Our "Let's Do An Ozark Jaunt On Labor Day" plans had changed. Labor Day is now going to be just that: A day of labor.

Sooo... last night we decided to do our Labor Day ride today!

We arose at the buttcrack of dawn... (I think I awoke at 8:58 AM? ). A quick check of the weather indicated minimal chance of rain. The ride was on.

First order of business: What do I wear? My goodness, such decisions. Do I go with the "Billy Bad ***" look... or what about trying for that elusive "Lawyer/Cowboy" feel? After much deliberation, I chose an ensemble that best could be described as "Mr. Average". (I was a bit concerned that my jean selection made my butt look a bit big, but the wife assured me I looked simply stunning.) For those that are taking notes, my ensemble:

Faded blue jeans.
Black riding boots (lace up w/zipper on the side).
Dark blue T-shirt with tribute to two of my departed dirt bike friends on the back.
My favorite pair of Fox MX gloves from my dirt biking reportoire.
Black doo rag topped by a DOT approved 1/2 helmet (black of course).

In all honesty, I was indeed "stunning", to use The Mrs' words.

The important fashion decision made, it was now time to load up and start our adventure.

The Blue Deuce fired right up... and after The Mrs swung a leg over and settled in... I snicked it into gear and hit the road. Our loose plans were:

Take Hwy 112 from Poteau to Pocola (Oklahoma) and pick up I-540 through Ft. Smith. Take I-40 east to Ozark, Arkansas and exist on Hwy 23, then hit the twisties on "The Pig Trail" (Hwy 23) all the way to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, which is some 70 miles from Ozark.

Ah the air temps were PERFECT. At 70-75 MPH, the miles spent on I-40 went by quickly. Soon is was off at the Hwy 23 exit... turn north and: The Twisties!

We took our first break at the Turner Bend store. (Established 1912.) Several bikes were there, posers I'm sure. (Not the real deal like me.)

The Store At Turners Bend:



While sitting on a rock and sipping my fountain drink, I asked the wife if she thought the gaggle of riders were "real bikers". Her answer was very thought provoking:

"Well... those ARE bikes, aren't they?"

"Yes.", I replied.

"And they ARE riding them, aren't they?"

"Yes."

"Then... they are bikers".

God, she is so deep.

Soon we saddled up and headed north. Our destination: Lunch at "Bubba's BBQ" in Eureka Springs.

After many gorgeous miles of twisting pavement and Ozark mountains, we arrived at Eureka Springs and hit our destination. As was the case back in the summer, the food was great!

"Bubba's BBQ" at Eureka Springs:


While seated at the counter enjoying BBQ, a fellow walked up and introduced himself... and ask if I minded him enquiring about one of the dirt riders pictured on the back of my T-shirt. I told him I didn't mind at all. Turns out this fellow knew Leroy Winters from some time ago. We chatted for a bit, and in so doing I told him that as a kid in the late 60s/early 70s I rode dirt bikes with Leroy's family, including Leroy, and that I had lost touch with them during the 80s, but re-established contact in the 90s just a few short years before Leroy passed away. I also let him know that I was still good friends with the rest of the family and that I would often use the business of Leroy's son, Bart, to do some of my bike work when my time was short and the work needed to be done. Interesting what can come from a T shirt, no?

It was time to begin the homeward trek. Just to make sure things were "going nicely", we stopped at the convenience store at Hwy 12 jct. Returning to our bike, we were greeted by this beauty that had pulled in:



As we passed through the sleepy little town of St. Paul, Arkansas, it was time for a break and a bottle of water. St. Paul typifies many of the towns you will see out in the Ozarks. The general store we stopped at could best be described as "rustic". The elderly lady that owned it (and was operating it) was very interesting to talk to. (She was born in St. Paul and had lived there most of her life.)

A Sure' Nuf General Store:



And A Pic Of The Blue Deuce And The Mrs (In the background wearing pink):



Soon enough, it was time to continue south and eventually the house.

In all, we logged 288 miles to go eat a BBQ lunch. Had a great time, and met and talked to some interesting people.

I love living in this region!!!

Andre Ming
Eastern OK

 

Thanks for the pics and the story. It was great! Sure made me miss Arkansas and the Ozarks. GO HOGS GO! WOOOOOOOOO Pig Soooooooooie! Live in Mississippi but all my family is still in AR. Hubby's family in MS.

 

Andre, I assure you that was a better ride than you would have had on 66 in Oklahoma.

 

Interesting trip you had.

Last month I rode from Branson through Eureka Springs to War Eagle, then down the to the Pig Trail and stopped at Turner Bend. Then on through Paris, Arkansas to Mt. Magazine and spent the night at the mountain top lodge. Next day I left Mt. Magazine and did the Three Peaks Ride; from Magazine to Mt. Nebo then to Petit Jean Mountain.

Today I rode up to Mountain View and on to Calico Rock, then over to Marshall.

Some of the best riding in Arkansas is around Jasper, especially the loop through Mt. Judea. Arkansas really has some great riding with great roads.

 

Bonnie:

Thanks for the kind words. What part of AR does your family live in?

Uncle Scrooge:

We're glad we decided to go back to the Ozarks. Wife discovered today that super slabbing at 70-75 MPH is very tiring to her.

Faulkner:

We're discussing a 3 day trip next time. Hopefully timing it right for the autumn colors. We're talking up around Jasper, over to the Ozarks in southern Missouri, back toward the Eureka Springs area, back home via ??

We'll see!

Andre Ming
Eastern OK

 

You're killin' me Ming. I have been trying to get my wife to consider moving to eastern OK forever, but she won't. Tornadoes, snakes and her PITA family on the east coast keep it just out of my reach. We live in a similar area in NC - the eastern slope of the Blue Ridge versus the western slope of the Ozarks. Biggest difference? Land here is 10k an acre and land there is 2k an acre. Plus, we are invaded by the sprawl of ever-bust builders.

One of these days I'm gonna buy 40 acres out there just for me and she can stay out here. Be my gettaway. Til then, go easy on the pic's - they pain me!

 

Thanks for the pics and wonderful story. Surely did enjoy it all!

 

I love stories with pictures. Seems to me that you had a great day out. Hmmm.... the Ozarks and no fishing. I thought everyone out there had chrome rod holders on their scoot's.
-Rico

 

mjunk1:

Tornadoes - You gotta' perceive them like winning the lottery: It always happens to someone else.

Lived in Tornado alley for nigh all my life... only had one house hit by a small micro-burst some 34 years ago. Made money off the insurance company from it.

If you want land or a reasonably priced home, better hurry. The left-coasters have discovered the Ozarks and Ouachitas eastern OK/western AR. The land/home prices were skyrocketing until the real estate bubble burst. Prices are adjusting to a more realistic level at this time. Once the real estate market recovers, I'm sure the monied folks will start selling their left-coast property again, and buying places this way again... driving prices up once more. Can't blame them: Sell their 600K home in a crime infested/inflationary region... and buy a house with the same living standard for 200K in eastern OK or parts of AR, pocketing 400K in the process.

I was told our home and 1.3 acres (appraised at about 140K some two years ago) would be a 500K + home on the left coast. Can't imagine how common folks can afford to live in such inflated regions.

(Another example: Colorado. Goodness, unbelievable the real estate prices for small homes in some regions of CO!!)

Andre Ming
Eastern OK

 

If you get a chance you need to ride the ferry across Bull Shoals Lake at Peel. North side is Missouri and south side is in Arkansas, but both sides are very scenic. Takes about 20 minutes to cross the lake.

Highway 14 through the Buffalo River National Park is a very good ride too.