I wrote about the Cherokee Trail of Tears a few days ago. That was a massive displacement of natives to Colorado due to native leaders selling the land their people lived on.
The Cherokee nation is now quite vibrant in Tennessee, and one of the fund raisers they promote for their youth, is a sponsored motorcycle ride from Bridgeport to Waterloo, Alabama, which is a 200 mile ride through twisting farmland roads that motorcyclists love. Susan and I had heard about this ride, and planned to attend the event; albeit in a car. DARN! We arrived at 2:00 and around 3:00, approximately 4000 motorcycles arrived. It was quite an impressive show. They have to cross a bridge over the Tennessee lake to arrive at the fairground, and numerous boats are anchored near the bridge to view the spectacle.Many motorcycles towed trailers shaped like Conestoga wagons that the natives used to transport their food during the 3,500 kilometre trek. There was,of course many of the Cherokee dancers performing their dances during the arrival of the motorcycles. One of the notable things that Susan noticed; there were no alcoholic beverages being consumed on the grounds. Lemonade stands were around the area, and even in the campsites, no alcohol was being visibly consumed. Times are changing! I am sure that during the dance this evening that will change.
We would have liked to stay, but tomorrow Susan and I leave for Memphis to do a couple of days of sightseeing, before flying home.