ABCD with Thoughts and Prayers

 Many of you know about, and some of my good friends have experienced some of the, possibly the worst, storms in the history of the south. My family was extremely fortunate to have made it through the devastation without damage. My mom's town of Guntersville had a huge hit but she was safe in her little apartment.

We here on the mountain heard "the train" and saw debris fly over the house...well, I was actually in the tub with Morgan and Daisy Lu, but my husband saw debris fly over the house when he told us to take cover. We got our power and water on the 4th day after the storms. There are many without power, water, homes. Many have lost loved ones. Our hearts and prayers go out to all those who's lives have been sidetracked and our big THANK YOU goes out to all those who have stepped up to help in many ways.
THANK YOU!!!
I wanted to join my friend Gary at USA Tour on a Harley Davidson with his ABCD (a bloggers centerline day) Challenge. As you can see below the weather today doesn't look very nice. I am somewhere in that red dot and am not sure I want to venture too far from home. So I decided to find a centerline very close to home...

My driveway!

I thought this would be a fairly easy task but deciding I would do this on my own it became a challenge. Especially when Daisy Lu came to help. My timer on the camera was set for 10 seconds and it was quite a hike. I wanted to get a little bit of storm debris there in the foreground.

I thought wearing my Harley cap would help.

Ok now Daisy...no one needs to see THAT!!

Come on girl!!

She was not thrilled to be in the shot at all. But I had to laugh the whole time!

Well for what it's worth, here is my set up for the photos. A little upside down flower pot to hold the camera. Running out to the bike was such a joy!

And of course I had to add an artsy photo for all my gardening pals!



Gary you made my day!



The Story of My Harley Header

 Last year I somehow ran into a blog by a fellow, well I would say bloke but I'm not sure if that is proper for me to say, so I'll say fellow, from the London, England area, Gary, who was planning a trip on his beautiful Harley Davidson Road King, "The Leading Ladies". Not just any road trip, but one that traversed the United States from the most northern tip of Maine, to the most southern tip of California! I mean, how COOL is that!!

I found his blog before he started so was able to follow the journey and I even suggested he swing my old stomping grounds in the Thousand Islands area of NY which he did.

I was so touched when he took the time to stop at the end of my old road in Chaumont, NY and take pictures just for me!

Thanks Gary, that was just really nice of you.

Here are the photos he sent.

I was totally amazed by the adventures and stories that Gary photographed and wrote about, OH and the videos!!! Wow, it was as if you were right there on the bike and believe me when I say there were times my heart was pounding because well, I'm kind of afraid of heights and don't know if I could have made it on some of the beautiful, but scary, roads he managed to find.

After, what was it, 5 months and 21,000 miles the journey was over and me and his dedicated followers wished him well, said we were sad it was over, but lucky for us, Gary has plans for more exciting treks in the future.

So here I am at my header...a challenge to me from Gary. I was to get my motorcycle on a header before the end of March. Whew, I really am cutting it close, don't you think!

I've ridden a few times so far this year, but never managed to get a picture. I even planned on having more than just one but as I stopped for a second shoot, a fellow, who just bought a HD Forty Eight had to stop and talk to me about the bikes for about a half hour! hahaha, ask Gary he knows all about stopping and talking to people on their Harleys!

So here's my one photo...

...dedicated to Gary France. Thanks for bringing us along on your ride of a lifetime!

Please click on Gary's name or the title of my blog to go to Gary's blog and enjoy the adventure for yourself!

"the Stig" visits Alabama!

Ok Gary, I have been told that Chris is not the Stig by Chris himself! So there, let's put that one to rest!

I was treated by a great visit today from Chris and Vicky from "Everyday Riding" blog and it was just a blast. I've been following their trek from the trickling beginnings of the Mississippi River in the great state of Minnesota, to the its final dump into the Gulf of Mexico. They have had quite an adventure so far with its ups and downs, sights, rain, and heat! Mostly heat! It was truly a pleasure to enjoy some sweet tea and talk about their journey. For some interesting information on some really cool motorcycles go visit Everyday Riding by clicking on Chris's name in this post or the title of his blog. Also click on Gary's name and see his adventure with Chris and how Chris, really just might be "the Stig"!!

Vicky is was such a pleasure to meet you! Hang on and enjoy all the views!

What a wonderful time to share!

Ride Safe you two, and I hope you didn't get too delayed by stopping.

DeSoto State Park Alabama

Sunday morning I asked my hubby..."what do you want to do today?"

"absolutely nothin" was the answer...
"do you want to go for a ride?" I ask.

The next thing I know we are packed and ready to go, but where?

I never asked until we were heading down the road that had the sign,

DeSoto State Park

What a beautiful ride!!

With so many pictures I'll let some of them speak for themselves.

All of a sudden I realized there were some peeps hanging from the side of the mountain.

Please feel free to "bigify" the pictures as Tammy says.

See the house at the top right? What a view.

Last night, long after I saw this feat in person...I was having anxiety attacks!! hahaha!

The house on the hill.

Salty SkimmerA lifer for me. Variable Dancer.

This was a plant I've never seen so if anyone knows what it is I'm up for learning!!

Two Skippers here.I'm going to say Fiery Skipper for the light one. The other one is difficult...maybe a Little Glassywing? Anyone out there want to pipe in?UG!!!I'll keep my feet on a nice wide surface!We rode to the Azalea Trail, but the water was low and there really wasn't much water to see.Next was LUNCH at the DeSoto Restaurant. A lovely buffet with lots of good southern food! We noticed a group of folks that came in after us had Corvette Club shirts on and when we left this is what we found in the parking lot!Be still my heart.The only thing better would have been the Subaru WRX Club parked here! We then rode to Sequoya Caverns, but alas...note the sign on the gate!Well, all was not lost, Morgan got to say hi to this friendly fellow.The trip was so much fun! 158 miles and 6 hours!The temps in the upper 90's.We drove through three rain showers on the way home and I just couldn't help but laugh out loud. It was a cold prickly rain but it felt SO VERY GOOD!!

Lake Guntersville Dam...The other side

Yesterday I jumped on the Iron to run an errand, and since Morgan is at Band Camp during the day this week and next, I was in no real rush to get home. Traveling along I found myself on the south side of the Guntersville DamI watched this little boat come along and was wondering if they wanted to get to the other side.I'm not sure if they go through these openings...seems a bit scary to me...but because I have some form of ADD I didn't stick around long enough to find out...

So sorry!That is the side we are usually on.The tower is where I've photographed a Red-headed woodpecker, Eastern Bluebirds and Black Vultures.But today was all about the Iron!Walking back by the bike I spyed this swamp. Then I heard a bit of noise and quickly photographed these three Great Blue Herons speeding away.I was a beautiful ride down to this side of the Dam. The north side has a long straight flat road, but this side is a long, steep, curvy mountain road down into the valley.I decided not to take the walk down. Too hot today.A little artwork here. Nothing great but you can just see the Iron there on the left.Well for riding in the Sunny South my new motto is...

It's not too hot to ride...it's too hot to stop riding!!!