A RIDE THROUGH THE HOLLERS OF CARTER COUNTY

Yesterday, I took my 1st Yoga class. I felt very good after the class. We spent time doing back exercises and after the class, it felt so good, like there was no compression on my spine!



I felt compelled to ride after I left the gym. So ride is what I did. I decided to ride the hollers of the county I live in. Carter County has many hollers. In the past, it was recommended to strangers to stay out of the hollers. The folks living back in the woods and hills didn't take kindly to strangers. I think things have changed a bit since then. I didn't feel uneasy http://chessiestales.blogspot.com/to ride these roads yesterday. In fact it felt really good. I saw a lot of cool stuff. Some of the photos turned out well, and others...

I really like the old steel bridges we have around here. But lately, I guess some pork barrel funds were let loose upon our county, because they are replacing 2 that I know of this summer. Here is one...





Moving along, this is what I enjoy when I ride out here in the hollers, this old house, recently abandoned...but it shows so much history.



And these deer are becoming a common sight this year. Many of the locals believe we will have a bumper crop of these guys this year!



I also came across a well maintained country cemetery...You guys know how much I like photographing cemeteries!



This is the time of year when the mountain hollers and hill sides send out the heavy aromas of sweet hay and clover! It's wonderful...but watch out of bees. I was stung on the cheek, just in front of my ear by a bee or a wasp. Glad I'm not overly sensitive to em. Just yell "SON OF A..." "MO-FO that hurts!" as well as few more choice exclamations.



I came across a weathered barn, whose doors no longer hung on the old iron hinges:





The shaded interior was cool, inviting and it was apparent to me, whoever built this structure was no framer.



The faded and curling boards suffering the years of heat and cold, stand in stark contrast to the beauty that is the landscape of Carter County.



After a while, I leave Stony Creek where I was exploring the hollers, and rode to the mountain top above Shady Valley, overlooking "The Snake". I walked onto the Appalachian Trail, leaving my bike parked on the side of the road. I had been told of a very pretty sight on this part of the trail. I was told it wasn't hard to get to and while the hike was about 1/4 mile up a slight grade, it would be worth the effort. Tell me, what do you think?











Leaving this heavenly spot on the mountain top, I drop into the valley below and point the wheel north into Damascus VA. Passing through this quaint town, and heading south east back into TN. I once more find myself taking lesser roads to find the America we all yearn for while we ride our motorcycles. I found it.



In Spades...





And one last scratch your head moment: I found these headstones in Mountain City.



It's time to head home. I had a great time exploring these places...I hope you do too.

A Ride Around the Lakes....

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Yesterdays ride wasn't a long one. About 47 miles according to Google Maps. All the same, I spent 3.5 quality hours with my bike and with nature. It did me as much good as a six hour 200 mile ride around here....I felt renewed when I got home AND I had these great pictures to show you! So, here we go again....Fall in North Eastern Tennessee.

The first stop is at a great photogenic barn. The owner of the farm came over and talked to me. He has a 79 Low Rider.... I would like to ride that, I taught my mom to ride on a 79 low rider...what a classic great bike!

AND THE PHOTOS ARE TAKEN WITH A PRISTINE MEMORY CARD...SO THEY LOOK LIKE THEY SHOULD!




My next stop is on Steel Bridge Road. Lovely road...this is a Texaco sign...with no gas station in sight...it's gone now, all but the cool sign.



At the same photograpic spot as the Texaco sign, are these bridge pilings. I suspect it was for a railroad, not a road...but I could easily be wrong.



This is just below TVA's Wilber Dam. It's on....yeah you guessed it: Wilber Dam Road. If you look closely, you will spot a fly fisherman in the water....



A trout hole...and Wilber Dam



We are still on Wilber Dam Road, this time we are above the dam. This is Wilber Lake.



This is a picnic area off Horsedam Road....



I liked the root system of this tree on the path...so I took a photo....



This is an overlook on Lookout Road below Watuga Dam.



Another view from the same area:


Here are a few more...absolute peace is what I derived from these spots...













This is off RT 321 as we travel up into the the mountains around Watuga Lake. It's a Federal Park/picnic area...no one was here...it's a lovely spot.



This is still at the park/picnic area...my bike and Lake Watuga...





This is from an Over Look off RT 321. National Forests are so cool, aren't they?





From roadside Picnic area, once again this is off RT 321.



This is a marina that sits on the lake.







Returning to my bike after a hike to the Lake...



The sky on my ride home....does it get much better?