May 28 thru May 31
Thrills, Spills, and Chills in the Hills of West Tennessee
OK.....before you get any more cool pictures and videos of our Westpoint ride you need to hear the back story to appreciate this Memorial Weekend.My son Jimmy met this group last year while riding/camping at Ride Royal Blue in Eastern Tennessee. This year we received an invitation to come to Westpoint Tennessee and ride with them on Memorial Day Weekend. I had competed in a National Motorcycle Race there in 2009. I knew the trails were great and these folks were super cool so we accepted. What we didn't know was they had planned a Memorial Service for one of their dear friends, a young lady who was part of their group and loved by so many.
Danielle and her unborn were killed in an automobile accident in January. She was only 26 years old. Her 2 year old daughter, who was also in the vehicle, survived with minor injuries. This weekend was dedicated to her not only because she was loved but she loved these hills, creeks, camping, riding, etc.
Many of the pictures are from Saturdays dedication, unveiling of her memorial swing, a ride in her honor to a trail named for her, a toast by her friends and family using a drink she developed called "Hippie Juice" and a catered lunch for all who attended.
I will tell you right now....many times during the celebration there was not a dry eye to be found. This was a very somber and sad part of the weekend but certainly deserving of her family.
Danielle's RZR...looking sharp for the dedication. Someone said when they first met Danielle she was wearing a long pony tail that matched the pink on her buggy. Another friend called her a Hippie.....hence "Hippie Juice".
Such a beautiful place for a camp site. This was Danielle's favorite spot to hang out.
A big thanks goes out to James, the property owner for letting the Gang use this for the Memorial.
What's under that blue tarp?
How about a closer look.
That's Riley with her dad Kyle.
NOTE......Click on the icon in lower right corner for full screen view of videos.
You can thank me later.
I may post the Blog before I get the videos to co-operate....If so, just check back in again at a later date. Thank you all and hope you enjoy the pictures and stories
Danielle's family on the her swing for pictures.
Great Grandma and Great Grandpa, Danielles Dad and Husband with Riley.
Kyle, Riley and Danielle's dad "Peanut"
Not a dry eye anywhere in this group. Such a deserving Memorial.....
The Riders Tribute to a dear friend and fellow Rider. The camp is in the background along a beautiful creek. This private property was the perfect place for the dedication.
Thank you to James, A friend of the family and President of North Alabama Trail Riders.
BACK AT CAMP FOR LUNCH
The Gang gathering around for some fine dining. Repo had a whole hog done up with all the fixin's. Alabama Style. What a meal. Several friends and family other than the Gang came for lunch and the unveiling ceremony, many club members rode their buggies in.
Repo is always talking, I think he ram rodded this memorial and did a fantastic job. His goal was accomplished. He has a towing service, and was nicknamed "Repo". Just a great bunch of people that treated Jimmy and I like we were family.....and we ARE now.
It's easy to see why this special place was Danielle's favorite. The scenery is breath taking.
Another story here, see the old kids swing set. They say Danielle spent many times on that old swing. When the people camping upcreek from us learned what this gathering was all about they went up to the Club Parking/Camp and took up a donation to buy a new swing set for Riley to swing on like her mother did.
Martin brought along his mother-in-law for the weekend. She attended all the tributes and most of the camp fire stories. She is 87 years young. Sweet lady.
TIME TO RIDE OVER TO DANIELLE'S TRAIL
Peanut is checking on Riley at one of our stops along the way....we do a lot of that. Some call this the 5/30 gang....ride for 5 minutes and stop for 30. But who's in a hurry.
Riley is riding with her dad Kyle today.
Another stop...imagine that. That is James in the red. He knows every inch of the 200+ miles of trails on this property NATRA leases.
I visited with another young rider while on this stop. Mommy says the baby is 14 moths old. Looks like she already knows how to hang on.
AND WE PLAY ALONG THE WAY
RAY SAYS....HERE KAREN, HOLD MY BEER
as she screams for help at the top
The boys are flying high on the Alabama Red Clay...AS JIMMY STAYS CALM WHILE HE POSES FOR THE CAMERAS.
And then there is our "Transplanted French Canadian" MARTIN THE MAN.
AS HE GETS THE FLYING HIGH TROPHY..........IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE
Now we ride over to the wall to see just how brave the boys are now.
I didn't think so........no takers here. This is a Bad Ass Hill Climb...Tennessee Style. Repo says it has gotten worse since the winter rains. We didn't see anyone attempt it.
Back to camp for another Feast before the Night Ride. Martin on meat prep........looks like pork chops, grilled salmon, and few other delicacies. Along with more Hippie Juice.
CALL ME WHEN SUPPER IS READY
Sunday Morning, Jerry is up early with a big fire started for the gang.........it became my morning contribution. It was an unusually cool weekend in the hills and the fire was a welcome sight when they finally get out of bed.........Too much Hippie Juice the night before.
TIME TO RIDE TO "THE BOWL" AND DO A LOOP AROUND THE PERIMETER OF THE NORTH ALABAMA TRAIL RIDERS PRIVATE PROPERTY.
WELL, IT DIDN"T TAKE DEVIN LONG TO CLAIM THE HI-FLYING TROPHY ONCE WE GOT TO THE "BOWL".
IT ALSO DIDN'T TAKE DEVIN LONG TO GET THE "CRASH OF THE DAY" AWARD
He came back down off the bowl a little to fast, cut hard to avoid the only mud hole in the bowl and roller his buggy right into the middle of the deepest part.
Oh, to be young and crazy again...
Devin is the wild child without a shirt, he had just removed his muddy attire.
He talked his buddy into riding with him.....Big mistake.
They both got a mud bath.
I have great videos of all this crazy stuff but am having trouble getting them onto the Blog. I am working on it.
You guessed it....Repo has another story to tell
Today Riley is riding with her grandpa "Peanut"
She loves this stuff, just like her mama did. 👼
A few more miles, them back to camp
Best video of the bunch was too long.....had to chop it.
The video of this trail is awesome....hope I can get it to load ......Check back later.
Just some "Good Ol' Boys....
Kentucky----Tennessee-----Alabama
The last night around a huge campfire. A Great Big
THANK YOU for inviting Jimmy and I down to ride NATRA trails and be part of a very special
Memorial.
Let us know if you enjoyed this ride as much as we did..
Hope to see ya'll at Ride Royal Blue.
