MOUSETAIL PICNIC

Submitted by Greg Schwartzmiller

Chapter “D” Madison, Indiana

(Editor’s note:  This article was forwarded to me by Don Oller.  Apparently Greg Schwartzmiller had sent it to me in an e-mail last June, but I never got it.)

Mouse-Tail Bound.  June 4, 2004 the weather report was for sunny, warm weather and a possible chance for a thundershower on June 6. Perfect for weekend ride and camping.

Pulled the bike out of the shed and hooked up our Aspen Classic camper.  Threw in a couple of bags for cloths, everything else for camping stays loaded, and strapped the dog carrier to the top. Cooler full of cold water, loaded Pepper (dog), Mary and myself, we were off.

Tried the new trailer brake cutoff switch, working fine.  Had pulled the trailer without the electric brakes and the trailer pushes while braking.  Hooked up an electronic brake controller and at slow speed, parking lots and such, the trailer brake engaging makes stopping choppy. With a cutoff switch in the controller battery wire the brakes can be turned off as needed.

Left Bedford, KY and headed west on Rt. 42 to ensure the dog carrier was secure and fueled up. Picked up Interstate 71, then the Louisville bypass to 31E south.  Much nicer riding off the interstate highway and away from the 18-wheelers.  Cruised through Bardstown, the Bourbon capital, and inhaled some of the Angles share from the bourbon barns.  Angles share is the bourbon that evaporates out of the oak barrels while the bourbon ages.

First break, 100 miles, needed to let the dog stretch her legs and for all to take on a load of water, not too hot today, need to hydrate though. Fueled the 84 aspy, 37 mpg, not bad for towing the trailer.  Loaded up and continued on 31E south to Glasgow and was slowed a bit through town with all the traffic lights.  Did a time check, 1100 EDST, have to remember we crossed into central time, making good time for being off the super slab.  Tennessee boarder coming up and the boarder patrol (TSP) were doing a seat belt check. While moving up the road at negative mph and digging out the driver’s license we get to the roadblock.  Trooper takes a look at us and does a wave through.  Subway ahead and needed a pit stop, grabbed a couple of six-inchers and shared them with Pepper.

Coming into the outskirts of Nashville, made another gas stop, another 110 miles down.

We decide to follow 31E south to the northern beltway around Nashville, pick up 65S and then 40W to exit 196.  Won’t take this route again, traffic light every quarter mile and they were red every time we got to one.  We were going to take the Natchez Trace Parkway south, better find a fuel stop and top off since I didn’t know how close the gas stations are to the Trace.

Onto the Natchez Trace Parkway.  Ten miles down the Trace and what a nice ride, very little traffic.  Rode about 60 some miles to Rt. 241 and the campground we were staying at.  While checking in Mary was picking up the campground notices.  Set up the popup and read the notice about a hotdog and chili cookout, donation 2 bucks, can handle that.  Loaded the three of us on the bike and rode over to the main pavilion. Helped the park employee unload the drinks and such from the van and stoked the fire up.  It was getting close to 1900 hours and some other campers were gathering.  So we all set around the campfire and cooked hotdogs, had chili, chips and made smores.

The Mouse-tail picnic was to start at 1000 hours.  By guesstamate, it would be a 40-mile ride. Strapped the dog carrier on the wing and went in search of the Mouse-tail picnic.  Ran the back road to Hohenwald and picked up Rt. 412.  When leaving Linden there was a sign directing the way to the park.  The only problem we had was reading the signs Freedom Wings had directing the way to the gathering.  Color of the signs was bright enough; the black maker was not large enough to see easily.  We did find the picnic.

The folks of Freedom Wings are a friendly bunch and made us all welcome.  Sighed in, grabbed some water and got to meet some folks. Played some games, had plingo, bean bag toss, washer slide and drop the quarter in the shot glass. We won a bunch of tickets and Mary started stuffing the prizes with tickets.  About that time the BBQ pork was ready and time to eat.  The Freedom Wings put on a great feed.  If any one left hungry it was their own fault.

After the feeding frenzy was over the door prizes were given out.  Did pretty good, Mary won some prizes.  Had a good time shooting the breeze with the other folks.  Could not eat any more pork bbq and Don was pushing a huge plate of bbq at me.  Put the bbq in the saddlebag to take bake to camp.

Upon returning to camp the park rangers asked how we liked the area for riding.  Told them it was good riding and that we were at an AGWA picnic and ate a lot of pork bbq.  The rangers asked why we didn’t bring any back.  To which I replied would you like some bbq, and they said sure thing.  Made a couple of friends by sharing some good food.

Sunday we packed up camp, loaded Pepper in her carrier.  Jumped onto the Trace and picked up Rt. 412 to Columbia, TN.  Made a fuel stop and ate at Stan’s Restaurant.  That’s the first we heard about President Regan passing away.  Stan’s is a good place to eat, not smoke free though.  Left there and onto Rt. 65N to Rt. 840 which had next to no traffic.  This was the route we should have taken on the way down instead of fighting the masses around Nashville in the traffic.

We headed the Wing north on Rt231 to Rt31E north.  The weather reports kept calling for thunder showers most of the day.  Luckily we left early enough to stay ahead of the rain and had a dry trip back to Bedford, KY.  Pulled into the driveway about 1730 hours.  Total miles ridden for this trip was 760.

Would like to thank the folks of the Freedom Wings for a fine time and friendship.  Will put your picnic on the calendar for next year.