I had a short break last week, so my dad and I planned a quick 1,000 mile trip to the Ozark Mountains in eastern Oklahoma and Western Arkansas.  I got away mid-afternoon on Wednesday and rode to Talihina, OK to meet up.  We had planned a loop beginning there, going east into Central Arkansas, then up almost to the Missouri border and back into Oklahoma.

We got up Thursday morning and had a great breakfast, then headed for the Talimena Scenic Drive.  This is a must-ride for anyone in the region.  The road was built as a WPA project and straddles the ridge of the Winding Stair Range in the Ouachita Mountains.  Because it is so high, spectacular views (and turnouts to take advantage of them) are everywhere.  Plenty of twisty bits, too.  It was a bit foggy in Talihina, but the forecast called for sunny weather and warm.  As we rode up to the entrance, fog got thicker.  We decided to try it, and as we entered the scenic drive, we entered a cloud of pea-soup fog.  We stopped at a turnout to wait and see if it got better.  After an hour, we turned back.  

Here is how thick the fog was:




We did a little exploring while waiting for the fog to clear, still wearing gear to stay warm:










After visiting with the very helpful people at the visitor center (the lady even called a friend to check on conditions for us), we decided to run our loop the opposite direction.  We had to trim some distance off the trip to make it work in the time we had.  Now we went north into Northeastern Oklahoma, and then into Arkansas.  A highlight was Hwy 59 from Evansville to Natural Dam -- smooth road, super-twisty and beautiful scenery.  

A couple of views of Lee Creek near Natural Dam, AR:





We stopped for the night in Fort Smith, and had some great Thai food at a local mom and Pop Thai place.

Friday morning we headed east on I-40 to Ozark, AR, where we stopped for breakfast before heading south on Hwy 23 and then 309 towards Magazine Mountain.  

A small lake en route:




and another sign of natural beauty:


Here's my dad and his 1994 BMW R1100RS:


Another turnout with beautiful fall color on the way up:




Our bikes (I was riding my 1982 Suzuki GS1100E with Windjammer fairing):


We reached Magazine Mountain and stopped to take in the spectacular view:




And more fall colors:




We then reached the Talimena scenic drive from the other end (Mena , AR) and started up.  Again, great views.  Riding was not as fun due to traffic.  We got behind the third grade girls Harley posers club at one point -- BRAKING through turns for heavens sakes.  They must not have covered engine braking at the Harley dealership where they learned to "ride."

Views from the Talimena Scenic Drive:




We rode on to McAlester, OK for the night and went home Saturday morning.  A great trip!

Nice pictures.

TG you turd you shoulda called me... oh wait I got to go freeze my tush off camping with my weblos at the boy scout campout this weekend. Glad you had fun.

If you get pulled over on Talimena by the old ranger and you don't have mile wide chicken strips be prepared for a talking to about how he know you are riding too fast on the scenic drive he can tell just by looking at your tires.

That last pic looks like 3 sticks, is that where it was?

Quote from: bettingpython on October 19, 2009, 05:24:25 AM
TG you turd you shoulda called me... oh wait I got to go freeze my tush off camping with my weblos at the boy scout campout this weekend. Glad you had fun.

If you get pulled over on Talimena by the old ranger and you don't have mile wide chicken strips be prepared for a talking to about how he know you are riding too fast on the scenic drive he can tell just by looking at your tires.

I should have called, you are right!  The ONLY reason I did not is that we were not going anywhere near Tulsa.  But I didn't think about you meeting us somewhere.  As it turned out, we changed our plan, and the backtracking eliminated MOST of our trip north of I-40.  Next time we run the Ozarks I will call you.  I'm sure you know the good places! 

Quote from: bettingpython on October 19, 2009, 05:24:25 AM
That last pic looks like 3 sticks, is that where it was?

Last pic was the Panoramic Vista turnout (OK side).

Yep I would of routed you up through the Quachita to Ozark, 23 Noth.... way better than south from ozark, run the pig trail then over through jasper and back down 123 through Mt Judea some extremely fun elevation changes and tight technical twisties with gorgeous scenery. From there you run 16, 27 and 14 over to 341 and run push mountain road...    God I need to get unbusy next year and get some serious mileage in.... I have been to Arkansas this year at all hit MO a couple of times thats been it.

Although you did run 309 Mt. Magazine's not bad.

Quote from: bettingpython on October 19, 2009, 05:45:01 AM
Yep I would of routed you up through the Quachita to Ozark, 23 Noth.... way better than south from ozark, run the pig trail then over through jasper and back down 123 through Mt Judea some extremely fun elevation changes and tight technical twisties with gorgeous scenery. From there you run 16, 27 and 14 over to 341 and run push mountain road...    God I need to get unbusy next year and get some serious mileage in.... I have been to Arkansas this year at all hit MO a couple of times thats been it.

Although you did run 309 Mt. Magazine's not bad.

Hwy 23 was on our original plan.  When we had to backtrack we lost some time and cut all that portion.  We also ran 220 from Natural Dam northeast, planning to take it through Devil's Den SP and on up towards Fayetteville.  Microsoft Streets and Trips didn't tell me that 220 turns to UNpaved road about 10 miles from Devil's Den.  So we rode up that far, then had to backtrack again.  Fortunately it was twisty as could be and fun.

I always plan my trips on Streets and Trips and that's my one beef -- unpaved roads and small paved roads are not differentiated.  The Arkansas state highway map shows it as a gravel road -- why can't my software?  The same issue bit me on a trip in May in New Mexico.  Fun looking twisty road turns out to be gravel.  Not fun on a loaded street bike.

Very nice.  Someday I'll join you on one of those long rides.  How many total miles?

Geeze, I leave here for three years, and hardly know anyone anymore!

--Mike D.

2005 EX250 Ninja
2007 DL650 V-Strom

Quote from: geekonabike on October 20, 2009, 04:50:55 PM
Very nice.  Someday I'll join you on one of those long rides.  How many total miles?

Geeze, I leave here for three years, and hardly know anyone anymore!

--Mike D.

2005 EX250 Ninja
2007 DL650 V-Strom

For me, just over 1,000 miles total (Wed afternoon to Saturday 1 PM).  But over 500 was transit to and from the fun stuff...

Ill be damned even liberals can have fun . nice ride TG. BTW i jest. ive been to the area, both bikign and driving. either one leads to good fun as long as you avoid the  or anythign wiht a  on the side of it that is

We stayed clear of the gendarmes  but we did carry a little extra-legal speed into corners.  Only once or twice.  Honest, officer.

Can they pull you over for violating the cautionary speed signs if you are under the posted speed limit (i.e. 55 mph speed limit, 35 mph corner, you're going 55)?

That looks like a very nice area. I will have to make the drive down. You have a good eye with the camera. You have some nice shots there.

Quote from: trumpetguy on October 21, 2009, 09:40:33 AM
We stayed clear of the gendarmes  but we did carry a little extra-legal speed into corners.  Only once or twice.  Honest, officer.

Can they pull you over for violating the cautionary speed signs if you are under the posted speed limit (i.e. 55 mph speed limit, 35 mph corner, you're going 55)?

No the cautionary speed sign is a recommendation not an official speed limit, but if you have a wreck and it can be proven you were in excess of the yellow sign they can tack on an extra charge. Operation in a manner not safe and reasonable is the most likely candidate.

ok, you suck. no nonononnoo, those are awesome shots. awesome man. glad you had a really nice trip. and sharing with us - very cool. thanks for that

White signs with black print are regulatory signs.  Enforceable.
Yellow signs are warning or recommended signs.  Not enforceable as-is. 
I worked for a state highway dept.

Ahhh, I grew up in Arkansas pretty state! Haven't been back in a looong time! Very nice pics!

Now to throw my 3y/o tantrum. WHAAAA! I Wanna Ride! I wanna ride. Stupid surgeries the weather has finally cooled just a miniscule. Last Sunday was so freaking perfect and I'm laid up with two surgeries in 8 days. 5 more days seem like an eternity right now!

What the doctor doesn't know won't hurt right The bug is getting bad

okay done with tantrum now. Awesome ride!

Mary

Thanks for all the compliments about the photography.  Pretty hard to take bad shots of GREAT scenery.

Mary my problem is not usually the weather but TIME.  Between necessary family things (definitely worth it!) and my job I have precious few weekends to ride.  This weekend -- perfect weather and NO riding.   

Quote from: Toogoofy317 on October 24, 2009, 12:58:15 AM
Ahhh, I grew up in Arkansas pretty state! Haven't been back in a looong time! Very nice pics!

Now to throw my 3y/o tantrum. WHAAAA! I Wanna Ride! I wanna ride. Stupid surgeries the weather has finally cooled just a miniscule. Last Sunday was so freaking perfect and I'm laid up with two surgeries in 8 days. 5 more days seem like an eternity right now!

What the doctor doesn't know won't hurt right The bug is getting bad

okay done with tantrum now. Awesome ride!

Mary

Lol can sneak one in Eh? but if you hurt yourself,  im only a 35 dollar palne ticket away ya  know 

Bike is in about 20 pieces right now. And it was for this very reason. If flick isn't together i can't ride!

Mary