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]]> http://norrishighlands.com/puncheon-camp/feed/ 0 http://norrishighlands.com/adventurous-bikes-follow-trail-to-oklahoma-from-jellico-tn/ http://norrishighlands.com/adventurous-bikes-follow-trail-to-oklahoma-from-jellico-tn/#comments Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:18:31 +0000 Tim Knight http://norrishighlands.com/?p=161 You can tell from a distance, they’re a different breed of riders.

Their bikes flash a little less chrome. Their brightly colored fenders provide ample clearance above the knobby tires.

They’re a little taller and leaner looking than HOGs or Goldwings.

These bikes and their riders choose rugged terrain rather than smooth highways — they are off roaders — dirt bikers.

Frank Leonard and Bob Helzen parked their BMW dirt bikes outside of Alva’s McDonalds Tuesday morning while they went inside for some breakfast. The Seattle, Washington, mechanical contractors are dirt bikers following the TransAmerica Trail from Jellico, Tenn., to the Oregon coast.

Sam Correro, a Cleveland, Mississippi, pharmacist, spent more than 15 years mapping The TransAmerican Trail, ironically is known as TAT, an acronym similar to the original transcontinental airline/rail service based in this area.

The TransAmerican Trail stretches from the Appalachian Mountains, through the plains of Oklahoma and across the Rockies for 4,700 miles.

The Alva Review-Courier first became aware of this TAT in 2002 when six hot, dusty dirt bikers from California known as Cole’s Riders spent the night here on their way from the Pacific to the Atlantic.

Leonard and Helzen left Tennessee on July 1. By the time they reached Alva, they’d come 1300 miles, about a third of the way. “It’s still a fair jog,” Helzen said.

Correro’s map leads bikers on dirt roads through Oklahoma near the Kansas border. After traveling the trail himself several times, Correro added Alva to the map as a hospitable place to stop and spend the night, find something to eat, and relax.

Leonard and Helzen spent the night in Cherokee. They filled up on barbecue fare at the Smok Shack where they were smitten by waitresses named Courtney and Liz. “Liz is a darling,” Leonard said. They told of discussions with Courtney about her upcoming wedding in Hawaii to Alva Police Officer Aaron Barber. They enjoyed a few beers at Mel’s bar in Cherokee, a place they described as looking like it was closed but it wasn’t.

The benefit of off road riding is seeing otherwise obscured scenery. Off road riding also offers its own set of challenges.

Inevitably, dirt bikers encounter storms, muddy roads and other hazards along the trail.

The Washington duo’s cargo strapped to the back of their bikes included a tent for those times they chose to sleep under the stars.

Torrential rains hit about 2 a.m. while camping in Mississippi one night.

“We had terribly heavy rain,” Leonard said. “We didn’t have our rain flaps on.”

They woke up soaked.

Their journey to date also included one crash, due in part to previous rains. Leonard, normally the lead driver, hit a patch of thick mud.

“It was like grease,” Helzen said of the gooey soil. Leonard said he was going too fast, hit the mud and lost control of his bike.

The crash knocked off some of his equipment strapped to the bike and broke the corner of the windshield which he repaired with duct tape. Helzen watched the wreck from a safe distance behind.. “I provided his entertainment for the day,” Leonard said good-naturedly.

Leonard said he’d seen a number of deer going across the road in front of them, but had managed to avoid any collisions.

“Our biggest hazard is cars,” the men said. “We have to make sure they see us.”

Leonard and Helzen were anxious to get to Colorado and the mountains.

“No offense,” Leonard said smiling politely, “but it’s kind of flat here.”

The duo had also been afflicted by what they described as “terrible heat — up in the 80°s.”

They were dreading the ride through the panhandle where temperatures were forecast to reach the century mark.

Fortunately, when they left Alva, the temperatures were moderate and a few clouds filled the sky.

“We’re creaming the ride,” Leonard said quoting his riding partner. “In every state we ride at least four hours on the dirt trail.”

Since they have to be home by July 20, they take advantage of highways the rest of the day.

“We haven’t met anybody that’s not friendly,” Leonard said. Helzen agreed saying, “Everyone has been super.”

There was one other thing the Washington natives really liked about Oklahoma — “You don’t have to wear a helmet if you don’t want to.”

More dirt bikers were behind them on the trail. Leonard said they met two men who started riding in Atlanta to raise funds for a children’s hospital.

Next time you see a motorcycle that looks like it belongs on the dunes, not the freeways, take time to say hello. They could be from California, Washington, Canada, England, France Switzerland or Germany.

Believe it or not, people ship their bikes and fly to Memphis to ride the TransAmerican Trail.

And that trail leads them through — or close by — Alva, America.

SOURCE: The Alva Review / Courier

READ MORE at The Oak Ridger

But one flavor has taken on almost mystical properties.

“We call it miracle ice,” says MeChell Warner, 36, a loyal Razzleberry customer whose husband, Joe Warner, 34, was gravely ill this spring.

Read Article from KnoxNews.com

The town changed its name to Lake City in 1939, commemorating the formation of nearby Norris Lake, which was created by the Tennessee Valley Authority’s construction of Norris Dam, which was completed in 1936.

That history, and much more, was recalled during a 100th birthday banquet last Thursday night in the Family Life Center at Main Street Baptist Church.

Longtime pharmacist Carl Dew and former journalist Boomer Winfrey shared stories about growing up and living in Coal Creek and Lake City.

“At one time, Briceville had more people than we did,” Dew said.

“When we lost the hospital and the high school we lost part of our identity,” Dew said of the town’s history.

“There’re a lot of things to be proud of about Lake City,” Winfrey said, including its “colorful” people and their sense of humor.

Former Lady Vol basketball standout Shelly Sexton-Collier, who grew up in Lake City and now coaches basketball at Webb School in Knoxville, said Lake City is “a town I love. It’s a joy and a blessing to have been raised in this small town.

“Lake City is a bunch of people willing to step out on faith and be a team,” Sexton-Collier said.

She said the town’s collective values, character, faith, and work ethic have made “a tremendous impact” on her life, as well as many others.

“There are so many things … you just cannot put a price tag on,” she said.

U.S. Rep. Zach Wamp, who represents Tennessee’s Third Congressional District and is a candidate for governor, said Lake City is a town grown out of challenges and adversity.

“Your history has given you character. There is a tremendous heritage here,” Wamp said.

Thursday’s banquet, attended by an estimated 125 citizens, was part of a multi-day celebration of Lake City’s 100th birthday. The party culminated Saturday with the city’s annual Independence Day activities.

Leean Tupper can be contacted at (865) 220-5501.

Source: The Oak Ridger

Howard Armstrong was the most unique individual I’ve ever known.  He was fiercely Independent, yet always a gentleman full of grace and disarming humor.  Stand him up before a runaway train and he’d find a way to maneuver out of the situation with seemingly little more than a Cheshire smile!  This Houdini-like jujutsu is what friends came to recognize as ‘Howard’s Magic’.

Howard’s Magic would show up again and again in incredible ways.  He was a master musician, ambidextrous painter, storyteller and poet, but most of all he was a master of timing.  He never liked to rehearse too much.  His preferred approach was straight out of Vaudeville.  He had his routines so down pat, that he only needed the right opportunity to ‘flip the switch’ that would turn on that perfect song, story or joke that fit the moment.  In fact, maybe that was the secret to his magic; living completely, unreservedly and unapologetically in the moment!  He was the very definition of a self-possessed individual without petty contrivance or overly-affected demeanor.  His sincerity was always true, though not always discernable to the biased observer.  He was impervious to the opinions and prejudices of others, always holding his self-worth as an estimation of his own calculation.  To some it was an irritation, to others, a wonderful joy to behold!

Howard was born in Dayton, TN but grew up in what he always considered his hometown, La Follette.  Howard’s father moved the family from Dayton to take advantage of the booming coal and iron industry in the early 20s.  Howard learned to play string-band music from his father, and later began a professional career in Knoxville at the age of 14.  He became a virtuoso on both mandolin and violin playing a variety of musical styles including Ragtime, Tin Pan Alley, Jazz, Country, Blues & Gospel.

Over the years Howard learned to play 22 instruments and speak seven languages which enhanced to his ability to create that magic.  On one night in Chicago Howard’s Magic was in full force.  Howard and his band went into the Italian district to find work.  This district, like most ethnic areas back then, was very prejudice against outsiders and other ethnic groups.  The ever-confident Howard was undeterred and convinced his fellow bandmates to give it a try.  (What made matters worse was the fact that Primo Carnera, an Italian boxer, had just lost his heavyweight title the night before to Joe Louis!)  Needless to say, most Italians were not in the mood to be hospitable towards African Americans that day.

Howard entered the Italian bar and immediately noticed the chilly reception.  The band froze, and luckily, Howard was struck with some timely inspiration.  He began speaking his “Tennessee Italian” that he had learned from the Lobertinis back in La Follette.  This worked like a charm as the Italians were stunned and amazed by black musicians who could play and sing Italian songs like “Oh Marie.”

Another of those magic moments occurred one evening in 2001 at the Hampton Inn in Caryville, TN. Howard performed his favorite German song “Du Du Liegst Mir Im Herzen.”  Afterwards, a lady in the crowd, who just happened to be from Germany, announced that the tune was not only her favorite, but that Howard’s performance was flawless!  She came up to Howard later and everyone marveled at their excited conversation, in German of course.

A documentary film was made about Howard in 2000 called “Sweet Old Song.”  In this award-winning film, Howard and his wife Barbara are shown coming back to La Follette for a “Homecoming Celebration.”  The buzz from that event gave birth to the very successful Louie Bluie Music and Arts Festival held annually at Cove Lake State Park.

For information about this year’s festival visit the website at:   www.LouieBluie.org.

There will be a link available soon with details regarding how you can watch “Sweet Old Song” on your computer.  The streaming video is being made available for Howard’s 100^th birthday.

Another bit of Howard’s Magic involves WWII.  Howard happened to be in the Civil Service in Hawaii at the time of Pearl Harbor.  He taught music to those who were subsequently placed in the Internment Camps and became very fond of performing the Hawaiian tune “You’ll Never Find Another Kanaka Like Me.”  At the end of his concerts he’d often close with the wistful tune repeating the motto of Hawaii:  “Ua Mau Ke Ea I Ka Aina I Ka Pono,” which translates to: “the prosperity of the land is established upon Righteousness.”  Howard’s Magic is something we all could learn from, because ultimately, it is the empowering ability of finding a way to turn life’s lemons into lemonade.