Talimena National Scenic Byway

Hello Interwebs!  It's been too long since I posted here.  Sorry about that.  I let life get in the way for a bit but now I feel back on track.  Anyway, here's something about a great trip I took this weekend.

This last weekend my father and I took a ride on the Talimena National Scenic Byway.  We woke up early on Saturday morning, the 29th, grabbed a snack filled the bikes with gas and began our journey.  My father is the ultimate trip planner, I'm pretty sure he's more prepared than a Boy Scout, so the route was planned long before we ever set our butts on the seats.  He filled me in on the details and we set out.  On trips involving more than one rider all involved should at least know the basics of the trip.

My Dad's Victory and my V-Star

The weather was nice.  No chance of rain with some clouds dotting the sky.  It was cool in the morning so we made sure to have our jackets and more than one layer of clothing on; it can get mighty cold if you aren't properly prepared.  It never hurts to have a spare shirt or light jacket tucked away on the bike or in a pack.

We began by heading out of Ada by traveling southeast to Coalgate then going east to Stringtown and following Highway 43 past Sardis Lake. We then rode east on Highway 271 into Talihina, OK where we stopped to top off our tanks for the ride through the Talimena National Scenic Byway to the town of Mena, AR.

This is where we got to the meat and potatoes of the trip.  The views were gorgeous.  The sixty mile trip is filled with vistas, I literally lost count how many.  Each had it's own uniquely beautiful view that could have only been enhanced by the leaves turning just a bit more.  That's what we get for going early I guess; or if a dragon was flying in the distance.

Not only were the views incredible, but the twistys and bendys aren't so bad either.  Probably not recommended for a novice but if you enjoy leaning on the curves then this will tickle your fancy a bit.  There are plenty of stops to be had along the way either to stretch your legs or make a bathroom break.  Some places even offer camping and hiking, I mean it is a National Park.

An old locomotive along the route.

It was definitely a great ride and superb quality time with my dear old Dad.  It's these moments that I will cherish long into my life.  We could have been doing anything on a Saturday morning but we chose to saddle up our mechanical steeds and ride out.  Our outing left us worn out, sore and hungry by the end of the ride but that was nothing a little grub and some rest couldn't cure.  Besides, spending time to together with someone doing something you both love is kinda awesome.

Thanks for reading, let me know if you enjoyed.  I'm not doing this for pay or anything just my enjoyment and it will give me something to look back on years down the road.

Starting the Engine

Welcome.  I'm beginning this blog as a bit of therapy.  I am normally a bit shy and reserved, even my online presence is minimal.  I suppose it's just a part of who I am.  I learned to ride a motorcycle late in my life.  I was over the age of 30 before I even sat on a real motorcycle.  My parents had an old moped that we kids used to take turns riding when we were really young.  Since the moped I have only ridden three motorcycles, though I have now acquired many many miles.

Me, Mom, and Dad. The Badlands.

To me there is nothing quite like cruising down a highway with the rush of wind and the sound of the motorcycle to keep me company.  It's therapy on two wheels as far as I'm concerned.  My parents got me interested.  My dad didn't always have a motorcycle but he for sure always wanted one.  After us kids got older and moved out of the house my dad bought a motorcycle so my mom and he could ride and go to rallies.

Listening to them talk about how much fun they had was enough to make me want to get my own and join them from time to time.  A few years after my divorce with the generosity of my parents I was finally able to get a motorcycle and start riding.  It was a smaller bike (250 cc) but it did wonders for me in the experience aspect.

Now I have been to several rallies and even rode my second bike to Bike Week in Sturgis, SD. That was a great experience that I will treasure for the rest of my life.  I got into riding not only for the coolness factor but as a way to connect with my parents.  It's a great bonding experience that we have shared and continue to share.  Of course I must note that recently my mother passed away.  It was unexpected and hit our family damn hard.

Having a beer in Luckenbach with my folks.

My Mom wasn't comfortable riding a motorcycle so she got a trike.  It was a big beast.  She was a tiny little woman riding a huge Goldwing Trike.  It made her more confident so it was definitely the right choice.  The experiences we had together will be remembered forever.  Though it's still a bit hard to look in the mirror and not see her riding behind me, I'm sure it's even worse for my father.

We continue our rides though, because she was the type that would expect no less from us.  So, now every ride I take is a thoughtful reminder of the fleeting nature of life and how it continues on.  I guess that's the take away from it all.  It's not the destination but the stuff that happens along the way.