Fall Ride 2017
Day 1; November 3, 2017
This is Gary's annual ride south into Arkansas to check out the fall foliage. Chris and I are no longer riding (a motorcycle) but we were invited to go in our car. I recently purchased a 2013 Mustang GT convertible and was looking forward to taking it out on the road. We met at the Quik Trip at 151st and 69 Highway in south Overland Park. Our travel group consisted of Gary, Carl & Marge, and Chris & I.
We took a circuitous 400 mile route to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Mama's Kitchen in Archie, MO was our location for breakfast.
In Lebanon, MO we stopped for gas and a butt break.
We stopped at the Bull Shoals - White River Visitor Center for another break.
It had been cloudy all day but between Bull Shoals and Berryville, AR we ran into fog and mist.
Our lodging in Eureka Springs was great. It was clean, reasonably priced and they had chairs outside for post ride get-togethers. They also supplied us with rags to clean our vehicles.
It was an enjoyable day. Temperatures started at 39 and rose to a high of 61.
We thought there would be more folks taking part in this trip, but we're getting to the age when all plans are tentative. Rod and Maureen would have joined us but Rod developed a sore neck. Bill would have been there but he fell the night before and injured himself so that traveling was not possible. Larry might have ridden along but back issues counted him out.
To see all photos taken today click on this link: Day 1 Photos
Day 2; November 4, 2017
Today we ventured further south into Arkansas riding "The Pig Trail" (Highway 23) south to Magazine Mountain, the highest point in Arkansas, where we enjoyed a buffet lunch at the lodge.
In Ozark, AR the weather was such that I could put the top down on the convertible. Good times!
After 294 miles we ended up back at the Trails Inn in Eureka Springs. Along the way we encountered some fog which eventually gave way to sunny skies. Temperatures started at 63 degrees and the high was 83. Gary leads this ride and he pushes it pretty hard through the curves. The Mustang kept up just fine! In fact, it was very fun to drive.
To see photos taken today click on this link: Day 2 Photos
Day 3; November 5, 2017
Today we rode/drove home. It was 72 degrees and mostly sunny when we left Eureka Springs so the top was down again. North of Eureka we went through Holiday Island, AR and checked out the place Chris' parents had as a home-away-from-home. The trees were pretty here too.
We were driving along Highway 39 northbound about 6 miles south of Stockton, MO when the clouds rolled in and the temperature suddenly dropped to 64. Gary stopped to don a coat so I took the opportunity to put the top back up. By the time we stopped for lunch at Smith's Restaurant in Collins, MO it was 54 degrees with occasional fog and mist. At Smith's, Chris and I shared a great tenderloin sandwich and we each had a great piece of pie before heading on home.
We said our goodbyes when we gassed up west of Clinton and took off for the final leg of the trip. My phone pinged with a text message as we were westbound on I-435. The text informed us that granddaughter, Jenna, was playing in the championship game of their weekend soccer tournament, starting at 4:20. So off we went. Jenna played well and despite the cold we enjoyed watching Jenna and her team win.
We arrived home at 7:00 having driven 285 miles today. Total miles for the weekend was 978. It was another great trip organized and led by Gary.
To see all photos taken today click on this link: Day 3 Photos
THE END
This is Gary's annual ride south into Arkansas to check out the fall foliage. Chris and I are no longer riding (a motorcycle) but we were invited to go in our car. I recently purchased a 2013 Mustang GT convertible and was looking forward to taking it out on the road. We met at the Quik Trip at 151st and 69 Highway in south Overland Park. Our travel group consisted of Gary, Carl & Marge, and Chris & I.
We took a circuitous 400 mile route to Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Mama's Kitchen in Archie, MO was our location for breakfast.
In Lebanon, MO we stopped for gas and a butt break.
We stopped at the Bull Shoals - White River Visitor Center for another break.
It had been cloudy all day but between Bull Shoals and Berryville, AR we ran into fog and mist.
Our lodging in Eureka Springs was great. It was clean, reasonably priced and they had chairs outside for post ride get-togethers. They also supplied us with rags to clean our vehicles.
It was an enjoyable day. Temperatures started at 39 and rose to a high of 61.
We thought there would be more folks taking part in this trip, but we're getting to the age when all plans are tentative. Rod and Maureen would have joined us but Rod developed a sore neck. Bill would have been there but he fell the night before and injured himself so that traveling was not possible. Larry might have ridden along but back issues counted him out.
To see all photos taken today click on this link: Day 1 Photos
Day 2; November 4, 2017
Today we ventured further south into Arkansas riding "The Pig Trail" (Highway 23) south to Magazine Mountain, the highest point in Arkansas, where we enjoyed a buffet lunch at the lodge.
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| Highway 23, The Pig Trail Scenic Byway |
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| view from the Magazine Mountain Lodge |
In Ozark, AR the weather was such that I could put the top down on the convertible. Good times!
After 294 miles we ended up back at the Trails Inn in Eureka Springs. Along the way we encountered some fog which eventually gave way to sunny skies. Temperatures started at 63 degrees and the high was 83. Gary leads this ride and he pushes it pretty hard through the curves. The Mustang kept up just fine! In fact, it was very fun to drive.
To see photos taken today click on this link: Day 2 Photos
Day 3; November 5, 2017
Today we rode/drove home. It was 72 degrees and mostly sunny when we left Eureka Springs so the top was down again. North of Eureka we went through Holiday Island, AR and checked out the place Chris' parents had as a home-away-from-home. The trees were pretty here too.
We were driving along Highway 39 northbound about 6 miles south of Stockton, MO when the clouds rolled in and the temperature suddenly dropped to 64. Gary stopped to don a coat so I took the opportunity to put the top back up. By the time we stopped for lunch at Smith's Restaurant in Collins, MO it was 54 degrees with occasional fog and mist. At Smith's, Chris and I shared a great tenderloin sandwich and we each had a great piece of pie before heading on home.
We said our goodbyes when we gassed up west of Clinton and took off for the final leg of the trip. My phone pinged with a text message as we were westbound on I-435. The text informed us that granddaughter, Jenna, was playing in the championship game of their weekend soccer tournament, starting at 4:20. So off we went. Jenna played well and despite the cold we enjoyed watching Jenna and her team win.
We arrived home at 7:00 having driven 285 miles today. Total miles for the weekend was 978. It was another great trip organized and led by Gary.
To see all photos taken today click on this link: Day 3 Photos
THE END
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