Start
So the morning was a typical morning and decided late again that I would ride but this morning was a different feel. I wasn't totally excited about the ride destination and but figured it would just a decent ride. I got the idea put in my mind by a fellow ST1300 rider who suggested riding out on Hwy 57 out of Memphis. I have ridden this road before on my Honda CB700SC Nighthawk "S" but had never been on it with the ST1300 - so its been years. Hwy 57 is a pretty straight road but goes through some old towns. Geared up and ready to ride
Once I leave my house, heading out via Brunswick, TN and Brunswick Rd / Steward Rd. Its always interesting riding my farm land / fields and the agriculture areas. Growing up in Dallas, in the Oak Cliff / urban neighborhoods we (of course) don't see horse ranches, or sod grass farms or soy fields or cotton fields - so I "love" to see them.
Heading up Brunswick Rd, I cross the Loosahatchie River and thought it would a good shot with the morning light. The interesting part is that I had to stop on a 2 lane bridge and park in the center of it to get this photo. I am learning that to be a good photographer or to get those amazing shots, you have to get into some strange places. Fortunately, in the location there was a retaining wall to create a walking path across the bridge.
From there, I head up Steward Rd out onto Interstate 385. I can take this route to get to Hwy 57. I generally keep my long distance riding schedule which is not to stop as soon as I leave home and find some place to eat breakfast. Hence, I passed one of my favorite McDonald's in Arlington, TN on Hwy 79. I like going here because the "service" is good. Nothing like good service. I love it when the young staff actually communicate with customers and greet them with a "Good Morning - how can I help you", "Thanks for coming by", "How are you this morning". I just like for these young kids to be engaging. It actually doesn't hurt / degrade or belittle anyone to smile, be pleasant and engaging to customers who are paying your salary. More on that later...
On my way to Hwy 57, I decided on the spur of moment to take a slight detour and exit from I-385 on Ingelwood Rd and ride down Donelson Rd and weave my way to Hwy 57. Donelson Rd over to Hwy 194 was interesting and pleasant. Seeing areas with the sun rays shimmering though the trees was great and gave me several moments when I wanted to stop a take a picture. Finally made my way over to Hwy 194 and started heading south. This was an interesting route and about this time I am starting to get hungry and regretting that i didn't stop earlier for some food.
Rossville, TN
On my way down Hwy 194 - I run into Rossville, TN. Wasn't really expecting this town, but was a nice stopping point.
The Town of Rossville is one of the old towns of Fayette County, Tennessee. It sprang from a village named La Fayette, which stood on Highway 57. The town received its name from General DeLaFayette of France, who also gave La Grange its name from his hometown of La Grange, France.
Marie Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de LaFayette, (1757-1834) was a French general and statesman who, despite the opposition of his government, sailed for America in 1777 to join George Washington. In 1824-1825, he spent several months touring in the United States. Enthusiasm and admiration for him ran high among the pioneer settlers because of his active part in fighting during the American Revolution. Our county and town were named in his honor.
One of the early setters was Thomas M. Ross who gave the property of the present site to Rossville in 1859. Thus the town was renamed Rossville.
Once departing Rossville I noticed and couple of things. One, I was getting hungry - should have stopped at McDonald's or packed some snacks. I did have my camelpack but guess what....bone dry !!!. I didn't put anything in it before leaving. Second, I fuel light is now flashing - so I have about 20 miles of fuel remaining, now I need a gas station also. Check the GPS and iPhone for nearest gas stations and found some not too far away. In fact the stations are down on Hwy 57 - perfect.
Here is the thing about small towns. The gas stations are from 1970 and look that way. The gas pumps do not have credit card slots so you must get off bike and head inside. In fact - a lot of these locations are "prepay" - so that might mean two trips into the building. The good thing about small stations is that sometimes there are some very friendly people inside. The negative part is that you are not at a major brand gas station and you might not want to put gas from that station into your bike. So the choice is yours. BTW - I did fill up at the station and the people was very nice.
From there, I had to find food so I ask the attendant about the closet McDonald's and she indicated Collierville, was the closest - which was 7 miles "back" the other direction that I was going. So back 7 miles to McD.
Once there, I was anticipating getting my normal breakfast items - Egg McMuffin no cheese, Mocha Frappe no whip cream. Easy, breezy - right.
So I walk into the place thinking there was a line, but it actually just people waiting for their meals, so I stand there for about 5 mins before anyone behind the counter greets me. In fact, the gentleman in front of me actually mentioned to me that he had already ordered. So I stand at the counter waiting for the young lady to finish organizing the condiments before she quietly approached me and said "Can I take your order". No, "I'm sorry, I didn't see you standing there" or "I'm sorry about the wait, how I can help you this morning" - with a smile of course. Nada, nuthin....just "can I help you". Now, in the background the manager seems to be doing all the work and arguing with one of the cooks in the back - who is tell her she needs to chill out. I place my order and but this time order a Coke cause things don't look to be going well. I thought the young lady would go over and make my coke or hand me a coke to get my own....but instead she goes back to the condiments. The "other" young lady is going to make the small coke and it literally takes her 5 mins to come back with my coke. She puts the coke on the counter and walks off..........period. 10 mins later I get my Egg McMuffin but those 10 mins was filled with the Mgr arguing with the staff about running the operations - as if there were no customers in the place. The restaurant was not clean either - so there was some serious management issues going on at this place. I can't totally blame the staff for their parts, but I can blame the management for keeping them hired. Above all, not one staff person smiled at me from McDonald's on that visit. Don't think I will ever stop at that location again.
Back on the bike and heading east on Hwy 57.
Moscow, TN - Downtown
- The population was 556 at the 2010 census
- Moscow TN is located on Hwy 57, just east of Rossville, with Collierville and Memphis just 30 miles to the west. One of the oldest towns in Fayette County, Moscow dates its beginning back to 1827, when Daniel Head, owner of the land where Moscow stands, transferred it to five men. These five men formed the Town Company of Moscow, taking advantage of its location between the Wolf River main stream and the North Fork of the Wolf River to create an excellent trading center for southern Fayette County farmers. Before its settlement by pioneers, Moscow was a hunting and camping ground for indigenous Native American populations
From Moscow, back onto Hwy 72 heading east and maybe 20 mins of riding, I run into another small town.
La Grange, TN
La Grange is the oldest town in Fayette County, Tennessee, originally being a Chickasaw Indian village named "Itey Uch La", meaning "Cluster of Pines". For a number of years it was quite a trading post for the Indians, who would visit the town regularly to dispose of their game, hides, etc.
http://www.lagrangetn.com/early-history.htm
La Grange also contains a lot of historic home which some I was able to see as I continued east on Hwy 57. To see more of the homes (http://www.lagrangetn.com/homes.htm)
As I leave La Grange, I run into Hwy 16. I decided to take this road north with the idea of making my way to I-40 and take the interstate back home.
This was a normal highway, not too much to see but at that time I found myself enjoying the ride so far. Seeing Rossville, Moscow, and La Grange has me feeling like the ride wasn't too boring at all.....i'm pleasantly surprised.
As I am heading north, I catch a sign "Ames Plantation". Umm, that should be interesting - so I turn the bike around and follow the signs. Not really taking the time to find it on my iPhone or Garmin GPS, I decide to just wing it. Adventure, right !!!.
The signage took me off the beaten path / off the highway, through the fields and to Grandma's house (Red Riding Hood - no pun intended) - trying to find the plantation. Once I got about 2 miles off the path, I started to get a little worried about being off the path.
Now, after riding the two miles - I come across a dirt road that "to me" indicated that the Plantation was down "this" road. Being on the ST1300 (a road bike) I needed to make a decision to attempt the dirt road, continue down the paved road or turn around. So after about 30 seconds of thinking - that I was alone on a back road - fright kicked in and I turned around and headed back to highway.
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| Ole Dirt Road !!! |
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| National Field Trail Championship for Bird Dogs |
Now, after getting home turns out, I was on the right road but just didn't ride on it long enough.
Ames Plantation House
Well, I will have to make another trip out to see this place.
Back on the road (Hwy 18 North) riding and come around just an interesting wrought iron sign for the city of Hickory Valley.
History of Hickory Valley
The Shinault settlement, made before Hardeman was organized as a county, included lands that encompass the present town area. It included the first school in Hardeman County, which was known to be operating in 1823. The main structures were one mile southwest of the present town, on an old Indian trail that connected Van Buren to the east, with the Bolivar-LaGrange Road to the west. This old roadbed is still visible in places south of Hickory Valley, where it crosses Highway 18 near the TVA substation.
In 1826, Drury Wood migrated to Hardeman County and founded a settlement known as Hickory Valley. A family cemetery located on the southwest corner of the Joe Martin farm today marks the original site. William Barnett established the Mt. Comfort Church and campground in 1827, approximately two miles west of the current town.
These early pioneers entered a wilderness filled with hostile, displaced Chickasaw Indians, whom history has deemed among the best and fiercest warriors in all of the Indian nations. All three settlements were within walking distance of each other and frequently banded together for protection.
With the advent of the railroad in the 1850's, the settlers moved their homes and businesses to the present site of Hickory Valley to be near the tracks and depot. The railroad levee that runs through Hickory Valley and is still evident today is believed to have been built by the slaves of plantation owner Darius Robinson.
http://hardemancountytn.com/government/cities-towns/hickory-valley.php
Boliver, TN
After riding through Hickory Valley, I continue north Hwy 18, which is actually leading me into the city of Boliver. As I arrive into Boliver, I am wondering if I am close to this roadside burger joint that I had passed before. We purchased some furniture last year from Henco Furniture in Selmer, TN and pass thought Boliver along Hwy 64. On Hwy 64, just outside of town is a joint called "Route 64". So I located it on the GPS and on my way. It was only 2 miles from my current location.
Route 64 Diner
Although the burger and fryes were very good - I had to not eat is all since I was riding, but that is a satisfied look. The owners were "extremely" nice to me - I wish I had gotten a picture with them. I was the only customer in the place at the time - having lunch. I like to think that had nothing to do it.
Back on the road - time to head home.
Just as I leave Route 64 diner, I am immediately in the town square of Boliver. So, off the bike to take a few shots.
Decided I would make my way back to I-40 and ride the interstate back home. One thing I didn't remember to do was to switch my GPS out of "avoid interstate" mode. The GPS just wanted to make me do a u-turn and make my way back to Hwy 64 to make my way home. This is where we have to be smarter than our tech equipment. Remember our tech toys are tools and we should be smarter than the tools.
Spotted more interesting place to take a photo on the way home off Hwy 64.
Western Mental Health Institute
Well, made my way back home safely and was able to add another 180 miles on the ST1300.
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