Day 3 - May 13, 2023. Counce, TN - Savannah, TN

A short ride today, so a later start.  We got away from the hotel about 9am.  We backtracked the end of yesterday's route for a while.  This is sometimes necessary in order to find accommodation that can take all of us.  We stayed at a Hampton Inn last night; nice place.  I'm guessing that the only reason it is there in such a tiny community is because of the proximity to Pickwick Lake (created by Pickwick Dam on the Tennessee River).  In fact, if we had taken the most direct route from last night hotel to tonight's hotel, the distance would have only been 12 miles.  But - we would have missed Shiloh National Military Park and Shiloh Battlefield.  

Rode by a gated community apparently in the middle of nowhere and the residents were out in force at the pickleball court to beat the heat later in the day.

At about mile 5 we turned onto State Route 350.  It looked like it was going to be a nice idyllic ride.

Until the dogs came out - ugh!  The first one that chased me, barking, growling and baring his teeth had the owner in the yard who didn't do a darn thing.  Just "oh, he won't bother you".  I beg to differ!  I was off my bike, keeping my bike between him and me.  He kept circling behind me to try to get at me from behind.  I had good timing on the second one.  A big pickup truck came by and kept the truck between me and the dog until I got out of range; thank you!  Lots of dogs on that 6 mile section.  But - I did also see a lovely little red fox who ran off into the woods before I got very close to him.  When I first glimpsed this sign I thought they were advertising psychotherapy for horses..........

  

Next up - Shiloh National Military Park.

This was the site of a huge battle in April of 1862.  In just two days there were over 23,000 casualties including over 3,500 dead.  We watched a 45-minute movie in the visitor centre and looked at some of the many outside monuments.

We still had lots of time to kill, so I stopped in at a huge flea market in Crump TN.  Seems to be a hotbed of Trump believers...........

As we approached out Tennessee River crossing I saw this home off in the distance.  I'm guessing the area is prone to flooding..........

I was excited that they had a lane of the bridge closed for construction, which meant I could ride there without cars.  Apparently that's against the law and most other people stayed in the one open land with cars and no shoulder.  I might end up in jail yet!  

A few more miles and we were in to the booming metropolis of Savannah TN.  

Once again, the biggest building in town (since this is the "county seat") is the county courthouse.

I took a brief detour through the historical section of town and saw some nice older homes.  Here's one of them.

Then I popped into the Tennessee River Museum.  I thought they did a great job with a relatively small space.  A bit of geology & fossils, early peoples, Native Americans, European settlers, civil war, steamboat history, etc.  

I don't imagine the Native Americans used the term "homeland security" in their lexicon.

There were a few panels about the "Trail of Tears"

One more pic before heading to the hotel.

Great dinner, Emily & MP!  Day's Inn hotel is basic, but a great outdoor space for us to gather.

One additional thought - we've been on mostly quiet roads (well, except for the barking dogs), but we've been on a few busy ones too.  I must say that the majority of the drivers have been very courteous and patient.  Thanks to them we can stay safe out there.................

Savannah, Tennessee

Population 7,213 (2020).  Savannah is located along the east side of the Tennessee River and was incorporated in 1833.  It is named after Savannah, Georgia which was the hometown of the wife of one of the early settlers.  Savannah is the county seat of Hardin County, which was the site of the 1862 Battle of Shiloh during the Civil War.  Union General Ulysses S. Grant commandeered the Cherry Mansion just off the city square for use as a headquarters during the battle.  Pickwick dam and lake were constructed on land purchased in the 1930s by the Tennessee Valley Authority for electricity generation.  Pickwick Lake is located in 3 different states.  It is the north end of the Tennesse-Tombigbee Waterway.  In 2000 the median household income was $22,779. 

Stats for the day:

Distance:  65.5 km / 40 miles

Elevation (Garmin):  586 m up / 599 m down.  1924 ' up / 1966 ' down.

Elevation (RWGPS):  766 m up / 803 m down.  2513' up / 2634 ' down.

Weather:  19C - 29C.  Beautiful day.  A bit on the warm side............