount in the foreground!  There are memories and learning situations along the lost roads and only the fool discounts the ride!