2008 FALL BASH MOVED TO EUREKA SPRINGS, ARKANSAS- Join us!!

[duckdave]

Let me know if you are planning to attend the Fall Bash in Arkansas ASAP. Email me at wdwessinger{replacing this part with appropriate symbol}mac.com your plans ASAP. PM, if you'd rather. Read below the reason why if you want.

Our motel failed hold all the rooms we requested, and right now they report only 4 of our group has reserved rooms: duckdave, mad1150, Ride2Red, and Ves. The motel management has undergone some changes and they seem confused, so this information may be incorrect. If you think you have reservations, but are not on the above list, I'd like to know about it.

If we need just a few more rooms, everything might be OK. If the numbers are like last year, we will have a problem. Rooms are scarce in Ozark.

Let me know if you plan to attend. Let's not drag this thread out too long---contact me directly and I'll post an updated list of planned attendees here. If we need to move the base motel, we will most likely go up to Eureka Springs---the riding out from there is as good as (prolly better) as the rides from Ozark, the town is outstanding, and there are a couple of nice 50+ room-motels in our price category there that still have rooms and are willing to hold some for us until Oct 01.

Of course, if you have suggestions, comments, or advise, don't be shy. (ala MikeCam: these, of course, are likely to be summarily ignored by the management; however, mgmt. reserves the right to accept credit for any good ideas presented here as my own.)

[OU812]

Well I am sorry to say Steve (My old riding buddy) and I are not attending. His son is in a hospital in Lexington KY and decided to join him for the ride down so he can visit with his son for a few hours. I guess we will take a ride to TN or GA. I am sorry but Steve would do it for me.
(The other) Steve

[Boxer]

I was hoping to attend Dave. I can't get any response from anyone about sharing a room cost. Now it appears there are greater concerns for rooms at all.
I hate to see this turn into a "bust" for you, since you have worked so hard to get it organized.

I still have plans to come that way on that weekend...and I can camp if I need to, but I need to know so I can bring my insect repellant. I'd rather camp in a nice motel room, but for the expense of it, I'll need to share a room.

[sjbmw]

My kid plays ice hockey. My life is suspended until March.

[jb44]

Ozark Motel has no vacancies for the October dates as of 9-11-08

jb

[hawkdad]

I would love to attend and meet all ya'll ... but this year I won't be able to.... next year FOR SURE!!!....

I've still got one kid in his last year in HS.... can't leave him alone for a weekend.... (that's just begging for trouble... since he'd only do what I did back then...)

So... next summer and fall... going to be attending all the rides I can...

See all ya'll then!!

[duckdave]

THE LIST (as of 9/12/08, the following are expected to the Arkansas Bash/Fall Roadster Ride)
Ride2Red
Priapismic
Boxer
mad1150
Vicki
duckdave (me)
Ves
Sandy
jb44
Dan
Dan's friend

(representing 6 rooms)

There are 5–6 maybes.
Update, Sunday September 14: The RR Bash has moved to Eureka Springs!!! see post below for information on contacting Carolyn's Ozark Swiss Inn. And let me know so I can keep the LIST current.

Do you want to be included???
ASAP Email your plans to me at wdwessinger{replacing this part with appropriate symbol}mac.com, or PM if you'd rather, to be added to THE LIST.

The above was updated 9/14 about 2:30 pm CT.

[Ves]

Dave, you know the area, so wife and I are on board with what you think is best. We're getting there Thursday night, so I'd like the motel to be half way decent (worth staying at for four nights). Given a choice between more in-town vs. out-of-town, I vote out of town.

[duckdave]

The List, 2 posts up, was updated today. No real change.

Time to get on board to be part of the Inn Crowd, but there will be several options.

Stay Tuned…

[duckdave]

The List has not changed in the last 24 hr. We will be posting about the relocation of the Fall Bash (Gypsy Bash, Roadster Ride, etc.) to Eureka Springs tomorrow.

[duckdave]

2008 FALL BASH HAS MOVED LOCATION TO EUREKA SPRINGS

We are moving from Ozark to Eureka Springs. Many factors contributed to this decision, including problems with the Ozark Motel due to their sale to others since we first started talking with them.

Our new location for the Fall Bash (Roadster Ride, mini-Bash, GypsyRR Bash, etc.) is:
Carolyn's Ozark Swiss Inn <http://www.carolynsozarkswissinn.com/>

Call 1-800-833-8450 (or 1-866-285-0953), talk to Debbie and get your reservations changed over. Tell them you are with Dave's BMW group. They have plenty of rooms available right now, Double rooms (2 double beds or 2 queen beds) are running $47.

We will have to make a few changes in our itinerary which was basically: Ride, Ride, Ride, Eat, Ride, Sleep…. With so many more options of places to eat, our new agenda will look something like this: Ride, Eat, Ride, Ride, Eat, Ride, Sleep…. So get your reservations set, OK. Any problems, let me know.

-duckdave

[duckdave]

Things to do in and around Eureka Springs.
Berryville---About 13 miles from Eureka. Berryville appears to be a sort of gun mecca. I did not know about this until a feature article in our local paper this morning. I though some folks might be interested in the following:

The Saunders Museum "One of the finest gun collections in the country…notable for its collection of Colt and Smith & Wesson handguns."

Caywood Gunmakers "makers of high-end flintlock rifles and shotguns…replicas of 1700 and 1800s are beautiful to behold and superbly accurate…Davy Crockett rifle replica recently sold for $26K…Another owned by Pres. Bush"

Nighthawk Custom "specializing in the American icon, the classic 1911-style semiautomatic handguns…their logo is "Home of the World's Finest 1911s""

Right in my own backyard. Amazing!

[danstl]

We had a summer place on Table Rock lake for about four years and have ridden virtually every road in Arkansas. We would typically do about 20k on our bikes during the summer months there. Now we are in SC for the summers, but AR riding is close behind.

The BMW dealer in Bentonville is outstanding. Everyone is a rider, and they think like riders. If you need something while you are in the area, they will take care of you.

We have not been to Branson in quite a while, but I understand the place has changed from a "country" show place to a lot of 60's groups. You might want to see what is going on over there while you are in the area.

Be very careful of deer that time of the year, particularly early and late, but really all the time. Also look out for dead armadillo. My wife and I used to keep track of the number we saw each day.

I would love to be there for this, but not to be. Getting ready to shut down and head to Florida for the winter.

[Ves]

Things to do in and around Eureka Springs.
Berryville---About 13 miles from Eureka. Berryville appears to be a sort of gun mecca. I did not know about this until a feature article in our local paper this morning. I though some folks might be interested in the following:

The Saunders Museum "One of the finest gun collections in the country…notable for its collection of Colt and Smith & Wesson handguns."

Caywood Gunmakers "makers of high-end flintlock rifles and shotguns…replicas of 1700 and 1800s are beautiful to behold and superbly accurate…Davy Crockett rifle replica recently sold for $26K…Another owned by Pres. Bush"

Nighthawk Custom "specializing in the American icon, the classic 1911-style semiautomatic handguns…their logo is "Home of the World's Finest 1911s""

Right in my own backyard. Amazing!

What are you saying... if the trip doesn't turn out well we can all go buy a gun and shoot the organizer?... I hope it doesn't come to that.

[mad1150]

Cheese & Rice! Did you check out the $ on the Nighthawks?

If I buy one, I better be able to ride it home

Don't worry DD, it may be an honer just to be shot by one

[nevada72]

Eureka Springs is a perfect place for any motoring gathering. I've attended BMW 2002 (car model not year) rallys and Porsche rallys there. I also basically grew up in that general area. The town has a lot to offer except parking. Very very hilly - some of the steepest streets I've ever been on. The restaurants are usually decent and you can even find a good espresso, but no Starbucks for 50 miles. I have yet to find a really nice hotel, but they are usually at least adequate. Forget 5 star. Heck - forget 3 star. Just hope for clean. The nightlife is, uh, well attended by folks from all lifestyles. It is an art community after all. There is no shortage of off bike activities in the general area including cave tours, vinyards, The Passion Play (at least go see the huge Jesus statue), music/jamborees everywhere, Branson, Beaver Dam, state parks, Berryville as mentioned above - the Sanders museum is impressive if you're into guns, Pea Ridge Civil War Memorial Park, etc, etc. Hwy 23 (south out of ES) is one of the best drives (so I suspect rides as well) that I have ever done. The lower portion near Hwy 40 is the Pig Trail and recorded by Car and Driver as one of the top ten driver's roads in America. I've seen loads of bikes there as well as cars. Like Deals Gap you need to be very aware of that yellow line as there is oncoming traffic around the bend - I guarantee it. A nice loop right out of ES is 23 to 12 and west to the War Eagle Mill for a photo op. Then 12 west into Rogers and pick up 62 back to Eureka Springs. The curves go on forever. (As kids we used to tear 12 up on dirt bikes. It never gets old.) If you did the loop non-stop it should take about 1.5 hours - maybe less. Passengers should take dramamine or have cast iron stomaches. Many a passeger have "lost it" on the drives as it's hills, and curves are unrelenting.

There's a remote possibility I'll join you as this October is very busy for me. If you have good weather, it will be incredible. Also keep an eye out for the BMW 2002 group. Their rally is that same weekend starting in Bentonville. They will, no doubt, head down HWY 23.

If anyone would like info on the area, feel free to contact me.

[duckdave]

nevada72, thanks for the suggestions re Eureka Springs. It would be tres cool if you could make the Bash and show us around:

A nice loop right out of ES is 23 to 12 and west to the War Eagle Mill for a photo op. Then 12 west into Rogers and pick up 62 back to Eureka Springs. The curves go on forever.

Mario Caruso has written a great book on motocycle rides in Arkansas Arkansas Rider's Guide, available here. They also have it over at Amazon.com (but I think they are sold out) and at Rider's Warehouse. Mario writes about several 4- and 5- "smile" rides out of Eureka Springs. In particular is Ride 5, a 5-GRIN RIDE that include AR 21, AR 74, AR 7 (Scenic Seven National Byway), AR 374, AR 123, … and several other highways (there is a 236- and a 167-mile loop). A couple of excerpts from this ride description: "This is a ride for motorcyclists who like to use the sides of their tires." "Three personal favorite ingredients—jaw slackening scenery, relentless curves and low traffic densities—combine to make this ride a near perfect motorcycle excursion." Highway 123 is a personal favorite of Mario's. He writes under "my favorite Arkansas roads: 1. Arkansas 123…Use this road to scrape excess metal from your footpegs." "The 50 miles of 123 from AR74 to AR164 contain approx. 210 curves, many bearing 25–30 mph recommended speeds."

Remember ChiTown's OUTSTANDING trip report about his winter ride to Arkansas Forget About Winter, I'm going to Arkansas!? The one where he photographed, but failed to realize he saw, elk. Well, the above described ride includes sections between Boxley and Jasper on highway 74 that are well near the Arkansas Elk Herd area, especially near Lost Valley along the Buffalo National River. Other highlights of this ride include the Cliff House Restaurant, a favorite place to eat breakfast last year, overlooking the Arkansas Grand Canyon.

Just another little gem for the Roadster Ride Bash Oct. 9–12 in Eureka Springs AR. For motel reservations contact Carolyn's Ozark Swiss Inn <http://www.carolynsozarkswissinn.com/>. Call 1-800-833-8450 (or 1-866-285-0953), talk to Debbie. Tell them you are with Dave's BMW group. And let me know if you're coming so I can update my LIST <wdwessinger[replace this part with the at sign]mac.com> or send me a PM.

[boxermania]

Ladies and Gentlemen

I come to you with a heavy heart (Lyndon Baines Johnson) to let you know that I will not be attending the Fall Bash. Gustav has left us with a bad taste in the mouth and the concern I work for is not at full capacity yet therefore it is impossible for me to get away.

It would have been nice to see the old and meet the new attendees as well as displaying my new secret ride. In any event even if I'm not there physically I'll be there in mind and want to wish you all great weather, safe riding and the pleasure of being in the company of our peers.

BTW.....don't believe anything that Boxer (Phil) has to say about my ride.....if his mouth is moving he is lying.....Je, Je, Je.

[duckdave]

Boxermania,
Well, you will be missed. Regarding your "new secret ride", I'm sure we can "out" the information from Boxer with NO problem.

But can we trust you to be really hiding something?

Perhaps, you really don't HAVE A RIDE, and your real reason for not coming is you are ASHAMED, eh, eh, eh????

You'd be better off not spinning a lusty tale and coming clean yourself. Let's not depend on others to do our dirty work.
OUT WITH IT!!


best regards,
-dave

[duckdave]

I want to make sure everyone is registering for the right motel. Our headquarters motel is Carolyn's Ozark Swiss Inn. It's a little confusing b/c there are motels in the area that contain the words "Swiss", "Inn", "Ozark" and a few more like "Village" and "Valley"

Carolyn's Ozark Swiss Inn is located on 3061 E Van Buren in Eureka Springs, AR 72632-9712

Here's the link: <http://www.carolynsozarkswissinn.com/>

Here's the Phone Number
(866) 285-0953
Ask for Debbie, and be sure to tell them you're with "Dave's BMW group"

Gotta go finish the tee-shirt design...