Stage 9 Report: Ouachita Mountain Meander

Sunday, June 4, 2017
Ouachita Mountain Meander
Start: Hot Springs, AR
Finish: Booneville, AR
Bike Mileage: 55.0mi
Cumulative Bike Mileage: 850.3 miles

What a day! Awoke in Hot Springs with cloud smoke steaming off in the morning cool crisp air, Mike and I pounded away some delicious pancakes at The Pancake Shop, a classic breakfast stop on the main drag; tasty, I enjoyed their blueberry Buckwheat pancakes, with childhood memories prancing through my mind, and thoughts of my son Jonah’s delicious homemade waffles and pancakes (but these Buckwheats were damn good!, tasty and nourishing protein and carbs for today’s afternoon ride.

But first, a massage and soak at the Quapaw Bathhouse (www.Quapawbaths.com), the only remaining operating “spa” like bathhouse along Bathhouse Row; these are beautiful buildings buttressing the mountain spring behind them; most now converted to other usage, but originally fantastic destinations in their prime years of the 1920-1960s, Quapaw was renovated and is now a real gem. Clean, bright, healthy vibrations. We checked in at the front desk, were whisked away to the changing room, and 5min later were upstairs getting massages. I went for the deep tissue variety, as usual, as Alan, my master masseuse, over the next hour, tore at my tight scapula back areas, IT thigh bands, calves, neck, and a muscular knot in my lower right anterior chest. He was a Massage Zen master. We enjoyed chatting about the bike ride and some of his adventures through life; kindrid spirits for living adventurously. I should have taken two hours to continue the body repair process. Mike said he felt great after a Swedish massage with Zachary. After that we headed to the baths; a series of four swimming pools with varying temperatures ranging from about 95 to 104 degrees to further gelatinize sore muscles. Hot jets from below and flowing waters from above made for a perfect tenderizing process. I was the Bikeoo Budha in my water element – truly my first love for sport is through water, being a long distance swimmer these past many years. I think, personally, that swimming is the best exercise for the aging sinew and integument. Non weight-bearing, easy on the joints, relaxing, invigorating total body workout. Aging swimmers are fit, have healthy hearts, and I’ve never met one who does not appear to also be at peace with a relaxed mind and kind heart. But today was for soaking not swimming. After 45 min in the baths, departing after a cooling in the lowest temp bath (just as the ancients did) we showered up, had lunch, then drove a few miles up the road to begin the afternoon (shorter mileage) stage ride from Hot Springs Village (at turn off for Jessieville HS) along Scenic Rt7 Byway.

The Ouachita Mountain range awaited us. Morning rain in Hot Springs relinquished to sultry sunny skies. No sooner than a few minutes from the start, with doughy muscles in tow, Butter and Jelly (I mean, Mike and I) started our initial ascent of the Ouachita Mountains (pr: Wash-it-ough with an accent on both wash and ough). This southernmost mountain range, just below the Ozarks, will be the last we see of significant mountains before we reach the Rockies and so I reveled in the challenging climbs and harrowing descents. The name originated from Indian words, of course, meaning either “Large Buffalo” or “Big Hunt,” while Ouachita is the French version of the name meaning ‘Good Hunting Grounds.”

I laughed meandering up the mountain climbs, and then accelerating on the descents, only to be able to do it again and again. I was in my element as I “swam” through the range, feeling more like a fish streaming through the ocean then a heavy heaving buffalo. Heart and lungs were strong and at peace. Muscles rebalanced. This was a fine afternoon. Bergman (name meaning “mountain man”) was at one with nature in my Zen Zone once again by the fourth of fifth of seven major climbs. Nature was quiet, only birds and squirrels seen, and gurgling streams and rivers, in this steep-hilled National Forest passageway, the last Southerly gateway to the western plains. “Good Hunting Grounds,” indeed, for a cyclist with a craving for Buckwheat pancakes and scrambled Ouachita.

Sad to see it end I turned my cycle around one last time to view the Ouachitas, thanked the clouds for their rain, thanked the streams for their pleasant flow, and for the happiness I felt as a cyclist amidst “Good Hunting Grounds” indeed, we continued westward along Rt7 through Nimrod Lake to Ola; interesting road sign stating the path out of Ola as a “Nuclear One Evacuation Route" (?), made friends with a perched hawk curiously studying my every pedal stroke, and gave a chesty cathartic scream as we passed the Yell County Courthouse. Not much else going on in town, the road continued to Danville, the scenery opened to a large valley with grazing cattle, horses, and our always curious cow friends (so much fun speaking with cows and so many coat colors to enjoy!). Every one unique and every one with a different set of “earrings.” “Good Afternoon” cows, I yelped, and they would turn and stare intently, wag their tales, and study our moves as if we were stars and they were all paparazzi. Who was observing whom? I don’t mind, fish bowl and all, we kept swimming westward regardless along Rt10, crossing the Petit Jean River through a beautiful valley ride separating the Ouachita National Forest to the south and the Ozarks to the north. Due to waning sunlight, we decided to call it a day and halted the day’s eventful ride at Havana, AR (population 375, far more cows than people!) adjacent to Mt Magazine. Happy Api was waiting for us along the roadside. We squeezed the bikes into the van (always a fun process moving luggage around to make room) and drove a short distance to the Countryside Inn (clean, comfortable quiet place) in Booneville, AR adjacent to a WalMart. We were greeted by two little pup dogs, very sweet and friendly, as I gathered them up in my arms. Soft, gentle, baby teeth nibbling on my chin; I amazed these sweet little ones will likely be chasing future cross country cyclists at this very spot in just a few years later. But this evening, these pups satisfied a bit of homesickness for family and our dog, Violet (who has proudly hiked over 300 miles of the Appalachian Trail with the family). Shower and change, usual drudgery at day’s end, then scarfed a delicious salad bar and spaghetti and meatball dinner at Pizza Italia. Yummy tummy, bedtime. Long stretch planned for tomorrow. Ouachita Mountain Meander was behind us now, off in the distance. We are now Rocky Mountains Ready. But plenty to still enjoy before the climbs begin anew out west.

Bikeoo

Body and Bike as One

Ouachita Mountain laughing

Hello! my Cow friends

Indexes

Weather: (8)
Would have been more perfect if we had no rain since it precludes some of the excitement of a rapid descent on slick roads with sufficient braking power needs

Terrain: (9)
I love mountain climbs and descents. Also enjoyed valley ride. Nice mix.

Scenic: (8.5)
Sorry, got to leave some breathing room for the Rockies; enjoyed conversation with curious cows

Wildlife and Roadkill:
W-snakes, turtles, songbirds, wading birds, rabbits, bounding deer in grassland, hawks
R-armadillo, turtles, skunk, raccoon

Endurance: (10)
Legs strong in the mountains. Lots of laughter. Zen high once again!

Bike Report:
D-no issues
M-no issues

Medical Report:
D-confidential
M-no issues (so he says)

Still Having Fun: (10)
Hot Springs Massage and Soak, Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes, Mountain climbs and descents, wind in your face, welcoming cows, come on?! This is a great life!!! I might just continue on the journey a little longer…

Photos

Syrup soaked Blueberry Buckwheat Pancakes. Good mornin'!

The Babe and DiMaggio! This Yankee fan is happy!

Ready for my massage. Tough life!

Bikeoo Budha

Quapaw Bathhouse; you've got to go here if ever in Hot Springs, AR!

Wished for safe passage to San Francisco and... to be Big, of course!

Lunch in Hot Springs, AR at BubbaLu's. Tasty. Thumbs up!

Video - start of climbs in Ouachita Mountains.

Through Ouachita

Downhills were awesome too!

Exiting Ouachita, valley below

My rear view through the Ouchita

Reassuring? Just past Ola, AR

Eye-to-Eye with Hawk. We had a nice moment

David, the shepherd, with his flock. They were b-eee-gging to have their photo taken! Liked licking the salt off my sweaty hands. Didn't like Rice Crispies.