Discovering the Ozarks

Approximately 10 months ago we started planning a trip to The Ozarks by way of motorcycle.  As plans go, changes were made along the way, one of them changing from a 2014 Honda Goldwing to a 2014 Harley-Davidson Ultra Limited.  What was going to include a stop at the 2015 Wing Ding in Huntsville, Alabama and later a stop in Memphis, Tennessee ended up with a stop in Topeka, Kansas to see a good friend and later Overland Park, Kansas to see Cathy's Aunt Jessie and cousins.  And who ever said changes aren't always good, didn't go on this trip!

Saturday, August 22nd started with a gas stop before leaving Watertown, Wisconsin.  Mileage on the HOG was 11,800.  Before getting too far into the Illinois Toll System, our riding couples (Marc & Chris) decided they too would like to have an Illinois iPass.  In South Beloit we stopped at a Road Ranger and minutes later they had an iPass tucked in between their windshield and windshield bag.  As luck would have it, we only hit ONE toll in Illinois!!  After riding 350 miles we stopped in Collinsville, Illinois to the night at a LaQuinta.  To our unpleasant surprise what was promised on their website of a pool and hot tub hadn't even been built yet!  Talk about false advertising!  They knocked off a few dollars (big deal).  What they did offer was a free shuttle service.  So we headed to Ruby Tuesday's for dinner and some well deserved adult beverages.

Sunday we headed to our final destination for the next 4 nights, Hollister, Missouri (just south of Branson) at a Vacation Rental By Owner (VRBO), some 275 miles.  As we rode through St.Louis and the Gateway Arch it was somewhat foggy, though still visible.  I had never seen the Arch so photos from the motorcycle were taken as we rode by (Cathy took them!).  Since I wanted us all to get off the Interstate System (boring) I had researched a surprise detour that would take us south from Cuba, Missouri onto what is commonly called "Ozark Hellbender"(Part of Ozark National Scenic Riverways).  This route on Highway 19 is part of a 122 mile, 300 curve roadway.  Though to nearly as challenging as The Tail of the Dragon on Highway 129 in Tennessee and North Carolina, the sweepers were a welcoming change of scenery compared to the "I-System".  When we arrived in Eminence, Missouri it was time to stop and stretch our legs at Casey's General Store on Highway 60. Here I had my first taste of Catfish!  WOW, I've been missing some great tasting fish all these years.  I liked it so much that later in our adventure another sampling of Catfish would be consumed.

Tim and Rhonda arrived at our VRBO around noon and as they got settled in, they also took care of Sunday evening's meal.  They set the meal bar extremely high as we dined on crab dip and tiger shrimp as an appetizer followed up with steaks on the grill and corn on the cob.  Our VRBO was a 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom home of around 2400 square feet.  The lower level had a screened-in porch and above that was a deck overlooking Table Rock Lake.  Within walking distance was an inground pool (but again no hot tub).

Monday morning started with a ride west on Highway 86 to AR 187 known as the Dam-Bridge Route into Beaver Town.  This one lane suspension bridge was constructed in 1949.  Today it is the only suspension bridge in Arkansas and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.  The bridge stretches 550 feet long.  This small community is only about 1/2 mile square and averages about 100 residents.  From Beaver we continued on AR 62 to see Beaver Dam and Overlook.  Beaver Dam started construction in 1960 and was completed in 1966 at the cost of $60 million.  Beaver Lake is a man-made lake and is formed by a dam across the White River.

Continuing on this route took us into Eureka Springs for the rest of the day.  Eureka Springs is approximately 6 miles south of the Beaver Dam on AR 62.  Eureka Springs was founded July 4, 1879.  In the Spring of 2001, Eureka Springs was named one of 12 "Distinctive Destinations" by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.  The native American's used the springs and land  as a healing  and gathering place for their tribes.  Before leaving we had to visit Pig Trails, now called Eureka Springs Harley-Davidson.  Before heading back to our VRBO, we needed to see Christ of the Ozarks.  Dedicated in 1966, it is the Largest statue of Jesus in North America and third largest in the World!  It stands at a height of 67 feet tall and is 65 feet wide.  Next visit we will attend the Great Passion Play which tells the story of Christ's final days on earth.  Over 7 million people have experienced the Great Passion Play and statue in the past 49 years.  Also on property is a section of the Berlin Wall.  This is a must stop and extremely inspiring.

Dinner Monday evening was prepared by Marc and Chris.  Grilled Chicken, Potato Wedges, Green Beans Almandine and Apple Pie a la Mode.  It was one meal that we didn't worry about leftovers, cause there simply wasn't any!!  Great planning on their part!

Tuesday morning started with a ride on AR 76 to HWY 160 then AR125 to the Peel Ferry.  This Ferry crosses one of the Ozark's great lakes, Bull Shoals.  It is the only ferry within the State's Highway System.  The ferry runs during daylights hours and is free to the public.  It is a chance to get off the motorcycle and carry on a conversion with the two operators of the Peel Ferry.  After our water ride we continued to run the Jasper Disaster, a 56 mile route having 316 scenic curves.  The Jasper Disaster begins south of Harrison to Jasper.  Lunch would find us at The Cliff House Inn, 7 miles south of Jasper on AR 7.  From the moment we arrived, we were greeted the Arkansas Grand Canyon!  One of the most scenic spots in all of Arkansas.

While heading back to our VRBO on AR 74 from Jasper to the west we encountered a large Semi on its' side!  Had it not been that we spent a few extras minutes at The Cliff House Inn discussing which direction to head, we may have been in a situation few survive, "but for the Grace of God there go I". We were heading west and it was obvious this driver was heading east.  Several skid marks were present, some made by tires, others by humans (lol) prior to losing control and rolling on it's side.  As we passed the sirens were heard and still some miles away, but help from others had arrived.

Tuesday evening was our turn at fixin' dinner!  Cathy made homemade spaghetti with ground port sausage with seasoning and ground beef.  Her sauce, NOT from a jar but tomato paste and sauce.  Throw in a tossed salad and garlic bread rounded off the meal along with soft music and wine!  Dessert was cheese cake.

Wednesday morning started with an attempt to eat some of the leftovers from previous meals before heading out and saying good-byes to Tim and Rhonda.  Our plan was to ride The Scenic Pig Trails of Arkansas south of Eureka Springs.  The previous day at the Harley-Davidson Dealership, we were informed The Pig Trails were closed due to flooding!  As we go closer to The Pig Trail Scenic Byway there was a construction crew stopping traffic.  When asked about the closure we were told, yes it is closed due to flooding.  So No Pig Trails route for us!!  In two separate National Surveys, the Pig Trail has been voted one of the best rides in the country by motorcyclists!

After saying farewells to Tim and Rhonda, the four of us finally got our BBQ on!!  Chris found a spot in Harrison, AR called T's Barbecue.  The food was really good and made to order!  I only wish I could have stayed longer and had more!!

Marc and Chris left around 7:00 am Thursday morning and we followed around 10:00 am.  We headed to Topeka, KS to see a good friend of mine whom I haven't seen in a long time.  I met Steve during Harley-Davidson Coach Training back in 2006 at what was then Capital City Harley-Davidson in Madison, WI.  We had a lot in common one of which was law enforcement careers.  Steve is still in law enforcement and still the Riding Academy Manager at Historic Harley-Davidson in Topeka.  Steve and his better half, Tanja treated us to dinner and a private tour of Historic HD.  As a special bonus Steve told us to each pick out a shirt, his treat!!  Thanks a lot Steve and Tanja for opening your home to us and making us feel like family!  Remember our home is your home when in the area!

Friday morning we headed to Overland Park, KS to see Cathy's cousins and Aunt Jessie who is in her early 90's and recovering from cancer.  It's been far too long since we saw everyone and this was a special stop though very short.  Once again we had BBQ!!  We left Amy's house around 3:30 pm and rode for about 150 miles before stopping for the night south of Des Moines, IA in Osceola (40 miles south of Des Moines).  Had KFC for dinner and Saturday on the road by 8:30 am for a full day of Interstate riding to get home, some 400 miles.

In all 2317 miles from Saturday to Saturday almost 300 miles per day.  Great ride, friends and weather!  Far too many Interstate miles!  Next year's ride will be much closer to home and longer stops between riding.