GA-TN and Back

Left Saturday morning. Temps never achieved what was forecast. Didn't break 30 degrees until we'd been on the road two hours. Wife liked my heated gear as much as I missed it. But at least it was dry Saturday. Had a late lunch at a restaurant called The Plantation in Dickson, TN. I highly recommend it. Country food, cooked properly, in quantity, buffet style. The Plantation isn't about slopping the hogs, it's collard greens and catfish (and 40 other things) like your grandma should have made. Visited with family, retreated to the hotel to gear down and have dinner at Ruby Tuesday's. Embrace the fern. (I rarely take photos on trips, but at least I thought about it several times on this one. Perhaps next trip I'll fully evolve and include photos.)

The rain we were originally supposed to have a chance of as we got home Sunday had already begun before we awoke. It would continue unabated for the entire return trip. We breakfasted at Cracker Barrel. I've never been a fan, but on this morning, facing a day in the 30's (with the briefest of cameo appearances by the 40's) with nonstop rain, I think the Barrel breakfast may have made me a convert. In cold weather, anyway. On the last fuel stop of the day (sugar free red bull for me, coca cola for her), we took a few minutes inside the semi-rural market to drink our drinks and thaw for a bit. The owner was visibly disconcerted at two modular-helmeted folks in full riding gear hanging out by his row of illegal poker machines.

Just under 5 hours on the road, in the rain, and we both stayed bone dry. Head to toe. I in my full on aerostich, and the wife in lesser, but still adequate garments (First Gear HT overpants, Sedici Rapido textile jacket). I became a bit chilled in the afternoon, core temp faltering but failing to fall, but not too bad. The wife, her first time in heated gear, showed that she isn't one to endlessly fiddle with the temp control. She set it on full (which for modern version warmnsafe, is roughly akin to working in an aluminum foundry), and wore it that way the entire trip back.

Got home, had a shot of whisky, hung a lot of wet gear to dry, and started a structure fire. Sometimes it takes a long day in the cold and wet to hone your appreciation for the homestead. Stay thirsty, and ride safe.

We were on the other side of the jet stream this weekend, east of your track. Saturday provided a good ride opportunity. I took a loop, West first, then south, east and north to home.

Your pillion is more tolerant than mine. A cold rain, with or without gear, would put the damper down.

Im going check out that restaurant. It sounds like a magnum version of Monnells in Nash Vegas.

Im glad youre back safe, dry, and sound.

As for the pictures, Im with you there too. Way too much sugar for a nickel. Between the intrusion on the event, and the aggravation of hosting, its not for me. And one of my hobbies is photography ... just not event photography.

Regarding photographs, my perspectives (I have two) are polar opposites. I examine every picture from ride reports, from those I've met, and those I have merely corresponded with. These photos are from really cool trips and gatherings, posted by worldly folks, and usually, every photo is interesting. Many are from places I've never been, many by folks I feel like I know but many times have never actually met (my calendar is pretty busy, and one of my regrets is not taking the time to travel to one of the big meet-ups- so many folks have been helpful and friendly, I'd like to be able to meet a contingent of those to add to those I've already met).

I, on the other hand, have a hard time imagining anything I ate or parked by being of any import to anyone else. I know it doesn't make sense.

I find photography intrudes on the moment. It gets in the way of the flow. It is a pita to travel with someone who has to get another picture.

I learned this lesson from my Dad. He never knew if he had had a good time or not until he got home and could look at the pictures.

He eventually took up Polaroid, the forerunner of modern instant gratification.

I think I bought my first camera as a child in order to thwart his efforts to get me in a picture ... I could just put the camera in front of my face and say I was snapping too.

Pictures are ok once in a while. But I could care less about every curve or every bit of food.

I have a friend who thinks everybody wants a report every time he farts, with pictures. I humor him, but I would not succumb to the draw of the fifteen minutes of fame.

Glad you're currently warm and dry, sir.

My wife's opinion: Anyone riding behind an Aerostich gets to enjoy the windproof and waterproof attributes of those fine moto-suits.

Bill - thanks for your report. My wife is the quintessential fair weather rider. On that day in report, she wouldn't have even gotten out of bed. Pictures or not, I enjoy reading anything you write because you live where I hope to move relatively soon, and by association, you have my attention.

(slight thread jack start)

E/T - your comments are fair. Respectfully, I view you as distance rider at heart, and as such, your impatience for the "sniffing" moment is understandable.

Speaking (or writing) for myself, my ride reports have gotten too long and have way too many pictures. Over the years, I've tried to make the ride report something that it probably isn't. There is a fine line between a photo-journal of a motorcycle trip and a novel. I've selfishly used this process to practice my writing skills. Part of the problem (I think) is that I post the whole thing at once and few have the time or patience to sit through it. I could rectify that by posting one day at a time, perhaps. Regardless, I may have gone too far a time or two and I'm going to try to refine that going forward. Say more with less.

But none-the-less, sometimes a picture is truly worth a thousand words. At least it is for riders who care less about things like fuel octane and what size shim was used on cylinder #3's intake valve. We know the difference between kicking tires and wearing out tires. It's all about WHERE the rubber ACTUALLY meets the road. And sometimes, you just have to see it to believe it.

A ride report is an excellent way to encourage riders to ride more. To put more adventure in their riding. I know first hand that it works. Many who are on this forum are evidence of that. It would be very hard to do this without pictures.

(thread jack over with thanks to the OP)

People love to look at pictures. Its easier than reading, and facilitates day dreaming (a pleasant experience for most).

Long ride reports with pictures are like getting a semi/personalized travel magazine for free.

How many times have you seen people remark that it didnt happen if there are no pictures. Look at the popularity of picture based social media. Consider all the x-rated stuff people make videos of with their phones. People are obsessed with visual images.

So I dont begrudge anyone their pictures or photo ops. I am just not going to take them myself.

I also am one who takes very few photos, partly because of the reasons stated by Mr Lumberg -- "Who would care?" -- and the Tennessee Toro -- "This is so cool, so beautiful, so amazing, that I don't want to interrupt it by fiddling around with a camera."

The few times I have fiddled around with a camera resulted in photos that became personal touchstones.

Of course, there's so little of visual or motorcycle value in north Georgia or eastern Tennessee that it's not worth bringing a camera. Take my advice and ride in SEO or Arkansas or -- as seen below -- New Mexico Highway 146 headed south of I-10 at the speed limit.



..... and, "No one will understand the joke that this is a Food Porn photo." (Summer in Waycross, and the heat was affecting my brain.)

I bought a GoPro last spring to capture the incredible beauty of some of my 50 to 250 mile loop rides as things were greening up.

I used it a few times, mounting it on the buzz free front fender of my Rocket III Touring.

This required no effort or stopping.

I loaded the videos and viewed them once.

My reaction to viewing?

Ho hum ....

I do enjoy nature photography though. Give me a 50 pound tripod and a 180 mm macro lens with proper flashes, and Im all over it.

I NEVER post my photo's, but ALWAYS read and view almost every ride report and photo posted on the three forums I frequent.

I only say this so that those of you who DO take the time to post photo's and ride reports do NOT get discouraged or stop writing and taking pics.

If I was rich I would PAY 1911 and his lovely wife to travel and send me back ride reports, and I can't tell you how much I have enjoyed visiting Australia and that other place for the last few years with Bernie. Please don't stop.