My dad and I will be making a 4-5 day round trip from SE Texas, into Arkansas, across into OK, and back home.

Any “must stops” in the area? This will be both of our first times on the sky way. We’ll be going in late Sep to hit the weather right for the old man. He doesn’t do the cold real well any more. I believe we will be a few weeks ahead of the foliage turning. Not the end of the world. We’re both getting older, these trips won’t happen forever.

camping? Cabins? Hotel?

 

Stop at the Queen Wilhelmina Hotel

https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/p...odations/lodge

In town don't miss the Hateful Hussy diner.

https://www.travelok.com/gb/listings...ofile/id.13200

 

I also highly recommend Hootie Creek Inn if you are staying overnight...great folks.

https://www.hootiecreekhouse.com/

 

All good suggestions. I figure we will stay the last night in OK at the Kriver. Not sure about anywhere in between though.

 

Lots of good riding in ARK. Have you been before?
Talimena's a nice ride. Road was a little rough last time I went but has been several years. Hopefully they've smoothed it out.
Nice memories with your Dad.. Enjoy!

 

north of Hope, AR is a good history stop. Washington.
https://www.arkansasstateparks.com/p...ton-state-park

I am not clear where you are doing most of your time??

Talimena is still a lot of rough spots.... I haven't been all the way across in a while. Plan for lots of pull outs at the overlooks

You will be before most leaf change but maybe you will hit cooler, clear weather.

 

suggest not going over the Talimena in the morning as that's when bad fog rolls through the area.

 

We have vacationed in the mountains three different times. Staying in the Jasper, Ponca, Boxley, Boston areas. I’ve always been in the wife’s Yukon and always had a pain in my side to have the bike. It’s tough for me to get away on bike rides like that since my kiddos are still young and I’m not real keen on leaving them behind for multiple days. My son is 3, My girls are 6 and 9. I work a lot just on a normal basis so getting a chance to go somewhere outside of work doesn’t typically involve leaving momma and the kids at home and tearing out. Once or twice a year I can justify a weekend thing with my dad, and we still hit our monthly Saturday morning rides. We’re very involved in Little League and 4H as well and have to plan around that too.

My grandmother has also recently passed away (dads mom), dad has been the sole care taker of her for the last decade or so. We’ve both had obligations that have kept us close to home. Such is life though. We both realize these opportunities to go make memories are fleeting. Talking about it needs to turn into more doing it.

 

We are honestly not sure where we will be spending the bulk of our time either at this point. Still looking at things in the area of our route and what will require the most time. From the looks of the loop I have planned, starting at home, to Mena, across to Talihena, down to the Moyers/Antlers area, then home is about 750mi total. We’re planning on leaving Thursday early am and pulling back in Monday. We just want to make the best of that amount of time. He’ll be on his trike, I’ll be on my Street Glide. I had considered dragging out my shovel just for nostalgic reasons but it’s pretty much been retired to local duty these days. I think I’d honestly rather make miles this trip instead of possibly hunting parts and working on it.

 

yeah I had heard that from several different sources. A noon’ish departure from either end is best for that reason. It sounds like a good afternoon thing. 58mi, several scenic stops, maybe a shop or something along the way. Timing should work out well for that.