Travel Day.
Thursday 9th June, 2011
I hardly slept the night before. There seemed to have been so much to prepare. It took the whole night and kept me up into the wee hours of the morn.
Toiletries, clothes, first aid kit, GPS unit and backup paper road map, assorted emergency tools and oh yes, tire repair kit – ha ha! Lesson well learned from the West Texas Trip, courtesy of the accompanying “Honda Fury” and definitely not to be forgotten, Nikon camera gear/eqpt.
TCLOCS (bike checks) and finally a shower before bed.
At ten minutes after five on the morning of our departure, they arrived. We loaded up the “Big Red Honda” and remaining gear. At five thirty-six a.m. we pulled away from my driveway. We were six minutes behind our own set schedule!
As we approached the intersection of Park Rd. 22 and TX 361, I couldn’t help but notice how softly the dawn began to break in the early morning sky and began to kiss the earth with it’s first rays of light for the day. I insisted on us pulling up for a photo for posterity.
Tony chose the Parking lot of the American Bank on the corner and pulled in. No better time than to compliment the beginning of the trip with a Nikon Moment. Being still relatively dark at that time of day and and me being the inexperienced amateur photographer, combined with my fingers trembling with excitement, my choice of camera settings left much to be desired, but I was able to capture this “lucky shot”. A shot that takes me right back to that day in time even after all these years.

So, still with smiles on our faces and anticipation in our hearts, we finally set off – again! We were now sixteen minutes late! (Which had and would really upset Gene Jackson and we would be constantly reminded of that as we marked our milestones along the journey. – This part of my story is better told by William and I will allow him that honor at a time of his choosing).
As we crossed over the Laguna Madre, putting us onto the mainland from Padre Island, The sun began it’s ascent into the sky over the Oso Bridge. It seemed to promise that we were in for another very lovely day.

The miles rolled on and the smiles were constant. The ride was comfortable. The onboard entertainment was first-class! The driving was great ……………………

……………………….. and relaxing!
The jokes were hilarious. We were enjoying the journey. We enjoyed each other’s company. It is a blessing to have friends. We were excited. The miles rolled by.
It was mid-afternoon as we crossed the state line into Arkansas. The scenery began to change. The vast brown, open, flat expanses of the Texan interstate transitioned to lush green forest bisected by wonderfully smooth blacktop. Boy, were we anxious!
We arrived at our hotel in Benton, Arkansas just before seven o’clock in the evening – sixteen minutes late! We were finally here! Oh yes, we were ready!
Yes, like a little child, I was trembling with excitement!
Checking in and unloading some of our gear into the room, we proceeded to find a place for dinner before returning to the hotel to settle down for the night and PREPARE FOR THE NEXT DAYS’ RIDE!!!

Next - AR 1 Day 2. Discoveries.