Fall Foliage Ride 2013; Day 4

Wednesday; October 23, 2013

We left Clarksville, AR northbound on Hwy 109 at 10:30.  It was 55 degrees under blue clear skies.  BEE U TEE FULL!  From Hwy 109 we turned west on Hwy 197 that took us into Subiaco.  Along the way we passed a farm house that had some unique hay-bale art in the yard.hay bale art along Hwy 197 south of Clarksville, AR

In Subiaco, AR we rode north on Subiaco Road.  It meandered north and west to Hwy 309 that took us to Magazine Mountain, the highest place in Arkansas. http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/headed up Magazine Mountain

Our first stop at Magazine Mountain was the visitor center where we scored pamphlets on hiking trails and a map.  Our next stop was the Benefield picnic area were we enjoyed a picnic lunch.  In the 1880’s Benjamin Benefield  and his wife, Lou, homesteaded 160 acres here.  One of their seven children died and is buried by the entrance road to the picnic area.DSCN2897

There are three hiking trails accessible from the Benefield picnic area.  We walked the east loop Benefield trail, and parts of the west loop and Bear Hollow trails.  The east loop trail paralleled a cliff with some fantastic views.view from east loop of Benefield trail; Magazine Mountain

Chris and I have, for some time now, wanted to stay in the Lodge on Magazine Mountain.  Well today was the day.front door; Lodge at Magazine Mountain  We checked in around 3:30, set up house and then had dinner in the lodge restaurant.  Our room had a balcony and the view was great. http://www.mountmagazinestatepark.com/lodge-cabins-restaurant/lodge-at-mount-magazine.aspx

It was a short day of riding (46 miles) with a high of 59 but the day was long on scenery and enjoyment.

For more pictures from today click on the following link: https://plus.google.com/photos/104542123131082631220/albums/5938098308651717457?authkey=CJyapuDyk8feGg

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