Almost Home--Sorta. Ms, Al, Tn and Ky in the Rearview Mirror

Hello, ZigZags! At last, I feel as though we are almost home. Yesterday, we left Tupelo in rain, what's new? Cannot believe these bikers! The road signs say they can use the whole lane and that cars must change lanes to pass them. Ridiculous--driving 40-50 mph on a twisty road in the rain and mist, around a curve and there is a biker or, more often, a cluster of bikers. They are riding to the side but hear a car coming and immediately spread out across the lane. The day before yesterday we saw a line of vehicles practically at a standstill with a guy on a recumbent bike in the front, a large RV looming above him. Suicidal in my opinion. Notice the guy in black--we almost didn't see him until he sort of crested the hill and was backlit. Totally in black, no lights either in front or back. These guys should have to carry insurance and register the bikes so that they are licensed with a plate. They should be required by law to have lights in back and front and wear reflective clothing. The flickering LED's some of them use are confusing when a mob of them are headed toward a driver. Snowmobiles aren't allowed on the road, yet they can keep a good speed, are well lit and insured and licensed. Makes no sense to me at all. Rant over!! The foliage is just past peak in Alabama and Tennessee but with the rain it was hard to appreciate it. Crossed the Tombigbee Waterway and the Tennessee River while on the Trace and then traveled toward Nashville. To avoid the chaos of converging Interstates in the middle of the city and the traffic and the poor visibility , I took Barb around the City on the 850 loop. It takes a huge swing out and around but it is much easier driving--although the narrow, windy roads we had to take to access it were a bit hairy--lol--even though the falling down barns and fields and farms were quite scenic. Once on the Loop we went through Gallatin-Hendersonville area which is where Johnny Cash and June Carter lived, died and are buried. Crossed the Cumberland, next to last of the big Rivers we cross to get home, on a lovely new, modern bridge that almost doesn't seem like a bridge. I'm amazed that red Toyota hasn't been egged--a 'Bama plate??? In Tennessee??? LOL Finally we hooked up with I 65 and into Kentucky. Stayed in Bowling Green. After checking in to the motel we headed over to Smoky Pig for dinner. OUT OF RIBS!!!!! Well, got the last pork chop plate and sweet tea. Told them we'd be back at 1030am tomorrow for ribs for the road. The guy behind the counter said you don't know how many say they'll be back and never come. Told him, it's been about four years since I've traveled through on a day other than Sun or Mon, when they are closed--I'll be back!! Barb had a pulled pork sandwich. I had my usual mayo slaw and beans, she had slaw and macaroni and cheese. Then back to watch Big Bang and hours of Family Feud--since there is NOTHING worth watching on TV on Thursdays. Now, as we were off the road for the day, the sun decided to show its face and the clouds parted for it! After breakfast this morning, made the reservation for a room in Cincinnati. Then off we were again. First stop--Smoky Pig--for two rib plates with beans and slaw. Took our sweet tea to drink on the road. Then off to Frankfurt, in rain and mist and grayness. Got off I65 at Elizabethtown and onto the Blue Grass Parkway to Vincennes and through horse country to Buffalo Trace Distillery. I stayed in the car while Barb shopped and called Bill to let him know where we were, since there was no cell service in BG last night. Then I took Barb, once more, over narrow back roads to pick up I 75 toward Cincinnati. Got on at Georgetown, which is quite pretty. Went all the way to Florence and then cut once more onto a loop around the city 275. Traffic was brutal on the main road, less so on the Loop. The rain was torrential no matter how we went. I do like the Twin Bridges over the Ohio better than the old double decker at the base of the gorge in Covington, Ky over into Cincinnati. Neither bridge would have been very visible either way. Once we got over the River traffic lessened a bit--although the five lanes going into the City and toward Ky were pretty congested as the pictures show. 49B takes us right onto I 71 North and the very next exit is the one for our motel--on the Northeast side of the city --and right next to the Interstate which we'll take to Medina Ohio tomorrow night. Got everything into our room, broke out the ribs and warmed them up and sat down to finger lickin' between bites. Now, I'm going to change and get comfy. Looks like rain all the way home, but if all goes well, we'll be in Saratoga on Monday and in Vermont on Tuesday. In the meantime, it is drive, drive, drive on Interstates all the way. Good night now, will fill you in next time. Barbzig and Katzag.