I mentioned in my last entry that Russellville is BORING, I stand by that statement. Not only Russellville though, Pope County. I'm sitting here wondering what to do today since its raining. Hmmmm, watch TV, go eat at one of our zillion fast food joints, go to Walmart, maybe go eat again at another fast food joint, go home watch some TV or surf the net, work on my blog, eat a cookie, watch some TV, go to Leonards (Leonards has everything, except something to do).
Now its late afternoon and time to....guess what EAT AGAIN. Taters, squash, ham, green tea, the possibilities are endless right? I'm still bored with Russellville though. What would I rather have done? How about a museum, a themed store like Bass Pro Shop, a swimming pool (not a thug bath like Russellvilles pool), water park maybe. A movie house without a name like Picwood (where in the heck did they come up with the wood part, hmmm who opened the picwood anyway, nuff said), an art museum, a fine restaurant (which we know we don't have), a nice walking park (not one in the swamp where we have to make sure we don't make eye contact with the men lurking in the shadows and always carry a gun, and not last and for sure not least......an event.
There should be an event of some kind going on here at least one or two weekends a month, why the hell not? Motorcycles, cars, hunting, fishing, crafts, etc. Sure there are some things that happen but its just not often enough and in my opinon the biggest event in the valley just plain sucks, talking of Valley Fest of course.
When I lived in Anchorage, Ak, there was always something to do, its a fine town. They make it interesting I suppose because they don't want to be bored, the winters there are kind of long and tough, so they have fun happenings in town. Anchorage had a bicycle trail that went for miles through town, along creeks, between housing areas, over hills, through swamps and it was fun and alot of people used it.
Russellville has a water way going through it, did you know that, Prairie Creek? San Antonio has a water way going through it also? Know what the difference is other than our water way is smaller? The Texans used it and made it into a beautiful park, Russellville uses prairie creek to float trash to the outlet on Lakefront Drive passing through Bona Dea Trails, then the Corp of Engineers use a crane to pick up the trash. Its a nice looking creek, don't you think (I try to use sarcasm when I can). After picking up the trash the water goes into Lake Dardanelle, what a fine lake it is, nice clear, clean water you could bath your newborn in right? Wrong!!! I would'nt get in that lake if I was paid to. It is clean enough for Bass fishing events though, an event that happens occasionally.
Russellville is, in my opinion, the hub of the spoke in Arkansas. This town could be the place to meet for great biking, antique car, or any number of other events, but NOOOO! The powers that be don't want anything here, obviously. To make it even worse, Russellville (pope county) has laws that cause people to stay in other places. Can anyone say Dry county? I don't really drink, oh, I will have a mixed one occasionally and believe me even though I can't usually stand the taste of beer, if its a hot day and there is nothing else, I'm drinking one if offered. The thing is if your going to have nice restaurants......if your going to have events and keep people in town......if you want to give people in your county the freedom they deserve to choose their own course in life......NAAAAHHH..... lets start burning books tomorrow and while we're at it lets find some more stuff to ban, burn, regulate, tax, why don't we just fill the damn prisons with people doing what people have been doing for ages. If I'm boss and I don't do it or don't believe in it I'm gong to bann it right?
I could go on with this but you know what? I think I have just pissed myself off and I'm going to go eat some oatmeal, drink some green tea and have a cup of coffee before its banned, then I'm going to meditate, very quietly, else someone find out and brand me a non-conformer. Then I'm going to sit down and try to decide what of all the opportunies and possibilities there are here in this fine town......what it is I'm going to do today. I have a jigsaw puzzle of Van Gogh's 'Starry Night" on the table.....tic tic tic
Tuesday, August 12, 2008
Monday, August 11, 2008
Bike Night Anyone? & the ride to BBBQ.
What say we just name a place to meet once a week. Anyone or any motorcycle welcome. This doesn't have to be difficult, just do it. Who cares if we overload Wendy's, McD's, Duane's, Ryan's, Old South or anyplace else. Saturday is probably the best time, but for the first time, lets say, everyone with a motorcycle meet on Sunday, August 17th at Fat Daddy's BBQ, Hwy 64 West of Russellville at 6:00 PM. Fat Daddy's has a large parking lot in back if it gets crowded :) and it has some whittling and spitting benches out front.
I think this would be a good way of starting something interesting in the Russellville area. I mean, face it people this town is BORING. That doesn't mean we have to be. Lets meet once a week, get something to eat, make one of these places work hard , it would be fun. I think it would add a little zest to a boring town. You never know, later on we may have to give these places a warning a week ahead of time.
Eat, visit, look at bikes, go for rides. Later on if enough people start showing up, we'll probably have to make it a Saturday afternoon meet since some people have church on Sunday. Then maybe once a month during good weather have a group ride to a place out of town, like the Ozark Cafe in Jasper or a place on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. For the weekly meets though, a radius of 25 miles from Russellville would probably be good.
I'm serious about this. I've got a feeling, everyone is going to be too busy, but who knows. Doesn't hurt to try.
As far as the ride to the BBBQ goes. I go every year, so if anyone wants to meet up and ride to Fayetteville with us this year, drop me an email. My email address is viedas@gmail.com don't hesitate to drop me a line if you want to link up for a ride this fall to the BBBQ, the best thing Arkansas has going and one of the top Bike Rally's in America. If you haven't already got a room there, then your out of luck, although there will be a slight chance of getting a cancelled one.
If this sounded jumbled well, excuse me, I'm tired. See you Sunday August 17th at Fat Daddys .
[this meeting subject to cancellation if it rains]
I think this would be a good way of starting something interesting in the Russellville area. I mean, face it people this town is BORING. That doesn't mean we have to be. Lets meet once a week, get something to eat, make one of these places work hard , it would be fun. I think it would add a little zest to a boring town. You never know, later on we may have to give these places a warning a week ahead of time.
Eat, visit, look at bikes, go for rides. Later on if enough people start showing up, we'll probably have to make it a Saturday afternoon meet since some people have church on Sunday. Then maybe once a month during good weather have a group ride to a place out of town, like the Ozark Cafe in Jasper or a place on Dickson Street in Fayetteville. For the weekly meets though, a radius of 25 miles from Russellville would probably be good.
I'm serious about this. I've got a feeling, everyone is going to be too busy, but who knows. Doesn't hurt to try.
As far as the ride to the BBBQ goes. I go every year, so if anyone wants to meet up and ride to Fayetteville with us this year, drop me an email. My email address is viedas@gmail.com don't hesitate to drop me a line if you want to link up for a ride this fall to the BBBQ, the best thing Arkansas has going and one of the top Bike Rally's in America. If you haven't already got a room there, then your out of luck, although there will be a slight chance of getting a cancelled one.
If this sounded jumbled well, excuse me, I'm tired. See you Sunday August 17th at Fat Daddys .
[this meeting subject to cancellation if it rains]
Visited CP
In the latter part of July I decided to pay CP a visit at Otto, Ar. I decided not to run I-40 to Conway then take Hwy 64 East which is the fastest way of getting there. I was in no hurry, actually my intent was to ride or visit all day. Kind of like a mini vacation, and a much needed one at that. I won't go into details of my trip. There just is'nt a straight road North of I-40 to Vilonia (where I would turn South on 107 to Otto). I usually write my road numbers on the palm of my hand and this route took my thumb as well. It was a good ride though, nice weather and good scenary.
At one point I had to wait on a house to be moved across a creek.
I finally arrived at CP's house, we visited for awhile then took a back road to Hwy 5 and turned south to have dinner at a new Hispanic Restaurant at the intersection of Hwy 89 and 5. The food was great, I had the Chile Relano (cheese filled pepper, hmmm hmmm).
Myself and Cindy at Mi Ranchito Restaurant.
Charles with his Ultra Classic.
After dinner, Charles and I went North to M&M's Motorcycle Shop which is at the intersection of Hwy 64 and 5. I could kick myself for not thinking to take pics while I was there. M&M's is a well known shop. They have several things happening there each year, such as cookouts and poker runs. They have built onto there shop and now have a large inventory of used bikes, nice ones and at affordable prices.
I'll go back and get some pics, sometime soon.
After doing our window shopping at M&M's we headed West on 64, CP took the turnoff to his house and I headed on to I-40. It was a good day.
Just a little short clip of the ride towards Conway.
At one point I had to wait on a house to be moved across a creek.
I finally arrived at CP's house, we visited for awhile then took a back road to Hwy 5 and turned south to have dinner at a new Hispanic Restaurant at the intersection of Hwy 89 and 5. The food was great, I had the Chile Relano (cheese filled pepper, hmmm hmmm).
Myself and Cindy at Mi Ranchito Restaurant.
Charles with his Ultra Classic.
After dinner, Charles and I went North to M&M's Motorcycle Shop which is at the intersection of Hwy 64 and 5. I could kick myself for not thinking to take pics while I was there. M&M's is a well known shop. They have several things happening there each year, such as cookouts and poker runs. They have built onto there shop and now have a large inventory of used bikes, nice ones and at affordable prices.
I'll go back and get some pics, sometime soon.
After doing our window shopping at M&M's we headed West on 64, CP took the turnoff to his house and I headed on to I-40. It was a good day.
Just a little short clip of the ride towards Conway.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Im losing it.
I finally went for a ride a couple of days ago, but I forgot my camera. I went to Petit Jean Mtn. and it just so happens that Tuesday was the first day of the annual car show. It was a good ride, perfect weather.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Gas
Just thought I would let everyone know that the price of gas has not been conducive to a great blog on motorcycling. To put it lightly, it's just darned expensive for the common man (I'm fairly common)to just ride around. In the past I never thought about the gas I used, now its difficult to overlook.
I'm not giving up on my blog, I'm hoping things will change. If nothing else I may be forced into entering stories and pictures that did not involve my bike. It has'nt reached that point yet, hopefully it never will.
Check out www.facebook.com. Of course my name there is David Collins in the Fayetteville, Arkansas area. It has some fun stuff. If anyone wants to chat, send me a message, offer me a drink or buy me :),check it out.
I'm not giving up on my blog, I'm hoping things will change. If nothing else I may be forced into entering stories and pictures that did not involve my bike. It has'nt reached that point yet, hopefully it never will.
Check out www.facebook.com. Of course my name there is David Collins in the Fayetteville, Arkansas area. It has some fun stuff. If anyone wants to chat, send me a message, offer me a drink or buy me :),check it out.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Never forget
Today, Memorial Day, I remember my Dad, L.B. who was a veteran of the Navy, Marines and the Army. My brothers Robert and Jay were also in the military. Robert was in the Navy and then the Army as an Officer where he retired. Jay did a 4 year hitch in the Navy.
My Dad inspired me to join the Military. I joined the Army National Guard in 1971 and left it to enter the Air Force in 1972, when my enlistment was over I went back into the Guards. In November 1990 I was called to the Persian Gulf War. I was with the 224th Mobile Maintenance Co. out of Russellville, Arkansas. We were camped at Log Base Echo in Saudi Arabia near the Iraqi border for most of our time in Saudi. Heres a couple of pics I took with my disposable 35mm camera.
Thats Michael in the hat, Hicks writing a letter.
Michael on the far right, Jay Briggs on the left, with a couple of Brits in a gold store in Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia.
On January 20, 2007, a UH-60 Helicopter crashed in Iraq. Two Arkansans were killed, Michael V. Taylor (in the above pictures)and William T. Warren. Michael was a friend whom I was tented with during the Persian Gulf War of 1990-91. He was a good man that could make me laugh when I did'nt even feel like laughing. His loss was a real shock because I thought he had left the Army until I saw his picture on the evening news. Check out the link below for more on Michael.http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/mvtaylor.htm
My Dad inspired me to join the Military. I joined the Army National Guard in 1971 and left it to enter the Air Force in 1972, when my enlistment was over I went back into the Guards. In November 1990 I was called to the Persian Gulf War. I was with the 224th Mobile Maintenance Co. out of Russellville, Arkansas. We were camped at Log Base Echo in Saudi Arabia near the Iraqi border for most of our time in Saudi. Heres a couple of pics I took with my disposable 35mm camera.
Thats Michael in the hat, Hicks writing a letter.
Michael on the far right, Jay Briggs on the left, with a couple of Brits in a gold store in Hafr Al Batin, Saudi Arabia.
On January 20, 2007, a UH-60 Helicopter crashed in Iraq. Two Arkansans were killed, Michael V. Taylor (in the above pictures)and William T. Warren. Michael was a friend whom I was tented with during the Persian Gulf War of 1990-91. He was a good man that could make me laugh when I did'nt even feel like laughing. His loss was a real shock because I thought he had left the Army until I saw his picture on the evening news. Check out the link below for more on Michael.http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/mvtaylor.htm
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Taking the roads less traveled
Taking backroads can be a good choice. I don't mean any back road, for me it has to be paved. To start out it does anyway, if I run into gravel or dirt, I dont stop, I just roll on. I've been into some really messy spots by doing this but the end result is a great feeling of accomplishment.
In my last post I went to Jerusalem, and I did it by taking back roads when I could, there and back. I'll give you a run down on how I did it even if it doesnt make sense. First of all, all the roads were good paved roads. Even with that being the case there are some safety concerns to consider.
1. Watch out for loose gravel and washouts on these roads.
2. Watch out for people who are pulling out and are not used to seeing traffic.
3. Animals, all kinds, they are a menace, the dogs, guineas, cows, goats, deer. I've had my meetings with all of them.
4. Trees and limbs.
5. Curves that just suddenly appear after topping a hill.
6. Most of all though, watch out for the country driver that does'nt understand why he can't drive on the left side of the road, and of course there are those that are too drunk to know which side is right. These people are everywhere. Thats why on backroads especially, I always top a hill next to the right side and I hug the right side on blind curves. I'm tellin ya these people are a menace and they come in all ages.
Thats just a few of the things I watch out for on backroads. Now, I won't get too detailed about my ride, I'll leave out alot or it will be too confusing. If you would like for me to show you exactly how I did it, we'll just have to go for a ride :).
This is it in a nutshell.
I live on Crow mtn. so I took those country roads to Atkins, I made a left North on 105 there and proceeded on to St. Joe Rd where I made a right (St. Joe is just past the Hwy 326 intersection). I followed it until I made a left on Buttermilk Rd. I ended up at Hwy 124, I went to Appleton, Jerusalem and the Point Remove Bridge across Hwy 124. From the bridge I made a big circle on 124, 247/213 and 213 back to 124 back to Jerusalem. At Appleton again I took a right on Pine Street (just a country road) and followed it to Hector. At Hector I turned right, then left at the Store. I took Elm St. to Gunter Mtn. Rd. which took me all the way to Hwy 164, I made a left and after crossing the old wooden bridge http://bridgehunter.com/ar/pope/M2159/, I arrived at Scottsville where I made a right on Hwy 27 South. A few miles down the road I made a left on Buck Mtn Road and followed it all the way to Hwy 124 where I made a right then a left on Crow Mtn Rd to Home.
All together the ride was right at 100 miles. The scenary was fantastic, I did'nt have to be concerned with semis or tailgaters. A great ride. Heres some pics.
An old bridge on Buttelmilk Road.
In my last post I went to Jerusalem, and I did it by taking back roads when I could, there and back. I'll give you a run down on how I did it even if it doesnt make sense. First of all, all the roads were good paved roads. Even with that being the case there are some safety concerns to consider.
1. Watch out for loose gravel and washouts on these roads.
2. Watch out for people who are pulling out and are not used to seeing traffic.
3. Animals, all kinds, they are a menace, the dogs, guineas, cows, goats, deer. I've had my meetings with all of them.
4. Trees and limbs.
5. Curves that just suddenly appear after topping a hill.
6. Most of all though, watch out for the country driver that does'nt understand why he can't drive on the left side of the road, and of course there are those that are too drunk to know which side is right. These people are everywhere. Thats why on backroads especially, I always top a hill next to the right side and I hug the right side on blind curves. I'm tellin ya these people are a menace and they come in all ages.
Thats just a few of the things I watch out for on backroads. Now, I won't get too detailed about my ride, I'll leave out alot or it will be too confusing. If you would like for me to show you exactly how I did it, we'll just have to go for a ride :).
This is it in a nutshell.
I live on Crow mtn. so I took those country roads to Atkins, I made a left North on 105 there and proceeded on to St. Joe Rd where I made a right (St. Joe is just past the Hwy 326 intersection). I followed it until I made a left on Buttermilk Rd. I ended up at Hwy 124, I went to Appleton, Jerusalem and the Point Remove Bridge across Hwy 124. From the bridge I made a big circle on 124, 247/213 and 213 back to 124 back to Jerusalem. At Appleton again I took a right on Pine Street (just a country road) and followed it to Hector. At Hector I turned right, then left at the Store. I took Elm St. to Gunter Mtn. Rd. which took me all the way to Hwy 164, I made a left and after crossing the old wooden bridge http://bridgehunter.com/ar/pope/M2159/, I arrived at Scottsville where I made a right on Hwy 27 South. A few miles down the road I made a left on Buck Mtn Road and followed it all the way to Hwy 124 where I made a right then a left on Crow Mtn Rd to Home.
All together the ride was right at 100 miles. The scenary was fantastic, I did'nt have to be concerned with semis or tailgaters. A great ride. Heres some pics.
An old bridge on Buttelmilk Road.
Point Remove Bridge on Hwy 124 South of Jerusalem. http://bridgehunter.com/ar/conway/remove-124/
Notice the graffiti on the pylon, could it have been the Outlaws MC?
Cindy at the Point Remove Hunting Club East of Hattieville. This was unexpected, I guess it looks new. I don't know what they hunt here but it has a really nice entrance.
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