I Captured Another One!

Many years ago I became interrested in Tennessee's State Parks. You see we are blessed here in the Volunteer state to have many vast and varied state parks. I have been telling myself for years that I'm gonna visit all of em one of these days.

I've thought of many ways to go about this little endeavor. First I thought of camping at all the state parks. Sounds good but, not all parks have a campground. Now granted there are "Urban Outdoor Enthusiast" who will tell you it's fine and dandy to sleep at the park anytime.

The second idea was to incorperate another hobby that I have. You see I'm a Ham Radio Operator and I thought it would be cool to make HF contacts from all the parks. I've made HF contacts to all 50 states and to every continent so why not make one from all the parks. Though I've put this one on the back burner, it wasn't what I was looking for.

That brings us to idea number three. Just like the line from Roy Clark's live recording of " Thank God and Greyhound She's Gone", I think some of you are just about a half a block ahead of me here. Ding ding ding, we have a winner! You guessed it, I'll do it on the scooter.

Last monday I was enjoying another day off work and I just couldn't pass up the great weather for riding. I know that comes as a shock to many of you. NOT! I got "Doll Baby" out of the garage and loaded up with my camera gear and headed out.

The State Park target for today was one I had ridden past several times over the last year but had yet to stop and make official. My journey there would take me over familiar roads through the wonderfully winding hills of Middle Tennesee. I went through McMinville up Hwy 56 into Beersheba Springs. I really need to stop and give this tiny place a good looking over one of these days. But that's another journey for another day.

Westward from Beersheba springs I can to Tracy City. Between Tracy City and Monteagle lies my destination for this gorgeous sunny February day. I pull into the entrance and see what I have to work with here. Ok do I set the tripod up on the other side of the drive or do I take my chances and set it closer to where the bike will be? After coming to my senses I realize I'm not gonna take a chance on getting my camera destroyed so I set up on the other side of the drive.

I was 100 miles into my ride and only spent maybe five minutes total there. Some say this is crazy but then again I am about a half bubble off plumb. The picture at the top of this blog is the proof for my personal Tennessee State Park Challenge. This wasn't my only picture of the day nor the end of the journey. Ah but that's fodder for another blog........stay tuned.

Ride Safe

Ronman