TAT Report 2010-Day 6 August 14-2010

Typical view from Ozark National Forrest

We left Beebe, AK (CB's Economy Inn), and headed up the street for coffee, etc. Remember CB  had NO coffee, NO breakfast..lots of NO's..

We finally finished up and got back on the trail about 8:45AM.

Once we were back out in the country, the first thing we noticed were there were quite a few horses, and horse farms in the area. We started seeing some cattle ranches also. This is apparently due to the higher elevations as we head to the Ozark mountains. We also started to see signs of oil exploration going on in the area. Stockpiles of oil field equipment, like stacks of pipe etc.

The first small town we came to, that had any real interest was Scotland. This was about noon, so Jon and I stopped for lunch. Brooks and Rich were ahead of us, but apparently rode through without stopping.
This was one of those little towns that has stood the test of time, and a few people and buildings remain.

Was in use until a few years ago

 

 

 

 

 

Old store across from gas station

Little Eli-age 4, thought the big motorcycles were
really neat. His mother gave him permission to sit
on the bike. His grandma owns the store, and he
says he is going to ride the TAT someday. Inside the
restaurant, there is a guest book for TAT riders. We
signed in and read notes from riders from all over the
US and other countries who have ridden through.

The locals explained to us, a tornado had gone through Scotland last year. First one in over a hundred years. Was one block off Main St. (where we were). Destroyed several buildings and homes. Killed one elderly lady. As we left, and drove through the valley, we could see hundreds of acres where the trees had been torn in half, broken, or just laid down. The storm was about 300 yards wide, and went right up the valley.

We went through a tiny hamlet named "Hitman" population 406. Stopped in Hector (population 519) for gas.

The remainder of the afternoon, was spent riding through a good part of the Ozark National Forrest. This area is mostly mountains. Beautiful mountains. Many, many roads and trails. A very popular recreation area, but the heat has kept most people away. Following are some pictures of the area leading up to the National Forrest, then the areas we were riding in.


                                                                                     

The only thing I can figure out that this small "bunker" out in the middle of no where was ever used for, was tornado protection. There was farm land/fields all around it. If a storm suddenly appeared, the workers could seek shelter here, as the main farm was too far away. 

No guard rails in AR either

Following are several views from the ridge we were riding on the mountain in the Ozark National Forrest

Pretty hard to tell by this picture, but this is a narrow trail I found, leading off the main trail, up to the highest spot in the area. Pretty steep, but the views were wonderful. This is a picture coming down, back to the main trail.



All in all, it was a great day of riding. The weather was clear, but very HOT. About 30 minutes after this last picture was taken, the trail crossed Route 123. We headed South on 123, into Clarksville, AR, where we got a GREAT room at the Quality Inn. We walked next door, and had a wonderful Italian meal.

It was in the high 90's all afternoon, and 104 degrees when we came off the mountain, and down to Clarksville.



I forgot to mention...Rich (a/k/a Columbus) had to run to Walmart after we checked in. A short time later, we received a phone call, advising he had found a small private social club, that served food and beer. Seems Johnson County where we were is totally dry. For $5.00. Rich secured a years membership in the Cross Woods Sportsmen' s Club. He ended up having a great home-cooked meal, and a beer before returning to the motel. another "small town" experience that will make the TAT experience that much better for him.

Our reward at the end of a HOT day

Stats for the day: Miles192 - Avg Speed: 31.5, Time: 9hr 30 min.