John G.

I went on a couple of rides with John G. before he sold his Yamaha Warrior. John used to work with Zack and I. Heres a few pics of John (the one with the hair on his chin), Wayne Z. and me.

We went on a ride to Hot Springs and ate at Kings Oriental Restaurant which is one of the best oriental buffets that I've been to (the best being the East Restaurant on Hwy 71 in Fayetteville). On another ride we went to Ponca and Jasper. We ate at the Ozark Cafe while in Jasper, what can I say, man thats some good country cooking and the hamburgers are an inch thick.

Turner Bend and Paris

My original intentions today were to continue on to Paris with pictures of sites on the way. I seemed to have misplaced some pictures of the Turner Bend store and of the city of Ozark so I'll just go from Ozark to Paris on another day.

Traveling Hwy 215 West I passed Byrd''s Adventure Center on the bank of the Mulberry River www.byrdsadventurecenter.com. I've been to a couple of events there and had a good time. One was a Bluegrass Concert and the other was Rocktoberfest. Rocktoberfest is a extreme four-wheelers delight. Just about any type of four wheel drive vehicle you can imagine will be there. Byrd's also hosts the Boozefighters Mulberry River Run each year. I've heard it alot of fun, but don't take the kids :).

After getting to Hwy 23 I went South. You'll pass thru the community of Cass, an Arkansas Job Corp center is located there. After crossing the Mulberry River Bridge you'll find the Turner Bend store on the left. During riding weather this is a stopping area for motorcycles of all types.

Most of the really fun part of the Pig Trail is North of the Mulberry River bridge but there is alot of nice scenary on the ride South. The only picture I got of an old house was this cabin which is not too far North of Interstate 40. I'll continue on at another time with that ride.

West on hwy 215

As I went further West, I found a low water bridge across the River. In one of the pics you can see what looks like remains of an old low water bridge probably destroyed during past flooding. Just north of this bridge is a really nice swimming hole with a big rock to jump from. Across it is someones cattle farm.

Not to much farther north is the Pig Trail, where I'll be heading South towards Turner Bend just across the Mulberry on Hwy 23.

Oark to the Pig Trail (Hwy 23)

After doubling back on Hwy 103 I took Hwy 215 West. This road meanders along the Mulberry River and is paved except for a 1 1/2 mile section. The surface where paved is good as is the scenary along the way. In the fall, when the leaves are getting thin in the trees the Mulberry is sight to behold. In the spring there are some good swimming holes, so watched for parked cars on weekends. The locals make good use of the cool waters. Heres some pics of the Mulberry River and of the bridge across it that a local told me they probably won't replace.

Also a pic of an overhang along the way that I will be checking out during the winter.

Clarksville to Oark

When you get to Clarksville take Hwy 103 N. You won't regret it, I've been up and down that Highway more times than I can remember. It's a nice drive to a nice area of Arkansas. The road is curvy with switchbacks in areas, nice smooth curves in others and long straightways(not many of those though).

Here are some pics taken along the way to Oark.

Once you cross the Mulberry River bridge (they replaced the old bridge about ten years ago, I don't believe I have a pic of it) you keep on Hwy 103 passing up Hwy 215 for now (we'll double back to it later)Oark Public schools will be prominent on the right then you'll get to the great hub of the city, the Oark General Store.

Once here, stop in and sit for awhile. They have a whittlin bench out front. Inside you'll find the high ceilings that alot of these old stores had. Hanging from the ceiling are the light bulbs that just barely put out enough light to read by. If you're hungry they'll cook you up some good fried chicken strips or throw together a sandwich for you.

There always seemed to be a couple of local old timers inside whenever I was there. Spreading the local gossip I suppose. Take a break,your at the end of the pavement(unless things have changed in the last couple fo years). I know if you continue on East you'll end up in Catalpa,Ar. Theres an old swinging bridge across the Mulberry there. Your on dirt by now though, and you'll have alot more to go (if I remember correctly, around 17 miles of it).

If you double back the way you came on Hwy 103 then take Hwy 215 W you'll be following the Mulberry River. A couple of years ago they were doing some road work, they may have paved the last mile and a half. I had a local tell me they would'nt though, because they would need to build a new bridge and the cost was too high. Anyway its only 1 1/2 miles, no problem.

I'll leave it at this, next we'll follow Hwy 215 over to the Pig Trail/Hwy 23.

A few more Pics of Mountain View

These are some pics I took a few years back in and around Mountain View, Arkansas. One pic is looking down on the town. From almost the same spot I turned around and took a pic of a cabin on the hillside.

Ponca, Arkansas

 

 

 

A Covered bridge with ajoining benches for viewing the creek at Ponca, Ar. Also a swinging bridge going to a residence and canoers on the Buffalo River underneath the Hwy 74 overpass. Ponca is known as the place to put in at the Buffalos upper reaches and also as an area for viewing Elk. The open pastures in the area are great for viewing Elk. This is some really pretty country. The pasture land along the Buffalo in this area is my kinda place. Hwy 74 from Ponca to Jasper is a twisting narrow highway. The surface is not all that good, its one of those surfaces that makes me wonder "is that loose gravel or is it solid?" I really like the road though, its just a slow one for me.

 

Charles, I know this is what you ride

 

This is what you wish you had (maybe a Harley same color)

 

This is what you really need though, to carry on that Airstream. Sorry they don't sell these in the U.S.
I actually would really like to have one, for scooting up and down the driveway to check the mailbox.

St. Anthony's

 

 

 

These are pics from the back. I did'nt tell you but I was'nt supposed to be there. Sometimes I do things I should'nt do to get a picture. It was obvious why people were not wanted there. I did'nt get a picture of it, but in the back there is a cement wall (I have no idea what it was for)about ten feet high, a dangerous spot. Its hard to believe they allowed it to be there, since sometimes kids go where they should'nt go (and bikers I suppose).

Saint Anthony's Hospital (added 1986 - Building - #86000581)
202 E. Green St., Morrilton
Historic Significance: Event
Area of Significance: Social History
Period of Significance: 1925-1949
Owner: Private
Historic Function: Health Care
Historic Sub-function: Hospital
Current Function: Vacant/Not In Use

This building actually is currently in use. It has been renovated into an appartment complex of some type. I'll have pictures of renovation at a later date.

 

 

 

 

St. Anthony's Hospital in Morrilton, my reason for going there. These are pictures from the front. I always wanted to make a camcorder movie there, "Bedpan Masacre".

Hwy 113 to Morrilton

The new bridge across Point Remove Creek.
I'll get pictures of older one at a later date.

 

 

Cindy and I traveled Hwy 64 E and then took 113 E into Morrilton. Hwy 113 is all crop fields and a few pecan trees. Its flat and straight with an old bridge.

Atkins to Morrilton

I think I took these pictures in Morrilton in 2004. I rode in on Hwy 64 through Atkins which has this old Catholic Church.