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[Deep Blue Dives]

Usually on the Memorial weekend when the ex has the kids, the little lady and I take off to the Hill Country in Texas.  It is usually extremely hot, but we find some great bbq and great rides that we haven't done before......

This year, most of our friends had prior engagements, so we were trying to figure out what to do.......all along comes an announcement that Warren Haynes was firing up the Mule again......quick check of the website proved to piss me off....I am taking my High School Scuba Club to Cozumel when ROT is happening in Austin, and that is the closest the Mule would be to us other than....Little Rock.

Now coming down off of Jazzfest in New Orleans a couple of weeks ago, I wasn't up for 3 days locked in one place.  So I had one of my fellow teachers cover my last couple classes on Friday, and off to Riverfest in Little Rock did we go....just me, my girl, and my new bike/girl Cali.

It's was the first long haul that both of us had to go out on the new machine, and boy did Cali provide.  We shot up to Little rock with plenty of time to clean up and hit the fest.  We caught the Mule, and finished the night off with Staind.  Different ends of the music spectrum, but that is what my IPOD has....everything from Classical to Thrashing heavy stuff. 

The rest of the weekend turned into a ride through the mid western Oauchita Mountains, and some great new friends made all along the way.....so the story begins.....

[Deep Blue Dives]

So at the festival I spot a rider wearing a cut that was surely local, but one that I had to ask some questions about.  A short conversation turned into a "call me in the morning, and I will tell you some places to ride".  I introduce JJ, not a hardcore MC biker, but his cut turned out to be a political group in Arkansas that helped promote bikers rights..

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So I called JJ in the morning, asking for a clarification of directions that he shared while I was apparently under the influence of some sparkling beverages.

JJ said, drive 45 minutes West, and he would meet us and show us some sites.  Just call when we were close.  Well my POS T-mobile didn't work, and we drove into the next town and found a land line.  JJ said not to worry, I'll be there in 10.

Sure enough he roll in, and waves us on to follow.  JJ spent close to 3/4 of his day taking us through several of the mounts in the area.  What a great day it had been.

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At the top of the Mount.....my little lady Tisha

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My shirt has it correct!

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ok one of the scenery....

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Now JJ wasn't one to allow a lot of pictures, there was riding time burning.....we stopped at several more lookouts, hit a Antique Car Museum.....then descended off towards Mount Nebo......a cool little ride to the top of this mount with some nice switchbacks.....we don't' have those in Tejas!!!!!!

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At the entrance to the Park

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Not a long run....but we covered 2300' in elevation in a very short distance.....

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Spaced reserved for some video once I get with technology and have a Utube account.....here's a place holder...the set list of the MULE.....

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After this mount we hit an antique What A Burger - not the chain, but a local establishment......it was now 3ish in the afternoon, and JJ parted ways after he finally agreed to let us buy him his lunch.  Off to Mount Magazine, the tallest Mount in Arkansas.....this is where our shelter was for night two.......

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The lodge......

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Watch out for the local friends.....

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When you start at sea level - this is good enough to have things cool down.....