Rome was not ridden in a day

 

Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Arkansas's Dragon Tail

Its been dubbed Arkansas's Dragon Tail by some in the Motorcycle Riding world and I agree that it deserves the title. What am I talking about? Picture this... Take Hwy 7 North. When you get to where Hwy 123 takes off to the right, at Lurton, take that right and just keep going until you reach Mt. Judea. You'll start off riding the Dragon's back, then you'll hit the tail. At the tip of the tail is Mt. Judea. In my opinion, one of the best rides in Arkansas from a purely fun to ride point of view, although the scenary is also great.

I started the days ride by taking Hwy 124 N, I took some paved country roads also and ended up at Scottsville. I took Hwy 164 N, crossing the Illinois Bayou, then made a left on Broomfield road.

Old Church/School on Broomfield, along with modern convenieces.


This old house still being lived in was next to the Church.

After reaching Hwy 7, not too far North of Dover, I made a turn North. I eventually ended up at what was left of The Booger Hollow Trading Post. It was open for many years, I was sorry to see it close.
I stopped here many times while driving or riding through the mountain to have a Booger Burger. Back in the day when digging Ginseng was legal, it sure capped off the morning. I would usually get out of the woods by 1:pm and stop off here. Strange though, they were usually closed during Deer Hunting Season.
Home of the Booger Burger, hmmm hmmm.
The infamous double decker outhouse in the background.


A little ways past Booger Hollow, is God's little Half Acre graveyard. It's kind of a landmark in the area, a point of reference. Across the road is Gunter Pond. It's hard to find a pond in these mountains, it's pretty big too. If you go on past the pond on the dirt road (using a four wheeler or dirtbike of course), you'll enventually end up at the Northfork of the Illinois Bayou. If you turn left you end up on Hwy 16, make a right and if your lucky you'll end up either on Hwy 7 or old (dirt) Hwy 27. If your on an enduro, it should be great fun and wonderful scenary. Take a light break down Smallmouth rod and a crawbaby or three.


Some of the old graves if your into that kind of stuff.

Just before reaching Pelsor, I came upon this road washout on Hwy 7. This is the biggest I've seen since the one at Lurton a little further up the road, a few years back. Seems like it took a year before they repaired that one. From what I've gathered, this one has been here for at least a couple of months.
I would like to have walked down to my trailer and checked on it, but it was already nearing 100 degrees and its a steep walk. I took Cindy there once and Mark G. took his Suzuki. That was a big mistake, we locked our brakes up and slid to the first hairpin curve. I ended up riding both bikes out, Mark did'nt feel up to it since he had only recently purchased his bike. When I road them back up, I had to go as fast as I could while trying to miss any big rocks. There was no stopping, if I had stopped, it would have been over in a bad way. I trailbiked two street bikes out of there and I hope I never have to do anything like that ever again, it was scary to say the least.

Just North of Pelsor I stopped at the National Forest Fairview Campground to use the facilities.Clean toilet for a hole in the ground type.


My self portrait.



Not too far past Pelsor is the Lurton exit, Hwy 123. Turn here and your on the Dragons back. The fun starts here but quess what? My video is too large for youtube.

After arriving in Mt. Judea, I followed 123 to Hwy 74 and went West to Jasper. I was really hungry but to my bad luck, the Ozark Cafe was closed for vacation. I always stop there when passing through. I've even went all the way to Jasper just to get one of their Hamburgers, oh man they are good. I ended up going to the gas station and getting two donuts and a starbucks double dipper cold coffee. That did me fine until I reached home.

I found this old house in Dover about two blocks off of Hwy 7 to the West. Its part of the Jasper Museum which is next door and was closed. It had been moved to Dover for preservation from Osage, Ar. which is a little ways Northwest of Ponca, Ar.

The Cabin.
Cabin with water well, storage house and what looks like a small steam engine.
The pretty woman that lived in the Cabin.


<>I made one more stop before pushing home. I always stop at Rotary Ann Rest Area which is South of Pelsor. I sat around in the shade for awhile. Then hit the road, ending another good ride.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Interesting topics could give you more visitors to your site. So Keep up the good work.

Anonymous said...

Probably I can say with this blog make, more some interesting topics.

Anonymous said...

Thanks to the blog owner. What a blog! nice idea.

David said...

I've got a video I made going down the Dragon Tail but it's 13 minutes and youtube only allows 10 minutes. I never could get the blogger video to work.

Anonymous said...

David,
You must have been on video to do that self portrait. And I would like to have my bike taken in front of the museum. Looks like that was a decent ride.

Zach

Anonymous said...

I've rode the lower half of 123, but looking forward to this section.
Cruz'N
www.virtualhale.com/cruzn

Anonymous said...

Hey! Love the blog. Next time you're up near Pelsor, stop in at Hankins Country Store on Hwy 7. It's a great local find!

Unknown said...

Great blog! I love these picks you took!

If you go again run a Google search for "The Hub" on hwy 7.

Anonymous said...

Not sure, but I believe We know each other from just what I saw in U'r blog. The pics you posted- know em all even the bridge. The trailer comment is what clenched it. If not We do know all lot of the same folks in that area. I grew up there. Grad "75" from Dardanelle. Knew Rich and all from the ROAD HOUSE and the ABATE meets held there. He used to take a boat cross to ANO-1. Operator there. Leathers,Chains and all. (bellalag@hughes.net) if your curios. Ride Free. JimW

Anonymous said...

Not sure, but I believe We know each other from just what I saw in U'r blog. The pics you posted- know em all even the bridge. The trailer comment is what clenched it. If not We do know all lot of the same folks in that area. I grew up there. Grad "75" from Dardanelle. Knew Rich and all from the ROAD HOUSE and the ABATE meets held there. He used to take a boat cross to ANO-1. Operator there. Leathers,Chains and all. (bellalag@hughes.net) if your curios. Ride Free. JimW

Jim Whitfield said...

Not sure, but I believe We know each other from just what I saw in U'r blog. The pics you posted- know em all even the bridge. The trailer comment is what clenched it. If not We do know all lot of the same folks in that area. I grew up there. Grad "75" from Dardanelle. Knew Rich and all from the ROAD HOUSE and the ABATE meets held there. He used to take a boat cross to ANO-1. Operator there. Leathers,Chains and all. (bellalag@hughes.net) if your curios. Ride Free. JimW

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