First, yes, it has been a long time since I have updated here. That does not mean I have been grounded and off the bike. I have been trying to get on the bike more, which leaves less time to write on here.
One of my challenges/scavenger hunts requires that I have a URL link to pictures. I wasn’t sure how I was going to do that, so I put them on my other website. Each picture has a short description and a little information. I may have a snarky comment in some since I had given the link to the post when the challenge started and some of the scorers didn’t like my submissions linked to a website. I put all the information that was needed in their submission page then added personal comments on the website when I wrote about the travel to the various sites. If you would like to follow along with that, HERE is the link. It gets updated after each submission.
The Plan
So, for this trip: the plan was to ride to Memphis on Wednesday (August 6). I was going to have supper with some friends from the Mid-South Long-Distance Riders RTE. This group meets monthly for supper and conversation. We usually sit, eat, and talk for an hour to an hour and a half. Then most will stand and talk outside around the bikes.
I was then going to meet a friend for dessert and after dinner drinks.
Thursday (August 7), I would visit the Merci Train in Jackson, MS and the Tour of Honor site in Franklinton, LA before stopping for the night in Covington, LA.
Friday (August 8) was to visit the Merci Train and Gold Star Memorial Baton Rouge, Veterans Cemetery in Jennings, and Tour of Honor sites in Jeanerette, Crowley, and Simmesport. I would stop in Natchitoches for the night.
Saturday (August 9) was four Tour of Honor sites, Natchitoches, Ruston, Vivian (which was also 9-11 and K-9 memorials), and El Dorado. Other than El Dorado being in Arkansas, the other sites were Louisiana. After El Dorado, I planned to stop in Bryant, AR for the night.
Sunday (August 10) would have me on a lot of backroads after starting the day in downtown Little Rock. I would visit Tour of Honor sites in Little Rock, Jacksonville, and Danville. Part of the day would involve the HOG 50 Rides One Nation ride for Arkansas on the Pig Trail with a side trip to Oark, AR to visit the Oark General Store. The stop for the night would be Fayetteville, AR.
Monday, (August 11) would be back roads almost all day. Visits to Tour of Honor sites in Springdale, Jasper, and Caraway with the day ending in Poplar Bluff, MO.
Tuesday (August 12) would be backroads most day, and very fun roads at that! Poplar Bluff to Metropolis, IL to get a photo of Superman. Then, the Garden of the Gods which is also another HOG 50 Rides One Nation ride. This one is for Illinois. It would end and take me near Evansville, then I would hit the interstate to get to Clarksville for the night. I would have supper with Jeff and we would go to his lodge for a while.
Wednesday (August 13) would be riding home. I didn’t have a definite route planned, but the option to visit several Tour of Honor bonus sites on Fort Campbell, Clarksville, and Dickson. I would plan to get home in time for supper.
Reality
Wednesday – August 6
Wednesday started great. I wasn’t in a hurry since it was about two hours to Memphis and the supper meeting didn’t start until 6:00pm. I got my hotel reservation since the hotels were getting more expensive by the day for some reason. I didn’t want to wait until I pulled into the hotel to make my reservation and end up not having a place to stay. (The Spotwalla link for August 6 is HERE.)
If was about 1pm when I left the gas station. Since I had plenty of time, I chose various options along my trip to Memphis. I took roads that I may have otherwise skipped due to a time restraint or not really wanting to explore. I spent less than 10 miles on US72 (which is my usual route to Collierville), opting to ride on TN-57.
Once near Memphis, I hopped on the beltway to get to the hotel. I pulled into the hotel and realized why hotels were filling up in the area. And realized how lucky I was to get the hotel that I did! The Fed-Ex/St Jude Classic starts tomorrow. There were many golf fans and officials staying that this hotel. This only made sense since the main entrance to the tournament and Fed-Ex HQ was across the street.
I go to check in and told that not all the rooms are ready; they ask if I can wait a few minutes. No problem.
While waiting, the gentleman who was checking-in ahead of me is having a problem. He had reserved two connecting one-bedroom suites. The hotel didn’t have any connecting suites available. They offer to check if a two-bedroom suite is available, and he said that would be fine. Bad news: there are no two-bedroom suites available.
Why was he so insistent about the specific room configuration? He is traveling with his wife and mother-in-law. His mother-in-law is elderly and cannot be left alone. With connecting suites, they can keep the connecting door open to check on her. With a two-bedroom suite, they will be in the same area.
They refer him to the chain’s customer service to see if they can help with another property. The person on the phone is trying to explain that they can’t help since his is a last-minute request. The hotel agent gets on the phone and explains that there is a problem with a few rooms which affects him directly, his reservation was made several months ago and it is not a last-minute reservation or change due to his request; the hotel is requesting the change.
While this is going on, another gentleman comes in. He listens for a few minutes, then interrupts the conversation and states that he may be able to help. The silence is deafening! Everyone turns to look at him. He is wearing an old leather jacket and bug coated chaps while carrying his helmet. His solution, he states, will help him also.
Even I am interested in this! He explains that he and his family are traveling. He has a reservation for a two-bedroom suite. His family is in a van with everyone’s luggage. They got to Memphis earlier than expected and would rather get a few more miles down the road. If the hotel will cancel his reservation without a penalty, he is will be happy to give up the reservation for the other gentleman.
Then the manager and the two gentlemen get things handled. Everyone is happy. The biker gets a reservation in Jackson and tells his family to keep going; he will catch up.
I talk with him for a few minutes. He works for the State Department. He is between overseas assignments. He is heading to Washington, DC and will be there for six month to a year before heading back overseas; either India or Italy.
Shortly after this excitement, my room is ready. They explain how to get to my room and tell me I can park either near my room or by the pool. As I was about to go out, the desk clerk comes over and tells me that I can park the bike against the building under the awning. I like that I idea. I move the bike and unload everything.
I get set up in the room and check out the area. I rest and look over the plan for the next week. I check the weather; though hot, it will be clear.
I head over to supper; Mark and Karen are already there. We chat for a bit then some others arrive. We usually have 10-12, or even more. Today’s group was small, only 6 of us. Conversation on Mile Monsters, Hoka Hey, HOG 50 rides, and other Iron Butt challenges. I excuse myself after a while to meet my other friend.
I call to let them know where to meet me. They pick me up and we head to a bar and grill nearby for dessert and drinks. We sit and talk about current life, our kids, grandkids, and life with and without work. Getting close to last call, we pick up a couple bottles of wine and head to the hotel. We sit on the sofa and continue talking. Soon, 2AM arrives. We say our goodbyes and head our separate ways.
Thursday – August 7
Today my plan is to visit the Merci Train in Jackson, the Tour of Honor site in Franklinton, and get to the hotel. (The Spotwalla link for August 7th is HERE.)
I get some coffee and pack up. The current method of packing the bag and attaching it to the bike seems to be quick, easy, and the most secure method so far. I turn in the key and let them know about a minor problem with the door’s lock. Everything else was great on this visit.
I avoid the interstate in Memphis due to morning traffic. The major roads heading south then west toward I-55 seem to be going against the traffic. I gas up before I hit the interstate to head to Jackson.
I hit the interstate and set the cruise on 75 (okay, I set it a little above 75, but who is keeping track?). A few miles before Jackson, I stop to fill up the tank. I stop in Canton. Knowing that I will be able to make it the rest of the day without another fuel stop eases my mind. Also, knowing that there is construction in the Jackson area, I don’t want to get low while stopped on the interstate.
Back on the interstate and I take the exit for Pearl Street. Under Pearl Street, I zigzag onto Greymont Ave. I make the right turn into the parking lot of the GM&O Depot where the Merci Train is on display. I get a couple of pictures then try to find an east way back to I-55 South. I talk with a gentleman on break and he lets me know that the side road/parking lot will exit to Amite Street. I will go a block then turn left on State Street, which goes straight onto I-55 South.
I decide to trust him and take off through the other parking lot. Other than it being a little risky since it is hard to see anyone topping the hill, I was on State Street quickly. A few blocks later, State Street is block due to construction. It appears that a crew is either replacing or retiming the signal light and the south bound lanes are blocked. The wait wasn’t too long; I was soon rolling again. I was on I-55 South much quicker than I expected. Cruise control set at “about” 75mph with no traffic.
Shortly after crossing into Louisiana, I exit the interstate. I start getting a sense of the backroads in Louisiana, beautiful! I wind my way through some farmland and forests to get into Franklinton. I find a place to stop on the side of the street. The building where I stop looks to be closed, though it is middle of the afternoon. I didn’t want to pull into the parking lot, I wasn’t planning to be there long enough.
As I hop off the bike and get my camera, a deputy walks toward me. I hesitate about getting too much off the bike in case he tells me I have to move. I greet him and he shakes my hand. He says that there have been a bunch of bikers that are taking a picture of the memorial and he was wondering why. I explained the Tour of Honor to him, also throwing in a quick comment about Mile Monsters. Riding Harleys himself when he was younger, he wished that there had been a challenge like the Tour of Honor when he was riding. I give him a poker chip, get some pictures, and I am ready to get rolling again.
The road leaving Franklinton is about 45 minutes from my stop for the night. Today has only been just over 6 hours on the road, it is about 2:30 when I leave Franklinton. I think about putting a few more miles on the road before stopping for the night. As I get to the hotel where I had planned to stop, the heat starts to hit me. While in the hotel’s parking lot, I make my reservation.
I would usually stop writing for the day at this point, but the evening had a little excitement. The staff at the hotel recommended Don’s Seafood. Though there are no sidewalks, the shoulder of the road is wide enough that it is safe enough to walk, less than a half mile. I get a shower and change. I start walking.
I pass a Hibachi/Sushi restaurant. I poke my head in and look at the menu. I see that they have a little bar too. Since I am this close to the gulf, I should go with some fresh seafood. I start to continue my walk to Don’s Seafood. I open the door, a light rain has started. While I decide if I can make the walk to Don’s Seafood without getting too wet, there is a clap of thunder and the rain is getting more intense. I decide that Hibachi sounds like a good plan.
While eating, the storm intensifies. The phone’s radar shows a big red spot sitting above the restaurant and hotel. It should be moving out soon, so I don’t rush supper. I finish and wait at the door. The rain eases up and I make a run to the hotel lobby across the driveway from the restaurant. I walk through the hotel to the back. My hotel is across the parking lot. The rain eases up and the skies start to clear. The water looks deep in many spots. As I walk across the parking lot toward a spot that does look as deep as others, a car comes through and drives through that particular spot. The car sinks into the dip in the parking lot with water coming up to the door. I decide to walk farther around.
Friday – August 8
This is going to be a long day. Over 400 miles and 8 hours on the road. My plan is to get to Baton Rouge via I-12/I-10 just after any morning traffic to visit the Merci Train. From there, I-10 to US-90 and Jeanerette. Back to the the I-10/US-90 interchange then west on I-10 to the Veterans Cemetery in Jennings. Back east on I-10 to Crowley then to the I-10/US-90 interchange where I will head north on I-49 a few miles before exiting to head to Simmesport. Back roads to Alexandria and back on I-49 which will lead me to Natchitoches and my stop for the night. As the poet Robert Burns wrote, “The best-laid plans of mice and men often go awry.” Today I learned that God will put detours in your way. Though those detours may seem frustrating, the end result may be better than human plans. (The Spotwalla link for August 8 is HERE.)
Though I might have stayed drier last night if I have put a few miles more on the road before stopping, I doubt I was have been dry this morning. I get on the interstate leaving Covington and can see dark clouds ahead. I can soon smell the rain. When I get closer, the skies are turning blue, but the roads are wet. I stay dry.
I get to Baton Rouge and head to the Merci Train. The perfect spot for a picture has a car illegally parked. I park in front of the car (yes, I parked there illegally too) and get the pictures. I check the GPS and decide to scrap the visit to the Gold Star memorial. I remember that parking can be very challenging as well as simply getting around the state Capitol building. This makes my stop as the Tour of Honor site in Jeanette.
A few quick turns and I am back on the interstate. As I turn onto the interstate, the GPS pops up a note that there is construction delay and proposes an alternate route that will save me almost an hour. I opt for the alternate and the GPS points me to the next exit which is less than a mile away.
Detours. They often are a pain. Both when travelling and in life. I spent the time on back roads to Jeanerette enjoying the varying scenery and thinking about detours in my life. The ride through bayou and farms, few towns, it is relaxing. I get to Jeanerette and get the pictures.
As I save the pictures on my phone, I see that I have a text message from my dentist reminding me about my appointment on Tuesday morning as 8AM. My original plan is to get home on Wednesday evening. I call home.
After some discussion, I reply to the text message that I will be there. I do some mental calculations and feel that I can still visit the Tour of Honor sites and get home Monday. Just another of life’s detours.
I decide to scrap the Veteran Cemetery and head to Simmesport. As I get to the I-10/US-90/I-49 interchange, I decide to gas up. I check back to home and the dental appointment has been confirmed and I will need to be home Monday evening.
Only a few miles on I-49 before I get to enjoy back roads again, this time to Simmesport. My earlier time on back roads was mostly bayou, this is a mix of forests and farms. I find the memorial after riding through Simmesport. I pull in and have to work to get the picture of the memorial and the bike. I find and angle and get the picture. As I am backing the bike up to leave, I see a cannon on the other side of the memorial. I end up getting a site for the BMW Caddiwomple too!
It is almost two hours to my planned stop for the night. Half on back roads and half on interstate. I can’t stop early since that will make the rest of the trip even more condensed. I get focused and I am rolling.
I pull into the parking lot of the hotel. I managed to pull my phone out of my pocket while still sitting. I make my reservation, then get off the bike. I get my helmet and jacket off then unload everything. I have managed to have a process where I can take everything in with one trip. As I walk into the lobby, my phone rings. I ignore it, set my bags and helmet down and walk to the desk. I tell them my name. The two people at the desk act like they have seen a ghost. They tell me that they are overbooked and they do not have a room available. I take a deep breathe and ask if there are any options in the area. A simple answer of “Nope” is all I get. They will cancel my reservation and they will waive any cancellation fees as if that is some consolation.
I got to the breakfast area and check options in the area. I pick the Comfort Suites on the other side of the interstate which is closer to Natchitoches. There are several fast food places within walking distance. I get my reservation and reload the bike. Only a five minute ride before I pull under the canopy. Grace has my reservation and I have a room!
Supper was another challenge. A quick synopsis of the eating options. Wendy’s: after 20 minutes waiting, the girl taking order must have quit, leaving others in front of me without placing their orders. The pizza place: more of a Chuck-E-Cheese arcade with only cheese pizza. The French Market: a gas station convenience store with some pastries, no meals. Whataburger: 30 minutes for a burger, nothing special; other than Destini taking orders, no one else seemed to care to be there and were not in a rush.
I watch Little League while I redo each of the remaining days’ routes.
Saturday – August 9
Today is my first day of route change. Two changes in the overall plan are that I will omit the HOG50 Ride in Illinois and compressed the next three days then head home on Monday. (The Spotwalla link for August 9 is HERE.)
Originally goal for today was visiting the remaining three sites in Louisiana and El Dorado, AR then stopping south of Little Rock. The new plan has the original sites, plus two more sites in the Little Rock area and stopping for the night in Conway, AR (west of Little Rock). The change is about an additional 60 miles and about an extra hour. To make up for the extra time, I head out earlier than planned.
Breakfast in the hotel, then I head to the Tour of Honor site in downtown Natchitoches. I wanted to make sure I was here early since the memorial is next to a gourmet breakfast shop. I didn’t want to have to deal with a lot of people to get the pictures.
It was a quick ride to downtown. I quickly found the site and a parking spot. The memorial site is the entrance to the Veterans Park. There were plenty of people, but many were out walking; the weather was beautiful. I parked and got the picture from a distance with the bike in the picture, then walked to the memorial site for a picture at the entrance.
I leave Natchitoches and head for my next stop. Early on a Saturday morning with beautiful weather, I expect to see a lot of bikes out today. With bikes out, I know that there will be others out keeping a watch that speed limits are honored. I also know that speed limits tend to drop in little towns with little or no warning. I hit a 55mph area, but see the 45mph and 30mph speed limit signs ahead. I slow and make it through Grand Ecore. In less than a mile, I am back in a 55mph zone.
I see a sign for Clarence and start slowing down, knowing that the the speed limit will drop. I cross the railroad tracks and stop at the stop at the stoplight. As the light turns green, I see blue lights behind me. I go through the intersection and pull over, assuming that they want to pass me. The car pulls behind me. I guess I am going to get a “performance award.”
Before he get out of his car, I have turned off the bike and have my license in my hand. He tells me that he clocked me at 57mph as I passed the church where the speed limit dropped to 45mph. I ask if he wants my registration and insurance also, he does. I tell him that those are in my saddle bag and slowly get out the holder with the registration and insurance. He looks over my papers and asks what I am doing today. I explain both the Tour of Honor and Mile Monsters. He hands me back all my paperwork and tells me to have a safe day. I hand him a poker chip. I explain that is a little way that I can thank him for the risks that he takes for me. I let him know that I would give him the poker chip whether he gave me a performance award or not. He accepts the poker chip and we shake hands. I am now ready to roll again. I will keep a closer watch on the speed. As I leave, I see the 55mph speed limit sign with a county sheriff with radar. I give him a polite wave and stay under 55mph.
After stopping to fill up in Jonesboro, LA and I am soon in Ruston, LA. I have the GPS coordinates set on the bike and head to the Tour of Honor memorial. Many times, the GPS coordinates will in a parking lot, a building, or other location near the memorial, but not always at the memorial. I find the GPS coordinates, but it points to the middle of the parking lot. I ride around the back of the building and check the other side. Nothing. I go around the back of the building to the parking lot and get out the phone. I check the photo and walk around the front of the building. Found it! This will be a site where I have to get a photo of the bike in the parking lot and the memorial will be a separate photo.
I head to I-20 which is a few blocks away. I will have about an hour and a half of interstate. I pass through Shreveport and head north on I-49 for a few miles before taking the exit for Vivian, LA. Back on the two-lane roads that I enjoy.
Vivian seems like a little town that time has forgotten. The freight train goes through downtown at full speed with horn blaring. I pull up as the gates lower and the train engines pass. I wait, in awe, of the 150+ cars and the one pusher follow the engines. The gates rise and I cross the tracks, still feeling the vibration of the disappearing train.
I pull into the parking lot beside the fire station. This is also a B&B and an ice cream shop. It isn’t really a working fire station. The Tour of Honor site is the mural on the side of the building. Not only is it a Tour of Honor site, it is also a bonus site as 9-11 and K-9 memorials. I will have to plan to come back to stay at the B&B and explore the town in greater detail.
I leave Vivian and enjoy some beautiful back roads through northern Louisiana, then into southern Arkansas. Once I leave Magnolia, I pick up some speed on US-82 into El Dorado.
El Dorado is one of the towns that Johnny Cash mentions in his song “I’ve Been Everywhere.” Getting photographic proof of visiting a town that is named in that song earns me points in the BMW Coddiwomple Challenge. I see a huge sign up on the on tthe other side of the road, butt no place for me to pull over on this side ot get ta picture. I ride into town and see a neat mural on top of a building. The nearest parking has the mural blocked by another building. I find a parking spot in from of the Chamber of Commerce. Being Saturday, they are closed and the parking lot is empty. I get a wonderful photo and on my way.
A block away is the Tour of Honor site at the courthouse. I pull up and get a good picture, then ready to get rolling. I have to make a few extra miles today!
The next group of sites are due north. I stop to fill up as I leave El Dorado. I stay off of interstate most of the way to Little Rock. The location of the memorial for the Tour of Honor is near a Gold Star Memorial, which I was one of the first to photograph on the day it was unveiled. I make a call home for a bit, make a hotel reservation, and get a couple of pictures.
A few quick turns on downtown Little Rock, then a quick trip on the interstate, and a few turns before I reach the Little Rock Air Base. I pull into the parking lot at the visitor’s center and get a quick drink. I line up the bike to get a good angle so I can get as much of the memorial (a cargo plane that was used when the US exited Vietnam). I get a couple of pictures and start to put things away, when an Airman comes up to me. He was at the guard station near where I was parked. He is polite and asks why motorcycles are coming to get a picture with the plane. He tells me the story of the plane and I listen, not wanting to burst his bubble that I already knew about it. I explain the Tour of Honor and give him a poker chip. He says that there are not problems taking pictures of the plane, but I am not allowed to take any pictures of the base gate and guard station. We have a good chat, shake hands, and each head back to our duties. His to guard the base, mine to get to the hotel for a night’s rest!
I backtrack to Little Rock, then continue west to Conway for the night. I get settled into the room, then have to decide where to eat. Several options, some closer than others. I would be happy with just a good burger and a good beer.
I walk over to a place nearby. They have decent burgers, and a good selection of beers. Usually single customers will head to the bar, I asked for a table. The waitress wasn’t the most attentive, or talkative. Almost like she wanted me to hurry out to get a larger group at the table. Trust me, they weren’t crowded. I got my beer and burger, then left as soon as I ate and had the check. I had wanted to get a dessert, but didn’t really feel welcomed.
Back at the room and I do some double checking about the route. I go ahead and get me reservation for Mountain Home. I have stayed there before and there is a nice place next door to eat.
Sunday – August 10
This will be a long day. It may be the longest day of the trip. A lot of miles, a lot of stops. I get to the breakfast area and get coffee and yogurt before realizing that I am the only one in the breakfast area. I look at my watch, then realize that they start breakfast latter on the weekends. The lady is nice and tells me I am fine since I am not needing more than the coffee. (The Spotwalla link for August 10 is HERE.)
I sit and mentally go through my day. I am about ready to leave and another guy comes in. He sits at the table next to me. I joked that neither of us must like people since we were in the corner making sure we could see the door. He starts telling me of his time in the service. He rides a Can-Am to help reduce the stress. He used to ride a Harley, but the Army abused his shoulders and knees to the point he can’t ride two wheels. I think that he just wanted someone to talk with while his family was still sleeping. I didn’t want to be rude, so I sat and listened. He eventually headed back to his room, I headed to load the bike and hit the road.
I had some fuel and my calculations told me I could make it easily to Danville. I hit the interstate and started rolling. Speed limits on Arkansas interstates are higher than Alabama and Tennessee. With a speed limit of 75, I am rolling a little higher. This means that fuel is burning a little faster. As I exit the interstate, I feel okay that I can get to Danville.
I enjoy more back roads. As the low fuel light comes on, I start looking for gas stations. I see that there is a name brand station just before I get to Danville. As I pull in to the station, they have a sign that they only have regular, no premium. I keep rolling and see another station. As I pull in, I see they also do not have premium. I look around and see another gas station a block away. I will give that a chance.
I pull in and they have premium! I fill up and check the GPS. The memorial is a block away. I go in to get a drink and the receipt. I spend a few minutes talking with the young lady at the register, then I head out.
I see a memorial across the street and get the picture. I try to upload it. The picture I took doesn’t match the memorial in the app. The description of the memorial I am supposed to photograph doesn’t match the memorial I am at. I notice that the GPS is telling me that the desired memorial is a block away. I get back on the bike and find the correct memorial!
I am not expecting much time on the interstate for the rest of the day. I am expecting to enjoy some great mountain roads!
I head west to the southern point of the Pig Trail. Two photo ops for some Harley challenges. One being the sign for the Pig Trail which is one of the HOG 50 rides. The other being a stop at OARK Cafe.
The ride does not disappoint me. I have the location of the sign flagged in the GPS so I can be ready to hunt for a place to park. There is no traffic and I manage to take advantage of the wide shoulder. I stop the bike, head over to the sign and get some pictures. I make it back to the bike before anyone else passes by. I am glad I got started as early as I did!
I hope back on the bike and head to the Oark Cafe. Still no traffic and the roads are great. The road to Oark cafe is one way in, and one way out. That is unless you want to take advantage of some back country and adventure trails. The road (trail?) that leave Oark on the east side is gravel and dirt. I am not interested in doing that on a heavy Harley. I might have given it some thought if I were on the BMW, but not today.
I pull up to the Oark Cafe and park beside the building. I go in and get a shirt and a couple of stickers. a couple of pictures and I am ready to roll again.
I wish that I had the time to get lunch, the menu looks great. Desserts look even better! As I suit up to leave, I realize that I was parked under the exhaust for the kitchen’s smoker. My jacket and helmet are filled with the sweet smell of smoked pork and BBQ. I am reminded for several hours of what I could have eaten for lunch.
I backtrack to the Pig Trail, then continue to Fayetteville and on to Springdale. I follow the GPS to the location of the memorial. I don’t see anything. I look around and realize that there is an area between the brick wall and the building. I walk up the path and get pictures of the memorial.
It is hot and I am glad that I had picked up some extra drinks. I sit for a few minutes and check the route. I know that there is a Harley dealership nearby, so I pop it into the GPS and head there. I get a few minutes on the interstate. The dealership isn’t as close as I had thought. I find may way there, get a picture of the bike in front of the dealership and retrace my steps back to Springdale then on to my next planned stop. This side trip cost me almost an hour!
The side trip now has me keeping a watch on a storm that is heading south along my route west. The roads are dry, butt I can see the dark skies and smell the rain. The GPS’s weather map is showing that I might just miss the storm. It isn’t very big, but it is dumping a lot of rain. I stop to gas up, still watching the weather. The roads start getting twisty, and are now wet from the rain. Any other time, I would not be so cautious. The road appears to have been freshly repaved, leaving a nice oily surface, and the rain is making the road even more slick in the curves. I wind my way to Jasper. I can see that the storm is now of the south side of the route. I won’t have to deal with rain, but I will have wet roads. I circle the courthouse and park near the memorial. I get the picture in Jasper and ready to head to the hotel.
The road is twisty, which I usually love. But the rains have made this rather challenging. The few areas of straight roads are dry, but there is a little traffic.
I pull into Mountain Home, my hotel is across town. It seems like forever and I miss the turn to the hotel. I pull into a parking lot and head back a block. I park the bike near the door in a parking spot since there isn’t a lot of space under the driveway. I go in and the manager tells me that I should park on the driveway. He knows it would be safer and would stay dry it is rains again tonight. I get checked in and move the bike to unload. I load everything on a rolling cart and head back in. The manager tells me that we have a problem. My room is on the second floor. So? They don’t have an elevator. Ruh Roh! I take a deep breath and say that is fine, I can deal with it. Before I can take anything off the cart, he has changed my room to one of the first floor.
The rooms on the back of the first floor have two door. One from the hallway of the hotel, the other to a row of parking spots. I unload the cart, return the cart to the front, and move the bike to the parking spot outside my room! I will be able to get fully loaded before checking out in the morning!
Supper is a nice burger and a cold beer at the restaurant next door. Service is night and day different from last night. The young lady taking my order checks on me, sits and talks for a bit, and makes me feel welcomed. She got a better tip on a cheaper meal than last night.
A final review of the route home tomorrow and I am ready for bed.
Monday (August 11)
This is the last day of this trip. Bittersweet. Sad that I have to cut the ride short by two days. Sweet because I will get to sleep in my own bed tonight. It won’t be as long as some of the other days, I should only have one photo stop and one gas stop. (The Spotwalla link for August 11 is HERE.)
Breakfast early, then back to the room to load the bike. It was nice to load the bike directly from the room. I usually don’t like the feeling of a door to the outside at a hotel. I feel that there is a level of security missing. However, I did have that feeling here. It was a great hotel, great location, and a great staff.
I have over a half tank, so I am good on fuel for now. Next, or should I say the only, stop is in Caraway, Arkansas. This is the seventh Tour of Honor site in the state and I will have completed four states now, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Arkansas. I usually try to also complete Tennessee, the Carolinas, and Georgia. I am behind my usual pace, but this is a self-directed challenge.
Plenty of two-lane roads to enjoy. A lot of farm land along the way, this means winds. With a lot of farm land, there may not be as many towns. My fuel gauge is heading to the 1/4 mark. The low fuel light will be coming on soon. But, Caraway is within the fuel range, so I don’t panic.
I pull into Caraway and park across the street from the memorial. As I am getting things ready to take pictures, some of the park staff stop mowing and head my way. They are excited to see me. I am the second rider to visit today. The previous rider had a passenger. The other rider shared some information about the Tour of Honor. I answered a few questions. They got some pictures of me and the bike, as well as some of me at the memorial. I leave a poker chip and share some with them.
I noticed that the gas station that I had passed didn’t have premium gas. I tell them which direction I was headed and asked about the next place with fuel. They both agree that Lepanto, AR will be the next place that might have fuel. The low range light (which means less that 10 miles) hasn’t come on yet, so I feel confident that I can make it there without concerns.
As I pull into Lepanto, I see two gas stations! Nice to have a backup option just in case!
I pull into gas station and stop as the pumps. only one side of the pumps are accessible. The other side is block by a pick-up with a trailer. They are going to be there a while since they are trying to change a tire on the trailer. But I think they have tot patch the spare first, not sure, but it also looked flat.
I am gassed up and very relieved. I had a half gallon, I probably could have made the interstate which ended up being only 10 more miles. In hindsight, I am glad I didn’t push it. There wasn’t a gas station at that interchange on the interstate.
I make the zig-zag at the intersection with the second gas station. I look to my left and see a mural on the side of the building. I make a U-turn and park behind the gas station to check out the mural. It is a mural about the town. It includes a section on the local hero and some background on the town. There is a mural of a mule! This is a bonus for the BMW challenge. I get the picture! I think this is the mule bonus I have found this year.
A few miles later, I am on I-55 heading toward Memphis. In West Memphis, I see notices about delays. The GPS warns me about a delay on I-240, but tells me I am on the fastest route. Delays of 30-45 minutes possible. I keep a watch on the semis. If there is a bad delay, they may take the I-40 route on the north side of Memphis. As I watch, most are taking the option for I-240 around the south side. This means that the route isn’t as bad, or that most of them will be taking I-55 south toward Jackson.
I follow those going on I-240 south of Memphis. I keep a watch on the GPS and the expected delay time keeps dropping. On I-240 and and TN-365, I never slowed down. I never hit a delay.
From I-240, I take the ramp to TN-365, then the exit to US-72. At this point, I am about two hours from home. Nothing exciting on US-72, I turn onto the Natchez Trace Parkway before Cherokee and head north. I exit onto CR-14, make zig-zag to CR-16, the right on AL-20, and the left onto Cox Creek.
I am home.