Let's go to the video...

 

Here's the video from yesterday's ride to and through Eureka Springs...

We are apparently spoiled by the riding around the Maggie Valley area, the Black Hills, and even South Mountain in Phoenix... this turned out to be mostly highway riding.  More curves than in south Texas, but not an "exciting" ride.  Still, it was good to be riding.  And the weather was delightful - we were comfortable in our mesh riding jackets the whole ride.

Today, we'll do a re-run of some of the Jasper Disaster route, with a plan to have lunch once again in Jasper.  Then, back to the coach where we're start our packing up and strapping down so we can hit the road again tomorrow.

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I shoulda shot video of this instead of Eureka Springs!  Out for our last ride here in the Ozarks today.  As I mentioned above, we did some of the Jasper Disaster loop, with another side loop - what a spectacular ride!  Hills, steep decents, tight curves, pretty scenery... yep, this ride ticked off all the good stuff.  And, no, I didn't bring a camera along today... wish I would have.

We rode a good portion of the loop we did last week, but with even better stuff added.  No, we didn't know it was "better stuff"... just looking for ziggy-zaggy lines on the map.  And, it paid off.  You can't see me right now, but I have a big smile on my face.  And, I am tired.  Both good signs.  There is a bit of hype involved on today's ride: the first is "Arkansas Grand Canyon."  It is more of a heavily wooded valley than a canyon, but there are some pretty views from right along Hwy 7, southeast of Jasper.

No bold discovery was made when the Arkansas Grand Canyon got its name. The name was born out of a marketing need, but it worked, and it stuck. It was known as Vendor Valley up until the 1970s.  The original owners of the Cliff House Inn needed a way to attract customers. They knew they had a site that would captivate attention, but they needed a way to draw it in first. Jane McNutt affectionately dubbed the area The Arkansas Grand Canyon. She and her husband made signs to place along AR 7, and the name has stuck for more than 50 years. 

From there, you drop about 2,000 feet as you wind your way down a road with signs that warn you of "Very crooked and steep road ahead!"  This was easily the best riding we've had since getting to this area.  And... no traffic.  There were stretches with a 14% grade and 10 mph curves... well, that's what the signs tell you as the "recommended speed."  A "runaway truck" pull-off.  All the stuff that indicate a fun, twisty road.

Coming back through Jasper for the second time today, we decided to stop for lunch.  Joan was feeling like pizza, I suggested that we might try the Ozark Cafe, which was rated 5 stars on some "foodie survey" and on the list of "the 50 best cafes, one from each state."  We pulled up by the Jasper Pizza Co, got off our bikes, and found it was closed today through Thursday.  The Ozark Cafe was across the street and a few steps down.  More hyperbole?  It was good food: Joan had the chicken fried steak, I had a chili cheese burger.  The best in the state?  Maybe; but Jaime's a few days ago would get higher ratings from us.  But, really - it was good.

We looked at some t-shirts they had for sale, touting the "Hillbilly Highway" (the Jasper Disaster loop) and a bunch of canoeing shirts; canoeing is a very big deal here, with about 100 rental operators and guides along the Buffalo National River (the first "National River" in the US).  We didn't find anything we couldn't live without.

The rest of Hwy 7 from Jasper back to Harrison was a re-run, but a delight.  Back at the coach, we hung up riding jackets and got the scoots strapped down.  Later, after we shower and when the sun gets behind the hill, we will pull in slideouts, raise the jacks, and back the coach up closer to the sewer connection, and dump our holding tanks.  (The cargo trailer is going to stick out into the interior road, but that shouldn't inconvenience anyone for the short time it will be there while we dump tanks.)  Yes, that is a bit of rigamarole, but it is way less effort than trying to make water run uphill with that extra long stretch to the sewer connection.

Then, we will put the jacks back down, run the slides out, and settle in for the evening.

And what about Murphy?  Does he get some quality outdoor time?  Absolutely, and thanks for asking.  He and I walked around for about 45 minutes this morning.  In the grass that was wet from the morning dew.  No, that doesn't bother him.  He's not a fan of getting his feet (and belly - he laid in it, too) wiped when it is time to come in.  And, this afternoon, after getting the bikes strapped down, Joan sat outside with Murphy for another hour or so.  Back inside for his supper, and he's ready to go back outside again.  He is enjoying the grassy area we have right out the door of the coach.

The plan for tomorrow: go west, make some miles.  Yesterday, Joan said to me, "We should be home in two weeks."  I know she is ready to be back in her house.