August 23rd, 2007
I spent the last 2 days trying to burn some miles on my way north. I was looking for a nice day – where, believe it or not – I could just cruise the interstate. Yesterday was suppose to be that day – heading from Tupelo, MS to Knoxville, TN. However, it was so damn hot down here that I fell a few miles short and ended the day in Athens. The heat totally wipes me out…I’m getting a windshield for my next trip. Today was much nicer as I headed out of the heat of Tennessee to the relative cool-ness of Virginia. Next to teleportation, this was the easiest 360 miles I ever had. A great day touring the scenic highways of the southeast.
Here are some pics and vids:
Nope… not death valley – or the deserts of arizona… would you believe… Chatanooga, TN
My plans for Thursday, August 23rd:
I met these guys at a rest area somewhere in Virginia. A true “Finding America” kind of moment. These guys are the “Late Night Players” (www.latenightplayers.com) – a traveling comedy act. They travel the states doing local gigs at universities and nightclubs. They’re a Boston-based group and their MAss license plate is what originally caught my attention.
I ended the day in Lexington, VA – home of Thomas ”Stonewall” Jackson and the Viginia Military Institute (where, by the way, Jackson taught military tactics…fyi). The town was established in 1778 and was named after the Revolutionary War battle that took place in Lexington, MA (small world, aint it). The town had a fantastic historic downtown district.
You forgot to mention Stonewall’s two lesser known brothers: Phil “Dirtmound” Jackson, and Reggie “Ill Fitting Pile of Logs” Jackson.
Though “Dirtmound” Jackson was the original inventor of the dirt mount, history has credited a Frenchman, Jacque “Le Berm” Reneau, as inventor of the first practical dirt mount, know today as, well, a berm.
Reggie “Ill Fitting Pile of Logs” Jackson, spent a lifetime — and his family fortune — trying to promote his method for staking firewood. Like his brother, “Dirtmound,” he too would be bested by someone who improved upon his idea, thus snatching the fame and glory he felt he so richly deserved. I’m speaking, of course, of Charlie “Cord Wood” McMurphy.
“Ill Fitting Pile of Logs” Jackson died alone and destitute. Fate was as cruel in death as she was in life, as this Jackson was found dead with the stub of a branch plunged through his heart. Apparently from an accidental fall onto — yes — a loose fitting pile of logs.
Aside from an uncle, Able “Pull My Finger” Jackson, Stonewall is the only member of his family to whom history has been kind.
Like you, I just love history. It’s important we all know our history, or people could just make stuff up and we’d be none the wise, but more the fool. Wouldn’t that be embarrassing!
—-
Sounds like your making good time. It looks like you’ll be surfing the hot air front into New England. We’ve had days in the 60’s and low 70’s this week, but hight temps are expected to roll in my the weekend.
Ride safe.
By: woodenloon on August 24, 2007
at 3:08 am
Wooden Loon: I guess you would like living with a history teacher then. I get American history lessons every night of the school year.
That looks like a nice town. I can’t beleive it’s so damn hot.
By: jjonas on August 24, 2007
at 12:55 pm
Woodenloon,
I look forward to one day reading your ride report around the country. Excellent commentary. Did you perchance once do a stint with “Mystery Science Theatre 3000″?
By: slablog on September 23, 2007
at 6:40 pm