A Winter Ride Report

A slideshow presentation is located at the end of this story



It was a, Friday, March 2, 2007. It was a dark and bitterly crisp winter night. Yours truly made the decision to ride towards Arkansas at about 10 P.M., or 2200, whichever you prefer. Heading north on US-75, towards the Oklahoma border, it wasn't unbearable – temperature wise. It was chilly, but if I kept my head down, blocking an air leak into and around my clothing, as well as under my FF (full-face) helmet; the cold was tolerable. I kept going, across the Red River, past the US-75/I-69 split, and made Atoka, Oklahoma in a reasonable amount of time. After gassing up, I looked longingly at a motel across the street and thought, "Oh what the hell, a nap won't hurt." I rode across the highway and read the sign on the motel door that said FULL. I got to thinkin' that I wouldn't get up in time if I stretched out on a bed, so I continued north to Springtown, and then a hard right east on SH-43 — aka, Reba McIntire Avenue.

I had it in the back of my mind to keep an eye out for Friday night drunks. As it turned out, drunks were the least of my worry. In fact, I saw no more than a handful of vehicles on the road all night. With my ear plugs firmly in place, my head strapped in my helmet, and my boots firmly planted on the running boards, I could hear Granny's deep growl, feel her relentless pistons throb, so I followed her headlight's beam cast a few feet before me.

From behind my faceshield, looking out at what was fast becoming a misty night, replete with a hazy, full moon as my overhead street light, I was startled by the mystical crossing of a deer. I was even more surprised when the deer turned sharply and ran alongside of Granny. I immediately realized it wasn't drunks I needed to be watchful for. Every few yards another deer either ran across the road or sprinted in the ditch beside me. Between the misty moonlight, and my Granny's lights, the whole scene took on a eerie, netherworld glow. I couldn't help think how memorable this moment in my life was going to be — running with the deer after midnight, engulfed in freezing Oklahoma air, with only Ms Luna, faithful Granny, the courageous deer, and wide-eyed me to witness the event.

My eyelids began to droop a little before the town of Adel, Oklahoma. I decided to pull over and try to take a short nap. It ended up being several miles up the road, and way past Adel, before I found a place that I felt comfortable dropping my kickstand. I learned that a cheap sleeping bag from Walmart is almost like having nothing when the temps dip so low. I left my helmet on to keep my head warm as I settled next to Granny's warm pipes. I was prepared for an attack of a deer monster, or whatever, and dozed off. Opening my eyes a short time later, the pipes were cold, I was cold, I was good to go. I proceeded towards my goal. It only took a few minutes before I passed over Sardis Lake. The wind had picked up. It was howling like a Banshee, blowing right through my leathers. I pulled over, dismounted Granny, and took a couple of pix at the dam. It was so dark the effort was pretty much useless — I hopped back on Granny and kept going toward Talihina, Oklahoma, on US-271.

Coming into Talihina, I rode by a gas station that had the old pumps without card readers. I hoped to find a newer station on the other side of town — no such luck. I turned around and headed back toward the station I knew was open. Talihina was dead at 5 A.M. I didn't see a living soul until I passed through the downtown area and I noticed light cast on the sidewalk. As luck would have it, Pam's restaurant was open. Gathered around adjoining tables was a crowd of Okies drinking coffee and shooting the bull. After gassing up, I returned to Pam's. Looking forward to the warm room and meal, I went inside. A couple of the good ol' boys welcomed me heartily as I shed my outer riding clothes. I really looked forward to a hot cup o'joe. It came forthwith. I ordered the CFS breakfast with biscuits and gravy — screw the diet. I waited a bit for my breakfast, but the waitress kept my mug full. Occasionally one of the locals would turn around and talk to me. One old boy asked me if I was going up on the Talimena. I nodded my head to the affirmative and a younger man of about 45 spoke up and warned me that there were deer out there — I am thinkin' 'well duh!'.

The food was well worth the wait and the price was very reasonable — it was approaching six o'clock and if I was going to get some good shots of the sunrise on the Talimena Parkway then I'd best hightail it out o'there — so I did, accompanied by a chorus of well wishes by the local brain trust.

I scurried up the mountain as I saw the sky begin to lighten. I stopped at the first overlook and took a couple of pix as the red line formed on the horizon — hopped back on Granny, and hustled to the next overlook. I repeated this maneuver until the sun was too high for a decent shot. I proceeded off the Parkway, stopping to take a picture of Granny and the Talimena Parkway sign, then on to Mount Ida were I filled up. I called the folks I needed to, fired up Granny, and proceeded towards Hot Springs.

It only warmed up slightly that weekend. I had a great time with my BGBB Brothers, and accomplished everything I set out to do. I even got a bonus; Saturday evening we witnessed a lunar eclipse while taking an evening tour along Hot Springs Mountain Drive.

On Sunday, after a good egg and bacon breakfast, courtesy of Tommy and Pam Johnson, and saying good-bye to Mudduck, I set out for home on a different route than I used to get there. I avoided the highways as much as I could and rode some nice FM's (Farm to Market) roads, with plenty of T's & T's (Twists and Turns) through the north eastern edge of Texas.

When I got home I turned up the heater and looked at the pictures from my memory card. To see a few shots, scroll to the bottom of this page. I left out a few things, like the part about the Brotherhood of Grey Beard Bikers' (BGBB) "Meet & Greet", handing over the patch was the primary reason for the trip.

That's my ride report — enjoy the pix — Cappy out.
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Cappy's Personal Page







Sardis Dam

Hang a Left

The Hateful Hussy