Annual Motorcycle Roadtrip to Tennessee/North Carolina - part 1

Thursday, we embarked on our annual roadtrip to Tennessee, to ride in the Smoky Mountains. We are taking our trailer for Blackie, instead of U-Haul. After our success with gorilla tape on the fender, and some new LED lights, Tony felt that we’d be good.

Our plan was to leave early on Thursday with a layover in Pruett, Alabama (leaves us about four hours from Al and Eileen’s). Problem with these stops is finding a room that is “decent.” I read plenty of reviews on TripAdvisor – none so great. But landed on the Econo Lodge since it said it had remodeled rooms. I even called and they said they’d give us one of the remodeled rooms. Off we go on Thursday morning. Little later than I hoped, but pretty good. Poor Abby was sitting at the fence next to the garage. She doesn’t like us leaving her, even if she does have Paul staying with her. Taking the southern route – 35 to 20 to 59 to 75 to 321 to Al & Eileen’s – going from Texas to Louisiana to Mississippi to Alabama to Georgia to Tennessee. I spell Tony on the driving after Shreveport and before Vicksburg. I hate driving the truck, especially with a trailer attached, so my driving part is on flat, boring parts (meaning: Louisiana and Mississippi). We get to the Econo Lodge in Gadsen (https://www.choicehotels.com/alabama/gadsden/econo-lodge-hotels/al496?mc=llgoxxpx). Looks pretty empty. Check in. Get to room – plenty of parking for truck and trailer. At first glance, the room looked remodeled (bed and bedding and flooring). But, we quickly see that it looks like the police tried to break in – the door was dented and the security latch was broken. And, the bathroom door wouldn’t shut – and the knob didn’t work and the paint was all chipped. And was kind of dirty.

We head to Pruett’s BBQ for dinner since it was rated the best in the area. (https://www.facebook.com/pruettsbbq/) It’s technically Pruett’s BBQ, Fried Chicken & Home Cookin’ – Tony ordered the BBQ mixed plate (with beef and pork), but he’s already worried that it will disappoint (he’s a Texan and has thoughts on BBQ). It did. It was a plate of chopped meat with sauce. I don’t really like BBQ so I ordered the fried chicken (25 minute wait). My fried chicken was worth the wait. Great crust, and juicy. My sides of hush puppies and mac ‘n cheese were pretty good – but nothing to rave about.

Get back to the room in time to watch Golden State Warriors end the series against the Mavericks. Not a great night sleep. Every time Tony turned over, there was this loud noise like a bass drum. Figured out in the morning it was because the bed base is basically an aluminum can. We head out and stop at Jack’s for breakfast sandwiches before we hit the road. OK, Jack’s looks a lot like Jack in the Box (https://www.eatatjacks.com/). But they aren’t owned by the same company (Jack’s is an Alabama-based restaurant chain and Jack in the box is a San Diego-based restaurant chain https://investors.jackinthebox.com/home/default.aspx ). Since Tony didn’t sleep well, we did stop at a rest area. I went on a walk around the rest area and got some Fitbit steps in! We also stopped at Chattanooga’s Harley dealership (it opens at 9 am!) – White Lightning. We get to Maryville around noon.

Saturday morning, we went for a short ride. First to Riverstone Restaurant in Townsend, Tennessee, our go-to breakfast stop (sweet cream pancakes are awesome), then over Little River Road to Metcalf Bottoms (we see that there is a road that takes you to Wears Valley that we haven’t tried). There is – and it’s curvy and shortly you’re in Wears Valley! https://smokymountains.com/park/things-to-do/little-river-road/ Then over to the new Foothills Parkway to the old Foothills Parkway (closed at Lookout area so we take Happy Valley Road over to 129, a fun little ride with a really hard left). Then over to Dragon City and the Punkin Center. Then up to 336 to 411 and then 411 to Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson (https://www.smh-d.com/) for a beer (sadly they don’t have Michigan’s Bells beers this year).

Then to Hot Rods (https://hotrods50sdiner.com/ ) for an early dinner. Hot Rods menu is just a bit overwhelming with options: burgers, sandwiches, plates, hot dogs, ice cream floats and shakes and and and. Tony actually flips his challenge coin to see if he’ll have a burger or meatloaf. Meatloaf won – the brown gravy was really good.