in November??? Oh well, it's on a motocycle, so why not. While staying a Queen Wilemena Lodge we were told about Mt. Magazine Lodge which is located on the highest peaks in Arkansas. I thought this would be a nice trip, but I was not too sure about November. We left home last Tuesday morning about eight, it was 43 degrees and misting. I try to make a point of not leaving the garage when it is raining. So much for that. The rain quit around Ft. Scott. We stopped for lunch at Smokin Joes Ribhouse in Bentonville, AR. The BBQ was real good and it was nice to warm up. From Bentonville to Mt. Magazine the riding was real nice. There are some beautiful places in northern Arkansas and they look completely different when the trees have lost their foliage. After stopping many times along the way we arrived at The Lodge on Magazine Mountain at four. It is a gorgeous place that take full advantage of the spectacular views. We had a very good dinner and played cards by a roaring fire for the rest of the evening.
We had been told about good "twisties", quaint towns and wineries so off we went. Paris, AR has a town square wth the courthouse in the middle. The residents have a competition to see who can decorate the prettiest Christmas Tree. All the ground around the courthouse was filled with beautiful trees. It was quite spectacular. We ate lunch in Altus, AR, which had once been a thriving mining town. Although it was a little sad, visualizing what once had been it was a very pretty little town. One of the oldest businesses in the town was Weiderkehr Winery started by Swiss/Germans in the late 1800's. The restaurant was in an old wine cave, small with very low ceilings. The atmosphere was outstanding and candles on the tables and around the walls provided most of the light. We enjoyed some of the best German food I had ever tasted. The weather was sunny and 60 degrees. We enjoyed over 200 miles of Arkansas roads and mountains before returning to lodge at dusk.
On Thanksgiving we hiked to the top of Mt. Magazine said our goodbyes and headed back to Kansas City. When we left Mt Magazine it was 34 degrees, but it warmed up quickly as we came down off the mountain. We were gone three days and rode 838 wonderful miles. It was one of our best Thanksgivings.
Here is a link to some of the pictures. The church is a Catholic church in Altus on the National Historic Register. I think you can figure out the rest. If the link doesn't work for you and you are intested in seeing the pictures email me and I will send them to you another way.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?u ... feat=email
Happy Thanksgiving
Melissa and Roger
twowheels2eat@yahoo.com