Summer Trip X

"...its about the journey, not the destination..."

Memorial in the historic section of Pocahontas AR to those who served in the military, and made the "ultimate sacrifice." There are Memorials from the Civil War to Vietnam. Will the add a new section for those who died fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan? So sad. 

     My luck finally ran out. The wettest I had gotten on this trip was in Colorado Springs, where the motel was adjacent to a golf course, and the sprinkler system came on getting me, and the bike, wet. That all changed today!

The Days Inn in Pocahontas AR. Very comfortable. 

      Today's route would be south out of Grove about 45 miles until it intersects US 412, then east on US 412 until it intersects US 62 which would take me right into Pocahontas AR. The ride, as usual on these roads, was great. US 59 had little traffic, and there were places where there were a lot of 60 mph sweepers left and right that were wonderful.

Morning break location. It was getting hot my 10:00 AM, but I was nice and cool under this tree. 

     When I hit US 412 I found it to be a toll road, but....there was also Alt 412, which was the original road. What a nice ride. Lots of curves, tree lined road, and little traffic. I stopped around 10:40 to take a break and work on the blog. I checked and there was a restaurant called The Diner about 4 miles up ahead. Sounds like a nice place to get lunch.

The Diner. Not fancy, but nice people and good food.

     Not a fancy place, but I had a very good wrap for lunch, and had a nice conversation with some local folks out in the parking lot. 12:20 and just about 160 miles to go. Easy. Well....not so much. As I rode east there were more and more dark clouds on the horizon. I left Hardy AR under imminent threat of rain, and that threat was soon realized. I started sprinkling heavily, and I pulled over to put my rain suit on. I could see lightning ahead of me, and off to the right and the left. It started raining harder, and I rode the last 20 miles in heavy rain. Once in Pocahontas I got gas, and found my motel. I realized that this was the first time I had ridden in the rain in my new rain suit and boots. The rain suit did well; the boots not so much! All in all having wet toes is not that big a deal. Just another part of the adventure.