1st Ride of 2010; Lynnville & Campbell Station!

With a couple of weeks of sub-freezing temperatures under our belts, along comes a long range forecast calling for sunny skies and temps in the mid to upper 50’s. Over the next week the rain came and went several times but as Saturday grew near the actuality of the forecast looked promising. The stage was set with plans to meet at B and B Crossroads for breakfast and follow that with a short ride.

 

When Saturday did finally roll around, the skies were more cloudy than partly and temps may have been as advertised but the added winds had a counter affect.  Karen and I pulled into B& B’s  a little before 9:30. At first I didn’t see any bikes. Although with David having to back out with last minute shoulder issues that only left

Russell and Chuck to round out the pack. I noticed David’s truck. He did say he was going to meet us for breakfast, at least. When we walked in there sat David along with Russell and Mikey.  Russell had parked on the other side and in a few minutes Chuck came strolling in.

 

The breakfast was good as usual and by a little after ten we said goodbye to David and Mikey. As we dawned our cold weather gear Russell suggested we head north and hit Lynnville; a nice whistle-stop town west of I65 just north of Pulaski. It was suggested to me by a co-worker, and Russell, along with some friends, took a ride through there 

By - Wendell Rogers - Aka: Rocketcitymadman, Photography by Wendell

a few weeks back. He came back from that ride with very good reviews so Lynnville it was. Russell took the point and within a few minutes we were heading out Old Railroad Bed Rd. toward Fayetteville. We could have taken a more direct route but what’s the point of that.

 

You’ve heard the saying “it takes all kinds”. Well, it was never more true when we stopped at the Shell station in Fayetteville for some gas and a quick smoke. We’re standing up against the building using it as a wind shield when this young guy pulls up to the pumps on a crotch-rocket. He’s dressed in shorts and a t-shirt. Now I’ve been on rides much colder than this but it was no doubt cold. We all just shook our heads. Actually we talked a little about his intelligence but we’ll let that go for now.

 

We left Fayetteville heading down US431. In no time we took a left heading west on TN129. If you’ve been with us on one of our many rides to Lynchburg you no doubt know what a nice ride TN129 is between US231 and Lynchburg. The scenery is great and the road is a cruising dream. There’s also a stretch between US231 and US431 that’s just as good.  North of where 129 meets 431, 129  continues over to Lynnville west of I65. This was my first time on this piece and I was not disappointed. About half way to

Fine Accouterments Indeed!

Pam left me to deal with these guys all by myself!

Watching the world go by!

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Lynnville, TN

Awesome Leather Goods With a Price To Match!

stood there talking, Russell mentioned that he should have taken a right instead of a left when 129 tee’ed  into 31a. I thought at the time, as I recalled the Google map I looked at a few months ago, that 129 took you all the way into Lynnville.  But, I was just following the lead horse. Besides, you’re never lost if you have gas.

 

When we left Pulaski it wasn’t but just a few minutes later  and we eased into downtown Lynnville. It’s a little whistle-stop town much like Bell Buckle. The downtown area stands today much like it did back on the early 1800’s when it was founded. Lynnville's name is taken from Lynn Creek, which was named for the linden or linn trees which grew along its bank.  Old Lynnville (Waco) was mapped off of Lynn Creek circa 1810.  It was on the old stagecoach pike which connected Nashville, Tennessee and Decatur, Alabama.

 

Just before the Civil War, Old Lynnville was a flourishing little town.,  However, much of the town was burned and destroyed during the Civil War by guerilla warfare.  A portion of the 16th Union Army Corps was stationed at Lynnville.  Today, rifle pits and elevations for cannons, as well as other reminders of the town's involvement in the conflict, can still be traced.  Hood's army, protected by Forrest's cavalry, passed through Lynnville on its retreat south after the Battle of Franklin.

Frozen in time!

Chuck and I. I had no more than finished the first bite and my MawMaw Taylor walked in and sat down in the back of my mind. The only thing that would have made it better would have been a big ole scoop of vanilla ice cream melting and oozing off all sides of the “D” shaped crispy pouch of heaven.

 

We finished our deserts and made our way outside. We concluded our stay at Campbell Station visiting with a mother and her son on horseback. While the son was inside the store Chuck made a quick attempt to rest in the saddle while mom held the reigns. Let’s just say I wished I had gotten to the camera quicker. Upon his return we bid them farewell and prepared ourselves for the ride home. It was a little past 2:00 and the wind was really picking up. And, with that, the decision was made to take I65 for the return trip. Karen and I made it home around 4:15.

 

It was a good ride. Sure the weather could have been a little more comfortable, but it just felt good to have the wind in my face and Karen at my back once again. Thanks guys for a few hours of fun and exploration. It was just what the Doctor ordered to shake the winter blaahs and give one hope for an early Spring.

Campbell’s Station; Blink and you’ll miss it!

The last stop on our ride was a little dot on the map called Campbell Station Country Store. A short 7 mile ride north of Lynnville on a road that was a little more than dirt, yielded the most excitement of the day when a hidden 90 degree left across a rough set of tracks surprised us all. We all made it but the outcome was in doubt for few seconds. Up ahead of Russell I could see that the road made another sharp turn across another set of tracks, this time to the right, in front of an old white building. I’m starting to prepare for another rough set of tracks when Russell slows and slides the Vision into a parking place on the other side of the white building. At first glance I didn't even think the place was occupied but Russell assured us this was the place. Turns out the inside was pretty much a carbon copy of the outside; not much to look at, but the atmosphere so comfortable. The place was empty except for an old veteran sitting in the back corner and the owner, who at the time, was in the back. We grabbed us a table, no two of which were alike, and made ourselves at home. Russell had been bragging about their homemade fired pies and apple fritters every since his last visit here and I’d been thinking about that all day. Karen and I decided on the Cheeseburger, Chuck opted for the Philly Steak and Cheese while Russell went straight for the Apple Dumplin covered in honey. The cheeseburger was great. This wasn’t any frozen patty, no way, this sucker was hand patted, juicy and down right good. Just before I popped the last fry in my mouth here she come, bringing a warm fried apple and chocolate pie for

Lynnville we crested a hill, and about 75 yards in front of Russell stood a milk tanker that had backed into a barn just of the road. The only problem was the cab stuck out and blocked the entire right lane. We all braked and down-shifted in time to maneuver around but if it had been a little closer the outcome may have been different.

 

With the seat still clinging to my rear end we continued on. By 12:30 we were pulling into Pulaski and Russell hit the first gas station he could find. Seems nature was calling. After answering the call, as we

In 1860, the Central-Southern Railroad was completed just one mile east of Old Lynnville. Today, Lynnville serves as one of the most historical areas in Giles County with a population of 408.  The new Lynnville Railroad Museum, featuring a completely restored depot, adds historic charm to the downtown area.  An antique steam locomotive, coach, flat car and caboose complete the area's premier tourist attraction.

 

We parked at the railroad museum and took a stroll through downtown. The first thing you come to is a period home set back from the town square. The row of buildings that make up downtown Lynnville is a

kaleidoscope of Americana. Complete with a Municipal Building featuring an enclosed courtyard, the Soda Pop Junction (recently featured on the Food Channel’s “Unwrapped”), Colonel Littleton's (“Purveyor of Fine Accoutrements in the Americana Tradition), and many more. We spent most of our time checking out the awesome leather goods at Colonel Littleton’s. Of course I wandered around the downtown area with the camera while Karen took a sit watching the world pass by and Russell and Chuck pestered the young lady at Col. Littleton’s. We left shortly afterwards without really seeing all of the quaint little town but there’s a Blackberry Festival in June that would make for a good ride and a good reason to take it all in.

Makes me wish my Uncle Dewey was with me!