BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip

Subject: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Sourdough
Date: 12 Apr 01 - 03:09 AM

It's looking as though I will be able to get away long enough for a California-Connecticut motorcycle loop taking from mid May to mid June. I'd like to take advantage of the assembled experience of those here to pick up some suggestions about routing.

I expect in general terms that my route East will be Southerly in deference to the colder weatehr up north. Coming home, I will cross the continent considerably higher up. It should be a bit warmer then.

Because I drive around the West a great deal, I am planning on booting it across the country to the Mississippi and slowing down after that to poke about in some of the Southeastern and Appalachian sites of the songs I love.

I am looking for suggestions. One place I would like to visit is Maces Springs, home of the Carter Family.

I want to drive up the Blue Ridge Parkway.

Is anyone familiar with the Jimmie Driftwood place in Mountain Home, Arkinsas?

Is it worth stopping in Brason Missouri if I like old time country music?

Any thoughts on Opry Land?

I've never owned a Martin but I suspect I might enjoy a visit to Nazareth, PA.

Any other thoughts?

Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: John J
Date: 12 Apr 01 - 04:36 AM

Sorry I can't help with the route, Manchester in England is a bit too far to comment! Sounds like a wonderful trip, as a 'retired' motorcyclist your thread caught my attention and imagination. I've toured Europe on everthing from Honda CB750K1 down to MZ250. Lots of fun! I took my melodeon a couple of times for busking purposes. Very effective. Europeans treat motorcyclists with respect, it made a pleasant change, although the attitude of the British has improved imeasurably. Shame it rains! Good luck, ride safe. John

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: wildlone
Date: 12 Apr 01 - 03:43 PM

Sounds like fun. I wish I was riding along with you.
ride safe.
dave

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Apr 01 - 03:50 PM

If you make it to the middle of PA or farther north, let us know, and we will try to hook up. We are an hour north of Williamsport and an hour south of Corning NY.

The autoharp maker.... what's his name... he's in PA too...

Lucky you!

~Susan

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Sorcha
Date: 12 Apr 01 - 05:34 PM

Glen McSpadden (McSpadden Mountain Dulcimers) is also in Mountian Home, Arkasas. His shop would be worth a visit.

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: wysiwyg
Date: 12 Apr 01 - 07:05 PM

Orphey... Orphrey? Orthey? You know... the festival...

CRS!

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Gypsy
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 12:31 AM

makes me think of me friend who went on a bike rally..."accidentally" purchased a brand new BMW first day of trip. Friends were envious....spouses wouldn't speak to him when he got back! Have fun, sounds lika a ball.

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Lonesome EJ
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 02:27 AM

Sourdough, let me know if you get near Denver. I'd love to grab my scooter and ride a few miles with you.

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Sourdough
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 02:46 AM

LEJ I'd like that. I missed a year ago when I was out by you. Better luck this time.

Susan I am going to go through Canajoharie, NY on Mohawk River and the EWrie Canal on the way home. Is that close?

Sorcha I do like visiting duclimer makers. Do you know anything else about what is in Mountain Home? Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: wysiwyg
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 12:23 PM

Sourdough, I'll find out. Where will you be BEFORE that-- going through what area to get there?

~S~

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Mark Clark
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 12:45 PM

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! Take me with you!

      - Mark

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Susan from California
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 01:04 PM

Since I don't know how to do a blue clicky, and couldn't find the thread I was looking for anyway, I hope it's ok to cut and paste a blurb about a cd of Erie Canal songs, since you say that you are headed that way. I LOVE the cd, and plan to send one to my dad and bro as soon as I get bro's new address....I thought you might enjoy listening to it as you cruise the canal, if you have cd capabilities on your motorcycle. Enjoy your trip!

The cd refered to is "Oh, That Low Bridge! Songs of the Erie Canal" by George Ward, available from Folk Legacy

George is an old and valued friend and I'm delighted to see his CD available so widely. Now we've got to get him to re-issue his Erie Canal material on CD. Excellent research, fine renditions of old canal songs, and a few new creations that could fool the folksong experts. C'mon, George. Go for it!

Uncle Sandy

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 01:30 PM

Sounds like a trip to me!! The Blue Ridge Parkway and the Skyloine Drive was one of the best rides I can remember. Another couple and myself did it almost 30 years ago and it still stands out as one of the most pleasurable and relaxing experiences I can recall.

I dunnuo' what's going to be up with me medically over the next few months, but like Leej, I'd like to spend a few miles or a cup of coffee with you. As time getx closer, let me know where you plan on passing around Ohio and Western Pa. BTW, I think you'd find lots of good stuff at the Museum of Appalachia just north of Knoxville. We've had a few threads on it, but I'll go find one and post a link later.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 06:28 PM

There used to be a Festival in Mountain Home, but I don't know when. I'll see if I can find it. Also sounds like a TB trip--Tired Butt.......honey and Bubba both ride, so if ya pass thru eastern Wyo, north of Cheyenne on your way home, let us know......

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Sorcha
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 06:32 PM

Mountain Home, Arkansas Home page.......

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: catspaw49
Date: 13 Apr 01 - 07:28 PM

Here's the thread for the Museum of Appalachia and I really think you need to try to make it there. From everything I know about you, there is so much there that will fascinate you........I'd really consider it 'Dough.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Sourdough
Date: 14 Apr 01 - 01:28 PM

Susan From California: I was in Canajoharie about a year ago and went along the canal to sing those bits and snatches of songs about the Erie and the Mohawk River that I could recall. The CD would fill in my "to sing inside my helmet" repertoire. (I don't have a radio or CD player on the bike. I took them off a while back. Even though I drive a car with something going all the time, it doesn't seem right to me on the motorcycle.) Catspaw49 It was about thirty years ago that I drove the Blue RIdge Parkway,too. A friend and I got on at Booneville N. Carolina and were so taken by the view when we got to the first pullout that we began giggling from nothing more than the stimulation of the beauty. Thank you for pointing me to the Museum of Appalachia. I had remembered reading that post and thinking it was a place that I would want to visit. Despite best intentions, I forgot about the existence of the post and the museum except to remember to ask Mudcatters for suggestions. This sounds like a real winner. The third party endorsements later in the thread are pretty impressive too. I hope that my trail will run near you but I don't know yet. Will keep you posted.

WYSIWYG I think I would be coming or going to Canajoharie if I were anywhere near you.

Sorcha Thanks for the link to Moutain Home. There doesn't seem to be anymention of a folklife museum there. Am I wrong about a connection between Jimmie Driftwood, traditional music and Mountain Home that takes the form of a museum? Actually, the Museum of Appalachia sounds as though it fills that bill pretty well, though. As for Tired Butt, after well over a quarter million miles on BMW standard seat and having twice qualified for the Iron Butt award (1000 miles in 24 hours, as I write, a gel-pak seat is being installed. This should make the miles a bit shorter.

Gypsy I am intrigued. How does anyone accidentally purchase a BMW?

TO all Has anyone been to Maces Spring to the Carter Family concert Hall, general store, museum or what ever it is? I know that at least AP is buried there and I might go just for that.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Hollowfox
Date: 16 Apr 01 - 03:55 PM

Sourdough, you are the first person I've ever heard of to make a 7500 trip with Canajoharie as a destination. *g* There's lots of folkies (and 'Catters) near there in the Capitol District (Albany/Schenectady).
Near the Blue Ridge Parkway, Jonesborough, Tenn. is a neat little town, both the Fox and 11-E motels are probably about as cheap as you'll get in theBristol Tn/Va area (on rte 11-E, between Johnson City and Jonesborough). Alson in Abingdon Va (on rte I-81) it's worth a short stop to visit Dixie Pottery. It doesn't have all that much in ceramic ware, but it's the finest emporium of Renaissance Redneck goods you'll ever find; sort of a cross between Pier One and a Big Lots/Odd Lots store.
And if you're travelling on I-80, I'm right on the Ohio Pennsylvania border. PM me for phone number, driving instructions, crash space, what you want for supper, etc. Even if you don't stop, it's good to have the number for emergencies.

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: annamill
Date: 16 Apr 01 - 04:42 PM

Sourdough, if you're anywhere near Jersey, and you would like a rest and some good food, you're more than welcome. If you let me know your itinerary, may be we could have some other catters waiting. Let me know and I'll send the particulars. Be careful!

Love, annamill

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: pattyClink
Date: 17 Apr 01 - 12:10 PM

There used to be some folk-related facility in Mountain VIEW, Arkansas, maybe that's what you're thinking of.

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Eluned
Date: 17 Apr 01 - 12:35 PM

Sourdough, I may have some bad news for you... I've recently been told that Motorcycles are not allowed on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Apparently, the road is not graded for two-wheeled vehicles, so it's really risky. But there ARE alternate routes, just not as pretty.

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Eluned
Date: 17 Apr 01 - 12:44 PM

There's a Folkmusic place where they have annual festivals and stuff on the BlueRidge Parkway just about where it passes over I-40 in NC; anyone know anything about this place? The one time I tried to check it out, they were closed for the season, but it sounded like they have some pretty good performances there....
And then, there is Spindale...

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Burke
Date: 17 Apr 01 - 07:32 PM

I'm always trying to plug Sacred Harp singing. If you're in Alabama/Georgia on a weekend try to get to a traditional singing. Here's the schedule for May & June. I've heard very good reports on Saturday before Fourth Sunday(May 26)--Mount Pisgah Primitive Baptist Church, 6 miles south of Roanoke AL at Stroud, just off Hwy 431. (Cooper Revision). If my schedule works, I'll be there. The Southern Harmony singing in Benton Kentucky the following day has a long tradition as well; lots of people, fewer singers. Holly Springs near Atlanta & or Liberty in Henagar, AL the first weekend in June are great. If you're in the Albany area June 9, we're having a Sacred Harp singing of much more recent pedegree in Altamont. Contact info at the above link.

Since you're going through central New York, you might want to wave at L.Frank Baum's home town, Chittennango. It's on the canal just east of Syracuse.

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Gypsy
Date: 18 Apr 01 - 04:23 PM

It followed him off the lot, and they insisted that he pay for it! :O)

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Sourdough
Date: 10 May 01 - 02:44 AM

I am getting real close to leaving. Thank you all for the advice. I know two for-sure goals are the Yale Hoot Reunion in New Haven and the Appalachia Museum in Tennessee.

LEJ and Catspaw, I may meet you yet. Annamill, thanks but my route won't put me through NJ on this trip.

Sourdough

Subject: RE: BS: 7500 mile motorcycle trip
From: Giac
Date: 10 May 01 - 04:16 AM

Hey Sourdough --

It is MOUNTAIN VIEW, Arkansas. Mountain Home is a nice enough place, but not, I think, what you seek. Try this:

Mountain View

Sounds like a great trip.

Mary