No I have not set out to have a themed blog, but those who read The Blue & White Garage and now the Gold & Black Butterfly may feel otherwise.

I had not the slighest intention of writing about butterflies or white water lilies but as this blog is virtually live these eposides come my way.

This large butterfly I only saw at the last minute as I stepped off the Indian to take some photo's to illustrate the last two days of riding in three staes. Yes last night I stayed at Cumberland Gap where Virginia, Kentucky & Tennessee share a common border. Perhaps the only three states in the US to do that. Mr Lane research please and comment.

Well a quick back step or this fine specimen of butterfly would have passed under my Alpine Stars riding boots, it was only that I had to park on gravel and wanted to see that the stand would not sink into the loose stones that this butterfly was saved from certain death. So how lucky can it be and a great couple of photo's for you to admire.

Leaving Newport Tennessee I figured to do a couple of mountain loops including a full circuit of what is called The Copperhead where you traverse 3 different mountain in a 250km ride and cover over 950 bends. Well those nicely rounded tyres can not be let to lose that sticky side grip.

Well as expected the map (kindly supplied from Mr & Mrs Lane's previous visit proved to be hopelessly inaccurate in time estimations or is it based to knee down boy racer times? Also the bold lines often cover the intersections and despite Tom Tom GPS being on No Interstates it was easy to go riding further then one had intended. I am still "lost"when riding the US system such as yesterday I was going North East (compass) on a road marked 22 South and yes I ended up going west. Confused well dont worry you are not riding just reading, instead of counting sheep to sleep go figure out the road naming and directions system, (hint look at the big picture the whole length of that road).

So I had an enjoyable day's riding mostly freshly laid hot mix, too fresh at one place only just grabbed the Indian as the stand disappeared some 3"into the black stuff.

Yesterday again saw an ïncident"rounding a cornor I was met with a Police Officer (State Trooper) standing in the middle of a cornor in a blind spot , his car further down the road in the opposite direction to my approach. I think he thought "hey man I done for!"but no a ABS controlled stop and both he and I were safe. A car had rounded the bend too fast and gone straight ahead into a tree and down the steep side of the road, again no injuries.

A feature of the ride was the hundreds nodoubt thousaands of abandoned homes. I asked at my lunchtime stop at Kylies Ford tradig Post (great retired couple from Florida happy to serve motorcyclists and the local community with home cooked foods and delicious home baked deserts- no freebies just good service). They felt that the reasons for these abandoned homes were the older folks moved into retirement homes or closer to aged care facilities and their children had long left for the bright lights of city life and employment.

I had the GPS set for Harrogate (English names everywhere plus the odd Belgium, Lebanone etc) but found no accommodation so thinking freeway equals accommodation rode to the next exit 5kms and found my self in Cumberland Gap and a large Hotel called The Cumberland Gap Hotel (Very original but great for Goggle hits) had a room for $69.99 plus tax unfortunately No breakfast and no pool but the whole town was easy walking infact 15minutes and you had covered the CBD with a choice of 5 eaing spots for supper (tea) and breakfast in the morning.

Cumberland Gap for those of historical pursuits will be familiar as Daniel Boone territory in the mid 1860-70 era as well as serving as a route through the Appalachians for centries before for indian Tribes especially The Pawnee and Cherokee. It was also the site of various Civil War forts as shown in the accompaning photo album. It changed hands no fewer then four times and even today is the site of the rail tunnel and I-245 road tunnel. A number of buildings such as the Old Mill Inn have survived and it now enjoys life as a bed and breakfast establishment.

Noting a USPS (Post Office) i ventured up the next morning and a very helpful lady explained how she didnt know how to send International parcels despite having the boxes on display and suggested I either retract my steps or move to the next town where "they would know".

That said the next town did know but it meant unpacking my bag in the street and making a number of trips to weight various combinations before deciding what went and what stayed. 12 kgs were dispatched back to Australia where it should arrive in under 5 days. It was not so much the weight but space on a motorcycle is always at a premium however the temptation to buy that special T Shirt usually wins and Routee 66 is coming up.

The route today took me past many Abe Lincoln features but I resisted prefering to spend more time riding after the 900+ bends yesterday you would think I was äll bended out"but I forgot to mention I also did an hour on 22 South taking in over 150 more bends yesterday!

Bardstown and the Historic Barstown Inn was welcomed early this way and a refreshing pool to cool off before a ride to another town via country lanes for dinner