Chaos of Curves - Eastbound
The Talimena
Disappointed not to have my daughter riding with me this trip, the morning began wonderfully as I headed out to Chuck's Classic Bar & Grill in Talimena OK for my first Bunk-a-Biker stay.
Just east of Granby I flagged a driver that the side door on his trailer was swinging free. The DQ I stopped at for lunch in Roanoke TX was closed until further notice. At least I got a photo for the Ice Cream Challenge!
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What was to be a quick stop in Denton to check directions and get a photo of the old, stone courthouse turned into 5 1/2 hours sitting on a hot sidewalk waiting for a seven mile tow!
American Eagle Harley in Corinth was about to lock its doors when I arrived. When I asked about camping in the parking lot the service writer called his wife. They participate in Bunk-a-Biker and offered me a place to stay for the night.
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Hot Springs National Park
I knew it was more than just a battery (though I was told to get a new one soon due to its age) when there weren't even lights when hooked to jumper cables. The positive cable had sheared off completely! One of the disadvantages of an older bike is a lack of parts on hand. It was about 1:30 pm by time I was on the road again. I set a course directly for Hot Springs, bypassing the Talimena, to get back on schedule.
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I missed a turn just east of DeQueen AR taking me 30 miles out of my way. Time I was not happy to lose! The only route markers seem to be at intersections and this one had been hidden by construction.
Tired, and too late to try for a camp site at the National Park, I found a cheap (for the area) room and settled in for the night.
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The Pig Trail
Hot Springs is a quaint little town and I look forward to a return visit. It was still more than an hour before the Park Office opened, so I went on my way without stamps.
AR-7 was where I found my first curvy road of note. My route included Mt. Magazine Road, but it was the part north of Paris, while Mt. Magazine was to the south. Another route earmarked for the next trip!
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The Pig Trail is only one of several enchanting routes enticing motorcyclists to the state. I fell in love with Arkansas and could easily spend an entire summer here!
Pulling into Eureka Springs H-D I was disappointed not to find a rider's lounge, though I was welcomed to come in and sit to cool off a while.
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Reaching Mountain Home, I gratefully allowed my Bunk-a-Biker host, Ed to navigate the steep gravel driveway. Though I am sure I could have managed, I was just tired enough to be concerned. His wife, Anna and I chatted most of the evening. Connecting with people like this is what I want out of travelling!
The Woodlands Trace
Once again, I was making good time enroute to Metropolis IL until I took a wrong turn finding myself totally lost before I realized it! Instances like this (and looking for the nearest gas) are when I am really grateful for smart phones!
Taking little time to explore Land Between the Lakes I stopped briefly at Fort Donelson National Park after entering Tennessee.
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The visitor center was closed so stamps were not available.
In addition to warning me to watch my speed through Dover, my Bunk-a-Biker host, Rob, had also suggested "Old 79" as a pleasant ride. Just as I reached the turnoff, the skies opened up! No pitter-patter, just instant deluge! With less than ten miles to go, everything I had was sodden.
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RNC Homestead hosts several events through the year and is well equiped for guests. My bike securely in the barn, Rob offered a cot in the man-cave of a garage, and dried my riding gear after I changed. We chatted over coffee and his wife, Carol, sat with us for a time.
Daniel Boone National Forest
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Pushing through to meet up with Peppermint Patti in Athens OH before dark, there was little time for photo ops. A stop for gas in Hazard (get it while you can!) turned into a conversation and photo sharing about Sportsters. People are continually amazed that I tour on one.
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Texting Patti from 80 miles out at 6:30 pm I expected to be there by full dark. I use shorthand notes of routes and exit numbers taken from google and other maps while riding, checking location only when I am lost. This one was on google. The exit numbers given in the directions, and Patti confirmed, did not the exit numbers on the highway. Not even close! Once I realized I had gone too far I pulled off for gas and looked up street names, then I took a left instead of a right when getting off the highway and rode clear across town when the hotel was one street over! Chalk that one up to rider fatigue.