Saturday, May 17, 2025
The REVER Ride: https://go.rever.co/FCEKthoysTb
286 miles. Once the rain cleared, we rolled out and headed north. Our route took us through Ball Ground, GA, up to Birchwood, TN, where we visited The Barn on Pierce, and then back through the mountains along the beautiful Ocoee River.
Check out the videos from this ride!
AM Rain Showers . . . Coffee Together
We had planned to head out for Tennessee early in the morning and arrive around noon to meet a potential caterer—Back Road Boys Barbecue. But when we woke up, the storm was moving slower than expected. We decided to give it about an hour to pass before hitting the road.
About 30 minutes later, I got a text from Krystal: “Leaving in five—see you there!” Suddenly, Papa and I were scrambling! We had been enjoying a slow, rainy morning and a cup of coffee on the front porch, completely relaxed. Now our new mission was to catch up with Krystal and make it to Waffle House—our planned meeting spot—on time!
A Quick Pause In Ball Ground, GA for Breakfast
We zipped over to Waffle House in Ball Ground, Georgia, where Krystal was already waiting. She had beaten us there by a bit and had even grabbed us a booth—true MVP status! It was the first time we’d seen each other since I got back from D.C., and just being able to say “hey” in person again felt so good. There’s something about catching up face-to-face that texts and phone calls just can’t replace.
We slid into the booth, still shaking off the morning rush and the last bit of rain. Coffee was poured, orders were placed—waffles, eggs, bacon, the works—and conversation flowed like we hadn’t missed a beat. Between bites of breakfast and plenty of laughs, it felt like one of those simple moments that fills your cup a little.
After finishing up, we paid our tab, stretched our legs in the parking lot for a minute, and then geared up for the next stretch of the ride—heading north to Cleveland, Tennessee.
The Barn on Pierce
We took the back roads from Ball Ground all the way up to Cleveland, Tennessee, winding through the hills until we finally arrived at The Barn on Pierce. Our families were meeting us there to help brainstorm and give feedback on how we might bring our wedding vision to life. Unfortunately, my aunts couldn’t make it that day—and they’re a huge part of the decorating team—but we still had plenty of eyes and opinions to help get the ball rolling.
We also had the chance to meet with Backyard Boys Barbecue, and let me just say—it was some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had. Tender, smoky, and full of flavor. I wanted Krystal there for the tasting too, so she could start getting ideas and inspiration for how we could coordinate the setup and decorations around the layout and flow of the meal.
The Barn had so many pieces and decor options already available for us to use, which was a huge bonus. I had done some research beforehand—scrolling through boards and saving ideas, mixing in photos and inspiration that felt right for the space. The main goal now is pulling all the pieces together in a way that feels natural and simple, without overcomplicating things.
We’ve still got a little time before we need to dive into the heavy lifting, but the foundation is starting to take shape—and that’s a good feeling.
A Drive-By Dawg Acres ❤️
Before heading toward the Ocoee River, we popped over to Jason’s farm, which we call Dawg Acres—named after his dad’s nickname. Instead of taking the main road home, we opted for the back way. It only added about 15 minutes to the trip, but it made for a much better ride—and it was a route Krystal hadn’t taken before, so it was new to her too.
We hung out at the barn for a bit, visited with the grandkids, played with the cows, and watched the chickens do their thing. It was one of those laid-back stops that fills your heart before getting back on the road. Once we soaked it all in, we geared up and rolled out—ready for the next leg of the ride.
Along the River
We took Highway 64 all the way from Cleveland to the Ocoee River, which meant we got to skip the interstate entirely—a win in our book. This stretch of road is one of our favorites. It winds right alongside the river, carving its way through the mountains with a mix of curves, rock walls, and breathtaking views. The Ocoee itself rushes over boulders just feet from the road, and the trees arch overhead in places, making it feel like you’re riding through a tucked-away corner of the world.
We made a couple of stops along the river to stretch our legs, breathe it all in, and just enjoy the moment. The sound of the water, the fresh mountain air, and the quiet of the woods all around—it was the kind of ride that reminds you why you take the long way home.
Wrapping it all up with some Wings and Live Music
To wrap up the night, Jason and I decided to swing by one of our favorite spots—Good Ol’ Days in Cumming, Georgia—for some of their signature wings. It was a Saturday night, so the place was lively, and they had a great band playing live music while we ate. There’s something about good wings and live tunes that just hits the spot after a full day of riding and exploring.
We didn’t get to stay as long as we would’ve liked, though—Shenanigans had been home all day, and even though Miss Chris had kindly stopped by a few times to let her out, we were itching to get back. Let’s be honest—we were missing her pretty bad by the end of the day! So we packed it up, headed home, and made sure she got plenty of attention (and probably a treat or two) to end the night just right.
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Photo & Video Credits & Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Jason Case and Krystal Ashway for their contributions to the photography and videography featured in this post. Their work helped capture the essence of the process, the final product, and a few behind-the-scenes moments that bring this story to life.
Their photos and videos have been used throughout BBMR’s content to help visually represent what we do and share it more clearly with our audience. We’re grateful for the time and effort they put into helping us showcase our work with creativity and care.
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