I'll be mapping out a route this Saturday for the Mt. Nebo run C & I will be hosting at the end of the month. I'm pretty familiar with the main roads connecting Little Rock and Dardanelle, but not so much with the backroads. I've got some ideas, but if you're tired of trekking Hwy 300 or have always wanted to take a spin around Harris Brake, etc., I'd appreciate any thoughts.

 

Go however you want. This time we are just along for the ride, ha! As far as I'm concerned, the twistier the better.

 

I am so there for this ride - that is my neck of the woods. No suggestions...you always pick good routes.

 

Right there with ya Bethany. We live about 5-10 min from Mt. Nebo, and in fact were just up there Thursday night road cruising for venomous snakes I need some representatives of our native dangerous snakes for my classroom. We did manage to find one copperhead!

Anyway, when will the run be? Let us know when you decide on the final route to get there.

 

I am In on this one. Sorry I missed the Mountain View ride.

 

The run to Mt. Nebo is set for Saturday, May 31. Tentative plan is to leave Little Rock area in the a.m. in plenty of time to make it to Mt. Nebo by lunchtime, and then to eat and relax on a deck overlooking the river valley (and gorgeous Nuclear 1 or the "cloud machine" as our girls call it). There will be a stop somewhere midway, so that those farther west, who don't want to drive all the way east to Little Rock for the start, can join up. Will end after lunch, with plenty of time to shoot back home or spend the afternoon exploring the area.

Since much of the direct, "back roads" route west to Dardanelle passes through Perry County, I spent about six hours driving all over that county last Saturday trying to find new and different ways to get from Point A to Point B, including (sort of unintentionally) covering ~ 30 miles of gravel roads in my MINI. I discovered that I have become a Central Arkansas city boy, and once you leave the main state highways (7, 9, 10, 113, 154, 155, 300) much of Perry County still is covered in gravel roads, even some of the state "highways." Anyway, I think I may have found a few surprises. I'll firm up plans in time for next Tuesday's meet-and-greet at SF Bread and will post details.

They let you keep venomous snakes in the classrooms these days? Sounds like a heckuva school and, boy, I'm getting old.

 

Sounds like a great drive. At the very least, we'll meet you guys on the mountain for lunchtime. If it would be okay, for those who are interested, we could organize a hike around the bench or rim trail after lunch. There is some really gorgeous foliage at that time of year on the mountain, and of course snakes are out in abundance

As far as snakes in my classroom, I don't keep any venomous ones in there long term. I'll just occasionally bring them in for the students to see so I can show them what a real copperhead or cottonmouth looks like, rather than simply assuming any snake in the water is a cottonmouth and any snake on dry land is a copperhead. Even if I was able, I wouldn't keep anything venomous in there long term because of the risks involved.

 

I'm in for Nebo and the hike. RVExotics, you plan on teacing us anything while we're out there? Just don't let me walk into any snakes. I don't mind seeing them and even holding them, but I don't like the surprise factor with them.

 

Heh, well I couldn't exactly promise we wouldn't happen across one or two, but it's not often that it occurs. Mark and I did almost run over a timber rattlesnake there last year when we were biking around the bench trail. Mark stopped probably just a few feet short. Actually, now that I think of it, I have some pictures uploaded of that timber. They were taken by Mark as I was keeping the snake occupied - which wasn't hard considering how placid and uninclined it was to do much of anything.





For this picture, try looking near but not at the snake. See how well that pattern and color breaks up its location?


But yeah, we'll take you guys on a scientific outing if you want

 

A hike sounds great, and it's usually not too hot for hiking there at the end of May. Also, the pool on Mt Nebo will be open, is great (for a state park pool), cheap ($3 a head, last I checked) and a great place to cool off after a hike. There are also mtn bikes for rent at the ranger station, hang gliders to watch, etc.

 

that snake is gorgeous in the pics! i know we have them here, but, thankfully, i've never seen a rattler.

I might just bring my mtn bike. i need the exercise, especially cardiovascullary (sp?) only i wouldn't be able to keep up with any of you who ride more often.
the pool would be great for the kids! personally, unless you have several people playing games a pool is only good for laps.

 

You may want to check with Rick Daes who is President of our Porsche club.
He's a great guy and will probably have a suggestion.

rdaes@aristotle.net

Jim Conner

 

WOW, this one looks like a really good time. I, unfortunately, will be out of town, so I will not be attending. I'll see yas in June, at the Hop (isn't that a song?).

 

I didn't know 'yas' was in a song. hehehehe

 

AAAAHHHH, the innocence of youth!

 

AAAAHHHH, the innocence of youth!

 

"at the hop, hop, hop" see I do know that song. just raggin' ya.

 

I was just trying to make ya feel younger, ha.

HEY, EVERYBODY THERE IS A BIT OF NEWS ABOUT THIS RUN ON THE CALENDAR. CHECK IT OUT, WE NOW HAVE A MEETING PLACE. DAVE IS GOING TO SEND MORE INFO NEXT WEEK SO WATCH YOUR EMAILS FOR UPDATES. IF I DON'T HAVE YOUR EMAIL, PM ME FROM HERE.

 

I finally got route instructions and map to Jim. I'll bring plenty of copies to pass out on the day of the run, Saturday, May 31.

We'll be leaving Java Roasting Co. on Chenal at 9 a.m. (come earlier if you want to have breakfast; I'll be there ~ 8 a.m. to get all caffeinated).

There's a built-in pitstop at the Sonic Drive-In in Perryville ~ 10 a.m., and anybody who wants to join us there can.

There's another pitstop at the WalMart Supercenter in Dardanelle ~ 11:15 a.m., and anybody who just wants to meet us there for the run up Mt. Nebo and lunch can do so.

We'll hit the top of the mountain and have lunch (or at least get out on the deck and start grilling) right about noon. If any AMOK wants to just meet us on Mt. Nebo for lunch, that's cool too.

If you're not starting out at Java Roasting Co., PM me or e-mail Jim to get my cell # for directions.

There's no need for anybody to bring any drinks or food up the mountain, unless they want something particular to drink (we'll have, at minimum, sweet tea, lemonade, milk and juice) or are on a special diet (lunch will likely be hamburgers and/or hot dogs & brats from the grill, plus the fixings).

This will be a one-way event, so after the MINI run and lunch, everybody will be free ~ 1:30 or 2 p.m. to go hiking, swimming, etc., or just head back for the day. RVExotics may help us burn off some lunch by leading a hike around the Bench or Rim trail.

-david

 

Sounds excellent! Mark and I will probably meet you at Wal-Mart in Dardanelle. I don't want to miss the chance to drive at least a little way in a string of MINIs

 

I'm counting about half a dozen (give or take) for lunch on Nebo; if you know you are coming for lunch and have not already posted here, please post so that we'll be sure to have a good head count (we'll have extra though, so don't let not posting stop you from coming up the mountain with us). Just want to make sure there's plenty of home-made ice cream!

I have not seen e-mail w/ map and instructions, but I think Jim may be out of town (?) and I e-mailed the info to him very late last week, so will forward route map and instructions to other AMOK officers to preview prior to posting here myself?

 

P.S. If you are joining us later in the run (Perryville Sonic or Dardanelle WalMart) and want a heads up as we get closer or otherwise have any questions, you can PM me from NAM and I'll send you my cell phone number.

 

I have sent out the email with directions and map, sorry it was late, but I was out of town until Tues. and due to a miscommunication it was not sent out until today. Sorry for any inconvenience. If anybody didn't get it, be sure we have your correct email address on file.

Hope ya'll have a great time. Wish I was able to go.

 

Add two more to your total, David. See you on Saturday.

 

Thanks for the heads up on additions to the head count - looking forward to it! Weather has been lovely today on Mt. Nebo and Saturday looks to be a repeat.