On September 18, Glen , Joe, Dale and I are headed out for the Ozarks for an 8-day ride. Two days down, four in the Ozarks and two back.
Here we are checking everything out the night before. Notice that only the Harley rider needs to do any checking.
Here we are ready to take off and meet Dale at Castle Rock. The first one to the corner wins. The temperature was a balmy 42 degrees when we left the house.
Our first lunch stop was in McGregor, IA. I have been here several times before on day M/C trips along the Mississippi river.
McGregor is an old river town that has a few well maintained buildings.
Our first day’s ride was 533 miles to Palmyra, MO which is just north of Hannibal, MO.
The next day, Sept. 19, we took a nice leisurely 362 mile drive to Mountain Home, AR. We started the day by following the Mississippi River for 32 miles on Iowa Hwy 72.
When we came to Louisiana, IA we picked up US 54 west until we came to MO Hwy 19 which we followed south to Mammoth Springs, AR.
We stopped for lunch on Route 66 in Cuba, MO at a dinner called Shelly’s.
After lunch we stopped at a restored gas station(minus the pumps) and took some pictures with our motorcycles in front.
Even though we only drove 362 mile this day with all of our stops it took us until 4:30 to get to Mammoth Springs.
Dale, Joe and I had all been to the Mammoth Springs State Park but since Glen hadn’t, we stopped in for a quick look. What’s amazing about this spring is the volume of water it produces. This dam is just a few hundred yards from the spring which is its sole source of water.
Here is the spring showing the SW outlet.
Mammoth Spring flows at an average rate of 9.78 million gallons per hour with a constant water temperature of 58° Fahrenheit. Local folklore includes the tale of an Indian chief whose son died while searching for water during a drought. While digging his son’s grave, a giant stream of water gushed forth. The chief believed this spring would flow forever because his son had died searching for water.
Actually, the main source for the spring’s water comes from rainfall over the high plains of southern Missouri. The water seeps into the underground water table and flows along a vast system of interconnected cavities. Eventually, it converges into a main channel and emerges as Mammoth Spring.
And this is the other outlet of the spring on the SE corner of the pool.
When we finished walking around the park we headed over to Mountain Home, AR where we met up with our cousin Thomas from SE Missouri and spent the night.
Thomas was able to come and ride with us for one day and then he had to head home for a wedding.
On Sept. 20 we rode about 260 miles meandering around the area south of Mountain Home and then over to Maple Falls, AR.
Here Thomas is astride his “Boss Hoss” trike. It has a 350 cubic inch Chevy V8. Needless to say, it has a little power.
This is the Wolf house in Norfolk, AR. Wolf was a senator from the area.
Once we got to Maple Falls and we checked in to the Hub Motel. The Hub is a motorcycle motel that caters to the motorcyclists. It has 55 rooms plus tent camping with a very good restaurant across the parking lot.
We found out that this is located on the north edge of the old Dog Patch USA Amusement Park that closed in the late 90’s after Silver City open in Branson. It was sad to see all of the other business's that were closed because Dog Patch closed. It had been a big draw for the area.
Before Thomas headed home on the 21st Joe just had to take his trike for a ride.
I think that grin means he likes it, watch out Barb. He did light up the tires in the parking lot a couple times.
I had to include this picture of the Hasselberg brothers, the Good the Bad and the Ugly in no particular order,because of the picture that follows this one.
Glen’s daughter, Heather, wrote this on her Facebook. Handsome devil in the middle is my daddy. Uncles Dave and Joe L & R. Hope these "mild hogs" are having fun this week riding! Joe and I had to respond to Heather asking why she thought there was only one “handsome devil” in the picture. She then responded that we were “extra handsome!”. Ha Ha.
Mt. Magazine is the highest point in Arkansas.
We were wondering how far we could see in the distance. 50-75 miles?
I bet this is an awesome view in the middle part of October with the Fall change of color.
That’s Glen’s Harley on the end, then Dale’s Victory. Joe’s BMW and my Goldwing with a Hannigan trike kit.
Mt. Magazine has a hang glider take of point on the south side off the mountain. Some of the Mt. Magazine hang glider records are: Paraglider-13 miles, Flex Wing-85 mile and Rigid Wing-178 miles.
Wait Dale, I think you need to have wings to take off from here.
There were a lot of these VERY big signs telling about the VERY crooked and steep hills ahead.
Eureka Springs, AR had this lookout where all you could see of the town was this hotel and one other building. Everything else was hidden by the trees.
The old historic town of Eureka Springs is built in a valley that is only a couple of streets wide. The old town seemed to be vibrant with lots of shopping, restaurants and hotels.
The following are pictures of the old downtown.
For our last night in the Ozarks we had supper at a Mexican restaurant on the south end of the old Eureka Springs. We had spent 4 days and about 1,100 mile enjoying the area. I do think I’ll have to go back sometime soon. I don’t think we did too badly for being on the road six days and driving 2,000 miles. Although somebody made the comment that we are getting to the age where it’s had to ride all day and play all night.
The next morning, Monday the 24th, Glen, Joe and I headed back home while Dale headed to Florida to leave his motorcycle for when he goes there in the winter. I think everyone had a good time. Guys, I think I found a road for us next year by Chattanooga, TN.
Just kidding.
Until next time,
Dave
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