Central Plateau - on a whim

June 26th

Early in June I found out an old friend had ended up in a nursing home in Manchester, TN. With his 88th birthday coming up I thought I would just ride out and pay him a visit. There are four state parks along the route so we figured we'd check them out.
They are: Cumberland Mountain, Rock Island, Old Stone Fort, and Fall Creek Falls.
On June 25th we made a knee jerk decision to hit the road because of the forecast for clear and cooler weather. Glad we did! Not a cloud in the clear blue sky and most of the day was fairly comfortable.
We were out about 12 hours but only 8 were riding. We covered 354 miles total for the day.
Only 40 parks to go.

IMG 3763
1
 The resturant in Cumberland Mountain SP on Byrd Lake.
2 The resturant in Cumberland Mountain SP on Byrd Lake.
 Cumberland Mountain SP. This dam was built completely out of Orchard stone by the Conservation Corps in the mid 30's
3 Cumberland Mountain SP. This dam was built completely out of Orchard stone by the Conservation Corps in the mid 30's
 Record low water levels on Byrd lake have rendered the swimming beach completely dry.
4 Record low water levels on Byrd lake have rendered the swimming beach completely dry.
 On our way off the western Plateau into the Sparta Tn area
5 On our way off the western Plateau into the Sparta Tn area
Our first time at this park. We plan to swing by here again on the upper plateau ride to visit an area of the park that we missed - the Great Falls
6 Our first time at this park. We plan to swing by here again on the upper plateau ride to visit an area of the park that we missed - the Great Falls
 TVA's Great Falls dam on the head waters of Center Hill Lake.
7 TVA's Great Falls dam on the head waters of Center Hill Lake.
 IMG 3776
8
 River bed west of the dam.
9 River bed west of the dam.
 Contemplating the plunge!
10 Contemplating the plunge!
Quite a drop!
11 Quite a drop!
 Unfortunately be didn't see the Great Falls on this trip because we didn't know how to get over to the other side of the river. The Great Falls emerge directly from caves 150 ft above the river.
12 Unfortunately be didn't see the Great Falls on this trip because we didn't know how to get over to the other side of the river. The Great Falls emerge directly from caves 150 ft above the river.
 This is another park where one needs their hiking boots. There are many wooded trails that meander along the Duck river. This park is right in Manchester Tn.
13 This is another park where one needs their hiking boots. There are many wooded trails that meander along the Duck river. This park is right in Manchester Tn.
 We even saw some locals working the Old Stone Fort!
14 We even saw some locals working the Old Stone Fort!
 On the bluff above the Duck River.
15 On the bluff above the Duck River.
The sign at the main entrance didn't have a safe place to pull off for a photo but we were lucky to find this one located at the Inn.
16 The sign at the main entrance didn't have a safe place to pull off for a photo but we were lucky to find this one located at the Inn.
 The modern Inn and conference center located at Fall Creek Falls. The inn is a good place to stay and has a great breakfast buffet.
17 The modern Inn and conference center located at Fall Creek Falls. The inn is a good place to stay and has a great breakfast buffet.
 Fall Creek lake
18 Fall Creek lake