Took out at sunrise on Saturday. Was set on making it to Arkansas, taking into consideration the high temps.
Was somewhat geared up, had my new vest and bandana to help with the Hades-like ride ahead.
And of course...
Great view heading down the hill
I'd whipped up some green chile, beef, egg, potato burros for down the road to minimize breakfast stop delays. They hit the spot.
I cracked out the vest and bandana near noon or so. It seemed to do quite well, covered by a new JR mesh jacket for about 90 minutes. It then began to feel a bit like weighted armor, which might do well in a fall, not so much though when nearing peak heat.
I did manage to get it recharged when I grabbed a late lunch at the Cherokee Restaurant. Temp there = 107. Again, the recharged vest was good for 60-90 minutes. Eventually removed entirely along with the mesh jacket.
Took the turnpike from OKC and on into Arkansas. The stopping for toll booths and tossing out coins got old and costly.
How does that saying go,
"May the sun be always at your back" (or is it the wind)?
As I was passing through the Tulsa general area, the temp read 102 at 7:30 p.m...
I did manage to catch the sunset behind me as I was heading toward Siloam Springs AR.
Alas, I hit AR, it's 9:00 pm, I fuel up and find a room at probably the nicest Super 8 I'd ever stayed at. Took a dip in the pool and called it a night.
I hit a few nice spots on a not-so-direct route to Eureka Springs. I thought this place was pretty neat. I immediately thought of Gordo for this place. Hwy 303N heading toward War Eagle Bridge/Mill.
I moved on to The War Eagle Bridge and Mill (they had fans going inside), another neat place.
I cruised passed Beaver Lake and took in the sights. Stopped briefly, spewed out some more fluids from most pores, and decided to get back moving, into some wind at least. Note the dog (center screen) doing it right to beat the heat, as well as retrieving a stick.
I later met a couple of Valk riders from Kansas City at the Pea Ridge National Monument. We toured the facility, gathered some history and then rode on into Eureka Springs. I apologize for my poor memory, one of the riders was HB but I can't recall the other (Tim, Terry?). We all 3 happened to be sporting Mark T pipes, and in a different put up. A nice tour into Eureka.
I hit my first couple night stay location, The Brackenridge Lodge, unpack and stroll over to the Rowdy Beaver to grab a bite to eat. Everybody should have a Rowdy Beaver... Angus Burger, good stuff.
I stop off at a scenic overlook located in town, cruise a few of the in town roads and then make my way back to the lodge.
Ground Zero is a mere .68 miles so I decide to stroll over, meet several old and new-to-me group members, chat for a spell, still full from my RB Burger, watch as others enjoy the BBQ and then head back to my room.
Monday, it's the Castle Rogues Manor lunch ride and tour.
Did I mention it was
HOT :'(
I picked up a hitcher, or two. There were plenty of these at the event.
I decided to check out The Christ of the Ozarks site. I couldn't help but feel like I was being watched the whole time there...
That next day I took out on a very nice all day self guided tour of some of the back roads to include sections of Scenic Hwy 7, Hwy 21 and The Pig Trail - Hwy 23 back into Eureka.
Very nice cruising and only one deer sighting.
Here's one for the Commander Cody fans...
A few from the Pig Trail
Another shot of one of the locals hang'n outside the grocery store.
We had a spot of rain on Thursday, the day of the bike show and a nice dinner to follow.
I met up with on old riding partner from Oklahoma, Rumblebee and we got to catch up a bit before calling it a night.
My plan was to be on the road by 6 a.m. A nice morning ride back, catching glimpses of a colorful sunrise. It was comfortable t-shirt riding weather with a somewhat cool but foggy mist in the air. I elected to make my way over to and down I-540S to I-40 to avoid the toll road. I-540 definitely is not your normal interstate travel.
I stop off in Salisaw, OK for fuel and an Oklahoma style ham and egg breakfast at The 18 Wheeler Restaurant.
I caught up with Ron in Elk City and he and his wife Carla put me up for the night. I had dinner with friends, meeting up with several I hadn't seen in about eight years. A nice visit indeed! Ron, an old riding partner, and I got together with some of the old Breakfast Club crew and grabbed a bite at the Cherokee Restaurant.
We parted ways and I made my way back through the Texas Panhandle just in time to catch the hue emitting from the stockyards just west of Amarillo. It almost brings tears to your eyes.
I'd stopped off at a rest area and enjoyed some water, a peach and an apple. A nice view heading up Hwy 285 north of Clines Corner, the temps were tolerable.
Almost home, as I cross the Rio Grande.
It feels good to be home...
A healthy ride, 2,115 miles round trip, out for 8 days, and met up with many old friends and several new.
Thanks again to all those that worked to make this event possible, you did a great job!
Many, many, many more pic's of this trip available here:
Inzane XII Run
