Norden, nord, norte, north, is the cardinal direction I have piloted the Rhino, my BMW GSA, for the last four hours. I certainly have direction but not yet destination. Southern Georgia and Alabama have their unique appeal, but I am all too familiar with those landscapes. If I lived in Kansas or Ohio, I might think this green dusty (it is dangerously dry) agrarian space is … [Read more...] about North to Adventure: Fleeing Florida for the Alabama Mountains
Alabama
Barber Vintage Festival: You Will Be Entertained
It is Thursday. But it is different from most Thursdays in my life since I am standing as close as I can to a racetrack in northern Alabama to get pictures of riders practicing for upcoming races. In this moment, the old — or should I say “vintage” — bikes are running sidecars of various design. The riders are getting ready to participate in races over the next three … [Read more...] about Barber Vintage Festival: You Will Be Entertained
From our BMW Motorrad friends: BMW Motorrad Days Americas
BMW Motorrad USA is proud to announce the return of BMW Motorrad Days Americas, as part of the storied Barber Vintage Festival, for 2024. The first ever BMW Motorrad Days Americas took place last year and helped celebrate the 100 Years history of BMW motorcycles with record attendance at the Barber Vintage Festival. “Last year’s celebration of the BMW Motorrad Days Americas at … [Read more...] about From our BMW Motorrad friends: BMW Motorrad Days Americas
Lost highway: The last ride of Hank Williams
On the evening of Dec. 31, 1952, legendary country singer Hank Williams checked into the Andrew Johnson Hotel in downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. By the following day, the iconic performer would be pronounced dead at a hospital in the depths of rural West Virginia. Although there is much debated speculation and haphazard lore as to what really occurred along “Hank Williams’ Last … [Read more...] about Lost highway: The last ride of Hank Williams
The eternal Tennessee River: Riding from Chattanooga to Rocket City
My aversion to riding main highways resulted, quite by accident, with the road bending through a stately Chattanooga neighborhood. As my three-cylinder Yamaha purred through the narrow streets, a vista opened on the right. To my delight, I realized I’d inadvertently arrived atop Missionary Ridge. Always the history buff, I can’t resist reading a historical marker or visiting … [Read more...] about The eternal Tennessee River: Riding from Chattanooga to Rocket City
