mitchntx
Follower of Rev. Doug
- Joined
- Jun 11, 2006
- Messages
- 4,521
- Reaction score
- 1,513
- Location
- Whitney
- First Name
- Mitch
- Last Name
- Warren
Thanks to Ron and James for inviting me along when my trip to a Norton Rally in Colorado fell through. My wife had planned a "girls night" with all her hoodlum girlfriends and was told I was going somewhere. Ron and James gave me a destination.
This will be the first "long" trip for me in over 30 years. Last time was a trip to Arkansas in the early 80s. I recall that trip vividly and cannot believe time has flown by so fast.
I had no travelling gear. There are so many options it was hard to focus and be realistic. I bought stuff I'll rarely use and wish I had bought more of other stuff.
Wound up with Leader duffel bags. 1 will fit in my top case if needed, sit sideways on my pillion seat and I can still open my side cases. They are wide enough to hold lots of gear and act as a nice backrest.
So the night before, I have everything ready to go. Meeting James in Weatherford at 0615.
I had posted earlier about bad karma and I should just stay home. I didn't heed the warning signs.
At 820/35W construction zone traffic was just creeping along and before we realized the normal mess was complicated by a bad accident at the 35W/287 split, I was trapped between barricades with nowhere to escape, legally or illegally.
The RT got flippin' hot. I had warning lights flashing and tappets were clattering loud. We finally bullied our way over and got under some shade to let her cool down. I thought my trip was over before it even started.
But after about 1/2 hour, she had cooled and quieted down. Thank you Mobil 1.
Met with Ron and finally got going around 8:30. Ron led us through some beautiful country roads leading to Paris and then blasted through Oklahoma, arriving in Mena, AR before 3pm. We stopped about every 60-90 minutes for saddle breaks and hydration. It was pretty daggum hot.
Captain Ron filed the primary flight plans, but there were several deviations on the fly. It made the trip not so much destination oriented, rather a very relaxed. Made the trip extremely enjoyable as the schedule pressure to get to an anointed destination wasn't looming.
Weather was cloudy and hovered around 80 for the most part. Found a few sprinkles, but it was very nice riding weather. Traffic wasn't bad at all and we made pretty good time.
Travelled north on hiway 7. I recall travelling 7 30 years ago and it is still a great ride. Highly recommend.
Reverend Ron has a sixth sense about places and we stopped to gaze at Umpers Knob.
And James thought it a bad idea either follow or lead the belching logging truck and band of Deliverance refugees dragging scrap-laden "trailers". So we peeled off and waited ... with a view.
We were bound for Harrison for the night. But plans changed at lunch in Jasper.
**********************
Shameless picture post for Drew, the Chicken Fried Steak Grand Poo-Bah.
Courtesy of the Ozark Cafe, Jasper, Ar
Good stuff ....
**********************
Slacker Ron wanted to stay the night in Clinton. I think he just came out of the closet. Appropriately named, Clinton was a dump. so we pressed onto Conway.
The day's route ...
Awesome ride, fellas. By 3pm the clouds were gone and replaced by high temps and humidity. I was done by the end of the day.
Next morning, we stopped for fuel before leaving Conway.
Meet Dalton ...
Dalton is from Virginia and several months ago, sold everything he owned, packed and headed west. Stopped in Santa Barbara, Ca. Headed up the coast and turned back east through Montana, Colorado and then east when we met him.
Said he stopped along the way and worked on farms and ranches for room, board and a little spending money.
From here he said he was going home and back to school. What an adventure. Good luck to you Dalton.
We had decided to ride the Pig trail, go back to Mena for the night, leave early, ride the Talimena and hot-foot it back home.
While Ron made physiological adjustments ...
James made a quick call and found the Inn was full in Mena. So the meander to the Pig Trail was cut short by about an hour and the target was Talimena ride that evening and stay in Talihina.
After the 72nd missed turn, we had Ron's head on a platter ...
He didn't see the issue. He confessed he misses airports all the time.
The Pig trail is a definite must ride. Canopy covered twisting and winding road has plenty of scenery. And lots of great photo ops ... none of which I took. Guess I was having too much fun. I think James and Ron got a few.
Rode south on 71 and then west to get on the Talimena Scenic Byway.
Entrance to the Talimena was interrupted by a quick rain shower at the base of Rich Mountain where we found this treasure ...
Rich Mountain Country Store doesn't take credit cards, there is no cell service, but once you walk inside, its a whole 'nuther trip. Multiple lies ... I mean stories ... are told and only about 10% of the "stuff" is for sale. Great place for a Moonpie and Creme Soda, though.
I'll let Ron tell the rest of the story.
After the shower had passed, up the mountain and onto the Talimena.
Folks, this is an easy 1/2-day ride from DFW. Just sayin' ...
Here was our trek on Day 2 in Arkansas ...
Ate a great meal at Pam's Hateful Hussie Diner
Its a stolen image, but the food was great and the portions were monstrous. Bring an appetite ...
Next day, we said good-bye and hot-footed it home.
Random thoughts:
Weeks could be spent driving meandering back roads.
Unbelievably nice folks.
It gets hot, but a well placed cloud cools it off fast.
Lots of places to take a saddle break. Should have taken more.
Wish I was there today.
This will be the first "long" trip for me in over 30 years. Last time was a trip to Arkansas in the early 80s. I recall that trip vividly and cannot believe time has flown by so fast.
I had no travelling gear. There are so many options it was hard to focus and be realistic. I bought stuff I'll rarely use and wish I had bought more of other stuff.
Wound up with Leader duffel bags. 1 will fit in my top case if needed, sit sideways on my pillion seat and I can still open my side cases. They are wide enough to hold lots of gear and act as a nice backrest.
So the night before, I have everything ready to go. Meeting James in Weatherford at 0615.
I had posted earlier about bad karma and I should just stay home. I didn't heed the warning signs.
At 820/35W construction zone traffic was just creeping along and before we realized the normal mess was complicated by a bad accident at the 35W/287 split, I was trapped between barricades with nowhere to escape, legally or illegally.
The RT got flippin' hot. I had warning lights flashing and tappets were clattering loud. We finally bullied our way over and got under some shade to let her cool down. I thought my trip was over before it even started.
But after about 1/2 hour, she had cooled and quieted down. Thank you Mobil 1.
Met with Ron and finally got going around 8:30. Ron led us through some beautiful country roads leading to Paris and then blasted through Oklahoma, arriving in Mena, AR before 3pm. We stopped about every 60-90 minutes for saddle breaks and hydration. It was pretty daggum hot.
Captain Ron filed the primary flight plans, but there were several deviations on the fly. It made the trip not so much destination oriented, rather a very relaxed. Made the trip extremely enjoyable as the schedule pressure to get to an anointed destination wasn't looming.
Weather was cloudy and hovered around 80 for the most part. Found a few sprinkles, but it was very nice riding weather. Traffic wasn't bad at all and we made pretty good time.
Travelled north on hiway 7. I recall travelling 7 30 years ago and it is still a great ride. Highly recommend.
Reverend Ron has a sixth sense about places and we stopped to gaze at Umpers Knob.
And James thought it a bad idea either follow or lead the belching logging truck and band of Deliverance refugees dragging scrap-laden "trailers". So we peeled off and waited ... with a view.
We were bound for Harrison for the night. But plans changed at lunch in Jasper.
**********************
Shameless picture post for Drew, the Chicken Fried Steak Grand Poo-Bah.
Courtesy of the Ozark Cafe, Jasper, Ar
Good stuff ....
**********************
Slacker Ron wanted to stay the night in Clinton. I think he just came out of the closet. Appropriately named, Clinton was a dump. so we pressed onto Conway.
The day's route ...
Awesome ride, fellas. By 3pm the clouds were gone and replaced by high temps and humidity. I was done by the end of the day.
Next morning, we stopped for fuel before leaving Conway.
Meet Dalton ...
Dalton is from Virginia and several months ago, sold everything he owned, packed and headed west. Stopped in Santa Barbara, Ca. Headed up the coast and turned back east through Montana, Colorado and then east when we met him.
Said he stopped along the way and worked on farms and ranches for room, board and a little spending money.
From here he said he was going home and back to school. What an adventure. Good luck to you Dalton.
We had decided to ride the Pig trail, go back to Mena for the night, leave early, ride the Talimena and hot-foot it back home.
While Ron made physiological adjustments ...
James made a quick call and found the Inn was full in Mena. So the meander to the Pig Trail was cut short by about an hour and the target was Talimena ride that evening and stay in Talihina.
After the 72nd missed turn, we had Ron's head on a platter ...
He didn't see the issue. He confessed he misses airports all the time.
The Pig trail is a definite must ride. Canopy covered twisting and winding road has plenty of scenery. And lots of great photo ops ... none of which I took. Guess I was having too much fun. I think James and Ron got a few.
Rode south on 71 and then west to get on the Talimena Scenic Byway.
Entrance to the Talimena was interrupted by a quick rain shower at the base of Rich Mountain where we found this treasure ...
Rich Mountain Country Store doesn't take credit cards, there is no cell service, but once you walk inside, its a whole 'nuther trip. Multiple lies ... I mean stories ... are told and only about 10% of the "stuff" is for sale. Great place for a Moonpie and Creme Soda, though.
I'll let Ron tell the rest of the story.
After the shower had passed, up the mountain and onto the Talimena.
Folks, this is an easy 1/2-day ride from DFW. Just sayin' ...
Here was our trek on Day 2 in Arkansas ...
Ate a great meal at Pam's Hateful Hussie Diner
Its a stolen image, but the food was great and the portions were monstrous. Bring an appetite ...
Next day, we said good-bye and hot-footed it home.
Random thoughts:
Weeks could be spent driving meandering back roads.
Unbelievably nice folks.
It gets hot, but a well placed cloud cools it off fast.
Lots of places to take a saddle break. Should have taken more.
Wish I was there today.