Ray&#039;s Motoring Travels

Tags:#camper, #campground, #camping, #motorcycleriding, #motorcyclevideos, #raysmotoring, #stateparks, #travel, #traveladventures
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David Crocket State Park – Tennessee

July 15, 2026

We hated to leave Fort Mountain but were scheduled to be at David Crocket State Park today so woke up around 8:30, ate breakfast, finished packing everything and headed to Lawrenceburg, TN. Was a nice drive over except for the traffic in Chattanooga but that was expected. Arrived around 2:00 PM found our campsite and as it turns out was near the bathhouse. The entire camp ground is full, not seeing one site open at this point. Our Site had no shade however and it was 94 degrees with a heat index of 104 degrees. Ouch… wife don’t like the heat so much. 🙂

My best friend ever lives near by so we went over to his place on Saturday to visit and went out for a late lunch. Then rode through Amish country and purchased some corn, tomatoes, peppers, Amish strawberry jam, and a cantaloupe. Had a great day for sure.

Seems as though most occupants packed up and left today, Sunday. Found out from one of the other campers that most were here for a Southern Gospel Quartet singing convention. Wish we had known this sooner, might have been an interesting event to see in Lawrenceburg last night. For those interested they hold these annually. Current info: The annual gospel convention in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee is the James D. Vaughan Quartet Festival, scheduled for July 29 through August 1, 2026. Held at the historic Crockett Theater at 203 North Military Avenue, the four-day event celebrates Lawrenceburg as the birthplace of Southern gospel music with nightly concerts and matinees. You can do a search and actually purchase tickets online ahead of time.

This campground is very nice, clean and up to date if only the sites had more shade for summer camping. Probably consider it again but maybe it should be on the list of cooler weather months for visiting. There are two campgrounds, #2 the one we chose is open year round, has paved roads and site pads. All sites here have electric and water hookups.

In the park we visited the Crockett Museum, a recreation of David Crockett’s office during the 1800s. It’s like a journey back in time. You’ll find artifacts and exhibits that bring Crockett’s story to life and catch a glimpse of the original stones from Crockett’s gristmill on Shoal Creek. It was so interesting to see and read the stories about the famous legend Davy Crocket.

We also visited Crockett Falls, a small, but mighty waterfall. Serving as one of the park’s most picturesque features. We were a little disappointed as we expected much more. When you hear “water fall” your thinking of a huge water fall cascading down a mountainside, right? Well this was not that, it had maybe a two foot drop but it was a nice cool place to visit and was very refreshing. Also near by was a covered bridge.

We were at the campground for about six days and made several trips over to see my friend Bud and spend some time with him. Health is not really good right now but we think he’s getting better by the day. Made a couple more trips over to Amish country and purchased some more of their fresh vegetables. Also visited with one of the Amish guys that makes dinette chairs and tables from maple or oak. Beautiful work and we will likely order some chairs from him as we are in the market for those. We will just have to make another trip up here to get them once they are finished. All made by hand, these people are truly amazing!

In summary we had a great time in Lawrenceburg, the David Crocket Campground and most importantly getting the chance to spend some valuable time with my best friend. We will likely return here again but choose a cooler month to visit.

Will share a few photos below:

Hope you enjoyed this tidbit of our travel experiences. Subscribe to this blog and hit that follow button to see what happens next. We love to ride motorcycles, travel, and experience new adventures.

Keep the shiny side UP!

Tags:#camper, #camping, #motorcycleriding, #motorcyclevideos, #raysmotoring, #stateparks, #travel, adventure, camping, hiking, nature, travel
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Much Has Changed

July 7, 2026

Yes, much has changed since our last post. We have had many travel experiences and adventures but none recorded here so we will do our very best to share some of those with you in the upcoming weeks.

We no longer ride “Black Betty” or any motorcycle though it is still in our blood to do so, Maybe again at a future time and place? Our last ride was not good. We were riding late afternoon, back roads of course, nice highway, cool breeze afternoon with not a worry in the world when suddenly came a few deer that felt a need to ruin our day.

Saw the deer up ahead crossing the road in front of us, on a slight curve, slowed down some to avoid a head on collision. When you see one or two deer you naturally look out for more that might be following. They crossed, felt safe and suddenly my wife screamed that she had been hit. Apparently a lone deer decided to run squarely into her left leg. Pulled off the road as soon as possible as she was definitely in major pain. After stopping jumped off the bike, helped her off and sat her down in the grass on side of the highway. Deer had hit her leg so hard that it burst open a couple of wounds that were bleeding badly. She could no longer ride with that much pain so we called 911 for an ambulance.

Took a while for the ambulance to arrive since we were several miles from any cities or locations that have emergency care. They finally arrived, took her to the nearest emergency room in Crestview, Florida which was about 35-40 miles from our mishap. It’s totally dark now, so I need to take the bike home (approximately 30 miles) get our car and head to the hospital. Many deer were out that night, must have seen at least a dozen or more on the way home.

Good news is she had no broken bones but her left leg and thigh were bruised badly with a couple of puncture holes. Doctor said they weren’t punctures but rather places where the impact caused explosions from the inside out. She had several weeks of infectious prevention care with a specialist plus plenty of days with aching pain and soreness in her left leg and thigh.

Oh, by the way, bike had no marks, scratches, or bruises. That deer only hit her leg in that small narrow space without touching anything else. It didn’t knock us over, in fact I barely felt the impact only knew it happened when she screamed with pain, and I could hear her well since we always used blue tooth communications in our helmets.

Video below is the last video she took while we were riding together. Within thirty seconds after she stopped filming the deer happened. She never rode again and declares she never will, don’t blame her, totally understand.

I rode a couple of times after the incident but only very short rides. No longer felt right to leave her at home while I rode, knowing how much she loved our rides together. We later sold the bike and have not ridden again.

Though we don’t intend to ride motorcycles again doesn’t mean we have stopped living. We still love adventures traveling and camping. Purchased a neat little camper that we intend to use quite often to visit places of interest in this country. We love camping and we love traveling. Seeing things we never seen before especially places with historical value.

Hit that follow button to see what happens next. Just an old man that loves to ride motorcycles, travel, and experience new adventures.

Keep the shiny side UP!

Tags:#motorcycle, #motorcyclecamping, #motorcyclerides, #motorcyclevideos, #raysmotoring, adventure, camping, cycling, nature, travel, writing
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Lonesome Rider

October 12, 2021

A few weeks ago, remember reading an article about a motorcycle rider and the reason he rode. Can’t find it now but in general he was saying that he rode a motorcycle because he was a lonely person. Made me start thinking about myself. Not good at self analyzing but did try, is that one of the reasons I ride?

Being a single guy, living alone with very few friends close by, thought maybe that has added to my desire to get out and ride. Really that doesn’t make sense since I really like to ride alone, plus never thought of myself as a lonely person. Not much of a “people person” though since I’m rather blunt and to the point when I’m thinking about something or get asked for my opinion. Just spill it out without much thought, that way it doesn’t get bottled up in my brain and cause an explosion. Seems a lot of people can’t handle the truth. LOL

Don’t like crowds, never have, don’t like to ride in large groups, and honestly just like riding with no destination, feeling the wind, focusing on the surroundings and the idiot that is about to pull out in front of me. Like many I call it “wind therapy” and to me it’s one of the most stress relieving systems ever!

Guess a lonely person would like to hook up with a group of riders, maybe make new friends and be able to explore new people and places. My issue with that is most of these groups think the only place they can ride and hang out together is at a bar. Since I no longer drink, never have when riding a motorcycle, most groups are certainly not appealing because of that reason. Could see where a self described lonely person might like that?

Without trying to analyze myself too much, I ride because it’s relaxing, calms the nerves yet places you on high alert to your surroundings. The feel of speed and power between your legs, a hint of danger at every curve, hill, and intersection, that’s what I like!

Backing up just a tad about riding alone. Have in the past ridden with maybe one or two other people but no drinking was involved. Hill country ride north of San Antonio, Texas was one I’ll always remember riding with my then brother-in-law. We visited Lost Maples State Natural Area. They named it Natural Area vs State Park. Was an all day ride and tons of fun. So with that said would be nice to hook up with another like minded rider and go on some day or even overnight trips.

So tell me, are YOU a lonely person and ride because of it? Don’t think I am but what’s your opinion?

Would love to hear your comments and suggestions below.

Added a couple of riding videos. Rides taken recently just for fun and relaxation. 🙂

Wind Therapy

Joy Ride

Hope you found this interesting. Hit the follow button to see what happens next. Not a “biker” by definition, just an old man that loves to ride motorcycles.

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Keep the shiny side UP!