On the way hone

Stayed in Memphis last night, hit Beale street. Pretty good music for a Monday night. Bourbon and Beal streets in a 24-period. 

Bert has slow leak in rear tire, so being cautious on the highway. 

Captain America and Fountains

7 foot guy walking a 4 inch dog that is smoking a cigar

Little girl playing in fountain behind Pete Fountain 

Felix Story

Bald guy walks into an oyster bar. Actually bypasses long line and is waved into a spot at the bar / counter. The three oyster shucker's all come over and give the guy fist bumps. Start piling oysters on the bar in front of him and  mix up special sauce (heavy on the horseradish and Crystal). Bald guy orders a coke and shucker's ask if he is ok, doesn't he want an Abita and vodka chaser?? Guy says " I'm cool with a coke". Trade a bunch of stories and lots of smiles. They can't believe he rode a motorcycle to NOLA just to get a couple dozen sliders.

Rest of people at the bar are thinking who is this dude? Person next to the bald guy is an ex LSU quarterback. They start talking about motorcycles and stuff. Bald guy says " how many people are required to ride a Harley?" Ex-quarterback says "one?" No, answers bald guy - need 3 people. "One to ride the bike, one to follow, and one with a truck to pick up the first guy when his bike breaks down.." Ex-quarterback not happy, he is part owner of a Harley dealership. Bald guy is able to escape certain death by chomping on an oyster that contained a pearl and presenting pearl to ex-quarterback's  girlfriend.

The Big Mr. Sexy

Allegedly retired, but spotted in the quarter.

The pic below was actually taken last year, but important to get the entire outfit in view (fishnets and platform shoes).

All the necessities in a single place

Beer, liquor, food, laundromat, gambling, Russian mafia - one stop shopping...

Street Shaving

A few Picts - narrative to follow later

Point Otter to Asheville, NC - total fog out

Oh boy, what a ride. Left in the rain and that was the best part of the day. Hardly anyone on the road which was good because very slick pavement. Full rain gear, bags covered, tank bag covered.

Went slow all day, rain stopped so I decided to try and make it to Asheville which is kind of the gateway to the Smokies, from the east. Huge mistake. Fog rolled in and it took me 3 hours to ride 25 miles. No exits, no gas, no camping places - just fog at 4-5000 feet. Told Bert this was just a test, we had been through worse (well at least at the time I said this to him..). Less than 5 feet visibility, hazard lights on, fog lights on, flashlight in my mouth-type of fog. But very surreal and kind of cool.

Took some great videos with my GoPro camera, but having trouble posting them - probably file size is too large.

NOLA

Hi,  I'm in NOLA. Interesting couple of days. Being a good boy, back at hotel - have to admit I had 29 oysters at Felix (they recognize me) and a Lucky Dog. Going all the way out to the end of  the road (Grand Isle) where bayou ends. May even stay out there, depends on traffic and weather. Terrible ride from Natchez,  thunder storms and bubba's in pickup trucks.

Lots of stories, try to post tomorrow. I think I fixed Bert - the boys at BMW SE Michigan are going to receive a total shit storm for their incompetent  service when I get back.

My route so far

First day - A2 to Finley to Mansfield to Wheeling,WV.  Not a whole lot to describe. Usual construction in Ohio. Got lost in Finley (embarrassing since I have been through there a million times), passed the site of a big track victory for me (Mansfield Relays) and stayed the night in Wheeling.  There was a wedding going on and I had to scramble to find a room. Leveraged my Marriott status to snag last room.  Forgot how hilly eastern Ohio is.

Second day - Wheeling to Front Royal, VA. Front Royal is starting point for the Sky Line Parkway which then turns into the Blue Ridge Highway. Town was settled in 1754. Rode slightly ahead of massive thunderstorm. Hotel I stayed in was built in the 40's. Tile like original tile at Morton. Shower head was at my collarbone, people were shorter when motel was built.

Third Day - Began ride on parkway. Beautiful 2-lane road, limited access, no trucks allowed. The Sky Line is approximately 109 mile in length and has 89 "overlooks". Then got on the Blue Ridge. Listed as one of the top 10 rides in the US. Cloudy, but great views. Road follows the ridge of the mountains, so views on both sides of the road. Saw another Black Bear. The Application Trail criss-crosses the parkway at many points. Stopped at the Peaks of Otter Lodge, which is a classic National Park Service lodge. Built in the 40's, it overlooks a lake and a large mountain (see pict from previous post), view on my balcony. Famous for their Prime Rib, which I consumed after a long day of twisty road. According to the waiter, the mountain is a great barometer of the seasons. Spring is coming when the leaves at the bottom of the mountain start turning green. Fall is coming when the leaves at the top of the mountain turn red / brown.

Stay tuned for more.  A few Picts:

Short post tonight, want to watch the tigers game.  I'm outside of Smoky Mountains National Park. I have ridden the Skyline Hwy and Blue Ridge Parkway, now headed to Nachez Trace. Lots of rain and fog but beautiful scenery.a few Picts and more tomorrow.

View from my hotel room at Otter Point

Last one was taken from my helmet camera. Still playing around with video option.