The DRZ Chronicles

It has been awhile since I posted but I need to get back in the habit. Sometime around June or maybe early July, I will be heading to Seattle to meet up with a buddy. We will attempt a ride to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. Gotta keep going. Retirement doesn't mean "stop", it means keep going in the direction you want. Had a great ride today. After riding to Norfork, AR, I headed back to Fontenot's Restaurant in Mountain Home, where I met up with a fellow from North Dakota, Jay. He is visiting friends in Mountain View and was out for a ride. After a great chat, I told him he might want to ride Push Mountain Road on his way back to Mountain View. As it worked out, we both rode down Push Road. Great ride and great weather.  At the intersection with 14, we pulled over to chat for a bit before parting ways. Then, a fellow on a black Goldwing came down Push Mountain and joined us at the intersection. Jim is, like me, an Arkansas transplant, arriving here from Washington state severa

 Yep, Valley Park. Tacos de lengua, birria, chorizo and carnitas. Outstanding!

 Left home for a few days back in Missouri. Met up with buddies in Arcadia for lunch, then onto Al's place.

 Still sore but the weather is wonderful, so I decided to ride to Harrison and visit Maplewood Cemetery.  Beautiful place that is frequented by locals as a place to walk and reflect. People often times feel ill at ease around cemeteries, but that needn't be. Maplewood is a place where lives are completed, and we can gain insight about peace, hope, love and faith.  The people have passed but still speak to us.

 Beautiful riding this afternoon. I intended a short ride after adjusting my chain but somehow found myself in Blanchard Caverns. That was when it got "interesting". I came up on a low water bridge. The approach appeared wet, but was not actually wet with water. It was coated with slime of some sort that was very slippery. DR went down and I got a very intimate introduction to the bridge surface. DR came out ok, though the right handguard bracket will need a little tweaking. No serious damage to me but very sore ribs and right elbow. I think I am getting too old for these impacts. Shuffleboard is starting to make sense to me...

 262 miles of "Fantastic"!  Met up with a buddy at Briarcliff, breakfast in Mountain View, on to the red Ozark sign at Clinton, then Drasko Trading Post, Mammoth Spring State Park and home. Perfect weather, a ride so good there is no way to deserve it, pure gift!

  About a hundred miles of warm sun and cool air, my favorite kind of riding. Got down to check out Buffalo Point Campground, then around 14 to 341N and back to Mountain Home. Better therapy than any doctor or drug.

 My break-in trip to Colorado with DR Getting Acquainted

 Wheel bearings and tires are done. Rear bearings were a pain as I expected, but very glad I did them. One bearing had a seal missing and was throwing out grease and another had a seal that was blistered and ready to fall out. Angels with me on that one.  Brake pads will be here Wednesday and it will be time to find some forest roads. The Tusk knobbies are going to rip!

 Great riding. Push Mountain Rd , Sneeds Creek Access, Gunners Pool, the AR14 to Mountain View for wings. Next stop, home! Gunners Pool is close to Blanchard Caverns. I think both will be very nice winter camp spots  North end of 341, Push Mountain Rd Stomping on the Ozark Highland trail County Rd 74. Miles of good gravel. DR was happy! Sneed Creek access on the White river Near Sneed Creek Access Saw three access points for the trail This camp is awesome! (and almost empty) Sylamore Creek at Gunners Pool DR being cool, you know... Nice trail Met Barry. He built this camper during covid All wood laser cut on cnc machine Camp kitchen under a clamshell