Day 16: Cape Girardeau, MO to Nashville, TN

230.31 Miles | 4:53 Riding Time

Today is Friday, April 26, 2024, and it’s Day 16 of my cross country motorcycle trip.

I’m excited to head down to Nashville I haven’t been there in probably 20 years. Started out crossing the Mississippi River (for the second time this trip), and heading down through the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area before jumping on the highways down to Nashville.

It was gorgeous, clear day—a little warm. Great roads and very little traffic (until I got into Clarksville, TN). Passed that little guy in the 2nd picture crossing the road, and gave him lots of room.

Went through the town of Cairo, which was really sad. “the entire city was evacuated during Mississippi River floods in 2011, after the Ohio River rose higher than the 1937 flood levels, with the possibility of 15 feet of water inundating Cairo.” The city has not recovered, and it’s mostly abandoned. There is a beautiful ironwork arch that says “Historic Downtown Cairo,” but there’s nothing there anymore. I found this picture on Flickr of what it used to look like.

The Land Between the Lakes was a beautiful ride, with sweeping turns and almost no other vehicles (it was a Friday, so it’s probably busier on the weekends). On right side of that last picture, there’s a big bison herd. It was hot and they were just lounging around. I visited the Golden Pond Visitor’s Center, and got my sticker. I think it’s the only visitor’s center I’ve seen with a planetarium. That’s cool. She said they get lots of kids and school groups there—love it!

Back on the road and on the highways to my hotel in west of downtown. I met some nice folks while having dinner at the bar at Las Palmas. A good dinner, then off to bed.

The Route

Elevation Profile