The Traveling Diner Goes on Vacation

I'm going slightly stretch the definition of north and south a little and just refer to my geographical location. I had a week of vacation to burn out so Miss Meena and I decided to visit her brother in Benton Arkansas on Tuesday. I had hoped to revisit a Cajun Buffet in Bryant but they went belly up last year, denying me the opportunity to get some good oysters, sausage and crawfish so I decided to hit Brown's Cafeteria/Country Store, home of the 100 ft Buffet Line which had been recommended to me, but at the last minute I remembered Meena had never been to Hot Springs except to the Garvan Gardens. So I told my Garmin to find it. We were only about 30 miles away so no problem. The Spa City Donuts place was closed for the day by the time we arrived so I wasn't able to see if the counter lady from my hometown was still there. A short drive down the main drag and we pulled up to The Colonial Pancake Restaurant on Baritie St. A quaint little joint with enough room to be comfortable but not so small you're cramped, welcomed us. Liquids are served in small plastic Mason Jars in keeping with the country theme. Meena ordered a Reuben Sandwich and chips for $7 and change while I requested the chicken wings and fries. A customer just leaving had recommended them. Now I've had chicken wings around the country and being in the poultry business, I know wings. These were sectioned but were still large, meaty and delightfully flavored, accompanied by season fries were the equal of what I had thought was the best Arkansas wings I had had to date at the small biker/banger hangout in Little Rock I wrote about several months ago off Shackleford Road. A dab of ranch sauce, a splash of Frank's and I was set. Meena preferred my wings to her reuben which was pretty good being loaded with what was obviously a home style cooked brisket. We're supposed to return to Benton in about 3 weeks so I may just stop again if I don't decide to try another of Hot Springs' offerings. Louie's Grill on Walnut in Rogers is another place I've gone to a couple of times now. I've heard some people I know didn't care for it but I haven't been disappointed. My last trip I got the dish known as Chicken Louie's Too. a nice chicken breast topped with bacon, cheese and mushrooms for $10.49 with 2 sides, I chose the fried green beans and garlic mashed potatoes. Quick, close, cheap and convenient, all the things I like. North to Joplin, Miss Meena and I went to the charter signing for Star #490. Joplin has some good things coming up that #464 needs to take advantage off. After the signing we cruised the death zone which like Frankenstein's Monster is coming alive. We dropped into Big R's BBQ at 1220 E. 15th St. 417-781-5959. A kitschy old place with all kinds of memorabilia decking the walls, the first thing you see is a glass fronted cooler loaded down with cream topped pies. Lemon, blueberry, coconut, strawberry, chocolate- too many to name but everyone except the coconut looked good to me (personal thing). 11 of us made it so we settled into the fairly comfortable chairs to peruse the menu. They've got everything but I wasn't looking for BBQ as Meena and I are supposed to go the Buck Nekkid for dinner, Smoked pork chops were the special last week so I'm hoping. Anyway back to Big R's. I hadn't had a fish sandwich is years so I ordered the pollack fillet, large battered, on a hoagie bun with pepper jack, only mistake I made was not telling them to leave off the tartar sauce (hate that stuff). a side of 1/2 of a smoked polish sausage link completed the meal as I wasn't interested in potatoes, beans, salad etc. Meena went with the Wings and Rings, beer battered onion rings and 10 hot wing sections. After she had trimmed the pile down to a manageable size by passing them out to others (I got one) she settled down to work. I liked the wing, decent flavor but the ones in Hot Springs were better, and beer flavored anything is not for me, but the one ring I sampled was good just a little greasy. I should have gone with the daily lunch special. Thai Chicken strips, Wussy Burger (apparently a small hamburger) as apparently pie was part of that. I had to order a piece of lemon cream to go. Both meals with water were $7. 99 and the pie was $3 and change. From what I saw on others plates, the food is pretty good and the usual burgers are 3/4 lbers. When I first moved to Rogers, there was a Big R on Walton in Bentonville where the Acambaro is and I went there once before they closed down. I believe it was owned by the same family. I seldom get to Joplin but this place is going into the Traveling Diner's memory banks for a return trip so I can check out the BBQ. Oh yes, the pie made it home safe to Rogers and I sampled a little before I started this column. I can hear it singing to me right now, its not opera but it is grand.

P. S. Perry got the Wussy Burger and fries.

Twas the Toy Ride before Christmas

By Jason Williams (with some help from Clemet Clark Moore)

Twas eight days before Christmas, when all through NW Arkansas towns
STAR Santa’s were getting ready to make their joyful rounds
The bikes were gassed up and warm clothes being put on
In hopes that we didn’t freeze before we got done

We all met at Rainbow Cycle to pack up the toys
That we had collected to take to some great girls and boys
Lisa and Ron had the motorcycle bags ready to go
But we still needed a vehicle cause of the toys there was mo’

Jason and Sam’s process of attaching Santa hats to helmets was a little slow
But hey, sometimes you gotta take care when working with 80 MPH Velcro
Everyone bungee corded their bags to their scoots
And you could tell that this ride was going to be a hoot

As we all bundled up for the ride while securing this and that,
We admired how cute Rip and Lil Smokey looked in their Santa hats
Our Prez Lee put on this Santa hat that was three foot long
He looked so jolly we thought he would sing a Christmas song

As always Jason was the last to get ready for the trip
As he still had to get everything buttoned and zipped.
Luckily Janet helped him get everything on like a good little elf
As the other riders gave him the business about not being able to dress his self

Lisa and Trista got plenty of pictures to share
And we rolled onto the road making sure we took care
Of the toys we were carrying for the children in need
Just glad we could help with this small deed.

We arrived at the place where the toys were to be used
The place children come when they need care and a haven from being abused
It made us feel good that we are able to help in some small way
And reminded us to thank the Lord for our families each day

We rolled through the parking lot and parked our cc sleighs
Then unloaded our Santa bags in the sun’s bright rays
We carried them inside and into a place
Where a great group of people can help put a smile back on a child’s face

We got a lot of thanks from the staff as we walked out of the door
And we vowed that next year we would work hard to do even more
Each person was all smiles as took one last photo
And we understand a little better why Santa says “Ho Ho Ho”

As we got on our bikes and fired up the pipes
We hoped these kids would have a good life
All of us were honored to be able to help these good girls and boys

Today was a great day - by Jason

Lee, Clyde, Marda, Bryan, Ron, Lisa and I all took part in the program today. It was REALLY cold this morning and Bryan was the only one of us who was brave enough to ride. After watching the other bikers ride today Ron and I took a solemn vow that we will never again 'Cage It' when we participate in this event going forward. I cannot remember ever seeing so much freezing fog on any morning.

We met at the weigh station around 6:30 am and I cannot remember ever seeing so much freezing fog as there was on the drive to the weigh station. As the bikers pulled in most of them were covered in ice from the ride through the fog. We met as a group to get instructions, had a very good prayer moment together and then pulled out shortly after 7:15. I believe we had somewhere between 60-80 bikes with about 10 vehicles trailing. We had a police escort the entire way down and they did an outstanding job keeping traffic controlled.

After we reached the cemetary we all converged on the coffee/hot chocolate tent. After warming up a bit we were able to unload two semi trailers full of wreaths and help distribute them across the cemetary. There was a lot of people helping and we made short work of the hundreds of boxes. 

Once we were done we walked along to look at some of the grave stones and I could tell each person in the group felt that it was an honor to be on such hollowed ground. One of the saddest but coolest sites of the day was the Combat Vets gathered around a members grave and they had draped his riding vest over his grave stone. It was a great way to honor one of their own.

I am not nearly as articulate as other writers within our charter but as I walked through the graveyard it truly helped me again what it means to live in a free nation. As I get older and now have kids just a few years from moving out into the world it makes me appreciate the blessing of being able to know that they also will be able to continue living in a free nation and that freedome was paid for with the lives of those who have defended our country.

I have said this before I never meant it more than when I type... It is an honor to know and ride with all my veteran friends. Thank you for your service and God Bless You.

Motorcycle Tire Guide

The Motorcycle Industry Council has published a pretty comprehensive guide to bike tire application and maintenance. You can get it for free here: http://mic.org/tireGuide.cfm

Trippin' in the Ozarks - The Traveling Diner

As the title of this little communique says, this is all about tripping thru the Ozarks.

Curtis Davis in the saddle of his black 950 (truly a marvelous Yamaha build) and I mounted on the stable mate of the Red Mare started north on 540. As we left Bella Vista, we encountered a light rain that stayed with us to Neosho. In Joplin, we turned east on I44 to our first stop. Just off exit 33 in Sarcoxie is the "Hungry House Cafe" 417-548-2604. Here we met with Joplin #490. A select group of bikers, this motley band included their Road Captain, Ron and his lady, Perry and Miss Linda, Dick and Melvin, all with appetites. It was here that Perry fulfilled a need of my 1900. He's been nameless since I bought him and I had to see what fit. Perry christened him and I now ride "The Redliner". Thanks Buddy. We entered a large wood framed structure adorned with western memorabilia. I took a seat facing a movie poster of one of my favorite 40s /50s cowboy stars. Tim Holt had the charm and athleticism of Gary Cooper and Dick Powell and wore his twin Colts with a style matched by very few movie stars. I settled in with a multi-page menu to peruse specials, platters, all sorts of taste sensations including one of my absolute favorites. I didn't need to see anymore. The king of all meats when handled correctly is the much maligned and admittedly ugly pig, with the face only a near sighted mother could love and the bodily habits and table manners of a barbarian, when placed in the capable hands of a master can sing grand opera. Two 4 oz boneless pork chops cooked medium to the shade of pink found in a dove's wing, accompanied by a mound of hashbrowns and 2 eggs over easy waiting to spill their golden deliciousness filled one plate while what I will declare to be the best biscuit and gravy I have tasted in the past 20 years occupied another. Splashed with a little "Cholula" hot sauce on the eggs and my meal was ready. A sharp knife cut off the first morsel and elevated it to my critical inspection. Mottled brown and pink with a little grill crust, delightful aroma-good so far. I tasted it with trepidation, having been deceived before. "Delicately rendered bliss on a fork" I could hear a choir singing in my head as I did justice to the cooks creation. The whole meal set me back a mere $7.00 and change as I drank only cold water. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner that if they equal what I had for breakfast would satisfy any person who enjoys food without being a New York snob. All kinds of sandwiches, fish and chicken call out from the menu to the road hungry rider who's savvy enough to know where to pull off. "The Hungry House" joins Tipton Ford's "UnderCliff", Alba's "Filling Station", and Mt.Vernon's "Red Barn Cafe" as road trip worthy, how many more delights will my motorcycle excursions reveal. today.

When we mounted up after a spectacular breakfast, we ran parallel to I-44 to 97 where we headed south. Since I've started riding again, I've seen more great sights and today was no exception. I took the time to look around as we hit curves and straightaways through farmland and cities. As we pulled into Pierce City, I had one thought, if I had a lot of disposal income and no reason to work, this would be the place for me. I felt at home in this small town. We tooled further south until Seligman where we met up with Sparky and 2 of his friends to go to Roaring River for a short break and meeting before the final outbound leg. Eureka Springs was ahead and a place Curtis knew of. "The Roadhouse Restaurant" 6837 Highway 62, 479-363-0001. You have to wonder about a place that boasts on its menu "Many have eaten here-few have died". This place is geared to motorheads and foodies alike with its unusual combinations. With names of items like knucklehead, handlebars etc, the foodie part comes out with ingredients. I never found a place that serves Ahi Tuna and Salmon along side hamburgers, where the vegetable of the days isn't canned corn but sauteed squash with bell peppers and onions along with chicken fried steak. When I smelled the aroma of the squash I had to order some to go with my beer battered fish. I don't care for beer battered items but this is was one time I went for it. Paired with a huge side of seasoned fries, 3 hush puppies and a very crisp and not overwhelmingly tangy cold slaw was good indeed. The vegetables smelled better than they tasted as they needed to have the oil heated and seasoned first then cooked perhaps one minute longer for tenderness but I didn't leave any on the plate. I saw a couple of cheese burgers hit the table in front of Perry and Sparky and believe me, these monsters are huge and dripping for less than $8.00.

Definitely a think about the next time I cruise E. Springs as most restaurants there are in the one time tourist trap mentality and don't put time and effort in capturing returning diners. Like the "Hungry House" this morning, the "Roadhouse" makes the trip worth while. All burgers are 1/2 pound Angus, they also offer chicken, pork, corned beef and other sandwiches for $7.50. Salads for the grazers and lots of
appetizers, eat inside or one the patio. They also offer steaks in the ribeye and strip persuasion. I swear I'm like Alice in Wonderland as I go deeper in the menu.

At last we saddled up and ran a few hundred yards down the road to where an old bike shop sits. I met a couple from Alpena on stars and told them about Star Riding. This shop is loaded with old scoots and parts of every variety. to wander through when you have time.

Till next time, kiddies, The Redliner is hauling The Traveling Diner from one adventure to another.

Chapter 490 Ride

Joplin 490 was kind enough to invite us on their ride today. Ron took us on a nice route through Roaring River to Hwy 86, across to 23 and down to Eureka Springs. Hopefully Hatman will give us a restaurant review.

Fun Run Flyer

Thanks to Lisa Barthman: