Memorial Day Ride

What a beautiful day we had for a ride. Lee, Janet, Sam, Ron, Lisa, Doug, Mena, Jason and Larke left out of Rogers around 9 a.m. and headed for Huntsville. After stopping there for a quick top off of fuel for the bikes and the body (and not to mention seeing a mini van almost get hit by a big rig tractor because the drive ran a stop sign) we were off for Ponca valley.

At the pull off in Ponca we met up with some riders from Kentucky who were also enjoying the Arkansas hills. They left the other members of their group at the hotel in Harrison because the roads in Arkansas are too curvy! There was a couple there with a 2012 Gold Wing that had put over 47,000 miles on the bike in just 16 months. Now that is some serious riding.

We left Ponca Valley and headed towards Jasper. A female elk tried to race Lee but thought better of it and dove back off in the woods (thank goodness for Lee and the Elk). We arrived in Jasper and after another fuel pick up made our way to the Ozark café. After lunch we took a new route out Hwy 74 to then jump off onto Hwy 123. As always going up the Dragon is a blast and we all made it without a worry.

After sitting at the overlook for a little while we started the last leg of the route ending up at "The Sycamore Tree" in Pettigrew for a quick break then on into Elkins for our final fuel up. We parted ways shortly after and headed home.

A great day of riding with family. We missed all those who could not join us.

Sunday Memorial Day Weekend Ride

This Sunday we take our annual Memorial Day weekend ride. We will leave Rainbow Cycle in Rogers at 8:30 a.m. and head for Jasper. After lunch at the Ozark Café it is up the Arkansas Dragon (Hwy 123) and then back into Fayetteville for ice cream. Look forward to seeing everyone.

May Trash Pick Up

Part of the culture of our group is trying to give back to both individuals, families, charities and the environment. As part of this STAR 464 has adopted two miles of highway from the Pea Ridge National Military Park back west towards Rogers.

It was a cool morning as we gathered at Rainbow Cycle and made our way to the Pea Ridge National Military Park to participate in our bi-annual Adopt a Highway trash pick up. Ron, Lisa, Lee, Lorie, Bryan, Mitch, Janet, Larke and Jason all took time away from their busy schedules to help out this time.

Once at the park we gathered our gear (gloves, bags and trash pick ups) and headed out onto the road. We started out at the park entrance and part of us headed west while others headed east to the beginning of the park entrance to cover that area. Hwy 62 is being widened to four lanes so there was lots of construction barrels and flags which helped keep us safe as this highway is really busy.

We managed to fill about 20+ large contractor bags with trash before calling it quits. After loading up into Jason's truck and running back to the other vehicles we all headed to Sam's Old Tyme Hamburgers for some well deserved lunch and dessert.

It was a lot of work and everyone was tired at the end but it was a job well done and a great way to give back.

May Dinner Ride

 

          Well, the 1st dinner ride of the 2014 is in the history books. The Northern contingent met at Rainbow Honda to leave at 4:30. Jason and Larke, Mitch and Janet with Madison on her "Little Doll" and myself on the Red Mare.

        Big news though, Janet showed up on a 103 inch metal flake blue product of Milwaukee or York, Pa. Yep, she went Harley. We rolled out through the Springs (Cave and Elm), up the Tontitown/Springdale divide and then over into Fayetteville. When we struck College Avenue I pulled into the lead for the short distance to "Hawaiian Brian's" restaurant.

         Lee and Lori met us shortly thereafter and having seen what we had ordered followed promptly. The table became festooned with platters of Shoyu chicken, marinated chicken thighs, Kahlua Pork and Loco Moko (ground beef patty topped with a fried egg and gravy served on a bed of rice).

       Everything at the Fayetteville Brian's is good but in all honesty, I prefer the food and the waitress at the Springdale location. Just my preference I'm sure and other steady patrons would possibly disagree.

         After good food and a lot of conversation, we left for home. On the way through Lowell, Jason and Janet conversed and we found ourselves pulling in the DQ for ice cream before heading the rest of the way home. A nice time although we missed our friends who couldn't make it as well as those we have left.

       Next time (June) its "Cotton Eyed Joe's" in Missouri, hope to see all of you.

 

      Ride safe and eat well.

 

      The Traveling Diner

 

April Meeting/Ride

Today was our April meeting/ride day. We started out by taking the short 20 minutes ride over to War Eagle Mills and having a wonderful breakfast. After a short meeting we headed out to one of the hidden natural treasures of our state...Glory Hole Waterfall. It is a waterfall that over thousands of years has worn a hole through a 10 foot bluff top and now flows straight down through the hole of a beautiful overhang. We rode about 60 miles from War Eagle thru Huntsville and Kingston out to Hwy 16 near Fallsville. It was about a mile and a half hike (mostly downhill) to the falls. It was well worth the effort and we stayed for over an hour just exploring around. After taking some great pictures and video we headed back up the trail. The walk up was not terrible but we all had to stop a few times to catch our breath. After a rest at the top we headed back home. A wonderful day of riding, hiking, friendship and fellowship. This ride was an awesome choice by our Sgt. at Arms Bryan and he gets huge kudos for taking us all there to enjoy this beautiful area. The pictures do not do it justice and we would recommend everyone taking the time to go there at least once.

On April 19th we will be taking a ride to the Glory Hole Waterfalls in the Buffalo River area. We are going to meet at War Eagle Mills for breakfast at 9 a.m. and then ride over. Should be a beautiful day and the waterfall is amazing.

We invite any one who would like to come to join us.

April Azalea Festival Ride to Muskogee, OK

Finally after what seemed like an endless winter we got some great weather to ride. Lee, Lorie, Ron, Lisa, Mitch, Jason and Larke left Bentonville at 9 a.m. and started for Muskogee, OK for the annual Azalea Festival. Once we got into Oklahoma the wind was unbelievable and it was coming right out of the South which meant right across the bikes. Blew us left and right on the highway be we made it ok.

The late colder weather has stalled the azalea blooms but the tulips at Honor Heights Park were beautiful. The Butterfly house will be awesome as well when the butterflies get here. We spent about an hour there looking at flowers and then walked throughout some of the park. Would highly recommend stopping there if in the area. Once everything greens up it will be awesome.

We then headed down to the local BBQ joint and had a very good meal. We ran into the local STAR chapter and made some new friends that we will hopefully see during BBBQ. After filling our bellies we headed back home but took time to stop at the Fort Gibson National Site which is the end of the Trail of Tears. Got to see some pretty cool stuff and then headed back to Siloam Springs. Ended the day at Barnett’s Dairyette for some ice cream and then on to the house.

A great day of riding with family.