Winchester 2605 total miles

We were supposed to be in Fayetteville tonight but were feeling it so churned out another 50 miles to end up in Winchester tennesee. Great town that kept us under budget for the night at $43 all in. Fist bump on that one. The day started bright and sunny with not a cloud In the sky. Our hotel last night did not have breakfast so we headed in to town to feed the savage soul before our ride. Low and behold right after the first turn what should appear but a waffle house. Yum! Did not know that kiwi had a bad history with them but we decided to try again. Got to chat with a good old gal that had worked for waffle house for 21 years. Damn that is a lot of waffles. We headed out on the Natchez trace again andhad a fabulous ride. All of the traffic seemed to be going the other way so we figured we were shittin' in tall cotton. Sat back and listened to the flatty sing it's song mile after mile. During a trip like this it never gets tiring listening to the motor purr and churn out the miles. Stopped to take a pic at the state line as we crossed In to Alabama. The only state kiwi has missed so far is new Mexico and that is becuae the sign was right on the side of the road with no where to pull the bike around to get a pic. After the pic we headed on down the black ribbon until we came upon some massive Indian burial mounds. I have seen mounds before in Minnesota but nothing like these. They had to be 20 feet tall. I explained to kiwi the significance of the mounds and why a pic was in order. He just thought they we piles of dirt. I could see why as I am guessing they do not have burial mounds in kiwi land. Our need for fuel took over and we asked some nice folks on real pedal bikes about a good exit. They told us to go the Florence route so off we went. As we headed east towards Florence we had the tiny county road to ourselves. I was newly paved so a del it to travel on. About half way to Florence we see a little Alabama burg called Oakland. They have a feed store on one side ofthe road and a gas station on the other. Good enough for us so we hang a right and screech to a stop in front of the pumps. Several people walk by and yak with us until finally a young man comes out and he really knows vintage bikes. We yak like old buds and he clearly has a great appreciation for what we are doig and the motorcycles themselves. As he is about to leave he tells us his name is so and so but everyone calls me tackle box. Guess why? I am looking at him and he has many piercings on his face as well as ear plugs I think they are called. Very unusual looking for this neck of the woods. As he and kiwi are talking I am thinking that looks Like a fishing lure hanging down. I am thinking it might have been. Super nice young man and we were so pissed at ourselves that we got so engrossed in conversation that we for got to take a pic with him. As kiwi is in getting our change who should roll back in but tackle box! He had gone to pick up a young lady and another friend so they could see the bikes. We were thrilled to see him. Tonya jumps out of his jeep and runs over to my bike for a pic. Two there and then she runs over to kiwi and takes 2 more there. Tackle box had one with me and then with kiwi so everyone was happy. They jumped back in their jeep so not to be late to work and off they went as we were gunning the motors into first gear. Tackle box- we were so glad to have met you guys. You brightened our day as well. We started I Mississippi and then put Alabama in the rear view mirror as we crossed into tennesee. As we hit lawrenceburg kiwi noticed it was the birth place of davey crocket so another huge photo op. While we were stopped we figured we might as well inquire about lunch from one of the locals. Kiwi got directions to some good catfish so off we went. Had no trouble finding the place but the catfish in the bucket had been there a while. The lady behind the counter said why don't I just cook up some fresh for you boys. How could we refuse such southern hospitality? As we sat waiting for the fish to be cooked 2 young men swung In the parking lot and were ogling the bikes. They finally came in and were 2 of the nicest most polite young men we have ever encountered. They were in awe of the bikes and even more so whe we told them where we had started. Later their dad came in and we had a wonderful chat with the whole group. We ended up being there an hour having a blast with all of the folks that stopped in t see us. Not sure if someone was calling them or they just saw the action. Doesn't matter we had a hoot yakking about our trip and the bikes. Get this- as we are talking a guy comes over wearing a weathered coast guard cap. He had a wonderful time talking to kiwi about the bike and our trip. How do you write that script that he is driving into the same place we have stopped for lunch? Some things are meant to be. Wish we had more time to hang with you guys but the open road never stops calling. Just know we loved having you enjoy the bikes and our company for even that brief time. The rest of the day was oo ding the road to get some extra miles in. Ended up In winchester and as I said earlier we were under budget for the sleeping accommodations. Dinner and a good night sleep then do it all over again. Things are about to pick up significantly as we head into north Carolina tomorrow looking at the tail of the dragon Wednesday morning. Bring it on baby!