Got back in fine form and had a great time! Had a few deadlines to hurdle since then, and then one thing led to another, so here's a late review sans pics (photobucket is not my friend
.) Got to Knoxville on a blistering hot Friday afternoon
, and just in time to catch the afternoon monsoon south of downtown and my hotel. Too late for the evening activity, and too wet to care, I found a good meal and settled in the hotel room. Noted that the bed was SOOOOO much better than an air mattress! Next day, found the site of the festivities and way more bling than I expected was available.
So much for that ride at noon, amigo! Saturday was the last day of the event, so went to the closing show and found lots of beautiful vintage bikes
, including a 1948 Indian with sidecar and some Kawasaki's (are 1978 and 79 versions really considered 'vintage' bikes??? Jeepers! I'm too young to be an antique already!
). Show was okay, giveaways included a Garmin GPS and a Honda vehicle of your choosing from their line of motorcycles, ATV's, and watercraft. Watched the procession as three concrete garages full of bikes emptied out into the evening air, and decided to pass on the street party in favor of a ride north of K-town to my favorite museum, the Museum of Appalachia outside of Norris, TN. Beautiful ride through the hills of East Tennessee and over Norris Dam.
Next morning arose early and hit the road by 5:45 AM. (Who, me???) Went west along I-40 until I turned south onto Hwy 58 at Kingston, TN. Traveled down to and crossed over Watts Bar Dam and on through Dayton, TN and to Chattanooga. Worked at one time around this area and still think there's few places any more scenic. That is, until the bottom dropped out south of Chattanooga. Must say, the rain gear I have is excellent but travelling on Interstates in such weather is not my favorite activity. Did manage to get down to Calhoun before it was necessary to get some shelter out of the heaviest downpour. Then rode on in to home and got in by noon.
Would love to do this again next year. Just need to forego some self-imposed deadlines so as to make the trip north in the morning rather than in the heat of the day. AND learn how to properly use photobucket or some such service!