It was sure nice to have such great weather when I left Sumter, not a cloud in the sky.  I was going to stay overnight somewhere on the way to Atlanta but didn’t really have an idea of where that would be.  I was just cruising the back roads heading generally west.  The clouds were starting to build but the weather girl said no chance of rain.

In this part of South In Carolina the corn is just starting to come up.  Trying to figure out what’s being farmed in the fields I ride by is something I like doing.  I doubt that I’m right more than I’m wrong about the crop – but I’m pretty sure this is corn.

I looked at a map and thought that since I was so close to Augusta, GA I would stop by and check out Augusta National Golf Club – home of The Masters golf tournament.  I knew I was getting close when I saw the 10 foot high chain link fence covered with that green cloth so you can’t see through it.  The fence itself isn’t all that visible with all the trees they have planted just outside of it.  The turn onto the property is best described as a 90 degree alleyway off a fairly busy four lane road.  And that’s as far as you’re gonna get.  I just wanted to take a picture down Magnolia Lane – No sir, you’ll have to leave – Now was left unsaid but certainly implied with as much southern hospitality as possible.  I don’t like being told what to do, but I was on private property and I do understand, so I turned around.  I was going to try to ride by slowly and snap a picture but I found one on the internet and it is exactly what it looks like.  Back in 2015 they installed those retractable bollards for increased security.  I thought – “those wouldn’t stop me” however, so far I’ve managed to stay out of jail on these rides and I’d like to keep it that way – but I was tempted.Augusta has a Harley dealership so I stopped by to see if they had time to put a new rear tire on my sled.  They did, and I enjoyed some kick back time on their plush waiting room couch while they were doing the work.  I spoke with one of the mechanics about the rattle coming from the top of my motor.  He rode it around after the tire was put on and thinks it’s something mechanical.  They would be happy to investigate but if they get the motor apart and have to order parts, I would be stuck in Augusta – so I thanked him for the tire and his diagnostic expertise and headed for dinner.  The girls in the motorclothes dept highly recommended Big Daddy’s Bar & Grill which was just down the street.  After having eaten there, I have to agree with them, so – if you’re ever hungry for some southern cuisine in Augusta, GA – Big Daddy’s is just south of Interstate 20 and slightly west of town.