planning my route to InZane2012

[5_19]

Including part of the Natchez Trace Parkway seems like a good way to get to Eureka Springs.



Sure seems like a good way to go! This should make it about a 3-day trip instead of just one day! TJ

[T-Bird]

TJ,  I did almost the same route going to GOTF last week. 
BTW....where were you last week? Didn't you get the memo?

[5_19]

Yeah I got the memo! I even got a very persuasion letter from Willow addressed to Peggy! All I can say, I was there in spirit, keeping peace at home is a higher priority for me! Or like Rainmaker likes to say "I am saving up the kitchen passes"!!

So how was the Parkway?

[T-Bird]

I've been married for 33 yrs and know those kitchen passes all to well!
Save a Pass for Inzane....hope to see you guys again this year!

The Trace was great... low traffic, and no rain.

[jimnvalk]

So how many days are you going to take to get there?  Any ideas on your trip back

[5_19]

So how many days are you going to take to get there?  Any ideas on your trip back

No more than 3 days. Leave Friday or Saturday. It's only about 1200 miles with no U-turns. I am just throwing it out here. Spend 1ste night in the Vicksburg area, second night in Memphis area and arrive sometime on the third day at ground Zero. A direct route for me is 510 miles or a day trip.......I can always do that just not as much fun!

[RainMaker]

Maybe find a different route than I-20 for so much of the trip.  That looks like hard vs fun riding.

[5_19]

Maybe find a different route than I-20 for so much of the trip.  That looks like hard vs fun riding.

I always heard great mind think alike!...scary! How bout at least 40-80 miles south of I20?

[2-CUP]

  NOT A LOT TO SEE BUT A NICE RIDE TO HEAD SOUTH AT SHREVEPORT (HWY #1)THRU WINNFIELD AND CROSS THE RIVER AT NATACH, MISS. AND PICK UP THE TRACE AND HEAD NORTH. MADE THE RIDE SEVERAL TIMES AND A NICE RIDE....MY 2 CENTS WORTH.. HAVE FUN..

[HayHauler]

If you leave on Thursday you could inlcude hwy 129........   Just Sayin....

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

There is always highway 7 up from Hot Springs.

[5_19]

If you leave on Thursday you could inlcude hwy 129........   Just Sayin....

Hay 
Jimmyt

I may have to leave on Thursday...... on the other hand if I leave earlier yet I could pick up another east coast state or 2:evil:

[Rocketman]

It's difficult to see your northeasternmost point, but it looks like you leave the Trace just south of the Alabama line.  If you cross into Alabama, you can get off at Cherokee, and take 72 into Memphis.  It's a US highway.  Nice compromise between superslab and making reasonable time.
I've done that more than once.  Talk to me if you want more comments.

Mark

[Willow]

It looks like a fun route, but if you've not spent before a few days in northwest Arkansas, a more enjoyable plan might be to go directly to Eureka Springs a few days early and just spend time riding around that corner of the Natural State. 

Sorry about failure of the letter.   

[Hollyday]

I was laughing when I saw this post, TJ.  I could have sworn a couple of weeks ago you said it was too early to plan a route to get there!  

[5_19]

I was laughing when I saw this post, TJ.  I could have sworn a couple of weeks ago you said it was too early to plan a route to get there!  

Liz,

Well I just was thinking after our conversation ....... it's about time I stirred things up a little. You also had a couple of good ideas. Forgot what they where.

[Hollyday]

Well, either coming or going.. have to do http://www.talimenascenicdrive.com/

I think we drove this several years ago and this was really nice..
his route starts in Hot Springs AR.
- From Hot Springs take Hwy 7 North 73 miles through Russellville, AR
- Now take AR 164/AR 7 North for 14 miles to Hargarville, AR
- Now take AR 123 North 28 miles to Sand Gap, AR
- Now take Ark Hwy 7 North 4 miles to Ark 123
- Now take Ark 123 north 16 miles to Ark 374
- Now take Ark 374 west 8 miles
- Now take Ark Hwy 7 North 5 miles to Jasper, AR cross Buffalo River
- Now take Ark 74 West 14 miles
- Now take Ark 43 North 4 miles through Ponca, AR
- Now take Ark 103 North 12 miles to Osage, AR
- Now take US Hwy 412 West 3 miles
- Now take Ark 103 North 14 miles
- Now take US Hwy 62 West 19 miles through Berryville, AR to Eureka Springs, AR.

Haven't put too much thought yet.. just throwing out ideas.. but I think if you do go to Natchez, how about go thru Tyler, TX,  Mt. Enterprise, Logansport, Grand Bayou LA, Winnfield LA to Natchez, MS.. No idea on the roads.. just not on the interstate..      Maybe some LA folks can chime in on ideas..

[mario]

thanks for posting the link, hollyday.

[SideCar]

Personally not a fan of the Trace.  It curves a bit, but it's not what I call twisty and it isn't really all that scenic.  I know others who think differently.  If you like twisties, you can spend the same time on some better roads with better scenery in Arkansas "on the way" (IMO).

[Rocketman]

I love the Trace, myself.  I've taken it multiple times, and for me, it's a replacement to the superslab.  I take the slab part of my trip, then the Trace most of the remainder when I go on my business trips.  I feel like I haven't taken a real breath until I get on the more relaxed road.  Perhaps that's comparing it against too harsh a critic, but so be it.

Mark

[Hollyday]

Hey TJ, would you consider doing this route when leaving?   3 day trip.. leave Friday morning.. get home on Sunday?   Just throwing out ideas is all

Was throwing around the idea of doing the Tal scenic byway on the way up.. Guess I should discuss with the hubby LOL..

[5_19]

Liz,
I have been looking at another option. 3 days prior to Inzane is the BMW annuall gathering in Sedalia, MO. That is just a 100 or so miles north of Eureka Springs. If I went to both event it will turn into a 2 week event for me.

If I decide not to go to Sedalia I would be ok with leaving on Friday. Keep in mind also, I am not dead set on going the route that I posted! To many things can happen between now and than. One thing is for sure I am going to Inzane!!!!Gotta sell them raffle tickets!!

[Hollyday]

Interesting.. so whatcha gonna ride?   Jeff going with ya?  If so, drag him with you to Eureka Springs

[flamingobabe #44]

we'll go north and slightly east????????

but coming home we'll travel west ...northwest....north...west...north...north...then turn and head south...south...then west-southwest...then east...southeast...east...east...east...then south-southwest.....

[Red Diamond]

we'll go north and slightly east????????

but coming home we'll travel west ...northwest....north...west...north...north...then turn and head south...south...then west-southwest...then east...southeast...east...east...east...then south-southwest.....

Are you and HG going to turn in all those directions in one intersection or are there multiple intersections and highways. Ha Ha.

[RainMaker]

Sounds like the rides I lead.  Those are just u-turns.

[5_19]

we'll go north and slightly east????????

but coming home we'll travel west ...northwest....north...west...north...north...then turn and head south...south...then west-southwest...then east...southeast...east...east...east...then south-southwest.....

Cool FB I really like your route! Sounds like we will be crossing paths in Eureka Springs! It appears some folks are having trouble understanding your direction. Don't worry they are perfectly clear to me after the first left turn.

[Rocketman]

Sounds like the rides I lead.  Those are just u-turns.

Aren't you glad you went with me in March?  U-turns are the way you get the most miles in on a ride.

[RainMaker]

Sounds like the rides I lead.  Those are just u-turns.

Aren't you glad you went with me in March?  U-turns are the way you get the most miles in on a ride.