My apoligies to all my faithful readers, all 12 or so. It must be discouraging to check back to the basegasket blog for 4 months in a row to find no activity here. I often run across topics and ideas to blog about in light of recent political and social issues that all us Americans have been exposed to. In the process of taking what thoughts that ramble around in my head and converting them into something that can be posted here, I find I'm not able to accomplish that without sounding like a raging right wing lunatic. Frankly, recent news reports and political activity has just got my goat. So, as not to sound like a angry young man, like the one Billy Joel sings about, and save whats left of my goat herd, I resolve myself to stick to Facebooking and Craigslisting leaving the BG blog idol on the world wide web.
Alas, morning has broken.
A recent motorcycle trip has brought a new prospective to this Yankee turned West Knoxvillian. A four day trip with some brothers from the department and friends. A refreshing tour through blue grass bordered Old Kentucky Roads.
Six old bikers all riding American Iron in search of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (and possibly a sample of that White Dog), heading north for the border with clear skies and cool morning air.
On the second day we passed through Versailles, KY. just north from there on Route 60, we hung a left off the beaten path on to three board fence -lined roads. The lush grass, frolicking horses, and majestic hilltop mansions along the road led us to the Woodford Reserve. Pulling into the parking lot you could smell the sour mash in the air. You just knew this place was special. It is the home of Kentucky's finest bourbon.
That afternoon we toured the Maker's Mark Distillery where the operation was a bit bigger, but family values and southern pride have kept quality whiskey flowing since the end of prohibition. At the end of the tour we were able to sample their whiskey before aging (known as White Dog) and after aging, when it gains its amber color. A small bottle sits on the shelf at my house with its familiar red wax dipped top, which I was able to dip myself at the visitor center.
Our 3rd day drove us south back into Tennessee, not before getting soaked by a pop-up T-storm. After donning our rain gear we rode for less than an hour before having to doff our rain gear. Luckily that would be the only rain we would get on the trip. We stopped in Murfreesboro for the night and dinner at Demo's. (Good choice, Dennis)
Day 4 found us south of Nashville to Lynchburg and a tour of the Jack Daniel's Distillery. To my surprise, old #7 is located in a dry county. No samples, so we left. Heading west for home we picked up Rt 30 over Cumberland Plateau, winding down into the Squatchie Valley, back over Walden Ridge across Watts Barr lake and straight up the Tennessee Valley back to Knoxville.
All-in-all I was overdue for a ride in the country. It has settled me down just a bit, and brought a prospective I haven't seen in awhile. Now don't worry, I won't be getting all mushy on you all. If you catch me at the right time, I'll be sitting in the porch sharpening my pitch fork, soaking my torch and sipping some good Kentucky Bourbon.
Care to join me?
Alas, morning has broken.
A recent motorcycle trip has brought a new prospective to this Yankee turned West Knoxvillian. A four day trip with some brothers from the department and friends. A refreshing tour through blue grass bordered Old Kentucky Roads.
Six old bikers all riding American Iron in search of the Kentucky Bourbon Trail (and possibly a sample of that White Dog), heading north for the border with clear skies and cool morning air.
On the second day we passed through Versailles, KY. just north from there on Route 60, we hung a left off the beaten path on to three board fence -lined roads. The lush grass, frolicking horses, and majestic hilltop mansions along the road led us to the Woodford Reserve. Pulling into the parking lot you could smell the sour mash in the air. You just knew this place was special. It is the home of Kentucky's finest bourbon.
That afternoon we toured the Maker's Mark Distillery where the operation was a bit bigger, but family values and southern pride have kept quality whiskey flowing since the end of prohibition. At the end of the tour we were able to sample their whiskey before aging (known as White Dog) and after aging, when it gains its amber color. A small bottle sits on the shelf at my house with its familiar red wax dipped top, which I was able to dip myself at the visitor center.
Our 3rd day drove us south back into Tennessee, not before getting soaked by a pop-up T-storm. After donning our rain gear we rode for less than an hour before having to doff our rain gear. Luckily that would be the only rain we would get on the trip. We stopped in Murfreesboro for the night and dinner at Demo's. (Good choice, Dennis)
Day 4 found us south of Nashville to Lynchburg and a tour of the Jack Daniel's Distillery. To my surprise, old #7 is located in a dry county. No samples, so we left. Heading west for home we picked up Rt 30 over Cumberland Plateau, winding down into the Squatchie Valley, back over Walden Ridge across Watts Barr lake and straight up the Tennessee Valley back to Knoxville.
All-in-all I was overdue for a ride in the country. It has settled me down just a bit, and brought a prospective I haven't seen in awhile. Now don't worry, I won't be getting all mushy on you all. If you catch me at the right time, I'll be sitting in the porch sharpening my pitch fork, soaking my torch and sipping some good Kentucky Bourbon.
Care to join me?
