Bagdad to Eureka Springs 10 Day Trip

[TonkaDriver]

I got a call from a friend over in Nashville that I had not seen in more than 25 years so I figured I am already 1200 miles from home and in no hurry to get home so off I went to Nashville for dinner. 466 miles and I was there by 3:00.







A little thin on photos but I was pushing to get there. Had a great dinner and I was headed west by 6:30 am. The next two photos are the only ones I took until I was back in AZ. Cherokee Trading Post in Reno, OK and the storm that held me up for about an hour in Amarillo, TX





Finish it off with the next post or two.

Kurt

[TonkaDriver]

My side trip to Nashville added a day to my trip and except a for the stop at DK it was Interstate until I exited in Winslow and took AZ-87 to US-260 to I-17 This route basically cuts a diagonal from I-40 to I-17 and is way more fun than interstate highway riding. It was brought to my attention that if the only experience a person has with riding in any particular state it the interstate it may give that person a misconception of what is really there to discover. Even a pretty as I-70 through Colorado and Utah are it's like you are seeing in Black and white until you get on the two lane backroads. That said I thought I would show off the little bit of my state that was seen on my last day out.

The first three photos are just off I-40 in Winslow. It is a Hotel named La Posada. Winslow was the headquarters of the Santa Fe railroad and La Posada was a Harvey House witch were stopovers for rail travelers. John Wayne stayed here several times while filming in the area.







This next photo is of the landscape you see around Winslow. This is on AZ-87 on the way south.



The headwind was so strong that with my cruise set at 65 this was my fuel mileage.



About 20 miles south you start seeing trees.





And more trees.



Arizona has the largest contiguous stand of Ponderosa Pine forest in the world.





Sweepers aplenty.



More in next post.

[DK Custom Products]

My side trip to Nashville added a day to my trip and except a for the stop at DK it was Interstate until I exited in Winslow and took AZ-87 to US-260 to I-17 This route basically cuts a diagonal from I-40 to I-17 and is way more fun than interstate highway riding. It was brought to my attention that if the only experience a person has with riding in any particular state it the interstate it may give that person a misconception of what is really there to discover. Even a pretty as I-70 through Colorado and Utah are it's like you are seeing in Black and white until you get on the two lane backroads. That said I thought I would show off the little bit of my state that was seen on my last day out.

The first three photos are just off I-40 in Winslow. It is a Hotel named La Posada. Winslow was the headquarters of the Santa Fe railroad and La Posada was a Harvey House witch were stopovers for rail travelers. John Wayne stayed here several times while filming in the area.







This next photo is of the landscape you see around Winslow. This is on AZ-87 on the way south.



The headwind was so strong that with my cruise set at 65 this was my fuel mileage.



About 20 miles south you start seeing trees.





And more trees.



Arizona has the largest contiguous stand of Ponderosa Pine forest in the world.





Sweepers aplenty.



More in next post.

I resemble that remark bolded above.

Thanks for posting these photo's. We'll definitely be spending some time exploring AZ, especially since one of my brothers is moving there next month.

VERY different than the interstate desert we've ridden thru while going east-west.

Kevin

[FuzzyWuzHe]

I've done two vacations in Winslow ... very kewl area ... I really like the crater west of there ... way kewl.

Of course ... there's alway ... standing on the corner in Winslow Arizona ...

Crater:



I'm pretty sure the painted desert and petrified forest are near there too ... but ... my memory isn't what it used to be ... LOL

Petrified Forest:



Painted Desert:



Just to wet yer whistle ...

[TonkaDriver]

The final 10 pictures are roads I ride on a regular basis. They are so much fun with the elevation changes and the twisties that turn to sweepers that turn to twisties and the views are spectacular.

About 10 miles after turning west on US-260 The landscape turns to juniper and spruce covered grass lands



Then you get about 15 miles of 6% downhill into the Verde Valley





After an eight mile 6% climb out of Camp Verde

this is from AZ-169 between I-17 and AZ-69 in Dewey





Headed west out of Prescott towards home. 62 miles of fun road.











It was a great trip. Everything was as advertised. I met some great people Robert and Diane (Radismukes), John and Judy (JohnnyB) and Mike (Wehrme) in Eureka Springs. The whole gang at DK Custom Products. I found out that my rain gear stops the rain from happening and I will only be rained on if I am not wearing it. Total Miles = 4381. Can't wait till next year.

Kurt