I flew into Atlanta on the Friday and went straight to HD of Atlanta in Lithia Springs to make sure everything was ok after shipping my bike over from England, a breakdown in communications meant that my request that the bike be serviced had not reached the service team. A quick word with Nicky Fernander and I was assured there was no problem and my bike would be ready and waiting come the morning.  Saturday morning dawned and the rain that was forecast stayed away and at 10am I rode out of HD Atlanta to follow The Trail of Tears.

 I had decided to ride the Northern Route beginning in Dahlonega.  So I left Lithia Springs on I-20 then took H-19 North. I had been traveling for about an hour and was following a pickup truck with some form of timber structure in the back, when suddenly the wind lifted it out of the truck and deposited it on the highway in front of me. At that point everything seemed to go into slow motion (I had heard people say this but had never experienced it until now) as it slid towards me, but surprisingly I had plenty of to take evasive action.

The rest of the ride to Dahlonega was uneventful and I rolled into Dahlonega at lunchtime.  I parked just off the main square and headed off to find somewhere to eat.  I can thoroughly recommend a few of the restaurants there.

 I then went and checked out the Gold Museum where 2 years before I had learnt of the Trail of Tears, before heading off to Amicola Falls State Park.  From there I rode through the foothills to Ellijay then on up to Chattanooga where I stopped for the night.  Next morning I was up early and onto H-41 along the Trail of Tears corridor it was good riding in the cool morning air after the heat of the day before as I ran along the shoreline and through the forest I passed the occasional route marker.

Then it was on into Murfreesboro and to the Bumpus Harley Davidson for a long sleeved T Shirt. The sun had burned my arms pretty well, my being unaccustomed to riding in just a T-shirt.  From Murfreesboro it was on through Nashville to Hopkinsville and the Trail of Tears Heritage Park, where I visited the graves of Chief Whitepath and Flysmith.  I could not help but feel humble, here was I following the route they had taken on foot way back in the winter of 1838 with only the clothes on their backs and the occasional blanket. I on the other hand had the luxury of a motorcycle, a hotel room each night and good wholesome food whenever I chose to stop, plus I was doing it in July I cannot begin to imagine the suffering they endured.

Monday morning dawned and I looked out of the Hotel at the rain clouds and wondered if perhaps I was going to experience some of the discomfort suffered by the original travelers on The Trail of Tears. I stowed the luggage and set off in light rain along I-24.  After about 30 minutes I pulled into a gas station to fill up for the next leg of the journey which was to Cape Girardeau by the time I had filled up and paid for the gas, the rain had passed and I set off in dry weather along H-62 to Princeton from there I rode to Paducah and along H-60 crossing the Ohio River at Ft Defiance and there in Front of me was the bridge over the famous Missouri River.

My original plan was to ride H-3 into Cape Girardeau and cross the Missouri there, but either the lure of the river crossing or bad navigation saw me cross the Missouri at Ft Deliance and finding a truck stop for a lunch break before turning around and re crossing the Missouri and taking H-3 from Cairo to Cape Girardeau.  The entrance to Cape Girardeau was quite spectacular, the old rusting bridge contrasting sharply with the new bridge being constructed next to it.  From Cape Girardeau it was off along H-72 and I-55 North before once more heading west on H-32 to Farmington and a break for food at the Plank Road Inn before checking into the Inn for the night.

Tuesday morning arrived all too soon and once more the bags were strapped onto the bike a cup of coffee and off again. This time it was H-8 across country to Rolla. I must say this was some of the most enjoyable riding of the whole trip so far.  Once I reached Rolla it was onto I-44 and Southwest to Lebanon and Ozark Harley Davidson then onto Springfield and finally Monet and Day’s Inn (The worst motel I have ever stayed in).

Wednesday morning arrived and with a sigh of relief Days Inn disappeared in the rear view mirrors and the final leg of the journey began as I headed to Springdale.  A stop at the Harley Dealers in Siloam Springs where I signed the store window, which was to be their 100^th Anniversary Card to Harley Davidson and finally rode into Tahlequah via the Cherokee Turnpike and H-10.  I stopped to check in at the Holiday Inn and deposit my bags before setting off for the Cherokee Heritage Centre.

After looking around the Museum it was time for a bite to eat, a wonderful dish of Indian nachos, before being given a guided tour by Ashley Cro. The depth of knowledge exhibited by one so young and her pride in her heritage truly impressed me.  After the guided tour I met Ashley’s mother Susan who is commercial director of the Heritage Centre and accepted their invitation to visit their church that evening, where I was made to feel extremely welcome.

 After the service we moved outside where my motorcycle was blessed ready for the ride into Tulsa the next day and the flight home.

I dedicate this ride to the all of those who perished along The Trail of Tears and their descendants, who survived and persevered in the face of adversity and persecution to remain true to their heritage.

  My Pictorial

~Wa Do~

Was this the end of my journey?

No it was the end of the beginning

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