KEEPING TRACK

KEEPING TRACK
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Monday, April 24, 2023

7th Annual NATRA Benefit Poker Run at Westpoint, Tennessee

 Every year the North Alabama Trail Riders Association does a Poker Run thru the "hills and hollars" of Southern Tennessee (Davy Crockett country).......to raise money for several really good causes....St. Judes Hospital being one of those. I want to thank Gary (Repo) Elder for inviting me to join their private party group for this amazing event.

At this point we don't know how much money was raised but will be known soon. Last year they raised $75,000 and this year looks to be better. As an indication of the size of this event here is an example....the 50/50 pot was $12,800.

                                                                                                                                        


The view from my windshield here at Westpoint, Tennessee. I don't know the name of the creek (Story Creek ?) but obviously this is a fabulous campsite.

Thank you Repo.............





............ and a video view from the other direction looking up the creek bank..



Dinner tonight is Alabama Style Cajun Broil....or is it Boil....

hell, I don't know....I'm from Kentucky.


Thank you Ray for your hard work on the grills.

He had 3 of these ready for the clan.


Just one of many waterfalls we came across on our first day of riding. 

These hills are full of waterfalls of all sizes. and it had not rained yet.

A big rain is expected tomorrow night.




We also stopped and paid tribute to a family member and wonderful young lady that lost her life in a traffic accident. She loved these hills and spent many, many days here driving her own side x side. This trail was named in her honor. I had not personally met her but Jimmy and I attended the memorial for her two years ago at the campsite. Jimmy had rode with her the year before where he met this group of fine people. We have become friends since then. She is truly missed each time this group gathers for an outing and another Memorial is set up for her at the Campsite. So sorry for you loss guys, she left behind a two year old girl who is four now.



Another one of many Waterfalls......everybody loves a waterfall. 

why is that? just asking








                                                 A little Trail Action on Thursday before the crowd gets here

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          


Back at the Event center to look over all the donated prizes to be given away after the Poker Run on Saturday.

So many prizes....click the picture. And this ain't all of em'.










Mom (Sally) and daughter Jade.


A couple of my Ohio  Mud-Buds.

We always have a good time when these folks are around.





Jade was my co-pilot for the entire three days of riding. 

I think she really enjoyed the trails but you can't ask her......she don't say much. She is the typical 15 year old and we love her to the moon.


They intend to join us at Mine-Made in July...sure hope so.



Well, the Gang's all here and they want to go for a night ride.....Repo is leading this group of 8 buggies but before the night is over we have 14 buggies. These were some awesome trails and the ride lasted until Midnight. Lots of stops, lots of chatting, a few trail beverages, some hill climbing, gully jumping, creek crossing and a series of Waterfall Climbing. Hang on for this 7 minute video. Especially the waterfall creek.


Hey, It's Friday....let's go riding. The Gang is ready for few history lessons, a little mud slinging ( after all it DID come a good rain last night )....some hill climbing, and a few more trail sodas.


One of many stops along the way. Repo must be giving us a history lesson here. The one with the cap on.

He showed us some interesting stuff. He knows these hills better than anybody around. 

Thank you Repo.




Martin, our Canadian buddy with Karen...


Karen is a Hoot and another of my Ohio Mud-Buds....

They usually get along real well...



Well until they don't......


Karen lost this mud- mud fight with Martin...


She will get even, trust me.







Cleaning the windshield...service station style.

Ask me how I know..


Must be starting to rain or just mud or both...






Repo showed us this memorial waaaay back in the hills. Very interesting story with very little of the site remaining.


This is the remains of a basement that was hand dug and walled up to hold water for the steam locomotive that hauled the ore from these hills. It had most of its four walls still standing but had filled with enough dirt over the years to grow trees in the bottom. It appeared to be about 40 x 40.






Just thinking about that next trail....

or maybe that next adventure...


Only he knows...









So now it's Saturday and time for a Poker Run....We were up and ready at dawn.  Some of the Gang had to work the Event but Me and Jade along with her mom and dad Ed and Sally headed out early to go Duck Hunting before the Poker Tables opened. That's right,  Duck Hunting. Seems the Event included prizes hidden in little yellow Ducks along the trails. 

If you were lucky enough to find one you could win a prize...money, tickets for raffle, donated prizes, etc. Sally and Ed found one....Me, I never was much of a duck hunter.



Following another little stream in the hills...beautiful scenery.

This is called "The Bowl" ..great place to play on the hillclimbs.
It was also one of six Poker Tables to pick up your cards.

Traffic jams everywhere....




















Encountered a lot of Head On traffic on our way back to the Event Center.....These are late comers going to the Poker Tables. Unbelievable number of riders for this event...mostly motorcycles and side x sides with a few 4-wheelers.





Back at the Event Center to get some tickets for the drawing ...Me and my Co-Pilot

Well, another successful ride in the books. Headed home. Until we ride again.................
..Let the Good Times Roll..

NOTE.....I have many videos of these trails and stories to go along but I have to download to YouTube from the Go-Pro before putting them on the Blog and it is a pain in the arse.......I will try to get that done but who knows when. Check my YouTube page for updates on the videos. Just open Youtube and search  jerrychafton    
Click on "Older Posts" below to go back in time for more of our Adventures

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And a big Thank You to all the folks that worked so hard to put this Charity Event together.



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