This was my second trip to Suches Georgia. It was every bit as fun, exciting and educational as last time. Sue, Rose, Barb, Lisa and Phoebe are a blast.

We left a little after 7am. Barb brought us Starbucks to get started on our maiden voyage. (Yes I said maiden after all this is a girls only trip) 1st stop Kingman Arizona, 96 degrees out and its October (Indian Summer?) My cell phone was rendered useless on just about the whole trip (except for the most city areas…can you hear me now?).

On to Santa Rosa New Mexico. Last trip we stayed 2 days in Santa Rosa due to the extremely inclement weather (lighting, thunder, rain, wind,and tornados). The KOA has converted to a Good Sam and now has a diner on site.

As we were heading to Texas, I had the 72 oz free steak on my mind. It was to early in the day when we passed thru perhaps on the way back? (It will give me more time to think about it).

Leaving Oklahoma we passed thru Arkansas not even stopping for gas. The roads seemed to have improved 99%. Now if they could just do something to the Memphis exits before we arrive next year. We arrive in Memphis in the afternoon. (Koa is now a Good Sam? Whats up with that?) The lights on the estate grounds at Graceland were pink in honor of Breast Cancer awareness month. Lisa is arriving tomorrow making our party complete!!! Nice weather a little cooler.

Morning arrives and we are ready to go. Just waiting on Lisa to cab in. She arrives and we are off not a moment too soon. We make a historical stop at the Shiloh National Military Park. (Battle of Shiloh 1862)

Shiloh Monument

We were walking on an actual battlefield, from what I can see, I don’t know how they protected themselves. Tennessee is a long state. We did visit the Cracker Barrel (shopping/eating in 1 stop/location) we will be leaving tomorrow. Weather warm.

I am not going to go into the scenery or the fall foliage. You just have to see for your self.

Look at the photos. It’s gorgeous. We finally arrived at Two Wheels Only (TWO) setting up our camp at the Two Wheels Only Extended Camp Grounds at the Airport. Still the same, only they have added 3 brand new family size cabins out near the landing strip. After many miles of traveling in a motor home, it was great to get out. We have all of today and tomorrow to play and relax. Sunday is the “BIG” Ride. Guess what? We are no longer in Central we are now in Eastern Time. What time is it???? Who knows, let's just say its fun time. We suit up and go for a ride. When I say suit up I mean Leathers, Back protector, boots, gloves and of course helmet. After our ride we have to leave our camp area and ride to the TWO lodge for good food and of course to visit with good people. We visit for a while and head back to our campground. After all a girl needs her beauty sleep and tomorrow is another day.

We have to go for a ride again. I rode out with my jeans and turtleneck and heavy jacket. Not fully suited up, I don’t feel as safe. So After our lunch at the little place down the road, I leave Rose, Barb and Lisa and return to the campground. Sue has left for the lodge. I am back about 10 minutes when some one is knocking on the door. I open it to see Denise, a fellow California rider who flew to Georgia just to see Lisa and see first hand this place called Suches and what it was all about. She also has a rental car.

Linda Garmon arrives with Tom. She came to sell her bike and of course to see us. Now the thought of buying a bike never crossed my mind (remember I'm thinking about a 72 oz steak) but the bike is street legal. It looked good and no one else seemed to be making a move. I am now the proud owner of a street legal YSR50.

No cell service in the hills (my phone is not the only one) we have Denise take us to Dahlonega where apparently there is cell service. While there, we shop and get Rose a birthday cake and mail our post cards. We get back just in time to gear up and get to the lodge for dinner and to register for the ride.

Again as expected, there is always good food. Rain has been forecast for our big ride on Sunday. We have a good time at the lodge and they have a super great Blue Grass band to play for the night.

They are terrific. After meeting up at the lodge and talking to every one from East coast and the locals from Georgia (We must be the only ones from the West coast), it was time to head home and get rested for tomorrow. Day light savings time ends (Spring forward-Fall back). It’s fall so we turn the clocks back 1 hour. Its really not that complicated (unless you have been traveling for a number of days adding an hour here and there) and now we actually get to turn back an hour? What day is it? What time is it? This time its really important because we have to ride tomorrow. And will there be rain? We still have to blow up birthday balloons for Rose. Is she asleep yet?

Arrived in Memphis again. After Barb left, we put out the gloves boots and helmets to dry in the sun. We did laundry and Lisa and I went to Graceland.

Drying Out in Memphis Elvis Lives

It’s just across the street from the campground but you have to take a shuttle bus in and out. We came back and later that night Sue, Rose, Lisa and I went to Beale Street. We also stopped at the Peabody Hotel were the ducks swim in the fountain. Most of Beale Street is closed on Monday. But you can always find good food. Lisa and I split a rack of ribs. (Lisa has decided she will join me in the 72 oz challenge.)We take the River Loop Trolley and were the only ones on the trolley. The driver slowed down to show us places of interest we may want to see next year.

We are on our way home. I believe we stopped in Sallisaw, there were ducks roaming freely at the KOA campground. Pygmy goats, some chickens and a rooster in a cage. In another cage there were 2 huge honking geese. We watch the local news every night to see the weather for the next day. In our neck of the woods there always seemed to be something going on. This particular night, they mention that it is a perfect opportunity to see the Aurora Borealis ("The Northern Lights").The lights where supposed to be most visible at 2AM in the north sky. Rose said she would get up to see it with me. So there we are at 2AM outside I have on my fleece lined jeans and my down jacket. Hands in pockets. Head craned up towards the Northern sky waiting. I myself have never seen so many shooting stars. (That in it self was worth getting up to see.) The sky to the north takes on a white looking aura. I am expecting a colorful flashing light display (maybe the color to the pink lights (like at Graceland) but as it turns out this may just be it. At 2:30 we head back in and go to bed. Big day ahead of us in a few hours.

Heading out to see the Oklahoma Memorial in down town Oklahoma City. We had to go under a very low over pass. (What is the Height of the motor home?) We made it! We get parked. (How many parking meters does it take to park the motor home and trailer?) The stop was well worth it.

It was truly a well-planned tribute to those who lost their lives as well as those who survived. It brought tears to my eyes, especially the Childrens Area, The Survivor Tree, The Field of Empty Chairs, and The Gates of Time.

(Took Pictures with Barb's camera that she left with us.)

This is the 72oz Steak on the Grill! The Begining The Middle Making Headway The End!

On our way home. We are all tired. Will my leathers be stinky and molding? (They were soaking wet when we wedged them onto the trailer floor). What about the boots? Will we have to plan a new route home? (With all the fires in Southern California)

Southern California Smoke..In New Mexico!

Is this wind going to die down? Are we going to Peggy Sues? (A 50’s diner and shopping stop!) We do stop at Peggy Sue’s. I buy candy, big hunks, bit o honeys, chick 'o sticks, sesame honeys, (the kinds I use to eat in my youth). Then I see the Wonka bars (I have to buy them for the kids). We are no longer in Cracker Barrel County…already I am missing the fried okra. More pictures with Barb's camera. Should I use all the film on this roll? Back on the road, the sky is beautiful. We take more pictures with Barbs camera. (After all she left us in Memphis and we want her to see what she missed). When will Barb develop the film?