My Sunday Adventure pt.2

Posted by Ed on January 12, 2016

So at the end of yesterdays post I had made it to the top of the mountain and the Stratton Meadows turn around, now its more easy getting down. I put the truck in 1st gear and basicaly idled my way down so I could keep an eye out for photo ops. I stopped a few time and turned the truck off just so I could listen to the creaking of the upper tree limbs blowing in the breeze in the snow covered silence. Then a few hundred meters I stopped again to listen to the water run off and the creaking of the limbs, a true nature orchestra.

The Bridge is the Cherohala Skyway where it crosses Stratton Meadows and the turnaround before heading back down the forest road to the bottom.

My Sunday Adventure

Posted by Ed on January 11, 2016

Yesterday after a great Breakfast of eggs benedict made by my dad Chuck I decided to take a wonder drive up the mountain via the Cherohala Skyway. Usually I make it to Stratton Meadows where I then head down the mountain via forest roads to where I start. Well I found snow,ice and fog and had to head back down the skyway.

After backtracking down the mountain I decided to give the North River route a try to get up the mountain, its mostly gravel/dirt forest roads and should give good traction up to and above the 3000ft mark. When I hit the road it was nice and dry and green, that would soon change.

On the way up it was pretty nice but I wanted snow and I did’nt have long to wait.
At the 2800ft make it started to snow turning the forest into a winter wonderland, it was sooooo quiet, the only sound was the running water and an occasional bird chirp.

It was real nice till I hit the 3000ft mark and it started snowing but I was bound and determined to make it to the top and Stratton Meadows where I could safely turn around and head back down the mountain. So in 1st gear my venerable Ford F-150 made it up the last 800ft climb and I got turned around for the creep back down the mountain… and more pics.

I’ll do a few more pics tomorrow before we head back to the Air Museum.

Saturday and Sunday

Posted by Ed on January 2, 2016

Not much happening over the last week if you don’t count my truck having a massive mechanical failure last Sunday and Monday. Seems my starter went out just in time for an ice storm in northern Illinois. At first I thought it was dead batteries so last Sunday I had to get a jump twice then I moved to Momence for my delivery and made the mistake of turning off my truck for a nap. Well, I woke up to a dead truck and heavy rain/ice. So with no heat and power I had to wait for 2 hours for a jump only to find out my starter was out. Another 3 hours wait in the now ice and cold and I was bundled up like a mummy, finally the repair truck showed up and pull started my truck and I got to drop my trailer, while doing this I stepped into a deep ice cold slushy puddle and soaked my boots and feet..great, now I’m totally miserable but I have the truck going and some heat. But wait it gets better, as I’m changing my wet socks and boots the truck shuts off AGAIN! By now its late afternoon and I have to wait another 3 hours for another pull start, this time I head right out for Monee and the Perto Truckstop to get a new starter installed. This was probably the worst 48 hours in the last 20 years of driving. But I’m back on the road and moving, I went from Illinois to Ohio and from there to Texas where I sit today. Tomorrow its down to New Caney Texas then hopefully back to Tennessee for some much needed off time.
I did manage a couple pics while waiting for the tow truck, I took these last Monday.

Black and White Tuesday

Posted by Ed on March 10, 2015

There is nothing worse than getting sick on the road, I have a 100deg temp and a fever with muscle aches and a bad cough…. it SUCKS!!! Luckily its thera flu to the rescue and after I pre posted this yesterday its back to bed. Hope everyone is staying snow free, maybe spring is almost here.. 🙂

I took these last week in Illinois after a big snow event…

Tuesday Morning in Beloit

Posted by Ed on March 5, 2015

Going back a couple of days for this post. Last Tuesday morning I delivered a load to Beloit Wisconsin and just made it to a Wal-Mart before the snow hit to a tune of 6-7 inches. This morning I’m in Litchfield Illinois and the sun is out but its a bit chilly (4 degrees F) but I’ll take the cold over hazardous driving any day of the week. Kentucky took a pounding last night and today, glad I’m not there.. 😉

Black and White Tuesday

Posted by Ed on March 3, 2015

Last Wednesday night while trying to enjoy my off time it decided to have a nice 6 inch snow storm in Knoxville Tennessee. I played it safe and camped out at Wal-Mart.. 🙂