It’s time to start thinking about how to celebrate the mitigation of this summer heat.  And, when we start thinking of less heat, we just naturally start thinking about more riding.  That’s it!  We have scheduled a ride for the last weekend in September that will also give us a chance to “get the kinks out” of our bikes and show off new farkles.  It’s best to be prepared for the many riding opportunities coming up in October and November.

How about a relaxing and educational weekend of easy cruising to some interesting spots with a really top notch place to R & R?

So far, so good?  We’ve selected a destination that’s relatively close, so it’s a good ride but not a hard haul. There are those interesting places…remember? Add some good restaurants, with the right attitude and ambiance.  That’s important, too.

What else?

Well, we said we’d visit educational and interesting places along the way; like Fort Belknap, for instance, or the Grotto at St. Mary’s in Windhorst.  And, it sure wouldn’t hurt to stop by one of the many Larry McMurtry’s book stores in Archer City or check out the Royal Theatre either.  Then there’s Saturday for summiting Mt. Scott or checking out the bison in the in the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge.  And we shouldn’t forget the Holy City of the Wichita’s.  That’s a memorable site (forgive the pun).

Lunch!!! – Don’t forget lunch.  Try a place where you can snap a picture of your bike and start a conversation with a stranger.  Is it good food you want?  Let me suggest a Meersburger, complete with quirky owners, and a unique and fun ambience.

Let’s talk about that top notch place to stay.  What about that?  You want all the amenities?  And a good view?  And, because we’re bikers, a place to gather?  A hideaway in the mountains with a lake overlook would be great, right?  And it wouldn’t hurt to have a great pool and deck, either, with some activities that would interest the better half or the kids.  Like hiking on trails in those mountains, or boating on the lake.  A round of golf is even possible.  Or, you can explore the Arts Institute, or just relax at the lodge!

So, what‘s up? You might ask.  Why, I’m glad you asked.  The Farewell to Summer ride offers all of the above and more!  The FTS ride will start at Le Peep’s on Friday morning and wind up at the Quartz Mountain Resort Arts and Conference Center on Lake Altus.  There will be a planned ride on Saturday for those who would like to go, or you can enjoy the amenities or activities at the lodge, or in nearby Hobart or Altus, or the surrounding area.  We’ll plan a reasonably timed departure on Sunday with a bit of a more direct route back to the metroplex.

All rooms contain two double beds at the rate of $99 per night.  Accommodations are very limited, however, so be sure to reserve early.  In order to reserve a room and for further information, please contact Don Mills, Stephen Slisz, or Vince Breckner at your earliest convenience.

We’re staying in arguably the most motorcycle friendly town in Arkansas, Eureka Springs! It’s a great ride up there, it’s great riding around there, and it’s a great ride back. And there are tons for the non-riders to do, if they choose to join you as Eureka Springs is a scenic and interesting place to visit. There’s great food all around there, too. Heck, you can even ride the trolley downtown to and from the hotel. Eureka Springs is one of those towns where “…you can drag a peg doing the speed limit…” as one of our members said of driving around the neighborhoods there.

So, you don’t have to be convinced to make this ride. This is just so obviously a great place to ride and a great place to stay, with a great set of folks to recapture the day’s riding with at the end of the day. It only makes sense that you just have to figure out a way to make this ride.

All you need are the details, right? Ok, get the phone.  We’re staying at the Edelwiess Inn at 2066 E. Van Buren in Eureka Springs, Ar.  The reservations number is 800 870 2529.  We’ll be there for the nights of October 29^th and 30^th, arriving Friday and departing Sunday, Oct. 31.  When you call be sure to tell them that you are with the Fort Worth BMW club.  The rate is $59 per night for rooms with two beds.  The rooms are limited, so please call early.  All rooms are no pets and non-smoking.  Be sure to drop a quick note to Stephen Slisz (yeeha_stephen@yahoo.com) if you plan to attend the group dinner on Saturday at the Cafe Amore Italian restaurant www.cafeamorearkansas.com/menu.html.  We’ll always try to accommodate last minute changes but it would be helpful to give them a reasonably accurate headcount, so let Stephen know if you’re planning to attend.

Some alternate motels are:

• The Trails Inn (next door) at 800 962 4691, www.thetrailsinn.com
• The Pinetop Lodge Hotel (2 blocks West on 62) at 800 643 2233, www.pinetoplodgehotel.

These were recommended by Cindy at the Edelweiss.

But you’re still skeptical?  The time of year might not be right, the scenery not just what you’re looking for, or the riding over-rated.  Well, okay.  Let me give you a better taste of what you’re in for on this ride.  Let’s see, they say a picture is worth a thousand words, right?