Econo Lodge Corinth

... I thought I’d play it safe with a Subway lunch. I now know that once you enter the south all preconceived notions just have to go out the window. I couldn’t tell if the bell chime as I walked in the door was routine or holiday bells as Christmas had puked all over the establishment. A national chain…catering to everyone…had a giant holiday manger set up. 'Tis the season. Err. A petite girl, no more than 16 yrs old, asked me ...

Decatur, AL is not the kind of place you want to get out and explore... even less so is where our hotel was in the nearby town of Athens, AL. We pulled in on Saturday night, about 8pm, and quickly realized that we weren't in Kansas anymore... or rather, New Orleans. Most of the local restaurants were already closed, or about to close, and were closed on Sundays... yeehaw. Needless to say, with the lack of entertainment and food options nearby, I opted to spend my time in the hotel ...

... park ranger with slow Tennessee twang offered to drive us in his pickup to "Sue and Dave's," the best grocery store by far we had encountered since Chicago. The ranger happened across us on the road as we were walking back, arms laden with bags, and we gratefully hopped back into his truck for a ride back to the boat that would have taken us about 45 minutes by foot.

... In January – 163 lb

In October - 139 lb

October 11th—tried to sleep in again but still didn’t do it. It was cold when I got up even though the bedroom furnace had been on all night. I had decided to walk up town today for milk, bananas and a few other items so about 11 when it finally warmed up to 62 I set off with my backpack loaded with umbrella and rain jacket. I wanted to do the one cache that is in town too- and it turned ...

... the bikes their inaugaral ride around the historic town. We meet some locals and even had a malt shake at an old time drug store, this particular store has been in the same family for 140 years, it was certainly like travelling back in time. We weren't sure where we wanted to camp last evening, but after some discussion agreed upon JP Coleman State Park. While driving there ...

... between the performers and the audience.

It was a fitting ending to an enormously successful tour, which saw the Choir sing to rave reviews for nearly 50,000 people at nine concerts in seven different cities over a two-week period. With the strains of “God Be With You Till We Meet Again” ringing in their ears, Choir and Orchestra members returned to Salt Lake City happy to be done with touring for now but looking forward as ever to their next experiences on the road in 2009!

Aimed at Florence and Sheffield, where the Tennessee river is dammed. Ugly place with industrial wreckage and rough overtones. Didn't stop and pressed on to the Holiday Inn Express here. Very clean and orderly, with a tiny pool where Bren had another plough up and down. Discovered cruise control on the car today. Very helpful, but when everybody is set at the limit +5 mph it gets a bit frustrating. Being undertaken a bit worrying too.

With a little sleep in on Bri's Couch I got myself up at 9.00am and said goodbye to my friend and was on the road heading to Memphis, Tennesse home of Elvis Presley's Graceland. It was a pretty good drive which I didn't stop much of the way. It took 7 hours to do the 512 miles to Memphis arriving at 5.00pm then I had fun driving around with the GPS unit getting lost after and hour I found the Motel I was looking for cheap but in my price area. Check-in and dropped off my bags then went out ...

... I could make another meal out of what I've got left - and since there's a fridge in my hotel room, I might just do that. This afternoon I intend to attempt to find the Country Music Hall of Fame and check it out. After that I'm scheduled for a rigorous nap, and then I'm going to treat myself to a nice dinner. Tomorrow I'll be back on the road, headed to Chicago to visit [info]project_mayhem_ before heading home. I'll be back Saturday in time to go to work.

... motorcycle riders from Chattanooga will follow Saturday, being joined by others in Scottsboro, Huntsville, Florence and points along the way. The ride was first organized in 1994, by the Alabama Waterfowl Association, Concerned Motorcyclists of Tennessee, and Rocket City Harley Owners to raise funds to place historic markers in key areas. The event resulted in state and federal legislation which designated the region ...