Group Ride - Artist Point

Before I-540 was built the main thoroughfare into the Boston Mountains brought enough traffic to support arts & crafts, gem shops, and more on what is today known as the "scenic route" from Fayetteville to Fort Smith. The traffic has died off and the beautiful terrain remains.

Robin and I are standing at Artist's Point, the peak of one of the Boston Mountains. Our backs are to the east and the Google relief/terrain map below shows the lay of the land around us.

Artist Point is about 50 miles south of Rogers. Nine of us met at Vespa of the Ozarks at 9 AM and took 71 south to Apple Blossom Road west to meet Old Wire Road south into Fayetteville.

(click map to enlarge)

Despite a scorching mid-nineties day yesterday, today's ride began slightly overcast and it kept the temps comfortable throughout the morning.

Since we were traveling in 55 mph zones, this scooter ride was geared for engines at 150 cc's and above. The BV 250 did fine even with a second passenger. We had several stops planned for the day and the first one was the Fayetteville Farmers Market.

It was my first time at this Farmers Market and I was delighted with the diversity present. People from many walks of life filled the square with music, flowers, and organic foods.

Four fiddles, two bands, and two guitar players spaced themselves out in the crowd so as to not compete with each other. Artisans peddled their work in the shapes of clay vessels and intricate pine needle baskets. Dogs met us and each other with smiles bigger than our own. And everyone was as friendly as can be.

It seems to be what life is all about.

We noticed that even with as many vendors as there were, there were notably few tomatoes or berries for sale. I ran into a friend that explained that if you want produce you have to come very early.

It was nearly 11 AM and these folks were ready to get back to their farms to tend to what it is that makes these Saturday's possible. Even so, we were able to pick up some carrots, onions, basil, and Cherokee tomatoes.

World Peace Fountain. So, yes, this is Robin trying to topple world peace.

Several riders joined us at the Market. Many sported the Fayetteville Scooter Club sticker. The larger group headed for the next pit stop - a fellow rider's home south of Fayetteville. Harv- you and your wife are terrific hosts with a beautiful home. After some watermelon and refreshments we took to the highway headed south for the Boston Mountains.

Yes, it is. = )

More folks had joined us at Harv's and we were up to at least 14 bikes at this point. We pulled into a rest area and decided to split into two groups.

Everyone that wanted to go 55 mph was in the first group. Everyone that wanted to go a little slower and enjoy the scenery was in the second group.

The roads are hilly, curvy, wide, and well-maintained. Even though I knew Robin was nervous about it, I enrolled us in the first group. We threw the throttle back and flew out of the rest stop and up the mountain ahead. I managed to play it safe and still let the Bev flex some muscle with the other guys in the group. As Leonard pointed out, we were bragging about going the speed limit. It sure is fun, though.

Five miles north of Artist's Point, a grandma-and-pop cafe - Grandma's Ridge (formerly Bluebird Cafe), offers a lunch experience you won't find on the beaten path. FYI - they don't take plastic.

Speaking of payment, Leonard and Joe have a running joke about who is going pick up the check for group ride lunches. Joe pulled a fast one and one up'd Leonard by getting the waitress to draw up a tab for all fourteen lunches and slip it to Leonard. We all had a good laugh.

Breakfast for lunch. $5.70

After some good conversation, some of the group decided to head back and I'm glad we decided to press on. Artist Point was just a few more miles and the view was terrific. We did need to get back, so we left out before the group.

An ambulance met us and I hoped it wasn't for someone we knew. Unfortunately, it was. Joe had slipped in a gravel patch in the parking lot of the look out right after we'd left. He had broken his back a few days before and with this fall he needed to go to the hospital. Joe - we wish you a speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

It was now 3 PM and we were getting back into the city. The cloud cover had cleared and the temp had made it up to 94 F, with a heat index of 104F. This was the July day we'd been expecting. Riding through the concrete landscape added to the hot wind in our faces. We were half way home so we decided to take a break at Ozark Natural Foods. The air conditioning was wonderful. We cooled off with some drinks and started back north.

The heat must have gotten to the scooter too. We were at a stop light in Lowell and it just died. It would start, but then die. We let it cool for a few minutes and it came back to life. Next July ride we'll need to plan to be back before 1 PM or plan the activity to be indoors from 3 - 7 PM.

All in all, save Joe's accident, the trip was great. I used less than $4 in fuel and had a day of fun enjoying art, good food, good company, and beautiful scenery. It's really something to own a Vespa in the Ozarks.

I forgot to mention that we saw several scooters and motorcycles along the way that weren't with our group. As we fueled up we saw the most fuel-efficient ride of all.

That's a nice ass.