Sometime in November 2020 we made a trek South in our
motorhome again for warmer weather.
We meandered our way South ever so slowly on 2 lane roads that were very scenic
but easy enough for our motorhome to travel down. We had no planned route or timeline
for our travels----------as usual.

 

We made it to a tiny campground I knew of in Mammoth Springs, Arkansas.
She was closing the campground for the winter but let us stay---the river you see is the water
coming out of the spring--it's a huge spring.

 

 

 

 

Here is the spring--one of the largest in the world according to google-----flowing over
9 million gallons of water every day. Ive been here many times---but my wife Debi hadn't
and I've been trying to take Debi to most of the beautiful places I've been.
She was strapped at home for years being care giver to her parents.

 

 

The water from the spring forms a small lake. The dam use to produce electricity,
On the right is the old powerhouse.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had the best time here going for several walks as you can hike all the way around the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A couple days later we camped on Nimrod Lake in Arkansas.
It's a corps of Engineers Campgound and is cheap for us old folks.
I think $12 got us a really nice campsite with electricity and water with an on site shower house and bathroom.
We awaited for our good friends to show up-----Scott (High Five) and Sheri Williams from Oklahoma.
So I fired up my Honda CB500X and me and Debi went for an awesome ride.
Debi doesn't ride much anymore but felt up to the ride.

First we rode up to the top of Mt. Nebo. Seems like I've climbed up every mountain in the U.S but
this one is different. It climbs very very fast with no long straights between 180° turns.
I don't think I've been up here before---I would have remembered those awesome switchbacks.
There's a nice campground up here----No way we could bring out motorhome and trailer up
here---it would have never made those switchbacks---what a hoot on the bike.

 

 

And then it was up to the top of Mount Magazine

 

 

 

 

Back at camp.

 

 

Having trouble getting your fire going--------try a leaf blower.

 

 

Didi is always wanting to play.

 

 

 

 

I went on another ride by myself on the 500 the next day.
Found some neat bridges and roads I'd never been on.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A short video--------select HD

 

Back at camp---Scott and Sheri had arrived and Scott started setting up his kitchen.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We had so much fun here camping--sitting around the fire and talking about all the good
times we've had together --------and talked about future rides.
Me and Scott had finished a ride on our 701's not long ago on our Husky 701's in South Dakota.

 

Me and Scott had both brough our 701 Husqvarnas and planned to do a lot of riding in the Mountains.
Scott got to ride.

 

 

 

But....................I didn't !!!!!!!!!!
Waiting on Scott to arrive I had been riding my mountain bicycle a lot--every chance I got.
Some great dirt trails here that were off limits to my motorcycle----that's why I got it.
But...........I manage to slit myself pretty darn deep when a sticker bush got up between 2 of my fingers.
It literally ripped up thru there------and it needed a stitch-----------no, it needed about 6 stitches.
When I got back to our camper blood was running down my elbow.
Pandemic-------I ain't going to the doctor---- so what did I do you ask ??? Super Glued it !!!!

 

I couldn't put a glove on for about 10 days----it would have healed much faster if I had gotten it stitched up.
So I was demoted to photographer and eating Debi and High Fives good cooking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lake Nimrod near Plainview, Arkansas

 

 

 

 

 

A few days later we Moved down to Belton Lake in Texas---Boondocking here and there on the way
in our Motorhome. Another nice corps of engineers campground--------cheap for us old folks----1/2 price.
You couldn't find a nicer campground----we've camped here before as it's in close proximity to where our
son lives in Austin. And he comes to visit and brings his mountain bike.
Mountain bike trails we rode below.

 

 

 

 

These hiking and mountain biking trails below the Belton lake dam are truly awesome !!!
A year before I had tried to ride them but a sign told me bicycles weren't allowed.
They changed their policy and we rode "ALL" the trails here this trip.

 

 

 

Single track at it's best.
Marty was on his Specialized hard tail hybrid pedal bicycle.

 

 

This is where the water shoots out from under the dam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This spot has a story----I was afraid to ride across it-----and afraid to walk my bike across it too.
I don't have good balance anymore. Marty walked his bike across and walked mine too.
The next day he just blitzed across this thing------I was astounded what he did.
He is such a good rider.
I honestly think I could have ridden my full suspension Haibike electric bike across it.
But knew if I screwed up-----the consequences would not be good.

 

 

See the trail below going left and right ??? We rode that first.
On the way back we (Marty) decided we could take a short cut if he carried our bikes
up this 10ft. rock ledge.

 

 

 

Marty is so strong --------but the back wheel hit that bush on the right and he almost
lost the bike-------plainly shows in the video. It was scary.

 

 

I let Marty ride my E-bike all the way back to the campground-----he loves that thing.

 

 

This is at the very start of the trails and is so cool.

 

 

 

 

So------the next day I decided we should all hike the same trails we did on the bikes as a family.
What an enjoyable day. Didi was happy to get out of the house too!!!
Debi is an extremely good hiker---not so much in doing a really long hike, but she is so well
balanced-----------------me, not so much.

 

 

We found a new trail hiking that we hadn't ridden on the bicycles.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Well come on ole' Man------------you skeert ??????

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She's on top of that 10ft. cliff Marty carried my bike up.

 

 

 

I'm betting there are 40 miles of trails out there.
Driving across the dam in you car you have no idea these trails are down here.

 

 

 

Cool mural near the dam.

 

 

 

 

A short Video------select HD if you have the speed.

So after camping, hiking and spending a few days at Belton Lake campground we move
On to Kerrville, Texas.

Click Here for the next part.