Today was a great day for me. My wife gave me the go ahead to spend the day to myself. (I know what you are thinking, a day away from the wife is always a great day, but that is not what I mean)
So, the fact that I needed 200 miles more on my Ducati to have it ready for its 18,000 service, made my decision.
Since the weather is finally reaching the 90s everyday with high humidity, it is time for a long trip. Next Sunday I’m planning on leaving Dallas and riding up every twisty road I can find to St. Louis. Arkansas will get half of my time, but I’m going to loop around Missouri on the best roads I have gleaned from AMA and other bike forums. I need to get my service done on the bike before leaving.
I left Dallas this morning at 10:00 with the plan of riding to Paris via 78, 11, 128, and 24.
I stopped in Leonard, Texas to take a picture of the War Memorial. I saw it once before a few years ago and it still makes my jaw drop.
(http://www.fredericky.com/images/parisride1.jpg)
If you can read the names places and dates it represents just about all of the major campaigns of WWII. Pearl Harbor, D Day, Anzio, Japanese POW deaths, Belgium, France, Germany. All these soldiers lost their lives and they were from this little farming town. Also, the next town over is Celeste where Audie Murphy lived. What an area.
I heard some rumbling behind me and turned to see about 20 Harleys passing through town along with about 20 sport bikes right behind them. I thought “What a strange combination of riders.†I saw at least one Ducati Supersport so maybe it is someone from this forum.
Back on my ride I took 11 then 128 to just outside of Paris. I really enjoyed 128.
Proof that I made it.
(http://www.fredericky.com/images/parisride2.jpg)
I had lunch at Nancy’s Restaurant just north of downtown. I just ate a sandwich, but all of the food looked really good. If you are ever there I would recommend the place.
I took the same route back to Dallas except at Leonard I took 78 on into town. One last stop at Farmersville for a Coke. I pulled into an Exxon where I saw 4 Harleys sitting out front. I recognized one of the bikes as part of the group I had seen earlier in the day. I got my Coke and struck up a conversation with them. I wanted to know what the occasion was for the group ride. They said they had ridden up to near Dennison to eat BBQ at a place called Loose Wheels http://www.loosewheelstexas.com/ (http://www.loosewheelstexas.com/)
They said the food is great and all types of riders go there. (Note to myself. Check this one out in the future) I said it was quite a group with the Harleys and sportbikes. They laughed and said “Oh the sport bikes had just caught up with them at Leonard and was probably really glad that they went different directions at Leonard.†I was also told that highway 697 is to die for if you like twisties. I’ll have to check it out as well.
So I pushed on home and ended with 276 miles for the day. Tuesday the bike goes into AMS for service.
My wife had a surprise when I arrived.
(http://www.fredericky.com/images/parisride3.jpg)
We were at Edom, Texas last week and bought a big bag of fresh blueberries. So today turns out to be a personal pie run. It is a good day.
why not come up this way with cory?
Sounds like I need to meet Cory.
Rick, sweet RED bike you got there! Kinda looks like RED! (my St4s). We'll definately have to get together on an 'ST' ride some day soon. There are 3 other ST riders in the club too. That pie looks way too good!
There is another 'too die for' BBQ restaurant near Pilot Point going north to Tioga. It's very difficult to get into on weekends. Some take their hellicopters to dinner there. I can't remember the name of the place but it's very good stuff. I've eaten there several times too. D'oh!
Clark's Outpost
That's it! At least Ron's thinking. What's that say about me... ???