Hello again hope you have been enjoying the weather and keeping your knees in the breeze. Hope you have been enjoying my little articles. The last few weeks I have you given you history lessons on a couple of motorcycle clubs. This week let’s talk about the Howling Wolves, Stars, and History Ride that the Southern Dozen have in their handout.
Whether you’re traveling with the pack, or howling up the road as a lone wolf, this ride holds a destination well worth the visit. Just a few twists of the throttle will take you to a land isolated from noise and urban life—a land where deer, wild turkeys, and otters thrive alongside owls, beavers, and falcons as the waters of the mountain lake ripple and glistens in the sun. When you hear the call of this land’s noisiest inhabitants—the wolves—you’ll know you’ve reached Bays Mountain Park.
Bays Mountain Park is a 3,550 acres (14.4 km2) nature park and planetarium located on Bays Mountain in Kingsport, Tennessee. The park features a nature center and outdoor native animal displays. There is also a herpetarium with snakes and amphibians. The Park features a picturesque 44-acre lake, hiking trails, a Nature Center with a state-of-the-art Planetarium Theater, and Animal Habitats featuring wolves, bobcats, raptors and reptiles.
Here is your route:
Turn right at light 11E S, 250 ft. Turn right on I-26 W/ US 23 N, 15.5 mi. Turn right on Exit 4. Turn right on TN 93 N, 4.2 mi. Turn right on Orebank Rd., 1.1 mi. Turn right on Exchange Place. Turn left on Orebank Rd., 1.2 mi. Turn left on TN 93 S, 2.1 mi. Turn right on Lincoln St. (sign receiving/research), 1.6 mi. Turn left on TN 126 W. / Wilcox Dr., 0.3 mi. Turn right on TN 355 N / Industry Dr., 2.0 mi. Bear left to Netherland Inn Rd., 0.9 mi. Turn right to Netherland Inn, Turn left on Netherland Inn Rd., 0.9 mi. Bear right to TN 355 S / Industry Dr., 2.0 mi. Turn right on TN 126 W / Wilcox Dr., 1.7 mi. Turn right on Meadowview Pkwy., 0.8 mi. Continue straight to Reservoir Rd., 1.9 mi. Turn right on Bays Mountain Rd., 0.2 mi. Turn left on Bays Mountain, Turn right on Bays Mountain Rd., 0.2 mi. Turn left on Reservoir Rd., 2.0 mi. Continue straight to Meadowview Pkwy., 0.2 mi. Turn right on I-26 E / 23 S, 16.3 mi. Turn right on Exit 20, Roan St.
Things to do along this ride.
1. Poblano’s Mexican Grill and Bar
2. The Gift Box - Find the perfect souvenir
3. Gray Fossil Site - Take a prehistoric adventure
4. Bays Mountain Park - Get back to nature
5. Riverfront Seafood Restaurant - Enjoy delicious food along the beautiful riverfront
6. The Shack
7. Exchange Place
Facts about the Liberty Bell:
1. The Liberty Bell pre-dates the Revolution. The Pennsylvania Assembly had the Liberty Bell made in 1751 to mark the 50-year anniversary of William Penn's 1701 Charter of Privileges, which served as Pennsylvania's original Constitution.
2. What is written on the Bell? The following Bible verse is on the Bell: “Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof." Also included is information about the Pennsylvania Assembly and the Bell’s maker.
3. No one knows today when the Bell was cracked. The crack is a big subject of debate among historians. One theory is the Bell got its first crack in 1752 when it was tested upon its arrival in Philadelphia.
4. The last big crack happened on Washington’s Birthday. The Liberty Bell cracked up, literally, in February 1846, when it was rung on President’s Day, celebrated on Washington’s birthday, and then stopped ringing because of damage from a major crack.
5. The Liberty Bell rang often during its functional lifetime. Between 1753 and 1846, the Bell tolled for many people and occasions. It rang to mark the signing of the Constitution, and the deaths of Benjamin Franklin, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, and Thomas Jefferson.
6. The Liberty Bell wasn’t the first name of this icon. The bell was originally known as the State House Bell. In the late 1830s, it acquired the name of the Liberty Bell when it became a symbol of the anti-slavery movement.
7. The bell probably didn’t ring on July 4, 1776. A magazine writer in 1847 made up the story of the bell ringing on the first Independence Day.
8. The bell may also not have rung on July 8, 1776. It is known that bells in the city of Philadelphia were ringing to celebrate the public announcement of the Declaration of Independence. According to the Independence Hall Association, the statehouse steeple was under repair at the time, making it unlikely for the Liberty Bell to be in use. But with no contemporary accounts, we just don't know.
9. The Bell did go on a Revolutionary road trip. In 1777, the Bell was removed from Philadelphia under armed guard and taken to Allentown, Pa., where it was hidden in a church. The fear was the British would melt the Bell and use it to make cannons. It came back to Philadelphia the following year.
10. The Liberty Bell last hit the road in 1915. Back in the day, the Bell went on tour around the United States, but in the days before World War I, it became clear the Bell had condition issues. Today, it resides at the Liberty Bell Center in Philadelphia, where it is occasionally tapped to mark special occasions.
Local Events:
1. Family Block Party July 16th 2pm at Tennessee Hills Distillery
2. Hillbilly and Vets Pre-Party July 22nd at Mellowmoon 6pm
3. Hillbilly Jam and Hillbilly Show and Shine
Rallies:
1. Sturgis Kentucky Bike Rally July 13th to 17th
Rides:
1. East Tennessee Vapors Car, Truck & Motorcycle Show July 16th
2. 8th Annual Hillbillies and Veterans Ride July 23rd
3. Marlene Dugger Cancer Ride July 23rd
Bike Night:
1. Kingsport Moose Riders Every Wednesday
2. 19E Pit Stop Every Wednesday
3. Quaker Steak & Lube Every Thursday
4. Tulips Grub & Pub Every Friday
5. Peacemakers Bike Night 801 Boozy Creek Every 3rd Friday of each month
6. East Coast Wings Every Wednesday
7. Dog Tag Brigade Every Wednesday at Jonesborough VFW
8. The Pub Out Back Every Monday
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