Saturday, September 21, 2019 - The Cookie Jar Restaurant in Dunlap, Tn.
Have you ever heard of "The Cookie Jar" restaurant in Dunlap, TN.? Sounds yummy - doesn't it? Some of our group had been there before but it was the first time for some others of us! JR led 5 other bikes on a beautiful ride, enjoying the weather and awesome countryside. Those enjoying the ride and lunch were: JR/DeAnn, Greg/Karen, Ronny/Judy, Joel/Elaine, Randy/Angela and Terry. A lot of other people were at The Cookie Jar that day too so we had a little waiting time. No big deal! The restaurant is located on an operational dairy farm so there was plenty to see while we waited. We ate on the porch which was great with a wonderful view of the Sequatchie Valley. The country cooking was delicious - the best fried okra I have ever had at a restaurant! We left the restaurant and rode some more beautiful backroads toward home. Our final stop was Sonic in Arab - where we got our madatory ice cream treat (or supper) and hugs! Can't wait for the Fall weather to arrive - my favorite time to ride! PS - I only took a few pictures with my phone but hope that you enjoy them! Sometimes it's nice to ride without a camera hanging around your neck!
Wednesday, July 24, 2019 --- Montevallo, Alabama
This was the PERFECT day for a motorcycle ride. We had 10 bikes today --- Ronny/Judy, Greg/Karen, Charlie/Linda, Bobby, David, Terry, Joel, Bill, Tim and Mike. We decided to go back to Orr Park in Montevallo, AL. It had been several years since we had been and we had heard that there were some new carvings added. If you have never been to Orr Park or don't know the story about "Tinglewood" you might want to visit their website. https://www.cityofmontevallo.com/288/Orr-Park The website states that Mr. Tim Tingle took it upon himself to transform storm-damaged cedar trees into glorious works of art in the early 1990's. He continues to bless the city with his talents even today. After spending about an hour at the park, we were ready for lunch. We ate lunch at Tin Top 2 barbecue restaurant in Columbiana,AL. The food was VERY GOOD! On the way home, we actually rode on a road that Ronny had never been on (there are very few of those)! Most of the homeplaces had gates with names, long driveways and gorgeous houses. This road had many "switchbacks" which the guys love but I am not too crazy about! :) We missed our friends who weren't able to go with us today. God blessed us old retired folks with a beautiful day!
Sunday, July 14, 2019 --- Ellie Mae's Cafe in Winfield, AL
It was so nice to get take a little ride with some of our friends today! There were 6 bikes and 9 people: Ed, Moochie, Terry, Ronny/Judy, Jerry/Charlotte & Charlie/Linda. We just took a short ride today because we were afraid that it was going to rain. We were lucky - it didn't! Our destination was Ellie Mae's Cafe in Winfield, AL. We had never eaten there before but it was very good so we will probably go back again. Our waitress was very helpful & brought Moochie's drink in a "sippy cup" that we had sneaked in for him because he frequently spills his drink on someone! It worked - no one got spilled on today! After lunch we headed back to Cullman. It was early and we were so full that we didn't even stop for ice cream! I'm sure that we will the next time - we can't go two rides in a row without the mandatory ice cream stop! Until next time ------ Stay Cool.....
Saturday, June 15, 2019 ---- Cooter Brown's Rib Shack in Jacksonville, AL
Fifteen people on eleven bikes showed up this morning at McDonald's in south Cullman. It was a beautiful day and we were ready for some fun. Those enjoying the ride were Ronny/Judy, Charlie/Linda, JR/DeAnn, Ron/Rillis, Ed, Terry, Bill, Bobby, Joel, Tim and Byron. Our destination was "Cooter Brown's Rib Shack" in Jacksonville, AL. BUT we all know that it's really more about the journey! The weather was perfect and we all enjoyed the scenery and the fellowship along the way. Several of our regulars were not able to ride because of prior commitments and we missed you all. Maybe next time! (FYI: Eagle Vision is CLOSED!)
The "UH-OH" Ride --- April 26 - April 28, 2019
Every year about this time Ed plans a 3-4 day ride and invites friends to tag along. This year nine bikes started out on what we decided to call the "UH-OH" Ride. (You will soon see why we chose that name :) Those going were: Ed, Jerry/Charlotte, JR/DeAnn, Greg/Karen, Charlie/Linda, Terry, Moochie, Joel and Roger. The weather was good and everything was going great until right before lunch and "UH-OH!" Terry had to turn back because of a water leak at home. Lunch was at Jim Oliver's Smoke House. Everyone had their plates filled and then "UH-OH!" Moochie spilled his drink in Charlotte's plate. Since this wasn't the first time, rumor has it that a "sippy cup" might be in his future! Somewhere along the way "UH-OH" a road in the planned route was CLOSED. While checking that out, one of the ladies had a fall. "UH-OH" Not naming names BUT Charlotte said that according to the picture she saw it could have been Karen EXCEPT Charlotte was the one with scraped palms. Just saying... :) In the meantime Ed was busy "recalculating." Then "UH-OH" Charlie and Linda had to head home on the second day because of a death in the family. Some of the other "UH-OH's" on this trip were: Moochie dropped his bike (hurt his feelings more than anything), "UH-OH" a planned restaurant was closed so back to "recalculating". At the motel one of the "kids" decided to play on the slide. She had done it before with no problem but "UH-OH" this time (because of her new slick pants) her brakes didn't work and she went off the bottom at full speed, bounced across the ground all the way to the fence! We were told that she had bruises and new pants were ordered for her next adventure! All in all, it was a great trip seeing sights in Alabama/Tennessee/Kentucky. Most of all - it was fun! Thanks to Ed for all of the planning and recalculating! And thanks to Charlotte and Karen for all of the great pictures.
Wednesday, March 27,2019 - Retired Living!
One of the perks of living the retired life is being able to take motorcycle rides in the middle of the week! Maybe I should say when we can sneak a ride in between looking after our parents, babysitting our grandkids or keeping doctor appointments. BUT today a few of us were able to get out and enjoy the beautiful weather and the countryside. We met at Dodge City and rode some backroads before ending up at Huatulco Mexican Restaurant in Fayette, AL for a delicious lunch. Thanks to Greg & Karen for leading us on such a great ride. Following them all day were: Jery/Charlotte, Terry, Tim and Ronny/Judy. Ronny really enjoyed being the back bike with a totally different view for a change. What an awesome day! Let's do it again real soon...
Saturday, March 23, 2019 - We Wanna Go Fishing!
THEY said "It's not going to be raining". THEY said "It's going to be warmer". THEY said "Get outside and enjoy the day". WE said "It's going to be a great day. Let's go to Granny Fishes' House!" So at 9:00 AM eleven bikes left from Burger King in Cullman headed north to Wartrace, TN. Those enjoying the day were: Ronny/Judy, Greg/Karen, Charlie/Linda, JR/DeAnn, Terry, Tim, Mike, Bobby, Danny, David and Bill. As usual, the food was delicious! After lunch we rode on over to Tullahoma, TN where we visited the Beechcraft Heritage Museum. To see more details about this museum you can go to https://beechcrafthm.org We spent a couple of hours at the museum but decided we had better get back on the road toward home. It had been cold all day and was only going to get colder before we got home. But that's okay - we're tough! Remember our motto: "Live to Ride and Ride to Eat"
January 18, 2019 - Meet the "Bikers"
Another year has passed and the new year has made a good beginning. We didn't get to ride as much as we'd like to last year. The weather didn't co-operate and as they say "Life Happens". So we rode when we could but not as much as usual. Maybe this year will be better.
We all got together at Brandin Iron for dinner on Friday, January 18th. Those attending were: Greg/Karen, Ed/Nancy, Charlie/Linda, Moochie/Toni, Ron Gravitt, Buel/Alice, Bobby/Linda, JR/DeAnn, Tim/Kathy, Jerry/Charlotte, Ronny/Judy, Craig/Donna, Ronnie Todd, Terry/Myra - 26 people in all. We enjoyed getting together for a great meal and taking time to visit and catch up with what's going on in each other's lives.
Our group is ever-changing! Last year we lost our beloved friend Charles. He once told me that he always rode his motorcycle on New Year's Day every year, even if it was only a few miles. I like to imagine that on January 1, 2019 Charles was happily riding his motorcycle down those "Streets of Pure Gold". We wish those who have had surgeries a complete recovery so that they can enjoy riding again this year. We are going to miss Ronnie Todd when he moves away but we wish him the best. Soooooo, shine up those bikes and clean up those helmets - we have riding to do, scenery to see and restaurants to visit. May God Bless Us All in 2019!
P.S. Sorry about some of the pictures being blurred...:(
We all got together at Brandin Iron for dinner on Friday, January 18th. Those attending were: Greg/Karen, Ed/Nancy, Charlie/Linda, Moochie/Toni, Ron Gravitt, Buel/Alice, Bobby/Linda, JR/DeAnn, Tim/Kathy, Jerry/Charlotte, Ronny/Judy, Craig/Donna, Ronnie Todd, Terry/Myra - 26 people in all. We enjoyed getting together for a great meal and taking time to visit and catch up with what's going on in each other's lives.
Our group is ever-changing! Last year we lost our beloved friend Charles. He once told me that he always rode his motorcycle on New Year's Day every year, even if it was only a few miles. I like to imagine that on January 1, 2019 Charles was happily riding his motorcycle down those "Streets of Pure Gold". We wish those who have had surgeries a complete recovery so that they can enjoy riding again this year. We are going to miss Ronnie Todd when he moves away but we wish him the best. Soooooo, shine up those bikes and clean up those helmets - we have riding to do, scenery to see and restaurants to visit. May God Bless Us All in 2019!
P.S. Sorry about some of the pictures being blurred...:(