hppants
Well-known member
As a State of Louisiana public servant, I am given the 3rd Monday of every January off to celebrate the life of Dr. Martin Luther King. Since our office closes every Friday at 12:30 pm, that makes it a 3 ½ day weekend. A stock broker, Brodie also had Monday off because the exchanges are closed in observance of MLK day. In his job as a helicopter technician, John works 7 days on, then 7 days off and as luck would have it, we caught him on his weekend off.
And that made three …. 3 Kings celebrating another King.
At least it felt that way – we were living like royalty. We brought ourselves to majestic places, we ate delicious food, we had excellent spirits (in every sense of the term), and for the entire 1200 miles, we practically had the road to ourselves.
Not exactly camping season, we decided to do hotels for this trip. However, we made no reservations and all options were always on the table. Seriously, this is THE way to do it. The only way to truly embrace The Ride is to go without a plan. Try it once and you’ll never plan another.
Still, for mid-January, the weather was stupendous! Lows ranged from the mid-20’s to the upper 30’s, and highs from the mid-50s to the upper 60s. Dry would be an understatement – from the time I left my house on Friday afternoon until Monday about 25 miles from home, I did not see a CLOUD. No dew on the bikes in the morning – not so much as a drop on the road. A fierce wind blew us from one direction each day, but we managed to ride mostly around it.
Brodie wanted to bring his H/D Switchback to see mountains and running water. John wanted his ST1300 to see curvy road signs not seen before. Pants could care less – me and my ‘ole FJR were just along for The Ride.
We all got what we wanted. I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1 – Lafayette, LA to Pollack, LA, approximately 125 miles.
https://goo.gl/maps/vmeYU
Brodie had to work until about 2:30, so I took my time getting packed. My bike looks a little naked without the top box, the camping bag, and a partridge in a pear tree.
While Brodie loaded his bike, I took wonder at the 100 year old Live Oak trees lining his street.
Stopping only once for gas, we slabbed it up I-49 quickly to John’s house. John and his wife were nice enough to allow us to crash at their house. Tonight, the horses have a nice stable to rest in.
John prepared what he calls a Shrimp and Crawfish Etoufee’. Along the Gulf Coast, Brodie and I would call this dish a Shrimp and Crawfish Creole.
Culinary variations within our State are common and quite frankly if you ask me; I don’t care what you call it. It’s delicious.
After dinner, John lit a fire in his backyard and we enjoyed a few cocktails and good conversation.
Soon, the full moon rose and shed plenty of light on our evening.
Relatively early, we turned in for the night to dream about our unknown and upcoming adventure.
Day 2, Pollack, LA to Mena, AR, approximately 410 miles.
https://goo.gl/maps/2WysK
I slept like a baby – I mean I closed my eyes and instantly it was day light. Funny how about 8 ounces of spiced rum will do that for ya! The temperature at day break is about 25 degrees, so we will take our time getting ready. Our heated gear will come in handy soon. The decision is to head in the direction of Mena, Arkansas and see what happens.
John led us through some great twisties from his neck of the piney woods in central Louisiana. We then turned northwest onto Hwy 71 for a little more direct route. Our thought was to push it a little in familiar territory early in the day to allow more time later for uncharted roads. In Bossier City, we stopped for fuel and a snack.
We crossed into Texas at Caddo Lake and turned north. At lunch time, we stopped in Linden, TX. As a typical rural Texas County Seat, this town is pretty dead on a Saturday.
However at times, I’m sure it’s hopping!
The food decision was easy - we picked the only place that was open.
An excellent choice if I don’t say….
Slow down John, nobody’s gonna take it from ya!
Now back on the bikes, we are heading due north toward Arkansas. What a great day – we can feel the Vitamin D on our faces, and it feels good.
The terrain in East Texas is pretty flat, but the roads are well maintained and very scenic in their own rite.
I imagine with that wind, today would be pretty tough fishing on the lake.
We rolled into New Boston, Texas mid-afternoon. Earlier, I called my friend Lindy who lives there. He and I go back to my Nighthawk days and I asked him if he would ride with us a while. Lindy still has his 750 Nighthawk – 62,000 miles and still very strong. Seems every rider my age either had a Nighthawk, or knows somebody that did. Am I right?
Lindy joined us for about 75 miles before breaking off for other obligations. I bid him farewell until next time – it was good to see an old friend. We crossed into Arkansas and then turned West and crossed into Oklahoma at the town of Broken Bow.
Continuing north, we stopped along the way at this river.
Very peaceful here.
I can see some altitude changes in our immediate future.
And that made three …. 3 Kings celebrating another King.
At least it felt that way – we were living like royalty. We brought ourselves to majestic places, we ate delicious food, we had excellent spirits (in every sense of the term), and for the entire 1200 miles, we practically had the road to ourselves.
Not exactly camping season, we decided to do hotels for this trip. However, we made no reservations and all options were always on the table. Seriously, this is THE way to do it. The only way to truly embrace The Ride is to go without a plan. Try it once and you’ll never plan another.
Still, for mid-January, the weather was stupendous! Lows ranged from the mid-20’s to the upper 30’s, and highs from the mid-50s to the upper 60s. Dry would be an understatement – from the time I left my house on Friday afternoon until Monday about 25 miles from home, I did not see a CLOUD. No dew on the bikes in the morning – not so much as a drop on the road. A fierce wind blew us from one direction each day, but we managed to ride mostly around it.
Brodie wanted to bring his H/D Switchback to see mountains and running water. John wanted his ST1300 to see curvy road signs not seen before. Pants could care less – me and my ‘ole FJR were just along for The Ride.
We all got what we wanted. I hope you enjoy the pics.
Day 1 – Lafayette, LA to Pollack, LA, approximately 125 miles.
https://goo.gl/maps/vmeYU
Brodie had to work until about 2:30, so I took my time getting packed. My bike looks a little naked without the top box, the camping bag, and a partridge in a pear tree.
While Brodie loaded his bike, I took wonder at the 100 year old Live Oak trees lining his street.
Stopping only once for gas, we slabbed it up I-49 quickly to John’s house. John and his wife were nice enough to allow us to crash at their house. Tonight, the horses have a nice stable to rest in.
John prepared what he calls a Shrimp and Crawfish Etoufee’. Along the Gulf Coast, Brodie and I would call this dish a Shrimp and Crawfish Creole.
Culinary variations within our State are common and quite frankly if you ask me; I don’t care what you call it. It’s delicious.
After dinner, John lit a fire in his backyard and we enjoyed a few cocktails and good conversation.
Soon, the full moon rose and shed plenty of light on our evening.
Relatively early, we turned in for the night to dream about our unknown and upcoming adventure.
Day 2, Pollack, LA to Mena, AR, approximately 410 miles.
https://goo.gl/maps/2WysK
I slept like a baby – I mean I closed my eyes and instantly it was day light. Funny how about 8 ounces of spiced rum will do that for ya! The temperature at day break is about 25 degrees, so we will take our time getting ready. Our heated gear will come in handy soon. The decision is to head in the direction of Mena, Arkansas and see what happens.
John led us through some great twisties from his neck of the piney woods in central Louisiana. We then turned northwest onto Hwy 71 for a little more direct route. Our thought was to push it a little in familiar territory early in the day to allow more time later for uncharted roads. In Bossier City, we stopped for fuel and a snack.
We crossed into Texas at Caddo Lake and turned north. At lunch time, we stopped in Linden, TX. As a typical rural Texas County Seat, this town is pretty dead on a Saturday.
However at times, I’m sure it’s hopping!
The food decision was easy - we picked the only place that was open.
An excellent choice if I don’t say….
Slow down John, nobody’s gonna take it from ya!
Now back on the bikes, we are heading due north toward Arkansas. What a great day – we can feel the Vitamin D on our faces, and it feels good.
The terrain in East Texas is pretty flat, but the roads are well maintained and very scenic in their own rite.
I imagine with that wind, today would be pretty tough fishing on the lake.
We rolled into New Boston, Texas mid-afternoon. Earlier, I called my friend Lindy who lives there. He and I go back to my Nighthawk days and I asked him if he would ride with us a while. Lindy still has his 750 Nighthawk – 62,000 miles and still very strong. Seems every rider my age either had a Nighthawk, or knows somebody that did. Am I right?
Lindy joined us for about 75 miles before breaking off for other obligations. I bid him farewell until next time – it was good to see an old friend. We crossed into Arkansas and then turned West and crossed into Oklahoma at the town of Broken Bow.
Continuing north, we stopped along the way at this river.
Very peaceful here.
I can see some altitude changes in our immediate future.
