Biker Rags

DAY RIDE TO THE LOST SEA IN SWEETWATER

Ready to ride.
Ready to ride.

On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, we took a Day Ride. Our destination was The Lost Sea Adventure in Sweetwater, TN.

Rather than ride directly to Sweetwater, we decided to get a good ride in before visiting The Lost Sea.

Jeff kicks off our day in this short video:

We left our home in North Knoxville right at 10:00 am. The skies were partly cloudy but the sun was shining and the temperature was right around 55 degrees.

We stopped to fill our tanks and get a quick snack.

Then we headed north on Clinton Highway to Clinton, took 61 to Oliver Springs, then 62 to Wartburg.

In Wartburg we turned south onto 27.
In Wartburg we turned south onto 27.
On 27 heading to Harriman.
On 27 heading to Harriman.

Once in Harriman, we stopped and checked out some of the old historic buildings.

We looked at some antique cars in a downtown building.
We looked in at some antique cars in a downtown building.
Then admired some of the historic buildings.
Then admired some of the historic buildings.
Happy Motoring!
Happy Motoring!

After we rode through some of the beautiful old neighborhoods in Harriman we got back on 27, then took 70 to Kingston.

Once in Kingston, we took 58 south, turned onto 72 and rode into Paint Rock. In Paint Rock, we took 322 which led us into Sweetwater.

We stopped for lunch at the Dinner Bell in Sweetwater.
We stopped for lunch at the Dinner Bell in Sweetwater.
The spacious interior has a primitive style decor.
The spacious interior has a primitive style decor.
Jeff ordered a club sandwich and I had the salad bar. YUM!
Jeff ordered a club sandwich and I had the salad bar. YUM!

After lunch, we rode through Sweetwater and onto 58 south which took us to The Lost Sea.

The Lost Sea Adventure is a 3/4 mile round trip guided tour through the caverns. (You can read more about the attraction HERE.)

The tour begins by walking through a man made tunnel.
The tour begins by walking through a man made tunnel.
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There were about twenty-five people in each tour group.
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The guide talks about the rock formations and the history of the cavern.
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Confederate soldiers mined the caverns for saltpeter (used to make gun powder) during the Civil War.
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This is called the Devil’s hole because the bottom of this formation has never been explored.
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The boat dock on the cave lake.
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Rainbow trout surround the boat during the 10 minute lake ride.

There are many points of interest along the route and the tour guide is well informed. It’s  a great way to learn about the history of the cavern. The tour took about an hour and a half and it cost $18.95 per person.

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After the tour, we walked through the “Old Sweetwater Village”.
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It does feel like a step back in time.
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The sweet shop was closed during our visit. I’m sure they have delicious stuff inside!
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The general store is undergoing repairs but will be up and running for the tourist season.

Jeff tells the story of his bike key during the tour:

After our walk through the village we got back on the bikes and rode to Madisonville.

We made another fuel stop at Weigel's off 411.
We made another fuel stop at Weigel’s off 411.

After gassing up, we took 411 back into Maryville. It was 5pm and we were hungry once again. So we stopped at McAlister’s Deli for a light dinner.

McAlister's Deli in Maryville, TN
McAlister’s Deli in Maryville, TN
Inside McAlisters
Inside McAlister’s.
Yummy!
Yummy!

After dinner we got back on the bikes and rode back into Knoxville.

We arrived home at 6:15pm. Our total round trip ride was 160 miles.

The fur kids are always glad to have us home!
The fur kids are always glad to have us home!

We wrap up the day in this short video:

You can view our entire list of DAY RIDES by CLICKING HERE.

10 comments

  1. AWESOME RIDE!! I gotta learn Pam and Jeffs SECRET!! How they enjoy so much great FOOD on their rides and stay so FIT and TRIM! ED

    • Thanks Ed! Yea- the food is great. We couldn’t eat so much every day but boy, it sure is fun on the rides.
      We appreciate you looking, reading and commenting. Have a terrific day!

    • We were so grateful Elaine about the key! It was a really safe area… everyone there to see the caverns.
      Thanks for your comment as always!

  3. I enjoyed the “Key” story! Ever since I had my Venture triked I have taken to using the kill switch to turn the bike/trike off. Then I forget about the key in the ignition and usually someone in my riding group will have to point out that the headlight is still on!! I’m getting better at remembering however!!

    • Modern bikes just make it so easy to forget the key! I’m constantly having to remind Jeff to get his key fob.
      Thanks for reading and commenting Alfred. Hope you and your wife are enjoying spring!
      See you soon.

  5. …will you be producing the “where’s-my-key” stickers commercially?….I know a whole bunch of folk who could use them…including myself…. I’m envisaging you having to change the name of the biz to “Biker Rags & Where’s-My-Key Stickers” in the foreseeable future!…another great trip-log team… keep up the good work…. : )

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