Ozarks foothills

[GSTom]

This is my first post to the forum, xo its kind of a test. Saturday was a gorgeous day here in the extreme SW corner of Missouri. I went looking for fall colors, saw a few, but the trees are just beginning to turn. Took this photo from a hillside public road that you have to cross cattle guards to use. Ah the pleasure of owning a GS!!:)

[The_Veg]

Nice picture Tom! Although my K-RT haas crossed few cattle guards in it's time too...

[kbasa]

Outstanding picture.

More! More! :clap

[GSTom]

Last Friday I had a client meeting near the Arkansas Line that lasted til noon. I had no desire to go back to the office, so I played hookey and tried some new roads and some familiar friends. It was overcast, but pleasant. Took some pics of some local sights.
This first one is north of Noel, Missouri on Hwy 59. Falling rocks takes on a new dimension here.

[GSTom]

This is an interesting rock bluff in Noel, MO

[GSTom]

here is the photo

[GSTom]

here is the monument at the point where Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma meet

[GSTom]

view from north side of monument

[GSTom]

Here is the low water crossing and remains of the old mill dam on Big Sugar Creek at Cyclone, Missouri. I was here in the Spring, but chose not to make the crossing as there was about 8 inches of water flowing across the road. This time I crossed and found some delightful dirt roads. There are some very reclusive people down here so one must respect there right to privacy, so I stayed on the main roads.

[GSTom]

here are the turbines from the Cyclone Mill

[GSTom]

this is just a shot of one of the backroads I was on. I could ride all day on these:) Had a great day. We are still waiting for full fall colors here (10/15), but they are just around the corner I'm sure.

[Rob Nye]

Very nice.

I have not really had a chance to enjoy any foliage in New England so I am going to try for a long weekend in the Southeast. You pictures are getting me motivated...

Thanks for posting them.

Best,

[kbasa]

Tom,

You've shown me parts of Missouri I would have never expected. Those were terrific!

Do you have lots of dirt to ride there?

[lorazepam]

Great Shots!! You are letting out some great secrets about your state. I used to come to missouri to fish, and I think I will have to get back for the riding. Very nice people and beautiful scenery. thanks again for sharing.

[Cliffy777]

Great pics. One of my favorite riding memories is going through Missouri (though not on dirt roads). I love the Ozarks and the way the highway is cut through them.
I spent a night sleeping on a picnic table near the Western border because it was summer time and every motel, hotel and campground was full. When the weather is good, make reservations in the Ozarks!
I also love some of the wine from Missouri. And the people are great. Other than that, I can't stand the place!
Thanks for sparking those pleasant thoughts with your fine photos.

[The_Veg]

Very nice pics! But where is Cyclone? It isn't in my atlas...

[1flyer]

Cyclone, Missouri: N36 35.372 W94 16.122

[GSTom]

Cyclone is about 9 miles east of Pineville, Mo (extreme SW corner of the state) on a paved county road which meanders up the Big Sugar Creek valley, a very pretty ride. Big Sugar is a popular canoe strem and there are several campgrounds along the valley. At Cyclone, you cross the low water bridge and the pavement ends and the GS fun begins. You can follow the Big Sugar valley for several miles of dirt roads all the way into Northern Arkansas.
Many bald eagles roost here in this valley in the spring.

Thanks for all the positive responses to my post. Tom

[kbasa]

Originally posted by GS Tom
Thanks for all the positive responses to my post. Tom

Thanks for putting them up, Tom.

One of our hopes when we put the Ride Reports forum up was that folks would put up pictures of rallies they'd been to, trips they'd been on and little rides in their neck of the woods.

Those kind of things can be the spark that gets you to break out of your usual summer rally routine and explore someplace new.

[Rich]

Great pictures, Tom. It makes me want to leave this winter wonder land and head your way. We have 4 inches of snow on the ground right now, and 8 degrees as I write this. :cry

[ian408]

Tom,

Nice way to play hookey and thanks for sharing the pictures!

Ian

[JULIE]

Dear GS Tom, Have you made it east on 90 from Jane? A thrilling road, nothing but blind, off camber curves with no road paint or signs. Also, love catching the ferry across Bullshoals and going 70mph or so on 125, works best if you blow past the 4 wheelers. Do you know if Pierce City ever recovered/rebuilt from last years twister? And whats the update on Tom Aley's endangered cave snails outside of Protem? Do you know if Mystic Caverns has reopened? You sure do live in the best part of Misery...Uh...I mean Missouri. Great roads ( if you bypass Branson)and just a skip away from Arkansas, where there are even more great roads. Miss the roads but not the neighborhood, Julie

[GSTom]

Julie, you know the area.
Yes I ride Highway 90 as often as I can from Southwest City to Washburn. It can be a wild ride as one GS rider (who shall remain anonymous) from Colorado learned this summer. After keeping up with a local rider on a KLR 650 Kaw on 90, said GS rider got off and hurled after making himself carsick on the curves. Of course it could have been the adult beverages the night before :p .

Pierce City is making a comeback after the May 4 tornado.
My oldest daughter and son-in-law, who live in Carl Junction lost their house, surviving by taking shelter in the closet which was the only thing left of their home.
I am attaching a photo of downtown Pierce City I took after they had cleaned up the debris. Three stores were all that was left.
I have a new appreciation for tornado warnings!!!

[JULIE]

Oh, that photo hurts! Peirce City was a an unassuming and friendly little town. I sure feel bad for all those people. I knew they were hit hard but I didn't know the whole town would be demolished. Glad to hear your family survived.