With my starting odometer at 2,538 miles, I left Atlanta on my first cross country motorcycle adventure. I felt melancholy on departure. Chad is in Zimbabwe and Javier is in Chicago. I dropped off the dogs at Jennifer’s house. Even Jennifer was out of town and I left my babies in the hands of Laquisha.

Heading on to the cabin, I was able to say goodbye with some friends. Marvin was in the truck heading our on errands. Bruce was at home and he and I had a great conversation on the route to Alabama. Google maps suggests a time optimized or distance optimized route. Neither of these options give me the kind of roads that I like to ride on a motorcycle. A motorcycle trip is most enjoyable when exploring the backroads and I headed out toward Roopville.

Heading on to the cabin, I was able to say goodbye with some friends. Marvin was in the truck heading our on errands. Bruce was at home and he and I had a great conversation on the route to Alabama. Google maps suggests a time optimized or distance optimized route. Neither of these options give me the kind of roads that I like to ride on a motorcycle. A motorcycle trip is most enjoyable when exploring the backroads and I headed out toward Roopville.

I stopped at Partner’s Pit Barbeque for lunch. The place was busy on Sunday and full of after church locals. While the Sunday special sounded good, I was in the mood for BBQ.  The waitresses were extreme helpful. In Lineville, I was intrigued by the -general store and tower.

Cheaha Mountain didn’ t disappoint and I enjoyed some motorcycle twisties as the road wound through a hilly and forested landscape. I immediately started to rethink my packing strategy. Gaining access to items packed in the Wolfman luggage is difficult. Tomorrow I’ll put clothes in the Wolfman and keep my camera handy in the side luggage.

Arriving at the Cheaha over look, there was a charming couple riding their Harley. I enjoyed most of the conversation – except hearing about the motorcycle ministry he had created on account of his heart attack surgery survival.  It was more interesting hearing about how he met his wife at the Daytona bike rally. Their on again / off again romance has taken them through many motorcycle rides. They are on again at the moment and I enjoyed seeming them holding hands and enjoying the Cheaha overlook vistas.

The campground did not have many people remaining at the end of the weekend. A tough looking man by the name of Billy Barnes made his way over to my camp. I am starting to understand the social side of motorcycle riding. The motorcycle is a great conversation starter and people love to reminisce about their bikes and the places they have visited. Billy engraves gun stocks and showed me some beautiful examples of his worth. Billy asked me to watch for his campfire and join his wife and grandkids to dinner.

After enjoying an afternoon relaxing in the hammock, I joined Billy by the campfire.  His wife made me a hot dog with Sauercraut.  Billy shared more stories, beers, and Pina Coladas which he called a “sissy drink”