BIG MUSKIE

Big Muskie's Bucket

 McConnelsville, Ohio 




"Big Muskie" was once the World's Largest Earth Moving Machine. What remains today is a monstrous metal bucket, vaguely resembling a robot dog head. The bucket sits on a rise, overlooking the beautiful valley that it once mined and destroyed, which has been renamed "Re-Creation Land."

 Built in 1969, Big Muskie could move 39 million pounds of earth and rock every hour, revealing rich coal seams 100-150 feet down in southeastern Ohio. BM could swing its boom 600 feet, creeping across the landscape on four giant shoes. The immense dragline machine was churning along at full production until 1991, when power demands and other factors convinced the owners to shut down.

Even the chain links are massive !!

 If you grab hold of one you can't even budge it.



 Big Muskie in the glory days.

 For several years, visitors could tour the innards, and Big Muskie postcards could be found around Ohio. Then a bill called the Surface Mining Reclamation Act required its removal in the late 1990s. It was a familiar threat scenario. In other cases there have been happy endings: arch rival Big Brutus still stands today, a popular southeastern Kansas "heritage attraction."

 The "Save Big Muskie" campaign failed to raise the millions needed to maintain the goliath, despite pledges of funding from several sources, including "The Wilds," a animal preserve built over land once mined by Big Muskie. The area was closed to the public as of March 1999, when salvage started.

 In May 1999, Big Muskie was destroyed. The slow walking, surface mining behemoth was dismantled for scrap, high explosives used to blow off its five inch thick cables. Muskie land owner American Electric Power turned the remaining giant bucket into a "centerpiece of a display [telling] visitors about the Big Muskie, surface mining and reclamation ... to memorialize the men and women who helped mine and reclaim the area."

 The park, a roadside pull-off on a slope along the valley's edge, is well maintained, with its own groundskeeper, by AEP. Covered garbage can lids at site have "No fish" written on them, maybe going too far in the other direction. There are picnic tables.

 An interpretive display tells Big Muskie's story. One photo shows an entire high school band playing inside the bucket


I wanted a picture of myself in the bucket, to gauge the enormous size, so I had a passerby snap a shot for me.

Moonshine Lunch Run

MARTINSVILLE, ILLINOIS



MOONSHINE LUNCH RUN 2015



N39 11.428       W87 53.733

Corner of 600th E. St. & 300th N.Rd.
Martinsville, Illinois 62442

Moonshine Store obtained its name from the reflection of the moon in a puddle of water in front of the store.

This year is the 11th Annual MLR.




The Moonshine Lunch Run and ST's go together.

The founder of MLR, Terry Hammond (RIP) was a ST rider.

- Moonshine Store was founded in 1889 by William St. Martz. The store was originally located just north of the present building. After this building burnt, a new Moonshine Store was built by Roscoe and Ransom Deverick in 1912. Moonshine has served as a gathering place, a grocery store, and a place for farmers and oil field workers to come for lunch. Enid Misner was the first to start making cold cut sandwiches and hamburgers for lunch. Helen and Roy Lee Tuttle bought the store from Enid in 1982. When helen took over, she continued the menu and added a variety of other sandwiches. Until the early 1990's, hamburgers were cooked on small electric griddles. The first gas grill replaced them in 1993 and the second grill was added in 2004. With the help of family and friends, this piece of history will continue on.



- The record number of sandwiches is 3,251 as of April 12, 2014.

- From 1992 to 2006, Helen has served 414,342 sandwiches. Most of these were hand-made hamburger patties.

- As of today, Helen uses a weekly average of 480-720 lbs. of hamburger, 50 lbs. of onions, 10 gal. of pickles, and more than 100 packages of buns.

- Moonshine Store has had visitors from every state and several countries.

- Moonshine Store has appeared on the Travel Channel, Food Network, and several local television stations.







This was the route down. It ended up being approximately 450 miles.



Arrived @ Moonshine store about 2:30 Eastern. Lucky for me, I gained an hour though. It was only 1:30 there. Good timing too, there was only a few people left in the burger line. By the time I parked and got situated the line was non existant and I was able to walk right in and get a double. They were out of cheese though. Not like I need it anyway. Often the line can extend for what seems like a mile. Last year we arrived at a similar time and stood in line for a long time. We set a record on burgers last year too. After eating, I walked around checking out all the bikes and waiting for Scott to show up. While waiting I also called Glenn, who also rode to Moonshine. Was hoping to hook up with him and camp out at the farm and go to the chilli dinner together, but he answered and informed me he was heading back home. Bummer. We will catch up next time.






Everybody is gone. I am the last bike there. Still waiting for Scott. Hopefully he gets an RT or FJR soon and picks up the pace.




There he is. Only about an hour and a half late.





Somehow he got lucky and they pulled a burger out of the leftovers for him. Now Scott can say he ate the last Moonburger served during the 11th Annual event. Only 11 guys can say that over the history of the MLR. That is notable, isn't it ?
Check out the complaints department sign.





Paying for the last Moonburger served. Over 3,000 burgers were served during this years event. Not quite the record we set last year. But close. UPDATE-3,061 MOONBURGERS WERE SERVED.





HAMMOND FARM

After finishing up at the Moonshine Store, we decided to ride up to the Hammond Farm and set up camp before riding to Casey for the Chilli dinner put on by the local Fire Department at the Casey High school, which started at 5:00 pm.

The Hammond Farm is in Martinsville and free camping is available there for the MLR. The farm is about 20 miles north of the Moonshine Store. The store is south of I-70 and the farm is north of I-70.



We found a nice spot along the edge of an elevated grassy area overlooking a field and woodline.



Scott set up his Eureka Mountain Pass 2 XTE and I my little Seedhouse made by Big Agnes. Looks like Scott brought the whole bedroom set. Cot and everything. He always looks at my miniscule Seedhouse and then at me and says "Can you even fit in there !"




After we finished up in Casey, a leisurely ride back to the Hammond Farm through endless fields and then along the gravel road leading back to the property was taken.



There was a pond nearby on the property with an incredible cadence resonating from the frogs who resided there. For awhile I just stood there listening. The volume was almost deafening at times.



The next morning, I was woken before sunrise by a symphony of nature. Imagine laying in your tent on an Illinois farm and listening to a combination of coyotes yipping and yapping off in the distance along with occasional hoot owls hooting and songbirds singing. Not to mention the incessant frogs and even a turkey gobbling. It was as if it was all being methodically orchestrated. This is the way to start the day. Early and connected to nature, as life is meant to be.








MOONSHINE LUNCH RUN 2014

Not knowing if the prior owner ever took the ST to Moonshine, I figured it only fitting to properly bond on the first big ride enroute to the notorious MOONSHINE LUNCH RUN in memory of Terry Hammond who was a ST owner.

Richard Buber (MTF and IBA member) is now the keeper of Terry's bike named Relentless - and it has over 100k on it now.

We left Detroit Saturday morning, heading into the horrendous Southwesterly winds most of the day, but at least it was warm and dry.

Just our fuel mileage suffered, and the occasional pucker factor when the wind almost put you in another lane !!

Four of us rode together.

Gasguzzler and Big Truck Guy on their 1200 GSA's, my couzin Will Smith on his 1500 wing (I sold him a few years back) and myself on the ST1300.

We rode Route 23 down through Toledo, Ohio and took 24 to Fort Wayne, Indiana and then I-69 to Indianapolis.

Rolling into Indianapolis.




Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis Colts)
You have to excuse my finger in the picture. I have yet to master this shooting on the fly business.




Selfie -



After a few too many fuel stops due to Couzin Will's thirsty 1500 wing, we crossed into Illinois and rode out into the farmland to MOONSHINE.

 The bikes were lined up for a mile down all the country roads in every direction.

 I heard a couple thousand bikes made it out for the event.



Hey, look. Theres BIG DOG, on the right. (AKA- Mark Sampson)



Ahhh, there's the Moonshine general store and the moonburgers. I better get over there - as the line goes way back down a little gravel road.





But first, I am going to go get some of this Amish pie and Ice cream to hold me over while in the burger line.

 Note the two Amish men back by the woodline with the bucket. I'm pretty sure they are making the ice cream.



I had the Raspberry pie. It was ok, but too sweet - and not tart enough for my liking.

Standing in the Moonburger line.

 This burger had better be good, and we are going to make it a double cheese !



After leaving Moonshine we rode into Casey to locate the High school where the firefighters were going to put on the chili dinner later on.

 On the way there I missed a turn and had to take a offroad detour to get back on track.

 Oh well, it made the GSA guys happy.



It was one thing running the ST down dirt and gravel, but trying to do it one handed - and take pictures behind me was another. But I managed.

Solitude in the City

Even in the city there are pockets of nature remaining, if you look hard. Nature always has a way of recharging my spirit. I detect the same in my Daughter.

Amidst the city we have a few sanctuaries of woods in which to take a mid-winter stroll. My youngest Daughter and I took one of our Australian Shephards out to one such spot today. Holiday Park has a trail that meanders along side of a creek.

Elizabeth was especially delighted when we were able to observe five deer along the bank on the far side of the creek. She has a strong connection with nature and watched in awe as the five majestic deer pranced through the woods with their white tails flicking about. Then all five of them trotted up a hill in single file while jumping fallen trees until they were out of sight.

As we walked back to the van discussing our magical observation - I expressed to her how those are the priceless moments in life.

A Glimpse Into Historic Surry County - Virginia

Beginning in 1607, Jamestown settlers affectionately called the opposite shore of the James River the "Surrey Side" to honor their homeland.

The Jamestown colony was perceived as a miniature London, because it lay on both sides of the James River as London lies on the Thames. The section of London south of the Thames is in the shire of Surrey, so settlements on the south side of the James River were referenced as "over on the Surrey side".The name "Surry" was retained when the county was chartered in 1652.




19 October 2016 -This is from last fall, containing most of an original write-up posted from the road, combined with more pictures and information after returning home. A merged consolidation of sorts.

Had a laid back day. Stayed somewhat near the house and explored the closer surrounding area instead of searching out the bigger points of interest - as I am usually inclined to do while on the road.

Chippokes Plantation State Park is not very far away. It always pops out at me on the map, but I've never taken the time to scope it out. I'd head out in that direction and enjoy the Virginia country roads and the unique sights peculiar to the region. Every area has it's own specific feel. Just open up and tune in.



Thankfully, the wrong road was chosen - and it turned to dirt. What an incredible start to the day. It kept switching from sandy, to grassy, to dirt two track. More like a green lane in places, while it meandered along side various fields of corn, soybeans, or peanuts and would run in and out of the woods and often along side the woodline.



Then the trail was swallowed up by a forest and narrowed significantly as I progressed. The GS and I pushed forward until the trail finally ended on a small bluff overlooking a tributary of the James River that serpentined it's way through the marshy low land. Nothing to do but a 360, and enjoy it again, in the reverse direction.



After 5 days on the road, anxious thoughts of work, routine, and the Detroit Metro rat race have finally diminished - and been replaced with a euphoric sense of freedom. Feels like I've been wandering longer than I actually have. In a good way. An exhilaration that material things can never match.

Eventually, I made it to Chippokes Plantation State Park and snooped around there for a good hour. A very serene setting, especially so, because I was the only one there on this Wednesday afternoon.

Had the place to myself. Enjoyed browsing many old antiques and ancient farm implements they had displayed along with their impeccable grounds and old buildings.

Had to stop along side the road and walk out into a cotton field. I've noticed them before on various road trips, but never actually put my hand on a cotton ball and felt the moist fluffy consistency of it. Now I have.



Another fantastic day weather wise also. Sunny and low 80's down here.

Stopped by a few other various historic locations. This area, dating back to the 17th and 18th century, is a treasure trove for history buffs, as this is where it all started in America. Not that I am one, but the older I become, the more intereting it becomes. Stopped by the Smith's Fort Plantation also. Captain John Smith that is. Quite the wild man. Explorer extraordinaire.

More information and photographs of these places later. The fact that we - and life itself - is so radically different now, makes the old history and lore even more fascinating. Picked up a few brochures to sift through, with the intent of further educating myself, and hopefully you, on the subject. Delving deeper keeps the mind sharp.

Attempted to ride out to Hog Island Wildlife and Game Refuge, another place I always see on the map that sparks my curiosity, but came upon a large armed barricade and power plant, so I turned around and left, assuming that it can't be accessed by the public. Later while at the Surry County Courthouse and visitor center, the lady there informed me that you simply pull up to the gate and they will allow you access. Glad I asked her about it. Next time.

Had lunch at the Surry Seafood Company down on Gray's Creek. Stellar food and a very nice setting. Have some pictures from the spring time visit when they first opened that I still have not posted.

Patience Grasshopper.

There was an interesting senior there dining. A World War Two Veteran. Not too many of them left. He is 95 years old and still very spry. Had a cane but still moved very swiftly and spoke authoritatively. A local from Surry also. Mentioned that he used to run around these creeks and woods as a kid. I said, "Things must be much different." He said, "You can't imagine."

One bummer is that Mamma D's has closed up. Was so looking forward to some more of her wings smothered in Ma D's sauce.



Best dark, spicy, and vinegary sauce I ever had. It'll clean out your sinuses. Who knows better than a Black Southern woman ? Surry Seafood Company will have to do for dinner and drink for Dad and I this evening.

The Surry County Courthouse -



Surry County is unique in the South to have preserved and protected original county records that were established in 1652, avoiding destruction from the British in the American Revolution and the Union Army during the Civil War.

Bacon's Castle -



Also known as Arthur Allen's Brick House. He built the structure in 1665.

Bacon's Castle is the only surviving example of Jacobean architecture in North America.

It is also the oldest existing brick dwelling in Virginia.
Chippokes Plantation State Park -

On the way back into Chippokes I passed some interesting roadside cemeteries. Old school burial.



That is where I would like to be buried. In the woods. Talk about quaint. That is how it was meant to be.



Random abandoned farm house.



Chippokes Plantation is one of the oldest continuously farmed plantations in the country; a working farm since 1619.

The plantation and bordering Chippokes Creek were named for Algonquian Chief, Chipoaks, who befriended the early English settlers.

I spotted some sharp old tractors at the comprehensive Farm and Forestry Museum. Spent a little time marveling at all the old farm implements.




























The Jones-Stewart Mansion also resides on Chippokes. Construction of the mansion began in 1852 with materials available on the property.

Local legend is that the mansion survived the Civil War unscathed because Mr. Jones sold his popular brandies to both Confederates and Yankees during the war.



Adventure is inherent in man !



After a satisfying day of roaming, my Dad and I had dinner at the Surry Seafood Company and caught the sunset over Gray's Creek.