October 29, 2010
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MAJOR DAD!!!
October 18, 2010
GEE, BUT IT'S GREAT TO BE BACK HOME*
*Home is where I want to B-E-E-E-e-e-e-e! -
Back from an AWESOME road trip weekend! Linda and I, Major Dad and his friend Greg spent some 20+ hours on our motorcycles cruising the highways and byways of SE Louisiana, Mississippi and a little corner of Tennessee (better known as Memphis).
Day one was Friday, which began with breakfast at the Chateau ( "the Teau") Coffee Café, after which we hit the road. We took US-61 (Airline Hwy in NOLA) and rode it all the way to Natchez, MS. After a quick lunch we hit the Natchez Trace and followed it to Jackson, MS. The weather was sunny and beautiful, the ride was peaceful (50MPH on the trace) and scenic. Toward dusk we started to see quite a few deer along the side of the road. When it was time for a gas stop, we were on the outskirts of Jackson, so we decided to "hole up" for the night at a Comfort Inn. After checking in, we went to the IHOP next door for supper, then it was back to the rooms to get some sleep.
Saturday morning we hit the road around 8 AM. A stop for a quick breakfast at Mickie D's, then we hopped onto I-55 and headed North for a ways. At our first gas stop we got off I-55 and onto US 51. It was a scenic two-lane highway that paralleled I-55. Along the way we stopped at several small country (and I emphasize "country") establishments for refreshments and a bit of leg stretching. Seems that we were still a bit stiff from the day before... go figure!! We arrived in Memphis at around 5:00 or 5:30 PM and checked into the La Quinta Inn that Linda and I had stayed at after our Katrina evacuation. Ah... the memories keep on comin'!! After check-in and a quick freshen-up, we got back on the bikes and headed into downtown Memphis, to Charlie Vergos' Rendevous restaurant for some genuine dry-rub (although we didn't know it at the time) BBQ. After a 20 minute wait we found ourselves seated at a nice corner table. It was ribs all around, large of course, with a split plate of ribs and brisket for me. Good food, and great company!! Leaving the Rendezvous, we took a short stroll over to Beale Street to take in the sights and sounds, then it was back to the hotel, with a quick stop at Coldstone Creamery for dessert. Once again, it was "lights out", as everyone was pretty well worn out from two days of riding.
Sunday morning we checked out of the La Quinta and headed to Brother Juniper's restaurant, next to the University of Memphis campus. It was a pleasant surprise to see that they have become so popular that they bought the coffee shop in the area adjacent to the original restaurant and made it into a coffee bar/waiting area. The restaurant area is a little bit more roomy and comfortable now. Again, about a 20 minute wait for a table, and then we sat down to some excellent omelettes, home fries, toast, cheese grits, biscuits and gravy, coffee, OJ, all most excellent breakfast fare!! I had my favorite, the Garden and the Lamb omelette. Made with spinach and roasted lamb. DEEEEE-LISH!!! After breakfast we gassed up and headed South once again. We hopped on US-51 again, and drove by Graceland. We say Elvis' airplane, one of his caddies, and lots of people lined up at the entrance. It was Elvis everything (including the Heartbreak Hotel) for several city blocks. After several hours on US-51 it was obvious that the horses wanted to be back in the barn, so we got back on I-55 and headed on home. The only breaks at that point were a couple of gas stops, lunch at a Subway, and then we were home, once again.
All in all it was three really beautiful days weather-wise, with wonderful traveling companions, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves and have the aches and pains to prove it (not to mention some pretty sunburned cheeks and noses)!!!
We're already looking forward to our next ride, hopefully with more family members and friends to come along. Maybe not quite such a long ride this time. Perhaps the Shed? Maybe try the one in Lafayette?
Anyway, it is great to be back home!!
Back from an AWESOME road trip weekend! Linda and I, Major Dad and his friend Greg spent some 20+ hours on our motorcycles cruising the highways and byways of SE Louisiana, Mississippi and a little corner of Tennessee (better known as Memphis).
Day one was Friday, which began with breakfast at the Chateau ( "the Teau") Coffee Café, after which we hit the road. We took US-61 (Airline Hwy in NOLA) and rode it all the way to Natchez, MS. After a quick lunch we hit the Natchez Trace and followed it to Jackson, MS. The weather was sunny and beautiful, the ride was peaceful (50MPH on the trace) and scenic. Toward dusk we started to see quite a few deer along the side of the road. When it was time for a gas stop, we were on the outskirts of Jackson, so we decided to "hole up" for the night at a Comfort Inn. After checking in, we went to the IHOP next door for supper, then it was back to the rooms to get some sleep.
Saturday morning we hit the road around 8 AM. A stop for a quick breakfast at Mickie D's, then we hopped onto I-55 and headed North for a ways. At our first gas stop we got off I-55 and onto US 51. It was a scenic two-lane highway that paralleled I-55. Along the way we stopped at several small country (and I emphasize "country") establishments for refreshments and a bit of leg stretching. Seems that we were still a bit stiff from the day before... go figure!! We arrived in Memphis at around 5:00 or 5:30 PM and checked into the La Quinta Inn that Linda and I had stayed at after our Katrina evacuation. Ah... the memories keep on comin'!! After check-in and a quick freshen-up, we got back on the bikes and headed into downtown Memphis, to Charlie Vergos' Rendevous restaurant for some genuine dry-rub (although we didn't know it at the time) BBQ. After a 20 minute wait we found ourselves seated at a nice corner table. It was ribs all around, large of course, with a split plate of ribs and brisket for me. Good food, and great company!! Leaving the Rendezvous, we took a short stroll over to Beale Street to take in the sights and sounds, then it was back to the hotel, with a quick stop at Coldstone Creamery for dessert. Once again, it was "lights out", as everyone was pretty well worn out from two days of riding.
Sunday morning we checked out of the La Quinta and headed to Brother Juniper's restaurant, next to the University of Memphis campus. It was a pleasant surprise to see that they have become so popular that they bought the coffee shop in the area adjacent to the original restaurant and made it into a coffee bar/waiting area. The restaurant area is a little bit more roomy and comfortable now. Again, about a 20 minute wait for a table, and then we sat down to some excellent omelettes, home fries, toast, cheese grits, biscuits and gravy, coffee, OJ, all most excellent breakfast fare!! I had my favorite, the Garden and the Lamb omelette. Made with spinach and roasted lamb. DEEEEE-LISH!!! After breakfast we gassed up and headed South once again. We hopped on US-51 again, and drove by Graceland. We say Elvis' airplane, one of his caddies, and lots of people lined up at the entrance. It was Elvis everything (including the Heartbreak Hotel) for several city blocks. After several hours on US-51 it was obvious that the horses wanted to be back in the barn, so we got back on I-55 and headed on home. The only breaks at that point were a couple of gas stops, lunch at a Subway, and then we were home, once again.
All in all it was three really beautiful days weather-wise, with wonderful traveling companions, and I think everyone enjoyed themselves and have the aches and pains to prove it (not to mention some pretty sunburned cheeks and noses)!!!
We're already looking forward to our next ride, hopefully with more family members and friends to come along. Maybe not quite such a long ride this time. Perhaps the Shed? Maybe try the one in Lafayette?
Anyway, it is great to be back home!!
October 14, 2010
ROAD TRIP!!!
OK. Just a quick note to let everyone know that we (Linda and I) are going on a road trip this weekend, on the Valk!! Major Dad is riding his new (to him) VTX 1800. Hoping that John-boy and maybe H2 will join us. We're gonna leave tomorrow morning after breakfast and ride to Natchez, MS, then on the Trace to Jackson... Plan is to overnight in Jackson, then Trace to Tupelo, where we'll cut back to Memphis, TN... After another overnight in Memphis, we'll kick off the return trip home with breakfast at Brother Juniper's, next to the University of Memphis campus. Interstate will be avoided throughout, and a good time is anticipated for all. The weather is looking pretty great!!
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