The Great Western Tennessee Run

I've ridden to all 95 Tennessee Counties as part of winning the 2015 Tuckassee Harleys Owner Group Director's Challenge.  So when they publish the challenge for 2018, I looked at the destinations, then said we can do this SH&*

So this last Sunday I ride down to Columbia and visit me a dead president, James Polk.  He really wishes they had Motorcycles back in his day.  So after chalking up the first destination, I realize that for the next 3 days it's going to be in the 70's.  This being February I decide the weather was too good to pass up.  Time to play hooky and knock off the 4 western destinations on a 2-day 500-mile ride.

So I put the trunk on the bike and I'm headed out early Monday morning.  Some very nice roads to West Tennessee first US Highway 79 to Paris, then state route 54 then 89.  I arrive at my first destination, the Full Throttle Distillery in Trimble, TN.   A small batch distillery that is in a town of about 600.  I only stay a short time buy a bottle of Whisky for my son, then I'm off.

Next stop Memphis, first Sun Studios in the downtown.  Then to South Memphis and Graceland.  Sun Studios sit's in a resurgent neighborhood unlike the area around Graceland which has seen it's better days.  Graceland the home of Elvis Presley for anyone that didn't know.  I have been through this house it is actually worth seeing.  A mansion during the 1960's would now be a regular house in an upscale neighborhood.  It's still decorated in that 70's style of gold furniture and shag carpet.

I get the required pictures to prove that I was there, then I head out of town.  Relieved to leave the city behind.  I have been to Memphis a few times and I have enjoyed my stays here.  There is still a lot to see, like Stax Records, just not on this trip.  I'm on a mission to visit all the required sites in Western Tennessee.  Memphis is a unique city in Tennessee and does have a tarnish reputation; it reminds me of New Orleans due to its Musical Heritage.  WC Handy put his mark on this city with the invention of the blues. I've ridden in Memphis a few times and the inner city streets have almost no real traffic.  It is kind of bizarre.

My next destination in the National Battle Field at Shiloh, but it's getting late and I need to rest.  So I find a cheap hotel room in Bolivar, TN.  A town named after Simon Bolivar the 19th Century South American Revolutionary.   The name of the motel is called the Aristocrat. I know what the term Aristocrat means and it can’t be applied to this motel that I’m staying at. Hey at $57.00 a night I’m still not complaining.

Hey, when I travel alone I like to find the cheapest sleeping arrangements possible with walking distance to restaurants. A nice Indian family owns this place which is in Tennessee near the Mississippi border. Apparently, they just got a new card reader for chipped cards. The lady checking me in had to go get here Middle school age son to show her how to use it. It was all good, actually, he reminded me of my son Thomas. Who had to show me how to disable certain channels on Direct TV. I didn’t tell her that part though. I worked with a lot of Indians In Afghanistan. I think they might end up ruling the world someday.

The next morning I'm up early and make it to Shiloh before 9-AM after a 40-mile ride.  I have been to Shiloh a few times, one of the more significant battles to happen during the civil war.  This is where Grant put the Western Army of the Confederation on the run.  Over 3200 soldiers were killed on both sides, which ended in a decisive Union Victory.

This was my last stop for the director's challenge on this trip.  When at Shiloh I decided to walk through the National Cemetery it was a relaxing experience.  Before it was the cemetery it was Grant Headquarters.  Now it is a holy place filled dead American Soldiers.

So it's another 3 hours from here to the house.  It is a great ride home over some of the best roads in Tennessee.  A great 2-day ride and one I needed to get done,  5 HOG chapter destinations down another 15 to go.  It's going to be a fun summer.