Great ride home today. I finished the Tour of Honor sites for Mississippi yesterday, today I finished off the last two for Alabama.
I revisited Flomaton, AL to visit Sydney Manning’s memorial which is considered a Doughboy memorial now. Next to Sydney Manning’s memorial is a 9/11 memorial. I also visited Atmore for one of the sites of the Coddiwomple and another site at the cannon in Brewton.
I started the day by visiting the Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fork. I pull up to the entrance, then into the cemetery to get my required pictures.
From the cemetery, I am not too far from the Tour of Honor memorial at Bay Minette. This particular memorial at fire station named Fort Beverage, in memory of the Bruce Beverage who was killed in Korea. The memorial is a statue of a small boy wearing a fireman’s coat with NYFD, while holding a fire hose. At one time, the hose shot water into a small pond where the water could be recirculated. Too often, the winds would cause the stream of water to miss the target. Now, the water doesn’t flow. When researching this site, I spoke with the fire chief, he is trying to find a way to get the water to flow again.
I was checking last night at the various challenges in the BMW Coddiwomple Challenge. One of the categories is to visit places that Johnny Cash mentioned in his song “I’ve Been Everywhere”. I noticed that Atmore is one of the places mentioned. I realized that I would be passing through Atmore, AL. To get proof of my visit, I park in front of the town hall for a picture.
My next stop, Flomaton, Alabama! I found this town for last year’s Tour of Honor. The memorial for Sydney Manning, a WWI Medal of Honor recipient, is also considered a doughboy memorial. At the base, there is also a 9-11 memorial. The visitor center has rather odd hours, I have only been able to arrive when it was open once. I parked beside the building and got my doughboy and 9-11 photos.
My next stop will complete my Tour of Honor memorials for the year, Brewton. This was a site that I added as a fill in last year and listed it as an alternate site since I have several others which met the theme of 2025, which is First Responders (policeman and fireman memorials). As I pull up to the site, I notice a cannon! So, I can get credit for visiting both a Tour of Honor site and a Coddiwomple site!
I spent the rest of the day meandering, almost aimlessly, back home. Avoiding interstate and trying to spend as much time on two-lane roads as possible.
I did travel past a site that may be an option for a future Tour of Honor site. I’ll keep the 2026 theme and the particular location quiet for now.
I made it from Byram, MS to Daphne, AL today. I most of my day was on interstate, but that was fine. I am going to work to have tomorrow completely off interstate.
I started the day hopping on the interstate to get to McComb. This is the site of the memorial to the First Responders who helped the victims of the Lynyrd Skynyrd plane crash. I was able to find an area next to the memorial where I could park the bike long enough to get the required pictures.
I was off the interstate for most of the trip to Hattiesburg. It briefly crossed my mind to see if I could do a personal visit to the Jesse Brown mural in downtown Hattiesburg. With me not knowing the exact location and the amount of traffic, I decided to just visit this year’s memorial. As I pulled into the parking lot of the memorial, I could tell that this was an active business. Plenty of people, all seemed to be supportive of me parking and taking pictures.
On the interstate to head to Waveland. I spent about half the time on the interstate, then on backroads until I got to the beach. I parked in the lot next to the memorial. I got two pictures, one picture of the bike with the memorial in the background, and the other of the memorial.
My plan was to head to Biloxi to visit the Veterans Cemetery and the Gold Star Memorial, but I decided to get back on the interstate and head to Mobile. I was also going to scrap the Doughboy and the Veterans Cemetery in Mobile since it was getting close to afternoon traffic.
Riding on the interstate did give me a chance to enjoy some higher speeds. Due to the amount of police presence, I stayed fairly close to the speed limit.
I made it to the memorial in Mobile. As I pulled into the park, I got a great parking spot for some pictures.
Making a left turn out of the park was much easier than I was expecting. As I headed to the hotel, I was able to pass the Doughboy to get a view of the area. It might be a doable site on a weekend day or a holiday when fewer people are out and about in the area.
Quick ride to the hotel. Got checked in and the bike unloaded. Had supper and tried the store next to the restaurant for dessert. I got a half serving blackberry cobbler and a half serving of peach cobbler. Both were very good. I think I will be back on my next visit to Daphne. I already have a route for tomorrow, but I may want to fine tune parts so I can completely avoid interstate. I’ll work on that while I watch The Curse of Oak Island.
HERE is the link to the spotwalla link for the day’s ride.
I left an hour later than expected. The ride was great, though it was off to a challenging start.
The first challenge was shortly after I topped off the fuel. As I neared Mars Hill, a lady was more interested in her phone than checking traffic before she ran the light. She turned right, but she was still required to stop before turning right on red. I was far enough back that I didn’t think she would slow, so I eased to the left lane. She came through the light and went straight to the left lane, then slowed down. I just shook my head and eased to the right lane to get around her. As I got close, she sped up. We were both turning left at Helton.
As I was waiting for the left turn light, I heard screeching tires behind me. I looked in the mirror and a car was less than a foot from my rear bumper. He was revving the engine like he wanted to get a jump on when light turned green. I was a little concerned since he was the third vehicle in the turn lane. I was second, and the red light running lady was first.
The light turned green and the lady eventually turned, she headed to the far right lane and I opted for the left lane. She was swerving from lane to lane. I just stayed back a bit. As we neared Broadway, the light was red. She changed to the far right lane and was heading into the right turn lane. As she was making her turn, the light turned green. I went straight while she was now in the YMCA parking lot. I don’t know if she had planned to go through the parking lot to get back onto Helton ahead of traffic, but I never saw her again.
The car that was on my rear bumper? His car had enough power that he could rev it to make it seem fast, but he wasn’t able to keep up with other cars that made the left turn light. Once he eventually cleared the intersection after his turn, other cars started passing him. Again, I never saw him again.
Only a few miles up the road, there was a large trash bag in the road. I slowed to prepare to react to what the other drivers might do. The first vehicle swerved to avoid it. The second car, which happened to be the car in front of me, hit the bag. I could see the bag caught under the car. As it was being dragged under the car, the trash was being released. I spent the next few miles trying to avoid trash. Eventually, the bag emptied. I never saw the bag released from under the car. It turned onto 2nd Street and the bag was still under the car.
Next excitement was as I was nearing the Harley shop on US72. I could see him and that he wasn’t paying attention to me. Other cars around me, I knew there would be impact. He hit my face shield directly at my right eye. Nice big yellow spot! I couldn’t look around it. If I moved my head, the helmet would move, as would the face shield and the spot. At my gas stop, they didn’t have any wipes or water to clean the face shield. I will need to do that in a few minutes.
After I got through Corinth, just as I got to the 65mph speed zone, I started to speed up to pass some slower cars. As I topped the hill, on the side road sat a police office. I decided to wait and follow one other car to pass the truck, then I set the cruise control on 65mph. The other car zoomed off. I stayed at 65mph. As I passed the truck, I saw the car pull out from the side road. This car followed from a distance until I turned onto MS-302 which led to I269. As I made the right exit and the road crossed back over US72, the “police car” went straight on US72. It was only a white truck with a brush guard on the front!
The first Tour of Honor sites was in Hernando, MS. I Found parking spot in front of the memorial. Two pictures and I was back on my way.
Next stop was in Clarksdale, MS where I made a couple of stops for the BMW Coddiwomple challenge. I got pictures of the Delta Blues Museum, The Crossroads, and Abe’s BBQ (which was at The Crossroads).
Back on US61, I headed to Cleveland, MS for another Tour of Honor site picture. I pulled into the parking lot, apprehensive due to the thick gravel. I got into the lot without any problems. I got the pictures, then was ready to get out. I started slowly, then realized that I just needed to move the bike as I have done and let it power through the thick gravel. I was on pavement almost immediately without any problems.
A quick stop at the BB King Museum for the picture for the BMW Coddiwomple. This museum was a block from the Tour of Honor site last year.
Since I was passing Belzoni, I decided to stop there for a couple of pictures. This memorial honors the women of the Revolutionary War, and the soldiers of the Civil War and World War 1. Someone felt that the Civil War statue should have the head removed. What a shame. Yes, Belzoni is probably 99% African-Americans, but the history remains. Once I got to the hotel, I realized that the picture did not save.
The phone had been acting odd. I couldn’t get a signal to make a call, nor could I get internet connection to make hotel reservations. I eventually restarted the phone and was able to get the internet strong enough to get onto the internet, but I still couldn’t make a phone call.
I got to Jackson and found the memorial there. Pictures taken. Hotel reservation made. I am tired and ready to stop for the night. The GPS decided that I needed some extra excitement. It wanted me to take a ramp which has been closed for construction. The work around had me go in the opposite direction on the internet to the next exit and turn around.
By the time I got to the hotel, I was exhausted. The restaurant next to the hotel has a 2 for 1 Happy Hour. You buy a medium margarita; you get a small one free. This worked out to getting a large to the price of a medium. I was happy with that.
HERE is the link to the spotwalla link for the day’s ride.
April starts two challenges that I enjoy. One being the BMW Grand Coddiwomple. The other is the Tour of Honor. They each have unique requirements and sites.
The BMW Grand Coddiwomple is sponsored by BMWMOA (BMW Motorcycle Owners Assn). Though it is sponsored by BMWMOA (not by the BMW company!), if you are a member of BMWMOA, you can use any brand motorcycle. I still have the GS, but I am spending most of me time on the Harley Road Glide. Registration is free and the sites with rules are published in early March, so you can start planning as soon as your application is accepted. There are specific sites based on the theme, but most of the sites are one that meet a category requirement. The category examples are BBQ restaurants, coffee shops, or cannons. This challenge goes from April 1 through October 31.
The other major challenge in which I participate is the Tour of Honor. This is a bit more structured. Registration costs $125. Any brand motorcycle is accepted, and there is a challenger category for cars. I have a number for the motorcycles, and one for the cars.
So, today I am off to get some points for each challenge. I had a doctor appointment earlier this morning and needed to wait until MaryJo got home from class since we were still keeping a watch on Blue. She got home shortly after 11am and I was ready to go.
I got the bike gassed up and left my trusty Circle K. I headed Cox Creek to AL20, then turned on CR16. I decided to vary my route a little and onto CR15, then on CR14. I was at the Trace within a few minutes and enjoyed to solitude until I got to Tupelo.
First stop was Dunkin Donuts. I got a quick picture and was rolling quickly. Next was the stop at Starbucks. Middle of the day and it was empty except for the staff. I guess the people who can afford to get Starbucks was actually working.
All the years living in Tennessee and Alabama, today was the first time I have visited Elvis’ childhood home. This was one of the few specific sites to earn points. I needed a picture of myself and the bike at a specific statue. I parked and got the picture of the bike with the required statue in the distance. I decided to walk up to the statue and asked someone to take a couple of picture of me with my challenge flag. I will have to come back and pay to go through the house.
The Tupelo Veterans Park is less than a mile from Elvis’ childhood home. I parked the bike to get a picture for the Tour of Honor at the Gold Star Memorial. I like these. The first time I saw them, I assumed that they were all the same. I eventually noticed that each one was very specific for the area.
Next stop was Booneville. I left Tupelo and headed north on US45. Some of these roads in Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee could be dangerous for me, I think that I may know them too well and not pay attention, but I made it to Booneville safely. I stopped at the 9/11 memorial (there is ALWAYS someone parked right next to this memorial) and the Huey for pictures. Then I was over to the Judicial Center and got the picture at the memorial for Michael Dale Hisaw, who was killed in the line of duty. This was one of the Tour of Honor state memorials that change each year. Visiting here also helped me fill my state requirements for the AULDR (Americas Ultimate Long Distance Riders).
A ride ride on some of my favorite two lane roads to get me to Iuka. This is the area where my grandmother grew up. One day, I am going to see if I can find the location of the farm where she grew up with Mama and Papa Roberts.
In Iuka, I stopped for a picture at a BBQ place for the Coddiwomple challenge and 9/11 and Gold Star memorials for the Tour of Honor.
Almost home, so I did some scouting for a couple of sites. I had remembered that there was a BBQ place that had great food, but couldn’t remember the parking situation. I rode past it and saw that the parking lot was loose gravel. They were busy at this time, so I kept going. I rode past Muscle Shoals Sound to see if I could find a place to park. I saw a couple of good options, and will try them out in a few days. My last stop of the day was to visit the Nick Risner Memorial. It is a mural on the side of a tattoo parlor. Officer Risner was killed in the line of duty a few years ago. Several of my friends who work with the various police departments knew him. The tattoo artist had been a friend of Officer Risner and had done tattoos for him. I pulled the bike in front of the mural and got my picture. I pass this spot often and appreciate the artwork and the inspiration for the mural. His wife had been the nurse for my dermatologist.
One last stop at a coffee shop on the way home. A little gourmet coffee place. It closed at 2:30pm. Who wants coffee at 5pm in the afternoon?
The weather had warmed up a lot since I left for the doctor’s office, so I was happy to go! Overall, I visited three coffee shops, two Gold Star Memorials, two 9/11 Memorials, two state Tour of Honor Memorials, a BBQ place, and Elvis’ birthplace/childhood home. I put in about 200 miles in about 6 hours. It was a great day.
