Saturday 03-11-2006
Started my Hot Springs trip at 8 AM and headed up through Liberty to Woodville. Went up Hwy 69 to Hwy 147 and crossed over the Sam Rayburn Reservoir. Over to Hwy 103 to Hwy 21 and crossed over the Sabine river and in to Louisiana. The ride in East Texas was great! With very little traffic.
I headed up the scenic byway Hwy 191 (Very Nice).
Stop for lunch and gas in Zwolle Louisiana. This town was very industrial (Lumber). I ate at Rebecca’s (It was fair).
Continued on up Hwy 171 in to Shreveport Louisiana. Check in at the Courtyard Marriott got cleaned up and took a break.
After my break we went to the Horseshoe Casino and played the slots (Won $50.00) and had dinner. Got back to the my hotel around 10:30 PM and crashed for the night.
Sunday 03-12-2006
Started my day at 9:00 AM, breakfast at the hotel and headed out around 10:00 AM. Got out of Shreveport Louisiana rode up Hwy 3 to Benton Louisiana turned on Hwy 162 and many of great riding roads through Cotton Valley Louisiana, Haynesville Louisiana, and to El Dorado Arkansas. We got lunch and gas at El Dorado Arkansas and ate at Sonic (Not many choice).
I heard and read a lot of good thing about the scene byway Hwy 7, but when I got on Hwy 7 from El Dorado Arkansas, I was disappointed. It was a 4 lane hwy and did not seem very special until I got to Camden Arkansas. From then on the road and the view was great. If I have known that ahead of time I would hop on Hwy 7 after Camden Arkansas. We arrived in Hot Springs Arkansas around 5:00 PM and checked in the Embassy Suite Hotel (Great hotel with free cook to order breakfasts).
After checking in at the hotel we rode downtown and went up to the Mountain Tower. The tower is 21 stories on top Hot Springs Mountain. Great view with a great sunset.
Got back to the hotel around 8:00 PM got cleaned up and had dinner at the hotel and called it a night.
Monday 03-13-2006
Started My morning at 8:00 AM, Breakfast at the Hotel.
I headed towards the west part of town and checked out the Mid-America Science Museum (it was pretty good, but not a must see). After learning some science I hop on Hwy 270 and headed west, Near Crystal Springs I found Brady Mountain road which led to Brady Mountain resort. Very nice riding road in this area. Also I stop for lunch at Brady Mountain resort Restaurant (great food and a great view from the patio).
I found my way back in to Hot Springs and then headed north on Hwy 7 up to Hot Spring Village and loop back around on Hwy 227. Then on to Black Snake Rd (This road goes over West Mountain and back to Hot Springs, Nice!). I wonder around downtown Hot Spring on foot and checked out some of the Bath houses and the shops.
Got back to the hotel around 7:00 PM got cleaned up and ate dinner at the hotel and rested for the night.
Tuesday 03-14-2006
Started My morning at 9:00 AM, Breakfast at the Hotel.
After breakfast we headed back down Hwy 70 to Shreveport Louisiana. The road were nice after getting out of Hot Springs. We went through Murfreesboro Arkansas, Hope Arkansas, Lewisville Arkansas, Plain Dealing Louisiana, Benton Louisiana, and arrived at Shreveport Louisiana around 5:00 PM. Checked in at the Fairfield Marriott. Cleaned up and took a nap.
After my hour nap we headed out to Boom Town Casino. I won $300.00 on the slots and had dinner there at the casino. Got back to the hotel around 11:00 PM
Wednesday 03-15-2006
Started My morning at 10:00 AM had breakfast Ihop and said my good byes and head to Houston Texas around noon. I rode South on Hwy 169 to Logansport Louisiana. I cross over to Texas on Hwy 84, found FM 139 and rode south along the Sabine river. FM 139 and FM 3172 are a great ride! You should not continue pass Huxley Texas, the road becomes very ruff and partially paved. Next time I will stay on FM 139 or cut back to FM 139 by FM 2694 in Huxley Texas. I found Hwy 87, turned right on FM 353 (Nice road) to San Augustine Texas. I continued on down Hwy 147 and stop for gas and lunch (Sue’s Diner - Good burger) in Zavalla Texas. After lunch I head down Hwy 69 to Woodville Texas. Turn at Hwy 190 and kept going all the way to Hwy 59. At this point it was getting colder (I stop to put my Liner in my jacket) and I wanted to get home to a hot shower. I continued on Hwy 59 and arrived home around 6:30 PM
Last Words
This was a great ride! I only wish I had a few more days to ride around Hot Springs Arkansas and or even head further North on Hwy 7 and back around to Oklahoma, then back down towards Texas.
Would I go back to Hot Springs Arkansas? Yep, anytime!
Photos • Maps • Turn Sheets
