Alabama All Day – The Waterfall Tour

[Gypsyangel]

Alabama All Day – The Waterfall Tour


Pt 1: Eat At Joe’s

First let me start out by saying that there is A LOT to see and do, just to our west in Alabama. So before you scoff, you might want to Google “motorcycle roads” for Alabama. They have mountains and twisty roads just like us Georgian’s, but with much less traffic and police presence. They also have plenty of waterfalls, which is where we head on our trip this day.

It actually wasn’t originally going to be a waterfall sighting trip, it was going to be a trip to get a reportedly awesome cheeseburger. Very possibly the best in the whole state of Alabama. But some trips just kind of take on a life of their own and plans and destinations often change mid route.

Our ride began mundane enough, straight up hwy 27. Dan dislikes these kinds of routes, but sometimes you just got to make a bit of time, just get from point A to point B within enough time to allow your self plenty of leisure time later in the ride when you finally reach “the good stuff”.

Our route. 375 miles. An easy day:

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Heading up 27.I’ve always loved this view:

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We make it up to Cedartown, Ga and decide to stop for breakfast. Right into town we pass this little diner and quickly do a U-Turn to check it out. It’s so new, it doesn’t even have a name yet.

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Inside was quaint enough.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425095706-Sarah-1002211/850051964_pszG9-L.jpg

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And check out those prices! We both ate for around $5 total.

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We asked the name of the place and they said they hadn’t decided yet. Apparently the owners name was Joe and they were going to name it Joe’s Diner or something similar. So, if you’re heading through Cedartown, stop in and say hey. They’re very biker friendly at Joe’s.

Okay, NOW I’m ready to ride:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425094444-Sarah-1002199/850048866_gs8iw-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 2 – Little River Canyon – The Falls That Start It All

After topping off our tanks for a day of riding, we head up hwy 100. This was a surprisingly fun hwy, full of nice scenery and sweeping corners.

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Don’t worry about all those arrows, no need to brake on these curves. I think the DOT was being a bit over cautious as these were all speed limit curves. And the speed limit was 55.

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A quick left on Hwy 9 and we’re into Alabama and making great time.

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A right onto hwy 35 and we’re back to the sweeping curvy goodness.

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Now, my original route didn’t have us stopping at Little River Canyon. However, Alabama had been getting quite a bit of rain over the past few days and as we crossed the bridge over Little River and caught a glimpse of the falls, we knew we had to stop and see more.

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Little River Canyon Preserve was created in 1992 and covers almost 14,000 acres. Little River flows down almost the entire length of Lookout Mountain and may be the nation’s longest mountain top river. The canyon it flows through is historically known as “Mays Gulf”.

I think if we do this ride again, we’ll adjust the route to cut through the park, but since we had both done it before, we didn’t plan on it. The road through the park is really nice, with plenty of overlooks. However it is gravel on the other end. No problem for dual sporters like us, but the more meek at heart may want to just turn around at that point.

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We only go in as far as the first overlook:

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I finally get my hubby in a picture:

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Wow! That water is really moving! You can also see the bridge we had just crossed in the background.

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Directly below:
http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425110940-Sarah-1002221/850064073_2fcsy-L.jpg

Look at that cute couple:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425111112-Sarah-1002226/850066264_Ximj3-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 3 – The Spanish Have Landed…In Alabama?


Heading back to the bikes, Dan spots another trail on the other side of the parking lot and decides to go exploring. It leads to another mini waterfall.

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Still a long way down:

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We discussed briefly going further into the park, but there was still much more to see and many more miles to travel. So we left it for another day.

We took a right on Desoto Pkwy/ CR 89 and headed through Desoto State Park.

Desoto State Park is located in Northeast Alabama and named after the Spanish explorer Hernando De Soto. Why? I don’t know, as Hernando De Soto spent more time in Florida and exploring the Mississippi River than in Alabama and apparently spread war and disease wherever he went. But I guess they had to name it after “somebody”. The park was constructed in the 1930’s by the Civilian Corps of Engineers.

Mind that Boulder:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425113346-Dan-1000272/850071040_c7Udi-L.jpg

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[Gypsyangel]

Pt 4 – The Naming Of Houses

Just outside the park and off to the right, we stop by the Sallie Howard Memorial Chapel.
The chapel was built in 1937 by Col. Milford Howard in honor of his first wife Sallie Howard. The stone church was constructed around a huge boulder where the Col’s ashes are now laid to rest.

The church is also still in service, as was apparent this Sunday morning, so this was the only picture I snapped:

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But here’s a stock one off the internet:

http://www.discoverlookoutmountain.com/images-2008/sallie-howard-200px.jpg

We continued on up CR 89 to the next mystery waypoint on my map. A place called Cloudmont. I had gotten these waypoints off a BMW site and we were curious to find out what each one was. It was almost like our own little tag-o-rama game.

More beautiful CR 89:

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Comer Scout Reservation:

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I’ve noticed on mountains and along shorelines, people tend to “name” their houses. This one was called Sundance and Dan and I agreed that it went on our list of “Dream Homes”. Just imagine the view:

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2 Car Garage plus a three bay shop. I’m in love!

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And oh yeah, they had a Bobcat amongst their toys:

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What a beautiful place to live.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425114344-Dan-1000294/850083267_4QyRg-L.jpg

Browzzzing LOL

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[Gypsyangel]

Pt 5 – What? You didn’t know Alabama Was Known For It’s Ski Resort?

A turn onto CR 614 and the Coudmont mystery was about to be revealed. This little one lane road wound past a Girl Scout camp, Rental cabins, Golf Course and a Dude Ranch.

Nice cabin home:

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Old Yamaha parked outside:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425114710-Dan-1000299/850085423_shoWn-L.jpg

Just following the GPS. That’s the Golf Course to my left.

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Finally, our waypoint. Coudmont Ski Resort. Apparently they’re closed for the season.

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Cloudmont Ski Resort is located in Metrome, Al. and has been here since 1970. It has two 1,000 foot beginner-intermediate slopes and has a mini lift to take skiers to a grand height of 1,800 ft. I guess this is skiing “lite”.

And since the south isn’t known for getting a lot of snow, this resort can make it’s own with its very own snow machine.

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[Gypsyangel]

Pt 6 - Desota or Desoto?

Just around the corner and off CR 613 is Desota Falls. Not originally on my route, but after seeing Little River Falls and since it wasn’t too far out of our way,
we decided we might as well check this one out as well.

The road on my map says Desota Falls Rd. The waypoint on my map says Desota falls. I google Desota Falls and all I get it DesotO falls (like the one in Ga). Unfortunately, I didn’t get a picture of the entrance sign to check the correct spelling. Maybe next time.

Here’s what I did find. Desota falls was originally discovered by our old Spaniard friend Hernando Desota because he heard rumors that gold was to be found in the area. The 20 ft dam above the falls was built in the 1920’s by Arthur Abernathy Miller. It supplied hydroelectric power to the towns of Fort Payne, Mentone, Valley Head, Collinsville and Menlo, Ga.

We weren’t disappointed as this one was flowing at full capacity as well. We got lucky and got the good photo parking spot.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425115910-Sarah-1002247/850492386_RpHXP-L.jpg

Sign over the entrance:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425115954-Sarah-1002249/850091192_3D2EV-L.jpg

View from the rocks above:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425120028-Dan-1000304/850091730_5QnGm-L.jpg

The dam wasn’t originally part of the falls, but it was today.

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Here you can see the start of the “actual” falls

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425120340-Sarah-1002258/850099267_Hm4Hg-L.jpg

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THE Desota Falls

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425120526-Sarah-1002263/850106512_pYEoa-L.jpg

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Looking down river:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425120532-Sarah-1002264/850107363_Dy8P4-L.jpg

Jumping, Climbing or Kayaking From The Falls Is Strictly Prohibited. Ya think??!!

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425120914-Dan-1000330/850122297_dRkYU-L.jpg

Sign by the dam:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425121220-Sarah-1002273/850126730_WuXk5-L.jpg

Say Cheese:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425120548-Sarah-1002265/850108538_tuRzb-L.jpg

There’s that cute couple again:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425120934-Sarah-1002271/850123201_BZRht-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Some video from Desota Falls:

Click below for videos:

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[Gypsyangel]

Pt 7 – Tutwiler and Snodgrass

Leaving the park I had to stop and take in the view.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425121856-Sarah-1002276/850131271_QjBgL-L.jpg

We headed down Tutwiler Gap, a twisty little bit of fun right outside the Fall’s entrance. I let Dan go ahead and have a bit of fun as I prefer the “sight seer’s pace”.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425121924-Sarah-1002277/850131758_3uNSW-L.jpg

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There he is:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425122030-Sarah-1002279/850138832_antDv-L.jpg

And there’s me…sight seeing:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425122026-Dan-1000336/850137829_DYM8G-L.jpg

We swing left on 117 and head down into the Valley. Out here they frequently use barn roofs for advertising. We’ll have to check out those caverns next time.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425122420-Sarah-1002281/850139455_iTUyw-L.jpg

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http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425125026-Dan-1000342/850141223_3xny8-L.jpg


http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425125058-Sarah-1002282/850142175_Z63CG-L.jpg

Crossing the John Snodgrass bridge over the Tennessee River. Originally built in 1958.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425125302-Dan-1000350/850144129_nhcAV-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425125310-Sarah-1002288/850145628_WsQWu-L.jpg

More hills in the ahead:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425125534-Sarah-1002290/850146759_cEA2w-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 8 – Going Up?

We finally got off 117 and onto CR 53.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130012-Dan-1000353/850147295_DoZ7Y-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130016-Dan-1000355/850147851_BjMdn-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130248-Dan-1000358/850492616_Uz6aD-L.jpg

Hmmm maybe this is where I picked up that poison ivy

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130310-Dan-1000361/850492679_TWLQU-L.jpg

We turned onto CR 55, a seemingly quiet enough rd:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130544-Dan-1000365/850492814_sEWks-L.jpg

Then, without warning we started going up

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130718-Dan-1000366/850492870_6hxW6-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130726-Dan-1000368/850492957_jVEzU-L.jpg

and up:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130752-Dan-1000371/850493013_eM4Xd-L.jpg

and up some more:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130754-Dan-1000372/850493047_5gEPo-L.jpg

The road we just came up:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130816-Sarah-1002292/850493110_euRkD-L.jpg

The road ahead;

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130820-Sarah-1002293/850493141_BmaWs-L.jpg

This is also where I noticed the extreme lack of road signs warning you about curves and speed. Apparently in Alabama, you’re on your own. Ride accordingly.

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 9 – What Kind Of Rock’s Are Kept In A Zoo?

The road continued on in fun for a few more miles before dumping us out at the top:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425130912-Dan-1000376/850493284_rRyPT-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425131420-Dan-1000379/850493408_ciAYY-L.jpg

We take CR 42 over and hang a right on CR 32, heading for our next mystery waypoint.

The Rock Zoo:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132046-Dan-1000391/850493965_hp4np-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425131910-Sarah-1002295/850493526_eFHbB-L.jpg

Cows
http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425131914-Sarah-1002296/850493568_wJ9vm-L.jpg

Giraffe
http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425131928-Sarah-1002298/850493625_Bfosu-L.jpg

Rooster
http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425131938-Sarah-1002299/850493680_kmdE8-L.jpg

Turtle (I think)

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132008-Dan-1000387/850493770_xRAaw-L.jpg

Some guy with foil on his head
http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425131940-Dan-1000384/850493706_cv4jE-L.jpg

This lil baby elephant was my favorite

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132014-Sarah-1002300/850493804_FvRfg-L.jpg

Dan getting a closer look at the animals

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132030-Sarah-1002302/850493920_wQtv9-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132038-Dan-1000390/850493940_5B9ci-L.jpg

Don’t Feed the Animals

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132022-Dan-1000388/850493833_DefpY-L.jpg

Sorry, could not find any real info on this little roadside attraction. I guess it’s just some farmer with an artistic flair.

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 10 – No Cheeseburger In Paradise

By now, breakfast was starting to wear off, but we knew we were near our destination near Scottsboro.

On down more Alabama back roads

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132534-Dan-1000394/850494072_r9hZ6-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132820-Dan-1000399/850494244_qF7hm-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425132842-Dan-1000402/850546430_9DpZW-L.jpg

To CR 470 where there sits Pikeville Store. Renown the whole land wide for have the best cheeseburgers in the land. A store that this whole ride was centered around and routed for.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425133000-Dan-1000404/850546464_mg7pE-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425133010-Sarah-1002303/850546562_V5VyX-L.jpg

Such a shame they were closed on Sundays. D’oh.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425133038-Sarah-1002305/850546627_SaXCv-L.jpg

No worries, we have a plan “B”.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425133058-Sarah-1002306/850546675_svLes-L.jpg

Payne’s Sanwich Shop and Soda Fountain in downtown Scottsboro. It’s been there since 1869.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425134142-Sarah-1002307/850546825_Nsyi8-L.jpg

And was also closed on Sundays.

A little more searching on the GPS and we finally found a place to eat. RRR Bar B Que.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425135452-Dan-1000410/850547086_4ncM8-L.jpg

They bring out these yummy little hush puppies to snack on while you wait on your meal. I had already eaten half by the time I took this picture.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425141232-Sarah-1002310/850547118_JQBNz-L.jpg

I got my burger, nowhere near as good as the one’s at Pikeville likely were.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425142600-Sarah-1002312/850547152_JXQYP-L.jpg

Dan got the Bar B Que, which was surprisingly good. Authentic smoked Bar B Que. Yummy!

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425142616-Sarah-1002314/850547187_XFj3p-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 11 – Where Eagle’s Soar

Nascar came on in the restaurant about the same time we finished up. Good timing, if you ask me. Ironically, it was in Talladega that weekend, which was one of our main reasons for avoiding I-20 and parts south.

We were only halfway through our ride so we geared up and were off.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144346-Sarah-1002317/850547301_YfB7j-L.jpg

In the restaurant by the checkout they had a petition sitting there urging people to save this bridge once the new one to the left was finished. They stated it was not only historical, but that a Bald Eagle had made it’s nest there.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144400-Dan-1000412/850547444_TABGc-L.jpg

Barges working on the new bridge:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144356-Sarah-1002318/850547375_SKfBU-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144410-Dan-1000413/850547506_e4nYZ-L.jpg

I scanned the eaves for the eagle’s nest and sure enough, there it was. I tried to get a picture but digitals are so slow. It’s that roundish blob to the right where all the beams come together.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144412-Sarah-1002320/850547541_otBKa-L.jpg


Just across the bridge, we pulled off hwy 35 and onto CR 67. It ran right beside the lake for miles. I thought about all those people bustling along the highway missing such wonderful sights as they only focused on getting to their destinations.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144550-Sarah-1002323/850547667_6LzKb-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144632-Dan-1000419/850547734_n8Ptv-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144636-Sarah-1002326/850547786_z3HqJ-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425144706-Dan-1000422/850547960_Jqraj-L.jpg

Finally pulling away from the lake.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145428-Sarah-1002329/850547994_thvTt-L.jpg

Here in Alabama, these signs don’t mean curves ahead, they mean you’re about to go up

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145728-Dan-1000425/850548075_BiGJW-L.jpg

In case you didn’t believe me

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145730-Dan-1000426/850548109_bzSzx-L.jpg

And up we went

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145742-Dan-1000427/850548136_aTyPs-L.jpg

Avoiding a tree in the road. I had previously forgot to mention, Alabama had gotten a hefty storm just the day before. Roads into the parks were littered with debrees , but the surface streets were reasonably clear. Only a few branches or piles of leaves/pine straw here and there to wake you up.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145756-Dan-1000429/850548218_aW55e-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145802-Dan-1000430/850548278_kF8fQ-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145812-Dan-1000431/850548311_SbU8k-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 12- Get Along Little Doggie

CR 167 was miles of fun, looks like more ahead

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145826-Dan-1000432/850548337_3EKA2-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145832-Dan-1000433/850548366_UxSmF-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145840-Dan-1000434/850548415_KCmzZ-L.jpg



Looking up the side of the mountain:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425145920-Dan-1000437/850548503_h6mLF-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150020-Dan-1000441/850548680_2TSBb-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150026-Dan-1000442/850548724_HiThS-L.jpg

Then I rounded the corner and found this little guy in the road. I stopped, but he wasn’t moving. So I started towards him and he just ran along in front of the bike. I’ve never been dog herding before.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150038-Dan-1000444/850548759_b43cA-L.jpg

Then he finally bailed out in a ditch

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150046-Dan-1000445/850548805_xNn9c-L.jpg

And decided to try herding us for awhile

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150054-Dan-1000446/850548839_oTN3U-L.jpg

Still not at the top, I see something at along side the road.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150446-Dan-1000448/850549003_XbrJY-L.jpg

Oh look, it’s another mini waterfall. My hubby was nice enough to swing around and get a couple pics.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150526-Dan-1000449/850549086_ZCp4r-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150536-Dan-1000454/850549214_s25oe-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 13 – Thou Shall Not Pass

Off CR 452 we find Bucks Pocket State Park:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150822-Sarah-1002332/850549255_Mj9mu-L.jpg

The park is located on Sand Mountain and is in a natural “pocket” of the Appalachians.

Heading down into the pocket, surrounded by cliff walls.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425150942-Dan-1000459/850549481_Kbi35-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151000-Dan-1000460/850549517_9tGvF-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151040-Dan-1000461/850549623_hvXKq-L.jpg

Then I round the turn to see this sign:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151114-Sarah-1002335/850549671_jExGE-L.jpg

My view from the sign. Hmmm, this isn’t looking good:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151120-Sarah-1002336/850549716_MV27C-L.jpg

Nope, not good at all.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151144-Dan-1000463/850549837_NoN74-L.jpg

That water’s moving awfully fast:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151202-Dan-1000464/850549871_UJ54p-L.jpg

Dan checking it out. He wanted me to walk out there and see how deep it was. I said no way!

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151216-Sarah-1002337/850549940_qTMqs-L.jpg

Then he spotted this little trail and decided to go dual sporting.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151540-Dan-1000466/850550003_nr3yH-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425151602-Sarah-1002339/850550047_qdhoJ-L.jpg

We had to make a detour around. We were coming from the North and you can see where we had to head farther East to get around and then head to the overlook we were after. The blue line was our planned route. The green line was our track and subsequent detour.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/ALWaterfallsPucksPocket/854130736_48M35-L.jpg

So we head back up the road and find a way around. Our first dirt road of the day. Actually, more of a gravel, sand and dirt mix. Not too bad and I finally get a chance to stand up on my bike.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425153238-Sarah-1002340/850550085_YNE6f-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425153302-Dan-1000470/850550125_SZXPJ-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425153306-Dan-1000472/850550195_UdXCe-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 14 – Oh Look, An Overlook

Finally, we find our way in the other side of the park an up to the Overlook.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154444-Sarah-1002341/850550486_NmNmE-L.jpg

Obviously a favorite stop amongst bikers

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154410-Dan-1000481/850550443_QcWS6-L.jpg

Permit Required To Repel, hmm this should be good.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154550-Sarah-1002343/850550625_wjDQS-L.jpg

Dan is right away off exploring a side trail. Wow, he’s adventurous today.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154658-Sarah-1002344/850550693_Gcwq6-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154722-Sarah-1002346/850550870_MLSqJ-L.jpg

He saw this little cave down there. Couldn’t get any closer though.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154706-Dan-1000489/850550722_KgaE6-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154706-Sarah-1002345/850550810_r4ERY-L.jpg

Back up top, we check out the real view. How’d you like to live there?

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425154848-Sarah-1002349/850551013_5uvZN-L.jpg

Looking further down the canyon.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425155004-Sarah-1002350/850551076_ZH6QC-L.jpg

There’s a river down there somewhere.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425155256-Sarah-1002360/850551669_QbyXF-L.jpg

I climb up to get a better view. Wow, it’s windy up here!

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425155042-Sarah-1002351/850551143_tKgBs-L.jpg

My wonderful hubby:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425155330-Sarah-1002364/850552062_MVog8-L.jpg

Back to the bikes, a quick pit stop and we’re back rolling.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425155950-Sarah-1002367/850552240_MRbfr-L.jpg

We get behind the Harley riders on the way out, but don’t follow when they turn down into Buck’s Pocket. They’ll be turning around soon enough.

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 15 – Another Waterfall? Sure Why Not.

We’re back out on Hwy 227 and knowing that we should soon be heading homeward. But then we pass the signs for High Falls. No real debate there, we turn around and head off to see another waterfall. Since it’s not THAT far out of our way.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425161728-Dan-1000512/850552275_dTVsG-L.jpg

Welcome to High Falls

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425161828-Dan-1000514/850552360_YSBxv-L.jpg

This was going to be a bit more of a bike and hike as you had to park in an upper lot and walk down a bit to see the falls.

A prevue of what’s ahead.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162230-Sarah-1002369/850552439_4L26A-L.jpg

Part way down, we spot a playground with this curious sign over the entrance.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162408-Sarah-1002370/850552596_QNiVS-M.jpg

It reads “Allowat Sakima Mighty Chief Trail To The Water Spirits” Allowat Sakima can mean –Mighty Chief, which would make the sign a bit redundant, but it can also mean a Native Deity with legs of a swift deer and wears eagle feathers.

Well, there were no deities in here, but Dan did get this car to pop a wheelie. Gee, them mini coopers are a lot smaller in person,

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162436-Sarah-1002372/850552693_5rzrr-L.jpg

Practicing cornering on a spring loaded duck

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162536-Sarah-1002375/850552929_XnvLv-L.jpg

My similar pony did not want to corner

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162644-Sarah-201002378/850553098_6qxZg-L.jpg

Woah, I gotta watch those wheelies!

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162642-Sarah-1002377/850553023_PLrwi-L.jpg

Okay, enough clowning around, we continue down the hill and see the river in full swing.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162706-Dan-1000518/850553301_8BawL-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162738-Sarah-1002381/850553444_GbaUn-L.jpg

This parks been around for awhile

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162804-Dan-1000522/850553476_cgg8M-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162816-Sarah-1002384/850553582_jMGo4-L.jpg

All that’s left of Arch Rock

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162852-Dan-1000525/850553697_Dyh8W-L.jpg

From there we head to the walking bridge:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163000-Dan-1000528/850553904_qAvtv-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425162952-Sarah-1002386/850553867_Tvzcr-L.jpg

Looking downriver from the bridge

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163036-Sarah-1002389/850554037_fyt7P-L.jpg

Looks like the edge of the world

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163150-Dan-1000533/850554270_BSVRz-L.jpg

And there’s our happy couple

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163234-Sarah-1002394/850554376_GU5fx-L.jpg



To be continued…..

[BlueLghtning]

Looking great baby!! That was a fun ride. We'll definitely have to venture over there again!

More to come, but we are calling it a night tonight.

[TLR67]

That was awesome... Thanks for sharing... I love reading these..... Makes me want to get a touring bike..

[BlueLghtning]

That was awesome... Thanks for sharing... I love reading these..... Makes me want to get a touring bike..

You'd have the best of both worlds. Getting to play on the track on the sport bike and then just enjoying scenery on a touring bike. This is the main reason I can't give up the street. I have no desire to go play with the LEO's on the loop, but going out and exploring and taking weekend or week+ trips is where its all at for us!

[Reece]

:up: good stuff!

[Gypsyangel]

Here's a few vids from High Falls

Click below for video:

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[Gypsyangel]

Pt 16 - Stop And Chat For A Spell

We lingered a bit longer around the falls. Not eager to make the hike back up to the parking lot.

I spotted this barrel over to the side. Hopefully nobody had visions of going over the falls in it.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163134-Sarah-1002391/850554198_BZT73-L.jpg

A couple more shots of the walking bridge:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163432-Sarah-1002398/850554506_6d8tz-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163502-Dan-1000535/850554714_n3o7y-L.jpg

Okay, it’s really nice that they preserved the original supports for the bridge. But shouldn’t they ALL touch?

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163444-Dan-1000534/850554584_ewt43-L.jpg

Stepping off the bridge I spotted another mini fall in the brush and went to investigate.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163454-Sarah-1002400/850554681_yDKVP-L.jpg

Dan back down by one of the supports:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163502-Sarah-1002401/850554739_Uxkep-L.jpg

He’s getting these shots:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163506-Dan-1000536/850554764_v8UQz-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425163514-Dan-1000537/850554800_yKLNv-L.jpg

We returned to the parking lot and were greeted by the Park Ranger. He was a really nice older fellow and eager to chat with out-of-towners. He excitedly told us of the tornado that had touched down just east of the park and hit a school. Fortunately, it was a Saturday and nobody was in it. However, I knew we were headed east and suddenly wondered if we’d again have to detour. I wish we could’ve chatted longer, but the day was growing late and we had many more miles to cover.

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 17 – Water Isn’t The Only Thing Falling In Alabama


Not but a few miles down the road, I got my answer. The police had the road we wanted to go on blocked and several roads that headed that same way blocked as well. It was obvious why. Trees and power lines everywhere.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165354-Sarah-1002404/850554977_9YZuA-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165356-Sarah-1002405/850555024_3roBm-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165534-Sarah-1002407/850555159_st3X9-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165538-Dan-1000540/850555221_mX6QF-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165542-Dan-1000541/850555323_AtGMJ-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165556-Sarah-1002410/850555509_eoPG8-L.jpg

You can’t help but to ride through disaster areas with a mix of awe and wonder for such a display of nature’s might, and concern for those in its path. I guess the best word to describe it is “gawking”. At least that’s what we call it in the south. That wide eyed, open mouth staring almost in disbelief at the disaster around you. Through our trips we’ve seen what’s left after many natural disasters, forest fires out west, hurricanes in the gulf, flooding, ice storms and tornados. And still, we can’t help but to gawk each time we come across these areas.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165558-Sarah-1002411/850555546_8mqMn-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165600-Dan-1000544/850555579_PYTv2-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165608-Sarah-1002413/850555702_fo4CD-L.jpg
We finally find a road open in the direction we want to go and take it. I was actually surprised it was open.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165632-Sarah-1002415/850555785_AVVHr-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165636-Sarah-1002416/850555838_r59Gt-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165646-Sarah-1002417/850555880_FVaLa-L.jpg

This chicken house got some unwelcome air-conditioning.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165740-Dan-1000546/850556059_QkydT-L.jpg

This building is missing some metal siding:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165840-Sarah-1002425/850556162_GJuHi-L.jpg

Oh, there it is!

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165846-Sarah-1002426/850556211_Mubmt-L.jpg

One last downed tree

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425165928-Sarah-1002427/850556254_uxNSh-L.jpg

And we’re out and past the other road blocks.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425170150-Sarah-1002428/850556289_Rn2nC-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425170154-Sarah-1002429/850556322_VkGpw-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

Pt 18 – Muscadines and Scuppernongs

We head back along hwy 227 which winds along a Duck Springs Valley. With more time we would’ve headed over to hwy 65, a reportedly fun stretch of road and then wound our way down towards Cathedral Caverns. Ah, well, another day.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425172000-Sarah-1002433/850556456_WRupJ-L.jpg

Right through some of Alabama’s Wine country.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425171952-Sarah-1002431/850556400_fSRcf-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425171954-Sarah-1002432/850556430_ViDFX-L.jpg

Wills Creek Vineyard and Winery, located in Atalla, Alabama.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425172204-Sarah-1002437/850556683_JfBM3-L.jpg


The owner’s family immigrated from Switzerland in 1971 only to find that standard grapes would not grow in Alabama’s soil. Muscadine grapes, however did and the wine masters around Alabama morphed the wild scuppernong into the decadent muscadine they use today for wines, jams, jellies, pies and numerous other dishes. Today, almost a dozen muscadine wineries are found throughout Alabama.

Hmmm maybe we’ll have to come back for a tasting sometime. I love muscadines!

The roads heading home were far from boring. Bruton Gap Rd avoiding most of downtown Gadsden.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425172734-Dan-1000550/850556726_6QEDU-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425172808-Dan-1000553/850556848_UakMP-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425172850-Sarah-1002440/850556954_ygyH3-L.jpg


The Etowah County War Memorial in Gadsden, AL. A tribute to the 457 men who died in World War I & II, the Korean, Vietnam and Lebenon wars.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425175836-Sarah-1002443/850557117_8VuTk-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425175838-Sarah-1002444/850557145_wqaCd-L.jpg

Neat old bridge crossing the Coosa River

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425180604-Dan-1000556/850557254_JmAQW-L.jpg

Hoke’s Bluff, Al.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425183348-Dan-1000560/850557474_2hatW-L.jpg

This fella wanted to race the bikes.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425183726-Sarah-1002452/850557735_PMrSq-L.jpg

Take me home, country road.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425184016-Dan-1000564/850557826_pxKu8-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425184020-Dan-1000565/850557863_AVdP8-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425184322-Sarah-1002454/850558017_KBjU3-L.jpg

We cross the Chief Ladiga Trail which is a 33 mile long bicycle trail that follows an old CSX railroad corridor. Named after the Creek Indian chief who signed the Cusseta Treaty in 1832, thus surrendering the tribe’s remaining land in the area.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425184418-Sarah-1002456/850558100_v3mYW-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425184724-Sarah-1002458/850558201_dUojo-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425184758-Sarah-1002460/850558455_bgCjH-L.jpg

Finally, we cross back over the Georgia line.

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425191134-Dan-1000575/850558612_GiKTn-L.jpg

And race the sun home:

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425194846-Dan-1000578/850558712_4E7Fu-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425194948-Dan-1000584/850558896_95Bg5-L.jpg

http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425194850-Dan-1000579/850558793_XkhR5-L.jpg

Final Tally: BTW, ignore the top speed. Neither one of our bikes is capable of that and all it takes is one "track point" to be artifically far or misplaced and the GPS "computes" the distance it took you to cover that distance as an amazing top speed! haha
http://bluelghtning.smugmug.com/Motorcycle-Trips-and-Travels/Day-Trips-Gallery/2010-04-25-AL-Waterfalls-Rock/20100425201106-Sarah-1002463/850558946_cqspu-L.jpg

[Gypsyangel]

BTW one important thing to note, there was NO admission at ANY of the parks we stopped at in Alabama. That was pretty cool since GA charges you just about in any state park.

[MotoMike]

Great report guys, thanks for sharing it with us.

[Peteyglad]

Very nice! I really like all the pics. Some of them were beautiful. Thank you for sharing!