DAY RIDE

September 23, 2009

After a couple of weeks of rainy days off- we finally got a chance to go on a day ride this past Wednesday. We took off around 10:30 am- gassed up on Broadway, and headed out to Washington Pike which runs next to East Town Mall.

We headed north and rode to Corryton where we took a right and rode up to Luttrell. We had heard that Kenny Chesney was in town- be we didn't see him so we jumped onto 61 and rode to Maynardville. Once in Maynardville, we headed north on 33 and after we crossed the river we took a left onto Sharps Chapel Road going toward Chuck Swan forest and wildlife management area.

This is Norris Lake from Sharps Chapel Road:

And this is a closer view:

Our bikes at the crossroad of Lambdin Ridge Rd. and Sharps Chapel Rd.:

We were not really familiar with Chuck Swan, so we rode until we came to a Ranger station and a gate- and stopped to contemplate our next move.

This is the area map sign:

And Pam resting at the Ranger station:

While at the Ranger station- with absolutely no one else around- we started hearing banjo music. So we decided to saddle up and get the hell out of there.

Here is Jeff hearing the banjo music:

We thought we were back on Sharps Chapel- but we actually came to another dead end by the Lake. It appeared to be a development that never took off- and it is spectacularly beautiful countryside.

Here is a view of the mountain side:

And a closer look:

The lake side view:

We finally saw a mail truck and watched which way he went helping us to make our way back to 33.

We decided to head back toward Knoxville as it had started to sprinkle and the skies got darker and darker. About halfway back to Knoxville the weather cleared, but they were paving the road and we sat for what seemed like 20 minutes before we got through the mess.

Finally on our way again we decided to stop for lunch at the Amber Restaurant in Halls- where the food is always great.

During lunch- we ran into some of our neighbors- so we shot the bull for awhile and then headed back home.

Our entire trip was around 90 miles- and even though Silas (our co-worker) has told us about Chuck Swan for years, we don't remember him ever telling us about the music.

Until next time.... Jeff and Pam.

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