Rome was not ridden in a day

 

Saturday, October 20, 2007

Rearranged Video

I'm not going to have much time today to post. I've got a wedding to attend. I just rearanged some videos of BBBQ. I kind of like this arrangment. Hope you enjoy it.

Friday, October 19, 2007

Today I put on the leather jacket.

Today I went for a ride around the area North of I-40 between Russellville and London. I went West on Pleasant View road from Hwy 7, and ended up riding on several county roads. A few of them were Bailey Loop, Millcreek, and Hickory Road. I ended up riding by Piney Bay Park and on out to Hwy 64.

Old house and a barn on Bailey Loop Road.


After going a short distance on Millcreek Road I turned on Hickory Road.
An old house and barn on Hickory Road.


I found several old houses, barns and cemetaries along Hwy 333.



I thought I would go check out Flat Rock Park while I was in the area. This is what I saw.

Apparently the park has been closed permanently. The aspalt roadway has grass growing in the cracks.
I would like to see a President get in office that would start up the old CCC again. There are alot of people around here that could use the work. Our parks sure could use some help.
That was it for todays ride. I never did take my jacket off, although it did warm up a little. I'll usually wear mine anytime the Temperature is around 70 degrees or below. I like the armour.

Wednesday, October 17, 2007

Another BBBQ is history

Zack, the Mikes and I got up early Sunday, amazing since we were up till early in the morning. We had a good continental breakfast, we said our goodbyes to new aquaintences, packed up the bikes and prepared to hit the road.
Since the Mikes had to be back earlier than Zack and I they went the straight route down I-540/I-40 to home while Zack and I took the scenic route.

Zack and I initially headed South on I-540 then we exited and took Hwy 265 South. We made a left at Strickler, finally ending up at the junction of 265 and 170 where we took a right on 170 South. We took 170 to Devils Den State Park http://www.stateparks.com/devils_den.html.

As best as I could tell, Hwy 74 takes over at Devils Den. This park is a great place to spend a couple of days camping. Its in a cool valley with lots of good scenary. This was the site of an old CCC (Civilian Conservatioin Corps)camp and remnants of it are still there. The park is extremely crowded during the prime camping months. The road South out of the park is a motorcyclers dream road, unless you dont like curves. There are some really tight ones, it doesnt last long but its still a fantastic ride.
We followed 74 out of Devils Den and crossed over I-540. We were on our way to Winslow. Its a really nice ride, some nice curves going down the mountain to the town. We stopped and took some pics at Winslow, its a great little town for photos, kind of an old feel to it. Its got some old stone buildings. I wanted to do some more exploring around the town but we didnt have the time to spare. We made a right on Hwy 71 South at Winslow and continued on south.
An old store in Winslow, I believe its being used as a house now.


A row of old stores and the Winslow City Hall as seen from the town centerpiece.


The Winslow Train Depot.

Hwy 71 has a fire tower on this stretch of the road, its just a few feet off the highway, we didnt have time but maybe someday I'll climb up and see what the Mountains look like from up there.
Our next stop was Artists Point where we took some more pics. This place has some really good views of the Boston Mountains.


We went on down 71 passing through Mountainburg. The town has Hwy 71 going right through the middle of it but its still a nice town. As you come into town from the North, you'll see a park on the on the right with large Dinosour statues in it, I wish I'd taken pictures there. I'll go back.
The school was built out of native rock.


We then continued until we reached Hwy 282, which we took to the South going under 540. Theres a great echo under the bridge.


We road over the new Frog Bayou Bridge and under the Frog Bayou Railroad Bridge. The old automobile bridge is a little ways downstream.


This is the old Frog Bayou Bridge. Its a little ways downstream. (This picture courtesy of www.bridgehunter.com).


We went under the Frog Bayou Railroad Bridge (This Photo courtesy of www.bridgehunter.com)


We went over I-540 two more times then finally ended up at I-40 which we went over and took Hwy 64 East to Lamar where we got on I-40 for the last part of the trip home.
I hadnt had enough, I was wanting to keep riding. I had to be at work the next night so this was it for the BBBQ 2007.

Tuesday, October 16, 2007

The ride back to Russellville

Saturday night of BBBQ around Midnight, Charles rode back to his home North of Little Rock. He said it was a long ride, but he's done similar rides before. Charles has never been one to fear a ride, short or long, hot,cold,or dark. It doesnt matter to him because he's a rider, he's ridden motorcycles since he was a young boy and most of them have been Harleys. Having ridden all over the United States and Canada, first as a young man then later while married, he and wife Melanie have spent many of their vacation days on the open road, sometimes putting in thousands of miles in a trip. They've even ridden as high as 14,000 ft. up Mt. Evans in Colorado, which I believe is the highest paved road in the United States. To top that off, they usually have their two Yorkies with them in a carrier on the back of their Ultra Classic HD.

This was his second trip to BBBQ and he seemed to enjoy it. I have a feeling that next year he and Melanie will be returning to BBBQ. I don't know though, Melanie really likes the Blues Rally in Helena. Whichever, I'm sure they'll be at one of them.

Zack, the three Mikes and myself departed BBBQ on Sunday morning. We had a short rest during the night, after getting to bed around 4 am it wasnt much but it sufficed.

Monday, October 15, 2007

Hwy 23 and 74 to Fayetteville

The Colonel and the rest of the group decided to go back to Fayetteville on Hwy 62. Since Charles and I arrived via 62, we decided to part company with our friends and take a different route back to Fayetteville. We took Hwy 23 South to Huntsville, then Hwy 74 West on into Fayetteville. Can't go wrong with riding or driving 23, and 74 has some interesting sites to see.

The only picture I took on the ride back is the one you see. We were in a hurry to get to the Tyson Track Center before everything starting closing down. Its a good thing we did hurry, 7 pm was the last stunt show, it was awesome.

For whatever reason, I looked right at the Indian Larry trailer and didnt go there. I must have been distracted because I like his old school bikes. I would only own one if I had more than one bike though. If I only had one bike it would be a dresser. If I had two bikes the second would be a dual purpose onroad/offroad. If I had three I would include something like a superglide or even an old school style chopper would be nice.

Old Rock Church in Huntsville. There are alot of stone buildings there, reminds me alot of Mountain View.

Sunday, October 14, 2007

Eureka Springs

This is a place that I'll have alot of pictures from soon. I just have to get back up there and take some. I know these arent the best pics I've taken, as a matter of fact they're pretty bad, off focus and all. I thought I would put them on here anyway, maybe someone will see themselves in the pics, ya never know.


BBBQ 2007 at Night

Some of this video was taken at Dickson Street, some at the Tyson Track Center and some at the Motel where we stay. Some of the best shows were at the Motel. Some of it I can't put on this blog :).