It's Time

Feeling lost,

Falling between the cracks.

Not really sure

If I should go forward or back.

It’s easier …

To sit here and wait,

But doing that would

Only foster the hate.

It’s dark

And it’s dank.

Searching an answer

Only draws a blank.

I wish I could

Find my way out of this cell.

Yet, I am afraid that I will

Plunge myself further into this hell.

It is time to make a decision,

And get off the fence.

Time for action

And to make life make sense!

Back on the bicycle?

I noticed a couple weeks back that "The Rocky Horror Picture Show" was going to be coming to the Tennessee Theater supporting a live cast. The movie itself is rather lame, but has developed  a cult following over the years.

I recall when I was in high school (and a few years after) that the local theater would play this movie at midnight. Those were the days! We used to go and make sure we had a bit of a buzz on because it wasn't about the movie, it was about the experience!

People yelled certain obscenities to/at the screen when certain characters showed up, sang parts of the movie when some situations arose, would all run down the middle aisle and as a group dance the "Time Warp", etc.

It was quite the spectacle and made an otherwise dumb movie ... FUN! I believe the interactive nature of this led to its cult following.

Anyway, I conned Melissa into going, since Isaac was around and could be available to tend to Dad for us and allow the two of us a date?!?! Yes! a date! WOW!

I asked Melissa to reserve tickets, because I told her it may sell out. She did, and it was now official -- money was invested! The movie wasn't going to start until 11:15 PM, so we had all day to get there. However, knowing the rarity in which we get a date, I suggested maybe going on a hike earlier in the day so that we could make the most of the day instead of just taking in a movie.

Isaac was okay with this and we are now "on". Holy crap! A real bona-fide date-type situation! I just hoped we remembered how to do this.  ; )


We left here around 11-ish AM with a destination of Baskins Creek Falls in the Smokies (about 50 minutes up the road). My beloved Vols had a kickoff set for 12 PM and we got to listen to the first few minutes of the game before reaching the trailhead.

I had *really* wanted to make it to this game. Steve Spurrier, a perennial nemesis of Tennessee, was bringing his Gamecocks to Knoxville. Additionally, 200 former UT players were doing the Vol Walk and running through the famed "T". What a sweet moment that would be to take in. I looked for tickets via Craigslist, etc. but could find nothing that fit the budget.

Ah well! hiking is more intimate anyway. I am intently listening to the radio as we are approaching the trailhead. Melissa says "If you want to go to a bar and watch the game, that would be fine too." Melissa did not want to go to a bar and watch TV, she knew I would love it, though. God! I *love* that woman!

It took a lot of discipline, but I told her "No, we are here to hike". We find the trailhead and initially go the wrong way down the trail. I told her as we entered I wasn't sure that was right, and as we went on, my intuition was only strengthened.

We backtracked and were soon on the trail we needed to be. However, since we were passing the truck again, I had to check in on the score. A short listen and we are Falls-bound.

This was listed as an "easy" hike by the http://www.hikinginthesmokys.com/baskins.htm site at 3 miles round trip. However, the terrain was steep for most of that mile and a half each way. I get the feeling Melissa takes issue with their assessment of "easy".   ; )

It is apparent that her and I have a much different pace. I would get ahead of her and then wait. I tried walking with her, but couldn't stand to walk that slowly.

The way in is almost all downhill (if you clicked the link, check the graph). I have motorcycle knees, but her knees are obviously much worse.

I felt bad leaving her in the dust, so to speak, but I just couldn't walk that slowly either. Additionally, we are both shutterbugs, and her probably moreso than I, so that added to the gap between us as she was snapping many pics.

photo taken by Melissa Rockefeller

Here are some that were taken along the trail to the falls ...

"I'm going to sit down a minute"

photo taken by Melissa Rockefeller

Some of the higher elevations starting to show some color

Maple leaves are a-changing

A mushroom with a visitor

Peek-a-boo

Hello little snail

same mushroom w/out snail

(another mushroom shot) photo taken by Melissa Rockefeller

The terrain is mostly downhill, as mentioned, but the grade is steep. It drops about 700' in one mile's distance.

This was just to be silly and was taken specifically for a friend who has a tendency to point in a direction as he is photographed ...

By now we are at about 2200' and nearly to the falls. There were some stone steps to get down the last little bit ...

and finally, here we are!
















We milled around for a bit and I took many pictures trying to work with a long exposure, since it was overcast. However, my dumbass forgot to bring the tripod so all pics were hand-held. A 2+ second exposure is not conducive to a clear picture when hand held, no matter how still you try to be.

I took well over a hundred pictures, but since I didn't have my tripod, most were tossed due to being too blurry. Here are a couple of the ones that were not deleted ...

photo taken by ?? some generous stranger who were there too

This was the best, in my opinion

Not bad, but still blurred

photo taken of me taking pictures
by Melissa Rockefeller

It is now about 3 PM and we are supposed to be back at the truck by 5 PM to make it to a dinner with some friends, so we put the cameras away and begin the hike back up.

Getting there by 5 is going to be tight. It took a long time to get down, and it's a bit more strenuous to climb.

On the way back, we came across this tree (we obviously passed it on the way down, I just missed it)

It's ruttin' season!

Poor Melissa! I really felt bad for her on the way out. She was a-huffin' and a-puffin' and damn near heart stroke sometimes it seemed. I kept telling her, that we could make a phone call and cancel the dinner thing. That didn't help, though.

I was more interested in her getting out on her own power than having to be drug out. "Pace yourself woman! Hydrate!" I kept telling her. The new goal was to get out of there before dark.

We got back to the truck right at 5 PM, which was the absolute latest to get to the truck and still make the dinner., To make matters, BETTER, my boys won the game -- they beat Spurrier! and they beat a ranked team (the first time in the last 20 tries).


Anyway, we are rolling and I am enjoying the commentary of the post-game call-ins while being stuck in traffic. The road to the trailhead is a one-laned one way road. This was the first weekend the Smokies were open after the government shutdown, and it was crowded. Worse still, it's the height of tourist season as this time of year is typically the peak for the leaves to change.

EVERY ... SINGLE ... BRIDGE (going over a rushing creek/river) the people two cars in front of us stopped to take pictures of the cascade. EVERY ... SINGLE .. ONE!

I was livid! If you wish to take that many pictures, fine! NOTICE the line of vehicles behind you and PULL OVER! ARGH!

To make matters worse, the tire pressure sensor on the truck indicated that both the right front and right rear tires are now low on air. GREAT! I must've run over something with both tires and I only have ONE spare!

We finally get to 441 (4 lane road) and I point the truck to a gas station that will have an air compressor. Sadly, the one I picked don't have a gauge on the compressor. Meh! I'll use the sensor, as it tells how many PSI are in each tire.

I add air to both tires, and the PSI doesn't change. WHAT? Okay, I deflate the rear, doesn't change. ???? I deflate it until I can *see* it's flat!

Still no change! GRR! I am so glad I found "free air".

I aired it back up, went and got a cheapie tire pressure gauge, and checked it. The TPS is off. This little tail-chasing cost us nearly a half hour. With the slow down on the way to 441, and now the TPS issue, it is now nearly 6 PM and there is *no way* to make it to the dinner on time without making everyone else wait because of us.

I have Melissa call them and we apologetically back out. There is no sense in them sitting there that long waiting on us.

We just pointed the truck northwards towards Knoxville and grabbed dinner along the way. Traffic was horrid, and I'm sitting in bumper-to-bumper traffic.

Those reading this likely know, I am not a very patient man and being already angered to miss the dinner engagement, sitting in traffic is NOT what I need right now. GAH!

We find a place to eat and decide that since we have time, once we get to Knoxville, there is a bar near where the movie is playing to grab a few good beers at. I have corrupted Melissa. She has grown an appreciation for certain beers (mostly the dark stuff -- stouts, porters, and the like). It wasn't a hard sell!

Anyway, we sip on a few great brews and enjoy the company of a couple gentlemen who were good enough to allow us to join them at their table for a while, then it's time to go to the "Show".

The house is packed. The marquee reads "Sold Out" ...  SWEET!

There was a pre-show with prizes and everything. The characters this movie draws are ... umm ... interesting. Sadly, we left the cameras in the truck. If we make it again, I will not repeat that mistake.

Many dress up as their favorite characters of the movie. Others just dress up as .... well ... something!

The experience was no less than I remembered. Newspapers were donned, obscenities were yelled, toilet paper rolls were thrust, decks of cards were flung, the Time Warp was danced, however, it was ... different.

The movie and the followers have evolved some. While there were parts that were the same, there were other parts I had no idea what the crowd was yelling. It's a living thing!

What a day! It was great to have a date with the love of my life, and ... "us" time. While we missed the dinner, that was the only part of the date we messed up -- and part of that was not on us. Maybe it is like riding a bicycle?

Eight is not enough ...

A few weeks back, I was checking the site of one of my favorite bands to watch live, checking their tour dates, as I tend to do from time to time, in hopes that they will be coming around this way. They haven't been in Knoxville for 2 years, I think (and, yes, I was there).

They always throw down and the response and energy level exhibited for their shows has been unparalleled to any other show I have had the privilege to be a part of -- especially in Knoxville. I have seen  Sevendust play outside of Knoxville twice and the show wasn't as "electric" as it has been in Knoxville. EVERY time in Knoxville they rock! period!

It just so happens they were due to play here last night. I made arrangements with Melissa to go and my buddy Sean was also able to make it. He and I have seen many shows together and even have seen Sevendust a for a few of those.

The website of the place hosting the show, stated that doors opened at 7 and the show started at 8 PM. We got there about 15 minutes before the show was due to start to hear the first band already on stage. One of the best things I like about going to see a show with Sean is that he is as interested in watching the opening acts as I am. Sometimes, you get to see some good talent on the opening circuit.

This seemed to be the case as the band American Fangs was onstage as we walked in. We got to see their last song of the set and it seemed that we missed a great show. Bummer!

This was the first time I had been to NV (this club's name). It *used* to be called Blue Cat's and I enjoyed *plenty* of shows there, but it closed for a long time -- in fact, the first time I saw Sevendust it was at Blue Cat's.

I was a bit jazzed when I found out we were going to the "old Blue Cat's". However, I hope they do a better job in the future of getting the right information up on their website than they did for this show.

The next band up was called Digital Collapse. They come out with a rhythm guitarist, lead guitarist, drummer, and a singer, but no bassist. This was the first band I had ever seen that didn't have a bass guitar. The drummer was real good and carried that side rather well. Overall, they weren't too bad.

Next up was a band called Serosia. I could never get into their stuff. There were moments when you think they are really going to "hit it" then it paled off. There were times it seemed that the members of the band were playing different songs. They just didn't seem to be playing together very well.

The roadies had the stage setup for Sevendust rather quickly, but all that did was build the anticipation level of their arrival as the time between sets didn't shorten any. While waiting someone blew up a beach ball and it started being bounced around among the crowd. I haven't seen a beach ball at a concert in *years*!

Finally the house music stopped and the setup music for the band started. Sevendust still milked it a bit though, and soon the crowd started chanting "Se-ven .. DUST, Se-ven .. DUST, Se-ven .. DUST! ...". The place was packed by now, and I think the capacity is 600-700 people.

They took the stage and broke into "Decay" to start things off. As I mentioned, there is always an electric atmosphere every time they come to Knoxville and you could tell already that this time would be no different. At the close of the song, LeJon (the lead singer) commented on the energy level and how much they love coming to Knoxville.

I don't believe this was just pandering to the crowd -- it felt genuine. It's a great moment when the crowd feeds off the band, and the band feeds off the crowd. It is like a snowball rolling downhill -- it keeps gaining. That is precisely what happened!

They played for about 90 minutes and the mosh pit was active, there were kids crowd surfing, and the musical onslaught and energy was amazing. I arrived home about an hour *after* they left the stage, and was still a bit pumped.

This was the eighth time I have seen them live -- six in a club setting in Knoxville, and I am already looking forward to #9.

Leaf Peep '13 part I

Tellico is a semi-annual event that occurs about two hours from the house. I have *no* excuse to miss it, considering many folks come from many states and hours further away than what I would have to.

So, as usual, I took it upon myself, since I am on a bike, to make sure I didn't take the easy two hour route. Even though the government shutdown tried to influence my decision by shutting down two of the roads I would normally take to get to Tellico (Little River Road [AKA TN-73] and Foothills Parkway), there are many good roads in the area, so I wasn't forced to take the short way. Tellico is southwest of here, so, of course, I planned a course that went northwest of here.

 I set out so that I could pick up TN-61, which is a favorite of mine, but is about 40 miles from me. It is twisty madness for nearly it's whole duration as it winds across the eastern part of the state. I wouldn't be following but about half of that, but that is still good, too. The beauty of leaving on a Friday, is that there is little traffic to contend with.

The area near Big Ridge State Park is the most fun 10 mile stretch I have encountered on this road. I had the first couple miles to myself and am zooming along nicely. However, by the time, I get to the tight, real twisty stuff I have caught this little Honda Acura, that once was a tuned out little rod. It is now sick.

The driver seems to be unaware of this, or just used to something with considerably more horsepower than he know has as he kept trying to race out of the turns. Once I had a sight line, I let him  know how futile an effort that was and that tired little Honda was soon gone from the rear view mirror.

After the fun, I find myself at US 441 and rolling southward towards Knoxville. The goal is to pick up some decent brews to share with friends. I already have the beer I intended to sip on, but there are a few "beer snobs" in the group (me being one of them) and I want to find something "good" (special/rare/odd) to share.

I have one in particular in mind, but the store I stop at doesn't have it. They have a better selection of stuff, typically, but not what I was specifically looking for. [sigh] I grab a few and decide, the day is still young, so I head across town to the other store that I knew carried it. They had it and I topped off the cooler with ice and turned the bike southbound down US 129.

There is not much to 129 until it breaks off from US 411 south of Maryville. The road is pretty clear then I catch up to two other riders. The lead rider is on a bike I cannot get enough details to recognize, but holding a decent pace. The guy behind him is on a yellow Ducati (something or other -- didn't get a good look at it either). However, they are both moving along at quite a respectable pace and I see no reason to try to pass, even if I could.

Before hitting the overlook, the Ducati ducks off. Once we get to the overlook, I notice Katherine in front of her Ural sidecar getting her picture taken with some guy (turned out to be her friend, Steve, whom I never met before now) by Erik. I wasn't planning to stop, but once I saw them I decided to say "Hi".

Greetings were exchanged, and I admired K.B.'s Ural and Steve's old Ariel square four for a bit. Erik mentioned going to lunch, but I wasn't hungry so I skipped out and am back rolling again. I was in complete rhythm. It was a thing of beauty.

I didn't encounter hardly any traffic. In the 11 miles that officially make up the Dragon, I encountered three cars going southbound. THREE!

One of them quickly pulled off to let me by, and the other two were quickly dispatched within a couple turns. It was magical, and an increased heart rate ensued.

Here are some pics of me on the Dragon ....

http://xtremesportsphotography.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0QAK01JQ054728&po=4728&pc=5873 

(thru #4736) -- that mustang was *really* scootin'! the exhaust note was quite sweet as he hustled that thing around the corners!

http://moonshinephoto.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=0CVY0134040897&po=897&pc=950 

(thru #906)

http://killboy.photoreflect.com/store/Orderpage.aspx?pi=04RK023K051740&po=1740&pc=2407 

(thru #1744) 

From there it was a run across the Cherahola Skyway, my absolute, hands-down, favorite road to run! Again, what little traffic that was encountered was quickly disposed of and I have a perma-grin pasted to my face inside the helmet as I carve my way toward Tellico.

Once there, it was the normal attraction to an SME -- the camaraderie, the people. There were a bunch of us that decided to crash upon the local Mexican restaurant for supper. After that, we headed back to the campground for good company and a couple adult beverages. The time passed too quickly and it was soon snooze time.

Leaf Peep '13 part II

Tim Schwab (a fellow maggot, and much adored friend), who is currently stationed in Afghanistan, was supposed to Skype the campground Saturday morning. I have a great appreciation and respect for Tim, as does just about anyone whom has had the privilege to have met the man. I, for some reason, had the impression he wasn't calling until between 9 and 10 AM. Umm ... NO!

He called at 8:30 and, while I was up and moving, I was doing my own thing, I had no idea (1) what time it was, and (2) that he was calling *that* time of day -- despite the fact that Lori put up a couple signs. Ugh! it SUCKS being stupid! As you can guess from this progression ... I missed (most of) the call. 

UGH! What a way to start the day! (NOT!) My only other goal of the day was to meet up with a buddy of mine, Brian.

If you read much of my drivel, you will know that he and I have been *trying* to get together for far too long and it just hasn't happened. Now that I have missed Tim's call, my only mission is to be at Suches (at the new TWO -- now TWoS) by 1 PM. That's two hours away and very do-able. 

"Lori and gang" had a spread of eggs, bacon, hash browns, biscuit and gravy casserole, and goetta laid out around 9-ish so I was sated and ready to roll in time. Chris Pope was headed down 68 (same direction I needed to go) in order to get home in time to allow his wonderful wife to go to a concert. The timing worked for me, and we arranged to ride some before he split off. 

This is my route on Saturday: http://goo.gl/maps/NoxOI  -- and it's an "ultimate twisties type route" comprised of many of my favorite roads in Georgia.

Chris and I headed out and are enjoying our pace. There were some vehicles to deal with, but they were quickly dispatched, until we came to a road crew repainting the double yellow lines (like that is effective). Now there is a line of vehicles to contend with.

Chris is in the lead and we work our way through it, but one of my moves didn't go over well with the two lone motorcyclists in the line. Chris had enough room to jump both bikes and the car in front of them. However, I did not. I jumped out when he did, and when a car came around the bend, I tucked in between the two riders.

The lead rider, a girl, turned around and gave me a glare. Not a look, a *glare*! She .. was .. pissed!

Whatever! I didn't put anyone in jeopardy. It may have looked that way to her as I DID make an abrupt merge in between them, but that was to get into staggered formation quickly. I was ready to pounce on the next opportunity, but she obviously didn't want me between them. When the chance to pass came, she was all too happy to see me go as she aggressively waved me by. Again, whatever, I was already going!

Shortly, thereafter, and to his loss, Chris split off. There was no noticeable traffic along GA-60 and that road is pure bliss -- ESPECIALLY when you're not hindered by traffic! (If you opened the map, zoom into spot B and look just how much fun it is)

I got to TWoS about 12:30, about a half hour earlier than our proposed meeting time. As much as I have caused others to wait, Karma was shining!

Boy! was it! At 1:30, I'm concerned. Brian is typically NOT late. Now it's 1:40 and no Brian. F*ck!

He pulled in 10 minutes later. I was giving him until 2, before I headed out.  I have no phone so he has no way to contact me were something to go bad.

Luckily, he showed up before I left, and heartfelt, long overdue, greetings were exchanged. He has a new-to-him Harley we ogle over for a few minutes and then he orders lunch. I hold off since I had such a big breakfast and want to save room for what Lori (and gang) are planning dinner.

After lunch, and some catching up, it was time to ride. It's now well after 2 PM now and time is tight with the route I tossed together.

So we use GA-180 as a connector to GA-348 (or Richard B. Russell Road). This is another nice stretch of asphalt. To sweeten the deal the Georgia DOT had just resurfaced the south part of the road. I get to the end and shut the bike off and waited to hear a Harley lumbering through the mountainside.

He showed up a few minutes later smiling. He admitted he was really having to work that heavy pig, but was enjoying the ride, and even confessed "the last time I rode roads like this, I was with you". Hang on there, buddy, you ain't seen nuthin' yet!   ; )

A couple more connectors and we are GA-197. This is another gem.

It's not technical, twisty except for a short stretch on the north part of the road, but it's fun and scenic as it borders a part of Lake Burton. At the intersection of US 76, I pulled off and waited. I figured this would be a good stop point to let him get his nicotine fix and to just chat in general. We hung out for about 10 minutes or so and then got rolling again.

We were in need of gas and Clayton was close by, so that is where we went. We had two options at this point and I laid them out to Brian. We could take US 441 north to Franklin, which would be quicker, or we could take Warwoman Road to GA-28. This will take longer, but would be "more fun". Brian replies "I like fun" so onto Warwoman we go.

Warwoman gets a bit tight in spots the closer you get to GA-28. It's a great piece of road! We hit that stretch and his Harley is no match to keep up with my Bandit.

Once again, I wait at the intersection and he comes up smiling "That's the best road yet!". I kind of laughed in my helmet because I know what's next --GA-28, and subsequently, NC-28.  (Again, if you have the map open, zoom into the area around point "E")

More twisty bliss! Aaah! and, again, no traffic! This is unreal! The weather is tailor-made for riding!

I feel rather blessed to have these wonderful roads to attack at my own pace. Life is good!

We pulled into Franklin, NC about 6 PM or so, as I recall. I was thinking we were about 90 minutes or so from the campground. (I have made it in that time before). We are going to be late for dinner, so I borrow his phone and call Melissa. Thanks to Isaac, she was able to make this SME. Her phone went immediately to voice mail. I later found out she had no service there. Oh well, I tried to call.

We resume our northward assault on NC-28, in what is my favorite stretch of the road. Again, I have a free run of it. With this luck, I feel like going to Vegas, or something! For starting off on a bad foot, it sure got better quick.

The sun is now setting low on the horizon, and we still have to head west. Yuck! going across the Skyway with the sun in your eyes is NOT fun! We are on the Skyway a bit before 7.

I told Brian I was going to be hauling because I wanted to get off the mountain before it was dark and that I would wait for him at the bottom. The only benefit to riding the Skyway at this hour is this ...

After a couple shots, I mount back up and boogie on down the hill. I pulled over at one of the overlooks on Tellico River. I shut off the motor because I know it will be a while. It was 7:30-ish when I shut down.

I wait. And wait. And wait. And am getting seriously concerned.

It is pitch-black dark now and this is getting worrisome. It is past 8. I wait.

Dammit! I don't want to go back up there! Ugh! please let me hear a Harley, please let me hear a Harley! nothing!

I am getting ready to fire the bike up and go back up there expecting the worst, when I *finally* hear him coming down the hill. Thank God!

He informed me (NOW) that his night vision is *really* bad, so he was putting along at a very safe pace. Additionally, some Buick had come over into his lane coming around one of the curves and totally freaked his shit out, so now he is going even slower!

I was just glad that he was still okay. Like I said, I was beginning to think the worst.

We pulled into the campground around 8:30. I grabbed a beer, hunted down Jacob and we played our traditional game of cribbage. He was tired, so it was kept to one game. After that, the usual lies were told and good times had until people started filtering off to their perspective cabins/tents.

Leaf Peep '13 part III

On Sunday morning, we usually go crash some restaurant ill-equipped to handle a gaggle of maggots and it takes an inordinate amount of time to serve us, but it extends the social part of the SME for those that have time. Jack and Lori suggested going to a place the next town over, since we have exhausted our options in Tellico.

Melissa and I were definitely going to go. Jack had space for two in his car, so we took him up on the offer to allow us to tag along. We got back to camp around noon and began to break camp. Now her car is loaded, and we have the rest of the day to do ... SOMEthing, as Isaac didn't have to be at work.

We decide that a hike would be good, but again the damned government has the Smokies shutdown. I suggested going up to Hooper Bald on the Skyway and hiking that. On the way, we stopped to get ice cream at Tellico Beach. While we were there, I told her I was going to take off, but would wait for her at an overlook prior to the Hooper Bald trailhead.

I got to an overlook about 6 or 7 miles inside NC and waited. And waited ... and waited. This is ridiculous!

I had already seen the car that was in front of her at the bottom of the mountain go by some 20 minutes ago. I have seen plenty of other vehicles that I did not pass also go by. Something is wrong!

I mount up and head back down to see if she ran out of gas or is having mechanical issues or something. I am down to the bottom of the Skyway before I see her heading the opposite direction. I wave at her and she pulls over. I turned around and asked her WTF?!? was going on?

She said she went to an overlook 5 miles into NC and turned around because she got to thinking that she was no longer on the Cherahola. FIVE! FIVE miles. she was that close to me but turned around.

ARGH! It is now about 5-ish and there is no point to start a hike with it getting dark around 7 nowadays, so we just decide to head on home. We stopped in Dandridge at the Sonic (where Megan works), grabbed dinner, and hung out with Megan for a few minutes.

What a great weekend. It was awesome that Melissa could make it to an SME again. It was great to see my buddy Brian as well, and, of course, it was wonderful to hang out with maggots.