Page_2_Warioto

Chapter "Q" was organized in February, 1989 by Sam and Nancy Winters, who have been members of the Gold Wing Road Riders Association (GWRRA) for over 20 years. The name was derived from a book entitled "Along the Warioto" by Mrs Ursula Beach, a Montgomery County Historian. When white settlers first arrived here, the Shawnee Indians, who had settled near French Lick, referred to the river as the Warioto, later to become known as the Cumberland river. The letter "Q" was selected because Clarksville is known as "The Queen City on the Cumberland" and was assigned by the GWRRA organization to be designated as such. Warioto Wings, Chapter "Q" adheres to all of the policies as set forth by the Gold Wing Road Riders Association. We are located in Region "N" - the Appalachian Region, of GWRRA.

Warioto Wings was presented its Charter in June 1989. As of December 1998, our chapter has 39 full members, 24 Associate members and 12 Booster members representing diversified occupations and Gold Wings from as early as 1975. Our chapter keeps growing as more find out about us.

Chapter "Q" meets on the last Monday of each month at the Golden Correl at 2811 Wilma Rudolph Blvd (exit 4 of 1-24) Clarksville, TN (Eat at 6:00pm- Meet at 7:00pm. Many members meet at 6:00pm for dinner and then our meeting begins at 7:00pm. At these gatherings, we discuss upcoming events, past events and news of interest within our chapter as well as other chapters in the GWRRA. We make plans for rides and just enjoy talking with each other about our motorcycles and interesting things that have happened as we traveled on our Wings. We also have door prizes and a 50/50 drawing as well as other fun things. There is NO charge, only the annual GWRRA dues. The average Gold Wing rider is about 46 years of age. Our chapter has members ranging from their early 20s to the mid 70s.

Chapter "Q" is proud of the fact that we have purchased and paid for flags which represent every state of the United States of America, as well as every branch of the Armed Services, Christmas and D.A.R.E. This was done through our "Flag Sponsorship" program. Chapter "Q" has proudly displayed the flags on their Wings at the annual Veteran's Day parades and several other special events in the area.

We are a community minded chapter and provide assistance at all possible opportunities. We adopted a 2-mile section of the 101st Airborne Division Parkway in Clarksville and have other projects such as Mall shows, Poker runs/Toy Runs, and fundraisers for St Jude Children's Research Hospital at various times throughout the year. We raised over $5,000 for St Jude Children's Research Hospital in the year 2000 ; over $10,000 in 2001; and over $11,000 in the year 2002. Goldwingers from across Tennessee raised nearly $103,000 for St Jude in 2001 and $100,720 during 2002. Chapter Q also collected 4,115 Beanie Babies/Attic Treasures/Teddy Bears/Barbie dolls and other toys for the children at St Jude's in 2002 and delivered them to the hospital on the "Wings Across Tennessee Ride 2002" in September 2002. A local country music radio station requested the help of Chapter Q members when they held their 9th Annual Radiothon to raise money for St Jude Children's Research Hospital and many Chapter Q members volunteered their time to help them raise over $45,000 for the hospital. A local police department asked for Chapter Q's assistance in collecting Teddy Bears for them to give out to children when they respond to domestic disturbance calls to help calm the fears of the children. Of course, we like to ride our Gold Wings!! Several of our members have put thousands of miles on their motorcycles each year and traveled all across the USA.

Local Weather

Clarksville is located in the Northern Highland Rim of upper Middle Tennessee...and is 382 feet above sea level. Our climate is characterized by mild winters (although severe weather is not uncommon) and hot, humid summers. The summer of 1999 was brutally hot with temperatures hitting 100 degrees and higher a couple of times in late July. This had not occurred in several years. Most precipitation occurs in winter, with the least amount occurring in the fall. On a yearly average, Clarksville experiences 208 frost-free days (about seven months).

Area Lodging

Clarksville offers 34 hotels/motels/bed & breakfasts ranging from budget to luxury.

Days Inn US79 N & I-24 Ph: 931-552-1155

Econo Lodge 201 Holiday Dr Ph: 931-645-6300

Fairfield Lodge 110 Westfield Dr Ph: 931-551-3200

Hampton Inn 190 Holiday Rd Ph: 931-552-2255

Holiday Inn I-24 & Wilma Rudolph Ph: 931-648-4848

Motel 6 254 Holiday Dr Ph: 931-920-6666

Ramada Ltd 3100 Wilma Rudolph Ph: 931-552-0098

Red Roof Inn 197 Holiday Dr Ph: 931-905-1555

Super 8 I-24 & US79 Ph: 931-647-2002

Wingate Inn 251 Holiday Dr Ph: 931-906-0606

History of Warioto River

When James Robertson led a group of men from Watauga in the Washington District to French Lick in the Mero District, he traveled the Wilderness Trail through the Cumberland Gap that had been blazed by Daniel Boone. After leaving the trail, he followed Indian paths that had been created by buffalo southward until reaching the Cumberland River in December 1779. The Cumberland River’s Indian name was Warioto. On Christmas day 1779, Robertson led his men, horses and other animals across the frozen water to the south side of the river and established Fort Nashborough.

The river itself has, in the past, been known as the "Chaouanon" or "Old Shaunanon" French for Shawnee and on some early maps was shown as the "Skipakicipi. The Cherokees Indian tribes drove out the Shawnees and took over the very choice hunting grounds and they changed the name of the river to

"Warioto"