I ain't done!

[R90srider]

It is fun out there for sure.

Bruce took me on some of those roads, Smith Camp was one of the best. There was another one he called "Upchuck". Do you know where that road is?

Bob

[Vance]

If I am not mistaken, Smith Camp road and "upchuck" are the same. That is a very technical road and Smith Camp store is pretty cool once you get there too!

[R90srider]

Thanks Vance.

Smith Camp is a big time fun road to ride and the little store at the turnaround point is a good place to take a break. The owner is friendly and very willing to tell folks about other places to go and to eat in his area. I think we should add it to the ABEES Travel Guide. What do you think?

Gary and Martin, put your "two cents" in too.

Bob

[Vance]

I think it would be good to add it too. Did the guy mention eating at Quinn's Landing? That is a great little place that can be found if you continue north on Camp Oliver until you cross the high bridge over the mighty Warrior River (which incidently is the Jeffereson / Walker county line). About a mile past the bridge there will be a sign on the left side of the road for Quinn's LAnding. Really nice folks and a good place to eat. I seem to find myself there on late fall or winter rides. A nice stop where they will always have a wood fire burning and good eatin'! (Ha Haaaa Bob..got you wonderin' now don't I?)

[R90srider]

You sure do. Lets add that one too.

He mentioned another place which is on Smith Camp road on the way to the little store. If you know that on, and it is good, lets add it also.

Hope you and Mari have a great Christmas.

Bob

[R100R Rider]

Bob, I agree that the Smith Camp store be put on the list. A great ride and as a bonus point for a good rest stop.

I would for you to consider the following places to add:

Valley Head (NE) - Old Barber Shop Cafe. Cafe in an eighty year old barber shop building. The homemade hamburger is their special menu item. They also have a special of the day.

Greenboro (SW) - Lou's Bakery. Homemade chicken salad. Chocolate chip cookies.

I guess I am through getting ABEES points this year. I will be riding in North and South Carolina for the rest of the year.

Merry Christmas to all.

PS: I feel lucky about my chances of winning the jacket.

[R90srider]

Thanks Martin.

I will add your suggestions, so count them for this year, and send me your actual POI count.

You did good collecting ABEES points and sending your stories and photos, and I thank you for that.

Bob

[dixieoutlaw]

Now, I'm done!

Sit around the house Sunday with family commitments and couldn't go out chase ABEES points in good weather -boy and I knew Bob was out somewhere moving ahead of our neck and neck run for the most check offs . Ol' outlaw needed a desperate strategy, if he could find 14 check offs it would be for the leading ticket number 17. Get out the book and open Mapsource to plot a plan. Ah ha, NE Alabama holds a treasure trove of POI and the weather for New Year's Eve is suppose to be decent. Call Tom Gilbert to see if he wants to chase some points that would get him over his 20 needed to qualify. Tom's in!. Monday we leave early with the Gerbings cranking. First stop to Joe's Pizza at Woodville -closed, we gotta do better. Into Scottsboro - Jackson County Court House, Payne's since 1869, Unclaimed Baggage. Good for Tom but Gary had already been to a couple of these.
Run to Ft. Payne - stop by Alabama Fan Club Museum. Check off the Dekalb Cty Courthouse on the way to Menton. Decided to skip Little River Canyon and its falls since I had already been there. On to Desoto State Park, then by Sally Howard Memorial, Cloudmont Ski Resort and Desoto Falls. Now we are smoking. Ride into Mentone - Mentone Springs Hotel -closed. Over to Log Cabin Restaurant where we meet James Huber. He tell us he was in Elkmont the day before and that he grew up there but lived in Scottsboro since 1936. He was back visiting his family -turns out his niece was my high school classmate and somewhat of a high school sweetheart. Smaall world ain't it. Sally down to Dessie's Kountry Kitchen for dessert. She told me I was suppose to order chicken and dressing.
We left Mentone and rode down to Valleyhead to have a snack at the Old Barbershop Cafe - unforturnately it was closed. Totally forgot about the plan to go by Little Falls near Valleyhead. Go up to Sequoah Caverns. Was told it would be 30 minutes to next tour and tour would take 55 minutes. Could burn that much time later in the evening since I still needed 6 checkoffs for that ticket, besides at $13 a head that's a tank of fuel we are going to need.
Head to northeast Jackson County via Trenton, GA. Go to Little Falls to find it is on private property. Asked and received permission and then was given an escort by a young group of motocross guys to the falls. Short trip to High Falls -also on private property and again permission received to walk down to falls. What a gem. This is a marvelous falls with a nice preceding cascade. We could have set there for a relaxing while, but I still need foru tickets. Only place within reason without taking a chance of be shut out by closures would be a ways south and it is getting late with a fall back of going to a resturant for supper if need be. I consult Tom and he told me I had to go for it. What a riding buddy, and by the way a new member of the club.
We race the 60 or so miles to Centre for the Cherokee Cty Courthouse then to Turkey Town. From there we go to Gadsden for Noccolula Falls and Gillard Covered Bridge. Got there just before sunset and went by Etowah Cty Court House for Tom enroute. Seems to be more water over the falls since the recent rains.
Now it is getting dark and we are over 100 miles from home and Tom is suppose to take his wife to a New Year's Eve Party and I am suppose to help baby sit while our kids go out. We might have some upset wimmen, oh well at least my understands the passion for ABEES points this year.
We went by the Marshall Cty Courthouse as we pass through Guntersville and then on towards Huntsville. We stopped in Hampton Cove for fuel and realize we haven't we taken time to pee during the day. That accomplished we buzzed on back to Elkmont.
A 375 mile ride just the thing to end a good year on.

http://picasaweb.google.com/duboisga/LastABEES

Gary

[SteveHebert]

I sat around thinking about finishing the check offs I needed to just qualify for the drawing and then use the ones I had for the Extreemely Alabama challenge. I decided to say the heck with it as I didn't want to upset any one when I won the jacket any how.

Heck, I would have to of used Jim's 1150R anyway as my /6 is still at Rick's.

Maybe next year, or the year after... I figure I have many more years than the senior citizens riders (Gary) anyway....

See you in Montevallo

[R90srider]

Outlaw, all I have to say is UNCLE!!!!

You did good my friend. Congratulations on being the ABEES champion for 2007, but you better get ready for 2008.

I was able to get the New Year started with another go at the Mud Creek ride, only I did it in reverse this time. The Smith Camp Store was open so I enjoyed a Miller Lite with C.W. and the other friendly customers. I also stopped by the River Cafe for a great cheeseburger and then to Quenns Marina, just across the Warrior River off of Camp Creek Road, for a cup of coffee. Both places will be added to the Touring Guide. Bruce Farr recommended the River Cafe last year, but I forgot to add it. Vance recommended Quenns last week.

This is going to be another good riding year, and I am looking forward to it.

Bob

[R100R Rider]

Today was a good day to start the new year with a few ABEES points.
Started down Bob's favorite, Shelby/Bibb #10 to Brierfield. Then to Centerville and the Bibb County Court House.
Back through Montevallo and the center of the state. The University had all the gates locked, so I will get this another day.
Bob, you are right, 2008 looks to be a good year of riding.

Happy New Year to all.

[R90srider]

Good start Martin. Did you notice all the new methane gas wells on that route?

I am glad to know that you will be checking off ABEES points and telling us all about your adventures again this year.

Bob