I got dizzy and bored of doing the same Central Florida loops so headed out at 10:30am Sunday 4/19/20.
Day 46 - 400 miles Orlando to Destin Florida. 80-90F.
High gusty winds most of Rt75 and Rt 10 and 1 good soaking. Nicer coming down 79 but mostly under construction.
Day 47 - 330 miles Destin Florida to Brookhaven Mississippi on Rt98. 70’s.
Cloudy and I had to wear a light jacket all day but with shorts. Rode near Marion County where a tornado hit last night killing one. Mangled, snapped and uprooted trees for a few miles. Guess I should have gotten a picture.
Day 48 - 400 miles Brookhaven MS to Tupelo via the Natchez Trace Parkway. High 70's but I had to wear fleece and windbreaker and lite gloves till noon.
Wow, the Trace is a wonderful road. I'm so happy I detoured a few days to run it.
It is Quite similar to the Blue Ridge but without the mountain vistas or sharp turns. BUT, the speed limit was 50, no cops in 240 miles, almost entirely passing zones and it is in 95% perfect condition.
Tons of nice sweepers, some lakes, farms and fields but mainly old growth forest. It is a must do ride if you're in that area..
I only passed 10 cars and 1 HD northbound in over 200 miles. Southbound had a few more cars but not many as the state is on lockdown.
Lots of people fishing though...
I just happened to have mellow morning music playing and started Stevie Nicks just before getting on the Parkway and one song played as I cruised called "Beauty and the Beast".
There is a verse in the song that captured the spirit of the entire days experience: "There is no beauty without my beast (my love)".
There's nothing like riding a Rocket on a perfect day on a wonderful road like that. I can't wait to do the rest of it tomorrow.