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| Michel Marcia MotorcycleTrips |
| Follow us on Facebook, we try to post as we do our trips and rides. |
| Catherine's Landing Hot Springs AR 5/6-24/2017 |
| Our Album of the complete trip hosted on |
| Part 1 |
| This top portion here of Catherine's Landing is a little video we did of just the park alone, we also put a few of our links here that pertain to Catherine on the way up. We did stay at Ameristar in Vicksburg I tried putting a link but something's wrong with their internet but it was definitely a neat little stop to break the trip up and relax now as we have time we'll be adding days or parts of this adventure down below so you'll just have to keep checking back and something we're doing a little different this time we're putting out our GPX Maps so you can download them put them in your GPS and do the same rides we did but remember GPS have settings and I've seen it so many times when we go on a ride the GPS's are saying different things because people have them on different settings always keep a copy of the Google Map which you can click on and you can check every road on street view out so double check the route |
| I was watching my fuel consumption gauge more than my speed limit it had my full attention |
| Our first night Vicksburg before de Buffet |
| Vicksburg was just right we didn't get there too late so we enjoyed the evening |
| This is home for the next couple weeks let the exploring begin |
| Couldn't ask for a better View |
| U.S. 65 is one nice Highway |
| We did enjoy exploring El Dorado |
| Here were playing tourist |
| And we're getting very good at it |
| I love checking these statues out all the history very interesting |
| This was our restaurant couldn't find a link for it |
| We had a great meal and then it was time to head back home and let Sprocket and Clutch out |
| You can tell by the shadow it's getting later in the day |
| Making this webpage I'm ready to go back!! |
| Sprocket & Clutch time, an adult beverage in our sippy cup |
| Marcia is always checking the internet out for some interesting rides that we might not know |
| There were plenty of country roads on this ride |
| On a couple occasions we were concerned about the big dog Road |
| As we make our videos that determines how long the part is now up above is our GPX route the only thing you need to know is when you go through Smackover and come back on 7 if you're not interested in checking the museum out you need to skip that way point if you don't you're going to head north for a few miles to the museum also when leaving El Dorado you see a gas station on the route, it is not the biggest one, get gas and another note when we went the road was underwater on our route way before El Dorado, shouldn't be that way when you guys go |
| May 5th - May 8th |
| Part 2 |
| Now this dam isn't very far at all from our Campground neat little road to |
| This is as close as you could get to the dam public parking as a little further down |
| Looks like a neat place for a picnic |
| One more of you of the Dam before we leave |
| And once again on the highway you can get a little view of the Dam |
| Now this was a little bit different |
| I like the part where you don't have to pay money just to go in and look at the park |
| Did not notice any swimming pool but they got a swimming beach |
| At first I thought this was the dam across the river it's not I think it's were electricities fed to from the dam |
| Oh boy and our adventure started a 2-mile hike |
| Supposed to be a half mile I will pay better attention next time |
| Once we got to the waterfall we dreaded to walk back |
| Then somebody told us it's only a half-mile hug the river going back unless you love exploring the half-mile back is nice |
| One more dam Dremel damn and just a short hike |
| This seemed unusual and interesting |
| Did get a few nice roads in on this little trip |
| Now we're heading over to Lake Catherine State Park |
| And here we are Lake Catherine State Park |
| May 9th |
| Well this was one of those days where we really didn't have a ride planned thank God for Google Maps we had one in no time and we transfer over to a GPX file think it was somewhere really around 45 miles Catherine's Landing State Park was pretty neat you'll want a hug the water when you go to the park in the area where the trails are at it's only a half mile, the other way there's some steep climbs and some steep descent down the mountain and is 3 miles one way.... |
| Part 3 |
| Definitely were some nice country roads |
| We definitely enjoyed the ride over and yes the radio was cranking |
| Yes sir it's that time to feed and they did have a buffet here |
| We also found out the owner he rides talk to him for a while too |
| We had all intentions to visit in this place again but got too busy with other routes |
| Who was cool talking to her waitress she sure enjoyed hearing our stories |
| Now I'm making the web page oh how I wish I was there |
| Now this is the entrance to the lodge which they do have a restaurant there |
| And they also have that magical word Buffet certain times think on Friday nights |
| Today we're just exploring in a few days we will eat here with Karen and Ed |
| The road going to the swimming area is beautiful I mean all the roads are nice |
| Today the road was closed next time we come here it is open |
| You know on this trip we did see some unusual tree growth |
| In this picture you can see where the level of the lake is real high the road is under water |
| Now to finish the day with a nice ride home and Sprocket and Clutch are waiting to greet us |
| Now it's time to digest our meal and enjoy the ride |
| There's a shortcut to enter into Park but we took the long way to see the lake |
| This is De Gray Lake Resort State Park |
| May 10th |
| Now I like this ride it had a lot of country roads in it is only about 120 to 125 miles the restaurant was great enjoyed the food waitress was very interested in our writing and so was the owner he rides too, food was good and like I said overall this was a neat ride |
| Part 4 |
| Once again we had some nice weather |
| Now to make this route work we did have to use the interstate to save some time getting down here |
| I thought I seen a junior Ranger I did I did |
| This isn't very far from the post office that's on the state line |
| We got there they had food the band playing pretty neat Harley-Davidson shop |
| On the video I said Whiskey River Harley-Davidson I think that's what it used to be called |
| Well we left our bikes in Texas and walked over towards Arkansas |
| Marcia is in Texas and I'm reaching over to her from Arkansas |
| This is the restaurant right by the post office that we ate at |
| And here we are and I'm doing one of the best things I'm good at eating |
| Now the fun part to take some back roads home |
| Yes sir I'm all eyes and the radio is cranked up life is good |
| Time to fuel up in a quick stop and I think I even had an ice cream |
| Definitely some nice roads to ride on |
| Always great meeting are Facebook friends, Dave and Pamela |
| Lots of bikes oh boy where's Marcia at?? |
| Karen's look when she realizes her bikes missing |
| Here we're looking from the post office this is really cool one side Texas one side Arkansas |
| May 11th - 13th |
| Well this is our first day that we're riding with Ed and Karen. We took the interstate and beelined it to Texarkana we left Karen's bike there to get a new wheel bearing put in. So we thought we'd take this opportunity and go downtown Texarkana and check out the post office one side is the Texas one side is in Arkansas we are in Arkansas side eating at Joe's but our bikes are parked over on the other State in Texas across the street |
| corrected |
| Part 5 |
| Once again we had some nice weather |
| Love going through these little towns like checking them out too |
| Here is the Dilemma do I photograph this or do I video this |
| Marcia walked up and all the sudden she seen the people in the cockpit scared her |
| I think we ended up spending probably 30 to 40 minutes here |
| Sheridan B17 Memorial Park. |
| But most of the roads were very very country I enjoyed them |
| The whole route was something like a hundred and eleven miles |
| Well it was time to feed we just had to make this do |
| On the video I joked about it being a buffet it was not |
| Definitely seem like a pretty busy little store |
| Now that we have fed our bellies it was time to proceed on |
| Still had some nice country roads but I missed the main one next time the GPX route is correct... |
| Always have a good time sitting around the campfire |
| Well time to work on the next video and web page see you shortly |
| It was a quite a bit of information there plenty of plaques free |
| Okay now it's time for us to get back on the bikes and do some more exploring we had some neat a little roads |
| Right here we found one of those stretches of gravel road which kind of gets your attention |
| May 14th, 2017 |
| Memorial for the B-17 Flying Fortress which exploded in mid air, they were from the Smoky Hill Army Airfield Selena Arkansas while trying to land in the field on the west side of this road. Now the GPX map and the Google Map have both been adjusted they are correct we definitely had fun and again this was not one of those big big rides just a nice getaway for the day |
| Part 6 |
| What a nice ride we had we were on Highway 7 on our way to Nimrod Dam |
| There is Marcia and I getting our picture taken |
| A little bit about Nimrod Dam |
| Yes I tell you what the Drone can get some very nice pictures |
| The ride here like I said Highway 7 that was nice then Highway we turned off that was nice some nice roads on this ride |
| And guess who got to fly today yes sir we're at the damn and Damn-it gets to fly!! |
| After a great meal we're just sitting back and enjoying the view and it was a spectacular View |
| Our last stop before heading back to Camp with Stouts Overlook you got to check this place out |
| Looks nice in the picture but man it really looks nice in real life |
| I think we stayed here about 45 minutes or so just taking in the site |
| Marcia and Karen with a beautiful Overlook of Stout's Point |
| Marcia & Karen getting their picture taken |
| Wow what have we got here I think it's Junior Ranger doing the Hulk |
| One last look of Stouts point you got the check this place out |
| Once again great weather great friends and what a sweet ride home |
| Here's the sign where your entrance to Petit Jean state park now this is the Overlook here to get to the lodge next picture is about a mile or two |
| The Lodge at Petit Jean State Park |
| The restaurant inside the lodge food was good sure would have liked to have a window seat though |
| May 15th, 2017 |
| Definitely check out Petit Jean State Park link here you can check with Stouts point with the restaurant all the information is on that webpage |
| I think this was one of our top rides on our list I mean they were all great but Highway 7 was a beautiful ride to take, the state of Arkansas really promotes it Nimrod Dam was a neat place to stop and check out. Pete Jean Park, that again was a ride you had a nice overlook we stopped at and checked it out, then we made it to the lodge and that was a neat little place to kick back then the best part it was Stouts Overlook and you got to check that place out it was great and ride coming down from that mountain or whatever you want to call it was nice it was a great day definitely if we ever go back there we will do this one one more time!! |
| Now this picture is pretty much every evening we're back at camp we probably finished eating here and if it's cool enough we got a fire going adult beverage in our hand and our puppies are somewhere nearby life is good!! |
| Part 7 |
| Now I did make a mistake once we stopped we realized this was a little bit longer than we planned we made a bigmistake |
| But that did not change the fact that we had a nice ride getting here |
| And once again we had some nice weather look at the skies here |
| Now it got interest in after we left the town of Mena |
| This place start it reminded me of the Blue Ridge Parkway or the Skyline Drive |
| We got a little bit of everything with our roads we took |
| We are at the parking lot at Queen Wilhelmina Lodge man is the wind blowing!! |
| I wanted to fly our drone Dam-it so bad but with this wind I kept thinking of the movie title Gone With the Wind.... it would have been |
| Hey it's always cool meeting other Riders doing the same thing you're doing |
| I didn't take too many pictures inside the restaurant but you can check it out if you click on the link on this page |
| Always amazing you put anything out there us explorers are going to take pictures with it Marcia playing engineer |
| And of course we will get some pictures of the bikes with the locomotive |
| Marcia and Karen in the train that looks like trouble |
| This is looking in front of the train back towards the restaurant The Lodge |
| And now it was time to crank up the radio kickback and enjoy our ride!!! |
| Original plan was to go all the way into Oklahoma and eat at Pam's Diner I think it was we could have made this ride if we didn't leave at 10:30 in the morning |
| And there is Ed & Karen, Again what a nice view |
| There's me and Marcia, again the wind was blowing |
| May 16th, 2017 |
| Now this ended up being a pretty nice ride but when we planned it somehow we didn't pay attention we originally had over 280 some miles I have already corrected the Google Map and a GPX map we had some other back roads originally but due to time we weren't able to ride them and looking at them now some may have turned to dirt so we have corrected the GPX map should be accurate and remember you can always check it click on the Google icon and you can zoom in anywhere in the map with the little man and see if there's a road there and if it's dirt or not we also put a link to Chops Steakhouse originally this was where we were going to eat it looked very interesting also someone commented in the videos with recommendations for this place but we never made it there we ate at the restaurant Queen Wilhelmina State Park |
| Part 8 |
| With all the cameras I use sometimes it gets confusing these two pictures here may have been on the way home |
| Even if these first two were out of order they were parted of the ride |
| You always find construction and again this was the middle of May 2017 |
| I got to say this Harley-Davidson store looked different from the other stores |
| This is not the main store kind of spread out I think this might have been used bikes and we were parked by service and then we went in the main store |
| Heading into Little Rock on Interstate 30 these flags look great and they were huge!! |
| Well I think more than a poker chip was involved |
| I got to say this is one sweet Street Glide CVO |
| Our round trip was about a hundred miles but on the way home I did take us off the interstate to do what I call riding.. |
| I could have spent a few hours on back roads like these but I think we only had like 20 miles of it but the roads did get smaller but they were paved |
| Like I said before I love seeing these old barns also at this point we did have a few hills to ride on |
| Definitely is my kind of riding I sure enjoying this again this was just a small ride I think a total of 100 miles |
| One more glimpse looking back... we'll find some more of these before we go home!!! |
| We certainly didn't have to go far from the interstate to pull into the Harley shop |
| While waiting for the girls to finish, I notice on the TV screen, Harley's always running their ads they got a real neat one, and a radio station was playing a good song and it went together nice to sit there watching it awhile. |
| May 17th, 2017 |
| Well rain was within forecast for us today so we decided to do a short ride it was time to get some more poker chips so we headed over to Little Rock Harley Davidson, we took the interstate not my favorite riding but sure will get you there fast...Well we got back and it was time to eat we didn't stop anywhere on the way home because of the chance of rain so we got in the truck and we went to our favorite Buffet we didn't eat supper tonight no room and it seems like we're always going to Walmart getting something not sure how tomorrow is going to turn out supposed to be some more rain we'll do what we can .....later |
| Part 9 |
| Well the weather definitely was not looking good we were not going to have cabin fever so in the truck we went |
| Hot Springs is definitely a tourist attraction and remember at Catherines Landing to check at the front desk for any discounts you may be able to get |
| Now I don't care where we're at we're going to have a good time and it's starting here |
Just read the sign This makes my job very easy |
| Yes the water was very hot |
| You're definitely going to want to bring your walking shoes to this one |
| This was on their door interest in a few things to check out next time |
| This is our restaurant that we ate at the food was good no complaints |
| It smelled real good in here too I'm glad there is no air freshener companies that make this kind of smell I'd be hungry all the time |
| After we ate here it was time to do some more exploring |
| Yes I drove up to this place and I was very low in my seat |
| Just great I!!!! wonder if the junior Ranger saw this Oh boy |
| I don't like heights with everybody laughing here I must have some kind of facial expression still on my face |
| But I got to say once I got up to the window it was a beautiful view |
| Here is Marcia and let me tell you she is in Explorer mode this is her domain |
| Funny we did meet a ranger very cool lady then later in the day we're looking for passes to purchase and there she was again we had a good laugh |
| Yes sir definitely an opportunity that we missed |
| We have seen this amphibious vehicle few times we should have looked at their website sooner so we could have booked a ride |
| May 18th, 2017 |
| I usually don't do this but even on another trip when we were just on motorcycles we went through this intersection it can be confusing you might want to go to the Google Map & picture map I have here |
| and then on the right-hand bottom corner click on the yellow man and then click on your exit there to see what I'm talking about even when I knew about it I almost messed up |
| I usually don't do this but even on another trip when we were just on motorcycles we went through this intersection it can be confusing you might want to go to the Google Map & picture map I have here |
| and then on the right-hand bottom corner click on the yellow man and then click on your exit there to see what I'm talking about even when I knew about it I almost messed up |
| Part 10 |
| The weather there was right and of course we definitely start out with some nice roads this was Karen's ride that she had made |
| Since we didn"t stay at a Holiday Inn Express we had to make this do for us |
| Always love going through these little towns and always wondered what they were like back in the day |
| And here we are this is our restaurant that were eating at today and if I remember there was also a museum here cuz I had a ride coming to this town too |
| White House Cafe this is a pretty neat place in again with history I'm sure there's a lot of history here definitely an old building I love places like this |
| Lot of color a lot of graphics |
| Wow I guess if Junior Ranger wasn't the Junior Ranger he would probably be the Junior Engineer what do you think? |
| The Visitors Center I forgot what the hours are but you might look at one of the links I put up there maybe you can find what days they are open |
| Then once again it was time to head home and we were enjoying the sights especially these old bridges |
| This is where I always running into a problem do I shoot video or do I take a picture |
| I think I tried both on this video and picture this was a cool little Bridge we want under I'll see you when I make the video |
| Then it was time to crank up the radio and just sit back and take it in |
| Right here we're passing DeGray Lake, will be visiting the state park one more time before we leave I believe |
| Yeah our days are getting shorter I don't even want to think about it |
| Now we have done very good with the rain only a couple times that we get wet and not too wet at that |
| Picture what it looked like inside also there was upstairs I walked up there I didn't see much going on up there but they definitely had plenty of room |
| They also had a menu on the chalkboard, I can't remember what I ate that day |
| There is a little bit of history when you look at this picture and all the railroad tracks there and remember right across the street The Visitor Center is the Old Railway Station |
| May 19th, 2017 |
| Well like I said Karen made this one, definitely a nice ride great weather just a little bit rain at the end I'm glad to finally get close to the end of this trip for a website ironically Marcia is working on maps everything for our next trip which is about 5 or 6 weeks from today I got to get this finished |
| Part 11 |
| Well this is Saturday it's raining there's no riding today but we do have a problem with one of our tires and today I'm going to get it patched and use it as a spare also buying a new tire |
| Now if you go up to the office they have a map of three or four Trails for you to take their pretty cool |
| Now this was back in May I don't know how it is all your long but the dogs had a couple of ticks and I did too |
| I was surprised had a keep all these Trails mowed that was a pretty neat little walk |
| Yeah our Misses Clutch was not slipping today she was leading the way especially after she saw that dear |
| This was cool there's a deer up there the picture isn't very clear we seen a couple of deer while walking these trails |
| Yes you could hear the thunder it just makes it that much more interesting |
| I remember Ed was looking at his radar while we're riding we found this church to pull in I don't think we changed our route but we were looking at our radar to see exactly what were getting into |
| Then we made it to our restaurant about the time we made it there to rain almost stopped when we left it was done |
| You can tell when it was raining we had that overhang that we pulled up underneath |
| Are right silence grasshopper it is time to Feast let's see what kind of hamburgers this place does have |
| Not too shabby I can handle this now leave me alone!!! |
| Then we had a pretty neat little ride home some nice Country Roads another great day in the books |
| Back at the home front after a great welcoming home from Sprocket and Clutch again Ed is starting to fire |
| How do you like this guy red sky at night Sailor's Delight I'll take it |
| Then came Sunday morning Karen had another ride for us to do we're going to check out a place that has some good hamburgers |
| Once again we had some clear skies the weather was nice and the radio was cranking out the tunes |
| Yeah our trip is starting to come to end the days are numbered |
| May 20th - May 21st, 2017 |
| This was one of our first stops it's the expressway I don't even think we got fuel here I don't think the trip was that long |
| Well the sky started getting darker it was time for us to put our rain gear on I think this may have been the first time |
| Isn't that a beautiful picture I call my steak a buffet steak!!! |
| Then it was time just to kick back by the fire all of us including the puppies, life is good |
| The Hermit has no Facebook or web page so I put a map here to show it sackley where it's at |
Well that finishes off another two days the Saturday when it rained and we got our tire
fixed and then Sunday when we went for the hamburger ride now I don't carry the camera
with us everywhere we go I mean we're cutting up going to the liquor store we're cutting
up at the grocery store we carry our little like CB radios and me and Ed are always getting
each other in trouble you don't see that in the video for something like that you got to have
a reality Channel we don't this is the best we can do hope you enjoy our web page
fixed and then Sunday when we went for the hamburger ride now I don't carry the camera
with us everywhere we go I mean we're cutting up going to the liquor store we're cutting
up at the grocery store we carry our little like CB radios and me and Ed are always getting
each other in trouble you don't see that in the video for something like that you got to have
a reality Channel we don't this is the best we can do hope you enjoy our web page
| Part 12 The End!! |
| This brings us to an end this is our last day riding around Hot Springs |
| And once again we have beautiful weather couldn't ask for anymore |
| We hit a few more of our little back roads we wanted to check out I think the name of the town is on the top of the stack |
| One thing that did surprise me I did not see as many barnes and farms as I did when we were in Eureka Springs |
| DeGray State Park this is a nice place the bikes are parked we're going inside the lodge to eat |
| It's nice when you don't have to take direct route always looking for that big dog Road |
| Always love turning the radio up and cruising these back roads |
| This really is the last picture of riding our motorcycles on the trip |
| Lake Catherine State Park this is where they have the waterfall remember unless you're into walking stay by the water that's the short way |
| Where we parked the bikes if you look to the left you see the water follow a trail by the water and it'll take you right to the waterfall and it's an easy trail |
| The first time me and Marcia came oh what a long hike we had no idea what we were getting into!! |
| I got to say I was under the impression that this was one big big waterfall it wasn't but it was nice |
| This is probably right before we loaded the bikes up boy does time go by fast!!! |
| We're on our way home we have just stopped at Azalea Acres taking our time getting home Marcia is finishing the setup |
| In the morning we only have about 4 hours and will be home but then I know before we get to the house Marcia will be going where we going next?? |
| I did find out I think on Friday nights they do have a buffet |
| Now whenever you're by the water and you have your bike it always takes a nice picture here's Marcia's bike |
| Riding in here on this section we noticed a lot of RV's here they have a nice Campground |
| May 22nd - May 25th |
We will continue to make our videos after we have finished our webpage.... |
| Home sweet home love making these trips but it is nice getting back home |
| There is a short section of the road from here to where the intersection is... it is nice!!! |
| Well this brings us to end of our Catherine's Landing trip we had a blast remember on our Facebook page as far as the motorcycle rides go when we're on these trips we do try to post every evening the pictures of that day riding with |
| some captions with them. The website usually is not made until well after we been home and the videos do take some time.... on this webpage I decided to go ahead and finish the trip and for the first time we have added GPX Maps so you can download them and put them in your GPS also we always include a Google map you can zoom in on the see what the roads look like, street view it's nice and we've added that to all these trips for you to get a better perspective and maybe plan your fuel stops. I also want to mention an app (GPX Viewer) nice to have, you can go to our webpage of the trip here and click on the GPX route your doing and it will show it for you. Now I'm going to add a couple more GPX routes below these we did not do but wanted to and the best we can tell they should be pretty accurate if you do them let us know on Facebook how it was. Well I need to get going now we've got a lot going on here Marcia has already started the maps on our next trip and looking for things to do when we're there. The beginning of September we will be on the road once again later........ |
| Be sure to call first if I remember right they're closed Monday Tuesday and Wednesday This sure looked like a nice little ride that we had planned and it was only like 70 miles |
| Now I love looking at Stones picking up shark teeth stuff like that but on the other hand you never know over here if we visit this place doing the things I like doing we may even be able to pay for his trip right now!!! |
| Now we've been here before the toy hauler when it was just motorcycles and somehow I missed the lodge |
| Like I said these are some of the rides we would love to have made we just ran out of time and again let us know how they worked out |
| Definitely check out Petit Jean State Park link here you can check with Stouts point with the restaurant all the information is on that webpage |
| Now I love looking at Stones picking up shark teeth stuff like that but on the other hand you never know over here if we visit this place doing the things I like doing we may even be able to pay for his trip right now!!! |
