tshelfer
0
- Joined
- Sep 4, 2009
- Messages
- 13,543
- Reaction score
- 2,959
- Location
- Centennial, CO
- First Name
- Tim
- Last Name
- Shelfer
I finally managed to pull off my Talimena trip. It was a windblown ride in both directions. In fact, the only time I was out of the wind for 3 days was when I was in a bathroom. But it was a good trip nevertheless. And most important, I found good roads and fall color.
With the wind like it is, the leaves won't last long. But if you go within the next 2-3 days, you may get lucky. The best color I saw was close to the Winding Stair NF campground, close to Mena, and along Hwy 8 west of Mena.
#1 This is Talimena State Park - the row where the tent sites are. Very secluded.
#2 Some color close to my campsite.
#3
#4
#5
Sunset in the campground.
#6 The first thing you see when you turn onto the Talimena Scenic Highway. Take this sign seriously.
#7 It was pretty overcast in the morning. But great riding, still.
#8 Weird lighting as the sun and clouds duked it out for a while.
#9
#10 At 2,000 feet, the clouds won. I drove in pea soup, sometimes with my blinkers on, and visibility less than 50 yards.
#11 Nice view.
#12 It began to clear up, and the color improved, as I got close to Mena.
#13
#14 Yup, this is why we ride.
#15
#16 The next few pictures are heading back from Mena along Hwy 8/68. The riding is less challenging, but the fall color was excellent.
#17
#18
#19
#20 One of my very favorites.
#21 I turned south on US 259, and went over the pass toward Beavers Bend. It was beautiful up there.
#22
#23
#24 I shot these two Harley dudes in Heavener. The lead guy was a bit surprised and stopped to talk for a moment. I think he thought I was a cop.
#25
#26
#27 Back in camp. The VStrom just loves to have her picture taken.
#28 One more picture, just before the sun sets. Headed home tomorrow.
Made it home to Arlington today in 4 hrs 20 minutes. According to weather.com, the wind was blowing better than 20mph and gusting much higher, so I took a beating - particularly once I turned west on I-30. Some of the gusts were the kind that try to screw your helmet around your head. And twice, my tank bag got ripped off - I caught it between my elbows & pinned it back down with my chest.
Still, I went for the fall color. I didn't come home empty-handed.
With the wind like it is, the leaves won't last long. But if you go within the next 2-3 days, you may get lucky. The best color I saw was close to the Winding Stair NF campground, close to Mena, and along Hwy 8 west of Mena.
#1 This is Talimena State Park - the row where the tent sites are. Very secluded.
#2 Some color close to my campsite.
#3
#4
#5
Sunset in the campground.
#6 The first thing you see when you turn onto the Talimena Scenic Highway. Take this sign seriously.
#7 It was pretty overcast in the morning. But great riding, still.
#8 Weird lighting as the sun and clouds duked it out for a while.
#9
#10 At 2,000 feet, the clouds won. I drove in pea soup, sometimes with my blinkers on, and visibility less than 50 yards.
#11 Nice view.
#12 It began to clear up, and the color improved, as I got close to Mena.
#13
#14 Yup, this is why we ride.
#15
#16 The next few pictures are heading back from Mena along Hwy 8/68. The riding is less challenging, but the fall color was excellent.
#17
#18
#19
#20 One of my very favorites.
#21 I turned south on US 259, and went over the pass toward Beavers Bend. It was beautiful up there.
#22
#23
#24 I shot these two Harley dudes in Heavener. The lead guy was a bit surprised and stopped to talk for a moment. I think he thought I was a cop.
#25
#26
#27 Back in camp. The VStrom just loves to have her picture taken.
#28 One more picture, just before the sun sets. Headed home tomorrow.
Made it home to Arlington today in 4 hrs 20 minutes. According to weather.com, the wind was blowing better than 20mph and gusting much higher, so I took a beating - particularly once I turned west on I-30. Some of the gusts were the kind that try to screw your helmet around your head. And twice, my tank bag got ripped off - I caught it between my elbows & pinned it back down with my chest.
Still, I went for the fall color. I didn't come home empty-handed.