hppants
Well-known member
Over the 2017 Labor Day weekend, I rode to Arkansas with 3 buddies. MikeP introduced me to Randy and Tom about a year ago. They’ve known each other through bicycling and Mike thought we would all be a good fit for motorcycling, and he was right. Over the year, we’ve ridden together on weekend day trips, including Randy’s stepson often as we run the back roads around southern Louisiana. Everyone enjoys being together as our riding expectations and interests are similar. It became something to really look forward to.
During stops on our day trips, Mike and I started dropping hints about going a little farther. Maybe take a few days and explore something more adventurous. As the summer wound down, the idea took root and it became apparent that the Labor Day weekend felt right for our first big adventure. We talked about destinations and given the circumstances, the Arkansas Ozarks seemed like the best place to go. It’s far enough away to feel like you’ve been somewhere, but not too far given our 5 day limitation. We decided not to camp, and Mike made hotel reservations at places we knew were decent.
As go day on Thursday approached, the weather forecast started getting iffy. A cold front approaching from the northwest threatened crappy rainy weather for Thursday/Friday and the guys started getting cold feet. But I know that often the forecast changes and by Wednesday, it did. Thursday would be rainy but not cold, and then the rest of the weekend would be cool, but nice. So Mike and I convinced the others to go for it, and it worked out great.
I will readily admit that as a younger man, I cherished things much more selfishly. I had this paranoid attitude about things, always wondering if something bad would happen, and if it did, would I be able to deal with it? As I got older, I learned much more about the error of my ways. I’m not sure if that happens from having experience, confidence, a reduction of testosterone, all of these, or even something else. I suppose it doesn’t matter.
One product of this revelation for me is the true inner satisfaction of sharing. I get a sense of pride and happiness watching others enjoy whatever it is I can give them. Of course, that might apply to something tangible, but it doesn’t always. Mike and I know how to ride Arkansas, and it was our pleasure to share that with someone else.
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1. Lafayette to Mountain View, Arkansas
As expected, I woke up to a crappy radar. Nothing to severe, but widespread rain all around. I can see it’s gonna move through later today, though. We meet at the gas station in Lafayette, everyone covered in Frogg Toggs. Considering the conditions, we decided to just slab it north to make miles while the rain and wind were falling on us. I took the lead and set my cruise control at a safe 68 mph.
Tom uses his cell phone for GPS and about a hundred miles in, he got a severe thunderstorm alert on his phone, and motioned to me to pull over. We took the next exit off and sought shelter at this gas station. Randy has several motorcycles, and calls his 1000 V-Strom the “Bumble Bee”.
After about 30 minutes, the tail edge of the front is just about on top of us, and we pressed north on Hwy 167 hoping for improving conditions. Just across the border near El Dorado, Arkansas, we stopped for lunch at this place, which was recommended by a local.
I can’t remember the name of this place, but it was kind of neat with a bunch of nostalgia lying around.
After lunch, the rain started and stopped and we found ourselves playing the rain gear shuffle. Tom likes his Wee Strom and I do to. He bought a Givi top box for the trip.
Mike’s Versys 1000 LT is the perfect bike for him right now.
Later in the afternoon, the rain finally pushed through and that was just in time for us to cross I-40 and get into the good stuff. We stopped at Greer’s Dam, which was also a historical Ferry location back in the day.
If this dam ever breaks, the Little Red River is going to cause some major havoc on peeps down stream!
The Wee and the Vee!!
As we ride further north, the roads start getting nice and twisty. Early evening, we find our destination in Mountain View, Arkansas.
My new friends look like they are having a nice time.
We settle in and pop open a cold one for some relaxation. Mike offers his warm salutations and greetings!
The gal at the hotel desk suggested this fish house for dinner.
Not too bad.
After dinner, we rode around the town square just to check out the place. Mike took a right on a street that looked inviting and 3 blocks later, we stumbled upon this bunch of pickers messing around.
They were playing bluegrass mixed with some gospel oldies and they were fantastic.
I wanted to ask the banjo player for a snort of this stuff, but I thought he might think I was rude.
We enjoyed doing a little knee slapping with this music, and when it was time for us to move on, I asked a patron where I could leave my tip in thanks. She looked at me funny, explaining that “these people don’t do that here. They just like to share their talent with others.” I get it, I really do.
We rode back to the motel for a warm shower and some night night. It was a great start to a great trip.
Day 2: Mountain View, Arkansas to Jasper Arkansas.
I woke up rested and refreshed, that mattress was better than I expected. We made do with the crappy hotel room coffee and I even had time to wipe down the red horse.
Randy’s ready to go! Me too!
We packed up and rode a short distance to this diner in town. As you can see, the weather is going to be just perfect.
During stops on our day trips, Mike and I started dropping hints about going a little farther. Maybe take a few days and explore something more adventurous. As the summer wound down, the idea took root and it became apparent that the Labor Day weekend felt right for our first big adventure. We talked about destinations and given the circumstances, the Arkansas Ozarks seemed like the best place to go. It’s far enough away to feel like you’ve been somewhere, but not too far given our 5 day limitation. We decided not to camp, and Mike made hotel reservations at places we knew were decent.
As go day on Thursday approached, the weather forecast started getting iffy. A cold front approaching from the northwest threatened crappy rainy weather for Thursday/Friday and the guys started getting cold feet. But I know that often the forecast changes and by Wednesday, it did. Thursday would be rainy but not cold, and then the rest of the weekend would be cool, but nice. So Mike and I convinced the others to go for it, and it worked out great.
I will readily admit that as a younger man, I cherished things much more selfishly. I had this paranoid attitude about things, always wondering if something bad would happen, and if it did, would I be able to deal with it? As I got older, I learned much more about the error of my ways. I’m not sure if that happens from having experience, confidence, a reduction of testosterone, all of these, or even something else. I suppose it doesn’t matter.
One product of this revelation for me is the true inner satisfaction of sharing. I get a sense of pride and happiness watching others enjoy whatever it is I can give them. Of course, that might apply to something tangible, but it doesn’t always. Mike and I know how to ride Arkansas, and it was our pleasure to share that with someone else.
I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1. Lafayette to Mountain View, Arkansas
As expected, I woke up to a crappy radar. Nothing to severe, but widespread rain all around. I can see it’s gonna move through later today, though. We meet at the gas station in Lafayette, everyone covered in Frogg Toggs. Considering the conditions, we decided to just slab it north to make miles while the rain and wind were falling on us. I took the lead and set my cruise control at a safe 68 mph.
Tom uses his cell phone for GPS and about a hundred miles in, he got a severe thunderstorm alert on his phone, and motioned to me to pull over. We took the next exit off and sought shelter at this gas station. Randy has several motorcycles, and calls his 1000 V-Strom the “Bumble Bee”.
After about 30 minutes, the tail edge of the front is just about on top of us, and we pressed north on Hwy 167 hoping for improving conditions. Just across the border near El Dorado, Arkansas, we stopped for lunch at this place, which was recommended by a local.
I can’t remember the name of this place, but it was kind of neat with a bunch of nostalgia lying around.
After lunch, the rain started and stopped and we found ourselves playing the rain gear shuffle. Tom likes his Wee Strom and I do to. He bought a Givi top box for the trip.
Mike’s Versys 1000 LT is the perfect bike for him right now.
Later in the afternoon, the rain finally pushed through and that was just in time for us to cross I-40 and get into the good stuff. We stopped at Greer’s Dam, which was also a historical Ferry location back in the day.
If this dam ever breaks, the Little Red River is going to cause some major havoc on peeps down stream!
The Wee and the Vee!!
As we ride further north, the roads start getting nice and twisty. Early evening, we find our destination in Mountain View, Arkansas.
My new friends look like they are having a nice time.
We settle in and pop open a cold one for some relaxation. Mike offers his warm salutations and greetings!
The gal at the hotel desk suggested this fish house for dinner.
Not too bad.
After dinner, we rode around the town square just to check out the place. Mike took a right on a street that looked inviting and 3 blocks later, we stumbled upon this bunch of pickers messing around.
They were playing bluegrass mixed with some gospel oldies and they were fantastic.
I wanted to ask the banjo player for a snort of this stuff, but I thought he might think I was rude.
We enjoyed doing a little knee slapping with this music, and when it was time for us to move on, I asked a patron where I could leave my tip in thanks. She looked at me funny, explaining that “these people don’t do that here. They just like to share their talent with others.” I get it, I really do.
We rode back to the motel for a warm shower and some night night. It was a great start to a great trip.
Day 2: Mountain View, Arkansas to Jasper Arkansas.
I woke up rested and refreshed, that mattress was better than I expected. We made do with the crappy hotel room coffee and I even had time to wipe down the red horse.
Randy’s ready to go! Me too!
We packed up and rode a short distance to this diner in town. As you can see, the weather is going to be just perfect.
