12 Pig's Trail & 7

     We had toured most of the morning and it was time to put some miles on to get to our next motorcycle road. We headed down #71  south until we hit Interstate 40 taking that East until we arrived at 23, the start of the Pig's Trail

 

      We started up the pigs trail stopping at the Turner bend  trading post it was one of the stops that Tom and Gail from Eureka had suggested, we had hoped to spend the night however that was not to be.  We purchased riding gloves, treats and were on our way.  I remember one of the things Gail wondered about was our comfort while riding with the wind, rain and exposure to the elements.  Yet she competes in marathons and I know I couldn't do that.  I guess we all give up some degree of comfort to participate in what we enjoy.  Otherwise we would be in our climate controlled couch.  . 

Steep and dangerous curves ( gotta love it)    Just after this sign there was one that said "Warning gravity assisted vehicles", ( aren’t we all? )  A little help here, not even the locals knew what the sign was referring to.
    It was getting late and we were anxious to get settled.  Night travel in a strange area is not the best, to many animals trying to cross the road.  We had not been able to reach the next campground by phone luckily there was a note on the door.
Arrangements were made and we had a spot for the

night.  Mulberry Mountain campsite,  There were only a couple of campers when we arrived it was getting dusk and we wanted to get the camper set up.
     A few minutes later a group of all terrain vehicles arrived at the campground, within minutes they had loaded them on trailers and were leaving.  Guess they all had work on Monday.  There was one nice motor home parked but we never seen anybody. Looks like we were alone here.   A nice quiet evening, nice showers and restrooms.  The next morning a light breakfast yogurt, breakfast bars and milk.  On the way out we stopped at the office to ask about the sign we had seen the night before, blank looks was all we got. 

   We headed north on 23 and near Huntsville we took the 412 pass to Harrison,   we stopped at a McDonald's for of course hot chocolate.   As we went in we overheard a couple talking "wow I wouldn't want to be riding cycle today.  It was 65 degrees.  Our friends in Minnesota would love to be riding, I think last I talked to them it was 15 degrees.

 When we hit Harrison we picked up #7, another scenic road.  On the way we went thru Jasper AR a quaint little town home of Emma's museum and junk store.   Luckily Ruthie isn't much of a shopper and she didn't seem anxious to stop.  Besides our space was limited.   At the next little village a subway  2 dollar specials caught our eye.  As we were leaving a gas truck pulled in.   The driver Dave had met us on the road earlier and wanted to say Hi.  He rode a 1800 Honda VTX and his wife a unique 1999 Kawasaki Vulcan one of only 25 black ones made.   Of course he got Ruthie talking trikes, luckily we

 don’t have a time frame.  Her career as a phlebotomist provided her with a captive audience as it was difficult for them to leave with a needle in their arm.  However Dave was a willing listener as he was interested in trikes and traveling.  Sometimes it is difficult to get back on the road.. I think I am finally learning some patience skills.
   


     We stopped at the Buffalo National Park to rest take a break and look at the river.  Beautiful bluff country.

      Resuming on 7 we were on our way to Russelville,  their was rain forecast.  Our plan was to re-organize and plan for the next few days, where to ride, where to stay?