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Simmons1
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- Rich
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- Simmons
I did this same ride last year and had such a great time I decide to do it again this year. I asked a couple people if they were interested in going and I had no takers so off I went by myself again this year.
First I had to get out of town. Below is the scene in the parking lot at work the afternoon before my departure.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Natchitoches, La
Goal for the day would be to clear the Metromess and then explore back roads South of I20 in East Texas and Louisiana.
Leaving the Barn
Crossing Cedar Creek Reservoir
It was a little early for lunch and a little late for breakfast. Breakfast it was.
I altered my route from last year a little to check out Lake Palestine.
Finally to the roads I had been longing for. I wasn't concerned about road surface this ride since I was on the Tenere.
I had ridden over and around a lot of remnants of yesterdays wind storm and came upon this out in the middle of no where.
Lunch stop for the usually water and trail mix.
Not many old bike shops left like this one.
Soon enough I would be crossing the Sabine River at Logansport, LA.
I had never been to the old International Border of the Republic of Texas and the United States so I decided to check it out.
It is pretty wild thinking that used to be the border. I back tracked back to Logansport and then continued my route which go down the East side of Toledo Bend Reservoir.
The roads were fun and scenic to ride and everything was green. As dry as it has been at home even here it looked the reservoir could use a lot more water.
Quick stop for a stretch Converse Bay
A short time after leaving Converse I got on some easy and fun dirt roads. I was a little nervous as I went through a couple gates that said “Keep closed and locked at all times”.
After a while I popped back out on black top.
It had been a beautiful day to ride and I was soon in Natchitoches my destination for the day. Established in 1714 by*Louis Juchereau de St. Denis*as part of*French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches*Indian*tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February 5, 1819. It is the oldest permanent settlement in the*Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches's sister city is*Nacogdoches,Texas.
These days it is pretty touristy in the old downtown area.
When in Louisiana do as the natives do. I had a Gumbo and an Abita Purple Haze for supper.
The small downtown reminded me of New Orleans. Even though it was Friday night there was a car show with music playing.
What a great first day for a weekend ride.
Day 2 Natchitoches, La to Mena, Ar
I got up early had a little breakfest in the Hotel Lobby and the hit the road. Had a nice chat at breakfast with guys riding the scooters. The oldest guy was in is 70's and still rides 20K+ a year.
To stay off major roads I back tracked about 20 miles before heading North. The roads were curvy and fun so I didn't matter to me. I stopped to check out a couple Historic sites as I headed North.
The first was where the Battle of Pleasant Hill was fought.
The*Battle of Pleasant Hill*was fought on April 9, 1864, during the*Red River Campaign*of the*American Civil War, near*Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, between*Union*forces led by*Maj. Gen.*Nathaniel P. Banks*and*Confederate*forces, led by Maj. Gen.*Richard Taylor.
The battle was essentially a continuation of the previous day's*Battle of Mansfield, fought nearby, which ended around sunset due to darkness[3]*— night time provided a brief interlude in hostilities. On April 9, Taylor launched an ambitious assault against the newly reinforced Federals at Pleasant Hill and had the upper hand before*Brig. Gen.*Thomas J. Churchill's*Arkansas*division*was flanked on its right and repulsed. After the battle, the Federals remained demoralized and unconfident in their commander — they retreated to*Grand Ecore, and from there to*Alexandria. Officially, the battle was a Union victory — as the Confederates were successfully driven from the field. However, because Banks and his army had retreated so soon afterward, many argued over who had really won.
Continuing Northward on a beautiful day.
Last year at this point it started raining pretty good. This year, nothing but sunshine. I would soon be back in Texas and on my way to Jefferson for gas and a snack.
From Jefferson I was headed to Lake 'O The Pines for the North Texas Norton Owners Association (NTNOA) annual Rally.
http://www.ntnoa.org/14loprecap.htm
On the way to LOP.
When I arrived at the Rally the sun was out and it was beautiful.
Juat a few of the many awesome bikes on display.
This guy had the best view of the bikes.
After a couple hours of looking at beautiful bikes it was time to hit the road for Mena.
I stopped for a Pepsi and stretch in Dequeen, Ar.
After getting cleaned up I headed to the center of town to the Branding Iron for supper. I usually get a steak here. I went for barbeque tonight.
Another great day in books.
Day 3 Mena to Home
Today be a long day. I awoke to a little fog and and a much higher than expected temperature of 59. I wanted to be on the road by sunrise as I was planning to be out side of Lindale, TX by 11ish.
I was a little nervous heading off for Talimena Scenic Drive in the dark. I have seen plenty of animals including a bear in other trips across in the daylight.
The sun rose quickly and I had the Scenic Drive all to myself. It was great with no traffic on a cool, crisp fall morning. I wished I had left a few minutes later as I missed the best part of sunrise.
I would soon be on 259 headed South towards Broken Bow I headed down hill through the fog and then back up to 3 Sticks Monument. The temp dropped from 59 to the low 40's before getting to Broken Bow where is started warming up again.
I made a quick stop in Bogata, TX for gas and Pepsi and headed for Lindale. From the Texas border until below I30 the road is straight and flat with nothing on it for miles and miles.
After crossing 30 the scenery and roads would get progressively nice until I got to my next stop. The 30th annual Guzzi Riders of Texas (GRIT) outside of Lindale.
Shortly after getting my gear off I was greeted by Moose who had ridden up for the day from Houston. The rally is at great location in the woods over looking a lake at American Legion Post 15.
One of the next two bikes is a one owner unrestored bike that regularly gets ridden. The other has has $36K restoration and rides around in a trailer.
Which one would you rather own?
After a wonderful lunch of, you guessed it, pasta. I headed home but not before some I rode some more beautiful East Texas back roads.
All in all I had great relaxing weekend ride exploring the ARKLATEX area.
First I had to get out of town. Below is the scene in the parking lot at work the afternoon before my departure.
Day 1 Fort Worth to Natchitoches, La
Goal for the day would be to clear the Metromess and then explore back roads South of I20 in East Texas and Louisiana.
Leaving the Barn
Crossing Cedar Creek Reservoir
It was a little early for lunch and a little late for breakfast. Breakfast it was.
I altered my route from last year a little to check out Lake Palestine.
Finally to the roads I had been longing for. I wasn't concerned about road surface this ride since I was on the Tenere.
I had ridden over and around a lot of remnants of yesterdays wind storm and came upon this out in the middle of no where.
Lunch stop for the usually water and trail mix.
Not many old bike shops left like this one.
Soon enough I would be crossing the Sabine River at Logansport, LA.
I had never been to the old International Border of the Republic of Texas and the United States so I decided to check it out.
It is pretty wild thinking that used to be the border. I back tracked back to Logansport and then continued my route which go down the East side of Toledo Bend Reservoir.
The roads were fun and scenic to ride and everything was green. As dry as it has been at home even here it looked the reservoir could use a lot more water.
Quick stop for a stretch Converse Bay
A short time after leaving Converse I got on some easy and fun dirt roads. I was a little nervous as I went through a couple gates that said “Keep closed and locked at all times”.
After a while I popped back out on black top.
It had been a beautiful day to ride and I was soon in Natchitoches my destination for the day. Established in 1714 by*Louis Juchereau de St. Denis*as part of*French Louisiana, the community was named after the Natchitoches*Indian*tribe. The City of Natchitoches was first incorporated on February 5, 1819. It is the oldest permanent settlement in the*Louisiana Purchase. Natchitoches's sister city is*Nacogdoches,Texas.
These days it is pretty touristy in the old downtown area.
When in Louisiana do as the natives do. I had a Gumbo and an Abita Purple Haze for supper.
The small downtown reminded me of New Orleans. Even though it was Friday night there was a car show with music playing.
What a great first day for a weekend ride.
Day 2 Natchitoches, La to Mena, Ar
I got up early had a little breakfest in the Hotel Lobby and the hit the road. Had a nice chat at breakfast with guys riding the scooters. The oldest guy was in is 70's and still rides 20K+ a year.
To stay off major roads I back tracked about 20 miles before heading North. The roads were curvy and fun so I didn't matter to me. I stopped to check out a couple Historic sites as I headed North.
The first was where the Battle of Pleasant Hill was fought.
The*Battle of Pleasant Hill*was fought on April 9, 1864, during the*Red River Campaign*of the*American Civil War, near*Pleasant Hill, Louisiana, between*Union*forces led by*Maj. Gen.*Nathaniel P. Banks*and*Confederate*forces, led by Maj. Gen.*Richard Taylor.
The battle was essentially a continuation of the previous day's*Battle of Mansfield, fought nearby, which ended around sunset due to darkness[3]*— night time provided a brief interlude in hostilities. On April 9, Taylor launched an ambitious assault against the newly reinforced Federals at Pleasant Hill and had the upper hand before*Brig. Gen.*Thomas J. Churchill's*Arkansas*division*was flanked on its right and repulsed. After the battle, the Federals remained demoralized and unconfident in their commander — they retreated to*Grand Ecore, and from there to*Alexandria. Officially, the battle was a Union victory — as the Confederates were successfully driven from the field. However, because Banks and his army had retreated so soon afterward, many argued over who had really won.
Continuing Northward on a beautiful day.
Last year at this point it started raining pretty good. This year, nothing but sunshine. I would soon be back in Texas and on my way to Jefferson for gas and a snack.
From Jefferson I was headed to Lake 'O The Pines for the North Texas Norton Owners Association (NTNOA) annual Rally.
http://www.ntnoa.org/14loprecap.htm
On the way to LOP.
When I arrived at the Rally the sun was out and it was beautiful.
Juat a few of the many awesome bikes on display.
This guy had the best view of the bikes.
After a couple hours of looking at beautiful bikes it was time to hit the road for Mena.
I stopped for a Pepsi and stretch in Dequeen, Ar.
After getting cleaned up I headed to the center of town to the Branding Iron for supper. I usually get a steak here. I went for barbeque tonight.
Another great day in books.
Day 3 Mena to Home
Today be a long day. I awoke to a little fog and and a much higher than expected temperature of 59. I wanted to be on the road by sunrise as I was planning to be out side of Lindale, TX by 11ish.
I was a little nervous heading off for Talimena Scenic Drive in the dark. I have seen plenty of animals including a bear in other trips across in the daylight.
The sun rose quickly and I had the Scenic Drive all to myself. It was great with no traffic on a cool, crisp fall morning. I wished I had left a few minutes later as I missed the best part of sunrise.
I would soon be on 259 headed South towards Broken Bow I headed down hill through the fog and then back up to 3 Sticks Monument. The temp dropped from 59 to the low 40's before getting to Broken Bow where is started warming up again.
I made a quick stop in Bogata, TX for gas and Pepsi and headed for Lindale. From the Texas border until below I30 the road is straight and flat with nothing on it for miles and miles.
After crossing 30 the scenery and roads would get progressively nice until I got to my next stop. The 30th annual Guzzi Riders of Texas (GRIT) outside of Lindale.
Shortly after getting my gear off I was greeted by Moose who had ridden up for the day from Houston. The rally is at great location in the woods over looking a lake at American Legion Post 15.
One of the next two bikes is a one owner unrestored bike that regularly gets ridden. The other has has $36K restoration and rides around in a trailer.
Which one would you rather own?
After a wonderful lunch of, you guessed it, pasta. I headed home but not before some I rode some more beautiful East Texas back roads.
All in all I had great relaxing weekend ride exploring the ARKLATEX area.
