I forgot to add the link to yesterdays picture, so if you haven't seen it yet, go back to Day Two and click the pictures link. The monument you see in the pic is where Merriweather Lewis of Lewis and Clark fame is buried.

OK...day three starts dark and rainy, so what do you think was the first thing I did?......right, rolled over and went back to sleep. Got up about an hour later to sunshine and drying pavement so I packed it all up and hit the road about 10am....just as I got around Memphis and into Arkansas, it darkened up considerably and within 10 minutes had to don the rain gear, but it never really got started. Back into my shirtsleeves and helmetless (AR and OK don't require them) I zipped through eastern Arkansas on the Interstate. What a waste of space this part of the state is!

Just as I got to Little Rock, AR, it opened up on me, but the rain gear held up well, and only my beard got wet. This is where I got off the Interstate and found a little scenic route, Hwy 10, that runs from Little Rock to Ft. Smith through a dozen little 'burgs that proudly boast populations in the triple digits. Within about 10 miles it cleared up again and never rained on me again for the rest of the day....after all the threatening weather, I lucked out and most of it passed over me in Memphis overnight.

Turns out Hwy 10 is a really nice ride...two lane blacktop through towns marked usually by a lower speed limit to 40mph and a few stray dogs snoozing on the road. Seems the major pastime around these parts is rocking on the front porch and watching life go by. Waved at 'em all if they waved first. Throughout the first half of this road, it was dark and overcast, and very comfortable temperatures. An ideal ride as the sun was covered and everything had a fresh smell to it....well- all except the "road-kill du jour" which was a tie between Armadillo and racoon.

Funny thing, though....throughout the entire state of Arkansas, I saw only two motorcycles, well, mopeds actually. I wouldn't have thought that being on such a great biking road. The last half of the ride, became very sunny and warmer...clear skies and nearly no traffic. Still very pleasant, but after starting the day worried about getting soaked, I was getting sunburned! After riding the entire day through Arkansas, there is one picture that about sums up my feelings about Slick Willies home state:

Once Hwy 10 runs out near Ft. Smith, I skirt around it and head into Oklahoma, grateful I didn't have to spend the night in Arkansas. I ended up in a town called Salisaw near Interstate 40. From here, I head up into Cherokee Indian territory for two days of easy travel and sightseeing before I get to Tulsa on Friday.

I am getting your emails..thanks... I am not in a town with free local access, so I can only upload these files and get your emails for now...will answer them tomorrow. Later!