In the previous report I posted a photo of and mentioned an FJR rider (Wayne) that I stopped by to see while I was in Michigan.  During our visit I asked him for his opinion of the mileage remaining on my rear tire.  I was hoping for something like “Its got LOTS of life left!”, but unfortunately he concurred with my “this sucks” evaluation.  My original plan before starting out on this “FJR Fall Full Circle” in mid-August was that after coming through Michigan I would make my down to Chattanooga, TN to meet the 87 year old family Matriarch for our weekend of camping (octogenarian style, of course) by way of a Maryland/Virginia route.  I think it was somewhere in North Dakota I began to question whether or not that “indirect” route would be possible given the tire wear, then I all but accepted it wouldn't be while I made my way around Lake Superior in Ontario.  After the rubber conference with Wayne, who was familiar with both the same bike and same tire, I had no choice but to formulate and accept a new plan.    Those who have been following my adventures of late are aware I've been nursing a sprained ankle since a tree root jumped up out of the ground during a hike last week and tripped me (report: HERE ).  The injured ankle forced a change in subsequent hiking plans and thus I've been ahead of schedule.  Having both a bum ankle and bum rear tire did not leave many options in my adventure bag of plans, so I decided the best idea would be to head straight to my other home in Nashville since I could not only give my ankle an extra day's rest, but I could also swap out the FJR motorcycle I've been riding for my V-Strom (ah, the advantages of having a bike on both sides of the country!) then deal with mounting up the new tires when I returned from my long weekend with the Matriarch.    I don't have any photos of this 500 mile ride from Michigan to Nashville since, well, it was simply lopping down I-75 to I-65 with really only memories of green exit signs.  Having spent the vast majority of the previous 6,500 miles on quiet and scenic backroads, it was indeed an experience shift.  I did, however, use the time to reflect on the adventures of recent as well as formulate ideas and plans for future ones.... of course, with a fresh set of tires and a healed ankle!   So, I've spent the past week here in Tennessee.  First, camping with the Matriarch in Crossville, TN (where she has owned a camper in the same place for over 30 years), then here in Nashville where I've enjoyed spending time with my Dad as well as welcoming my girlfriend Kobi from Phoenix to Music City for a few days.  I have a photos from the week's various events but I'm not sure I'll have time to load them as I'm preparing both my bikes for departure on Thursday back to Arizona.    (I'll post whatever photos I can below).  My Suzuki V-Strom DL1000 will be piloted by my friend Scott, who will be celebrating his birthday and his first cross-country ride when we pull out of Nashville!    More later.... AGirl   How could I pass up the opportunity to post a photo of the Matriarch so that her friends can rag her “Your picture is all over the internet ya know!!” (Now all the Grandmothers can worry about something together).... So, here I am with the most influential female of my life, the Matriarch: Better not get in the way of a certain 87 year old's golf cart (or Cadillac).  Think rev-limiter people: Not a bad place to spend a long weekend... or go “camping” a weekend or two every month during the summer for the past 33 years, huh?: We had a visitor to camp one day... Scott rode over from Nashville on his V-Strom...: We met another friend on our way up to camp (Matriarch with my friend David): “Can you just disable all that flashing & beeping junk Cadillac has added?  I did just fine all those years without it!”: But the Matriarch does like seeing this flashing... the “Hot” light sign at Krispy Kreme Doughnuts (yeah, it's a bit humid here): Look what Southwest Air delivered... Kobi (with Scott in downtown Nashville): Shelby Street Bridge (pedestrian), downtown Music City USA: T-shirt seen along Lower Broadway: My Dad and Kobi with a neighbor's oak tree, which was recently deemed to be between 250 and 300 years old!: Kobi with Carol Fay, the famous “Biscuit Lady” during breakfast at Loveless Cafe: Inside the nationally acclaimed, quaint cafe:   How 'bout some ridin' people?!  Yup, time for some “Two Chicks, Two Wheels” adventure... WOO-HOO!!!   Kobi and I rode along with Scott for a beautiful 200 mile day jaunt down the backroads of Middle Tennessee.   One stop included “Cannonsburgh Village”, a reconstructed Southern Village in Murfreesboro, TN...   Who knew 'em farmers were out there diggin' up the ground on Porsches? Hmmm, well, I guess a lot has changed over the years?   Ya'll got a Fall Festival that features Cloggin'?   Another stop, this one at Radnor Lake...: ...where there always seems to be one of these on a log: I have no idea why Kobi took this pic nor what I might have been pointing to.  Looks like it should be called the “ET finger pic” if you ask me!:    Headed for Jack Daniels Distillery in Lynchburg, TN for a tour of the facilities: A few other two-wheeled nuts had the same idea today: Entrance to the Visitor Center: Short 3 minute ride on a tour bus   A special kind of mold grows near a distillery; evaporating spirits from the resting barrels nearby cause a black mold on buildings and trees in the area. During the moonshine days it was the color of the tree trunks that tipped off the authorities: Pay attention, there will be a test later.... One of the many “Barrel houses” (storage) on property: Rickyard:   There talkin' whiskey, I'm talking life!: Firetruck on the right “still runs” (forgot the name), on the left is an “REO Speedwagon” firetruck: Limestone spring water, which is 100% iron free, “is the key to making the Tennessee whiskey”: No, seriously, these motorcycle kickstand plates were for sale: Webmaster Note:   Don't expect many updates for the next couple of weeks.  I somehow doubt that I'll have much of an opportunity to post much, even if AGirl does get some reports written, since wherever she is I will be to.  I'll try but most likely any further updates will have to wait until I get back to Nashville on October 18. Copyright © 2006-2012, All Rights Reserved.