I slept very well last night and woke well before my alarm went off. I of course stayed in bed until it did, that bed was just too comfy. With Laurelin packed up we were back out on the road. It’s another cool crisp morning so I’ll need the jacket for at least a bit. The sky is clear and I don’t foresee any rain in my path today.
Our path takes us north towards then around Nashville where we jump on I-40 all the way to Little Rock. Our first gas stop is just under a hundred miles and as I fill Laurelin’s tank I notice a restaurant on the hill, Loretta Lynn’s Kitchen. Dad and I ate here back on our trip. It’s a down home kind of eatery doesn’t offer any alcohol, or at least didn’t when we were there. I remember it being a really good lunch though. A few miles later we stopped for gas and encountered a couple of Black Pistons members. The Black Pistons are a support group for the Outlaws, a 1%er club, think Hell’s Angels or Banditos. Dad got into a little dust up with one of them but when it all calmed down we all got to talk it out. They’d been having some issues with some other bikers and thought we were following them, which seemed a bit of an overreaction considering both our bikes were loaded down with camping gear. I sure I’ve mentioned that story before but, like Dad, I’m prone to telling my stories more than once.
Most of the ride through Tennessee is more tree lined interstate. It’s nice riding through the trees but they hide cops really well, so does corn if you remember. I have to an eye on my speed just to ensure I’m not moving too quickly. I did not have any interactions with law enforcement today though.
The first city we come to is Jackson, Tennessee. Traffic picks up but the road widens so it still moves well. Memphis is the first major city we come to. Traffic is a bit heavier here but we quickly make it back over the Mississippi River and into Arkansas. The day is just about halfway done now. By this point though I’m starting to get sore and achy quicker now and I’m starting to make bathroom stops I normally wouldn’t make just so I can get off the bike a walk.
The landscape in Arkansas changes instantly. It’s all farmland and open fields. At lunch time I make another stop to rest for a minute and check my lunch options. There’s not much in the area or coming up that interests me, most of it is fast food. I decide to just skip lunch today, it’ll get me to Texas quicker.
Little Rock finally comes into view. Traffic is heavy but I don’t get slowed down much. I do however end up behind a Little Rock police truck so I have to maintain the speed limit. It feels like ages before he disappears and I can pick up the pace a little bit. At Little Rock we jump onto I-30 all the way to the Texas border.
After changing highways I make another bathroom stop. I don’t really need to go but that’s my excuse for stopping. I also need a fresh water as what’s left of mine has already gotten too hot. I’m down to about 150 miles left to go at this point. Another stretch and walk about and I’m on the road again. But I quickly become uncomfortable in the saddle again. It takes all I have to force myself to get at least 75 miles before stopping again. This time I decide to top off the tank. I’ve got enough gas to get to Texarkana but I don’t want to have to fill up in the morning before leaving town.
The tree lined road returns as we get close to Texarkana but the last 75 miles seems to take forever. I finally roll into camp just before 5:00pm. This will be my third time staying at this campground, and all at the same campsite. The gentleman who brings my wood to me likes to talk so we chat for a bit, which is fine, but all I really want right now is to stand still for a minute. Keyword stand.
Getting the tent up is a bit of a chore this time. Bending and squatting are not easy at this point so it takes a few extra minutes to get setup. I get Laurelin unpacked and rest for a minute at the picnic table. Dinner is at Hopkins Icehouse. It’s a nice place designed for live music and football. The outside seating is full, as is most of the bar but I find a seat. Dinner is just a pizza and I don’t get more than a few slices down. I do bring the rest back to camp just in case I want a snack later.
I know tonight’s isn’t much of a post but today was just over 500 miles. That many miles at the end of a trip will always take it’s toll. My mind and body are fried, there’s not a square inch that doesn’t ache today. Spirit is just about the only thing I’ve still got running strong. I’m now only 300 miles from home so I can hopefully get back around the time the kids get home from school.
For now it’s a fire to warm up a bit then bed. I’m ready now but don’t want to get in too early, I’ll wake too early and toss and turn until it’s time to get going. I’m hoping to lay mostly still tonight so I can at least start strong tomorrow. We’ll see what happens though.
Final post for the year tomorrow!
The Motorcycle Diaries of an Easy Rider 