Trail of Tears

[TearlessTom]

I just realized that I am off Friday , Sat., Sunday.

I'm feeling adventurous so I'm thinking of making a weekend road trip up to the Trail of Tears from Lower Alabama. I will be flying solo because I know the S.O. will give it a thumbs down. (I haven't told her yet)

Maybe heading out Friday afternoon from the coast. I work nights so I normally get up just after noon.

If I do this I need to do it on the CHEAP!!!  I have a week planned the 1st week of Oct to ride the Blue Ridge Mountains so my $$$ is already deligated to that.

Anyone else going or can anyone suggest a good CHEAP place to lay my head or throw a sleeping bag and cach a few  ZZzzzz's on either end of the ride in Alabama.   I don't have a tent, just a bag and maybe a tarp.   A safe wide spot in the median would do fine also.

Any and all idea's and suggestions are welcome, Pro and Con.

Did I mention CHEAP
Tom

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

I travel that road ( 72 ) every week I've stayed in every motel thats on it over the last 23 years. Liberty in Scottsboro will be the cheapest. I like the Days Inn in Scottsboro and Athens both around $45.00 a night.Never tried sleeping in the median 

You should just make a road trip out of it and ride on up to Knoxville ,TN tomorrow ( thursday ) and ride up to the CBR Ride with us in Indiana 

[RedValk]

that's what i was thinkin' Joe 

[fudgie]

I like your way of thinking, and your avatar...... 
I like to do things cheap also. I have sleep at rest stops before and had a good night of sleep. I find a nice secluded spot, through out my mattress and un roll the bag. I do sleep in my underware to.  Put your boots/ pants under the mattress or in your bag. I'd hate to wake and find no boots in the morning!  I separate my cash/ CC from my wallet. If I ever get jacked and they want the wallet, there not getting your cash. If I'd do it here in my home State I'll be carring. But usually travel with boot knife. The best alarm clock is sunsine on chrome! 

I stayed in 06 at a rest stop in Bettendorf IA when I was Sturgis bound. Rest stop guy told me to do it since its 'not camping'. I woke every hour to eye the bike. Got up the next morning and rode the whole way to Sturgis by 11p that night. They wouldn't let me into camp early so I did the same thing beside the bike outside the fence. Going home was worse. It started to storm on me as I slept on a picnic table. So I pulled the mattress up between the 2 restrooms and got a good night of sleep.
Kit and I did it in 07 also to save some cash. Haven't done it since then since I was better at saving. I did find some new 'spots' this year tho for my future ventures to Sturgis. 
I like doing it. Gives me that kinda 'free' high we are always looking for.
Another thing is use those coupon books at the rest areas. Sometimes those little mom and pop hotels are cheap and clean. You can always try and split a room with a stranger on the ride.
Depending on your occupation you could always find a fire station and ask if you can sleep in the yard. I know there have been a few of us, FF/medic, that have traveled and were allowed to sleep in the station.

[TearlessTom]

I travel that road ( 72 ) every week I've stayed in every motel thats on it over the last 23 years. Liberty in Scottsboro will be the cheapest. I like the Days Inn in Scottsboro and Athens both around $45.00 a night.Never tried sleeping in the median 

You should just make a road trip out of it and ride on up to Knoxville ,TN tomorrow ( thursday ) and ride up to the CBR Ride with us in Indiana 

I would love to do that but I have to work Thursday night until 3:30AM Friday morning. I am hoping to get one of my Harley buddies to join me on the trip.  I have been having to beg his S.O. for him but so far a no go...

I will check out those locations . I will also be sleeping with my Glock under my pillow. I am an ex-cop  (20years)and presently an RN at an emergency room so I may check into the firestation thing too. I hadn't thought about that.

Tom
The Avaitar is dedicated to my wonderful S.O. Although she is wonderful she has a tendency to beat a dead horse when making a point.

I got to camp on the sofa the night she asked me about it but then again. I like camping..

[Mongo]

I been to the Trail of Tears ride 4 times. They always had free camping in Waterloo where the ride used to end. Now it ends in Florance Al but I think they still have a big non official party in Waterloo.

[Smokinjoe-VRCCDS#0005]

"  I have been having to beg his S.O. for him but so far a no go... "

No way I could live like that .

[REDTIM]

This is my ninth trip to TOT and I always stay in Waterloo its always free to camp and if you don't like bathing in the river you can give five dollars to shower at the rv campground there in Waterloo. Breakfast is served at the community center over by the baseball field by the womens league. We camp just behind the ball field and have a big tent you can come anstay with us if you want to. look for a Black interstate and a black and silver standard pulling a home made trailer. Blue tent and blue fold up pick nick table. by the water under a single tree.

[TearlessTom]

"  I have been having to beg his S.O. for him but so far a no go... "

No way I could live like that .

Its really not that bad She is just a worrier and a lot of black clouds (way too much to go into)have been hanging over them lately. I understand her position perfectly, but he needs a boys night out too. I just like to give my Harley friend a hard time about getting out of the house.

If the situation were reversed he would be getting permission from mine...lol

[roboto65]

Well I got to meet Tearless Tom great guy had a great ride at the Trail of Tears this was my first Trail of Tears and had a good time VERY big group ride. We did not run into any rain but clouds threatened the whole way.