Simmons1
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- Out Riding
- First Name
- Rich
- Last Name
- Simmons
ARKLATEX weekend Adventure 10/4/13 thru 10/6/13
Linda was out of town and I had one use or lose it vacation day to use. Perfect a three day weekend for a ride in cooler weather. The fly in the ointment was a jury duty summons. Luckily I got an email that told me I wasn't needed so my long weekend was on.
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 but the timing was right for lunch
After I getting past Tyler I was on the FM's and CR's I had been longing for. I wasn't concerned about road surface this ride since I was on the Tenere.
I was on a fun bumpy twisty CR when it turned to dirt. I started out pretty rutted up and then got pretty smooth like it was just graded. I soon met a a couple graders. They guys looked a bit surprised to see a bike in the middle of nowhere. When I rode out the other the end the road had barricade and a road closed sign posted.
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.
At Bayou San Patricia
After playing tag with some afternoon showers I was 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 Shrimp Poboy 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 it was cloudy and humid.
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 afterwards, many argued over who had really won.
Soon after passing through Mansfield it started raining and would rain for the next hour or so.
I would soon be back in Texas and on my way to Jeffereson 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/13loprecap.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.
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. It was still a hot and humid 89 degrees out. There was supposed to be a big cold front coming through and I was surprised I hadn't encountered it yet.
About 10 minutes North of Dequeen the temp started dropping fast. I zipped the vents and turned on the grip warmers. When I stopped at the beer store about 50 feet over the border in Oklahoma it was a damp and chilly 58. After purchasing provisions for the night I put on a liner and some warm gloves finished off my day getting to Mena.
After getting cleaned up I headed to the center of town for a steak at the Branding Iron,
The Saturday night special was all you can eat steak, shrimp and catfish for $16.99. This is what showed up after I finished my salad.
Needless to say, one portion was more than plenty and I didn't finish it. Shorty after I got back to the Hotel the Heavens opened with cold rain that lasted many hours.
Another great day in books.
Day 3 Mena to Home
Today be a long day. I awoke to damp air from the rain and temps in the high 40's. I wanted to be on the road by sunrise as I was planning to be out side of Lindale, TX by 11ish.
I loaded up checked out of the Hotel and headed across the street for something quick to eat.
The guy on the Wing parked to me was wearing a light windbreaker and commented to me he was glad he only had a couple hour ride to get home as didn't have any cool weather gear with him. I bit my lip to not burst our laughing as he was by himself on a bike with three hard bags and he was pulling a big trailer and he had no gear with him.
I was a little nervous heading off for Talmena 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.
The sun was really starting to come up and the view down in to the foggy valley was spectacular.
I didn't see another vehicle until I turned off on 259 headed towards broken arrow. I headed down hill through the fog and then back up to 3 Sticks Monument.
South I go in the cool clear air
I made a quick stop in Clarksville, 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. I don't carried away much in my old age but I was a little bored and aired out the Super T for a short stretch.
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.
Before I had my gear off I was greated 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. Soon after seeing Moose I bumped in to Gravel Guy and his son, and several other TWT'ers.
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..
Linda was out of town and I had one use or lose it vacation day to use. Perfect a three day weekend for a ride in cooler weather. The fly in the ointment was a jury duty summons. Luckily I got an email that told me I wasn't needed so my long weekend was on.
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 but the timing was right for lunch
After I getting past Tyler I was on the FM's and CR's I had been longing for. I wasn't concerned about road surface this ride since I was on the Tenere.
I was on a fun bumpy twisty CR when it turned to dirt. I started out pretty rutted up and then got pretty smooth like it was just graded. I soon met a a couple graders. They guys looked a bit surprised to see a bike in the middle of nowhere. When I rode out the other the end the road had barricade and a road closed sign posted.
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.
At Bayou San Patricia
After playing tag with some afternoon showers I was 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 Shrimp Poboy 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 it was cloudy and humid.
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 afterwards, many argued over who had really won.
Soon after passing through Mansfield it started raining and would rain for the next hour or so.
I would soon be back in Texas and on my way to Jeffereson 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/13loprecap.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.
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. It was still a hot and humid 89 degrees out. There was supposed to be a big cold front coming through and I was surprised I hadn't encountered it yet.
About 10 minutes North of Dequeen the temp started dropping fast. I zipped the vents and turned on the grip warmers. When I stopped at the beer store about 50 feet over the border in Oklahoma it was a damp and chilly 58. After purchasing provisions for the night I put on a liner and some warm gloves finished off my day getting to Mena.
After getting cleaned up I headed to the center of town for a steak at the Branding Iron,
The Saturday night special was all you can eat steak, shrimp and catfish for $16.99. This is what showed up after I finished my salad.
Needless to say, one portion was more than plenty and I didn't finish it. Shorty after I got back to the Hotel the Heavens opened with cold rain that lasted many hours.
Another great day in books.
Day 3 Mena to Home
Today be a long day. I awoke to damp air from the rain and temps in the high 40's. I wanted to be on the road by sunrise as I was planning to be out side of Lindale, TX by 11ish.
I loaded up checked out of the Hotel and headed across the street for something quick to eat.
The guy on the Wing parked to me was wearing a light windbreaker and commented to me he was glad he only had a couple hour ride to get home as didn't have any cool weather gear with him. I bit my lip to not burst our laughing as he was by himself on a bike with three hard bags and he was pulling a big trailer and he had no gear with him.
I was a little nervous heading off for Talmena 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.
The sun was really starting to come up and the view down in to the foggy valley was spectacular.
I didn't see another vehicle until I turned off on 259 headed towards broken arrow. I headed down hill through the fog and then back up to 3 Sticks Monument.
South I go in the cool clear air
I made a quick stop in Clarksville, 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. I don't carried away much in my old age but I was a little bored and aired out the Super T for a short stretch.
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.
Before I had my gear off I was greated 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. Soon after seeing Moose I bumped in to Gravel Guy and his son, and several other TWT'ers.
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..