Last Updated:

08-08-06   1:45 PM, CST

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..........................................

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I--
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

Robert Frost (1874 - 1963), The Road Not Taken

WEEKEND RIDES

"Lazy Day Cruise"  

This ride is a wonderful excuse to get out and ride the countryside.  Club member Steve N. took us out on this one and it proved to be a relaxing and picturesque tour with easy roads and lots of places to stop at if you desire.  It takes you by several of our favorite spots so I will mention them as they show on the route.  

Review:    There are a number of places to stop along the way.  You can look at some of the reviews on the "Evening Destinations Page" to get information on some we have visited.  If you get home worn out and hungry you have only yourself to blame.  If you get home stuffed and relaxed then you did it just right.  

Suggested Route:   Follow the route to W&W Cafe in Hurley (Hwy ZZ to Hwy 14 east, to Hwy K north, and continue on Hwy A).  You can  stop in Hurley or keep on going, there are plenty of chances on this route to stretch your legs or get a bite to eat.  From Hurley continue on Hwy A until it dead-ends into US 413 / 265.  Turn South (left) and make your way to Crane, MO.  The Ole Hickory is in Crane and is another spot we have enjoyed in the past.  Keep your eyes sharp as you go through Crane for the turn off to Hwy D.  You only stay on Hwy D for a few miles and then turn off onto Hwy TT and keep heading west.  (a longer route is to stay on D and follow it all the way to US 248 west, which takes you to US 39 north)  Hwy TT will dead-end into US 39.  Follow 39 north to Aurora, MO.  There is a Brahms Ice Cream right at US 60 in case you need something sweet.  Stay on 39 north through most of Aurora.  When you get to the stop sign by the Police Station  you have another choice to make.  Going straight takes you down Hwy K.  Turning left takes you down the street to either Bootleggers or Hog Wild (both should be reviewed soon).  Hwy K takes you for several miles and it ends at a cross road with HWY 174.  Go straight and take Hwy N All the way to Hwy 96 east (The bridge shown on the Nature Photos Page is at Hwy N and FR 2062, near Hwy 96).  Take 96 east to 266 east (Old Route 66), which brings you back to Springfield.  

Distance one way:    This is a round trip of about 80 miles.  If you take the longer option after Crane (Hwy D to 248 to 39) then add about 20 miles for an even 100.

"Caveman BBQ Ride"  

Caveman BBQ & Steak House is located in Richland, MO.  26880 Rochester Road  (573) 765-4554

This ride has a unique destination.  The Caveman is a restaurant that is located in a cave.  There is a couple miles of gravel road before you get to the restaurant so if that is a problem you have officially been warned.  This is another destination pioneered by club member Steve N., and unfortunately one I missed.  I don't yet have any photos so I guess I will be making a trip on my own (or with you perhaps).  

Review:    The feedback I got was positive in all regards.  People seemed to think the setting was unique and the food was good.  Make sure you call before you go, as they may be closed.  .  Do not rely on your debit card or credit card as they are a CASH ONLY establishment.  There is a shuttle that takes you to the cave and no other way to get there, so just set back and relax once you get parked.  

Suggested Route:   Take Sunshine East out of town (it becomes D Hwy) and then turn North on Hwy 125.  Stay on Hwy 125 for a short distance and then turn East again on AD Hwy.  Follow AD Hwy to B Hwy.  Turn North on B Hwy.  B Hwy will take you to OO Hwy, turn East.  OO Hwy is old 66 and runs along I-44 for awhile.  It is an interesting change of pace and answers my childhood question of "where does that road go and who uses it".  Old Route 66 (OO Hwy) takes you through Marshfield and turns into CC Hwy for the leg to Niangua, MO.  At Niangua turn off of Old 66 and onto M Hwy East.  This will take you  all the way to Grove Springs (about 10 miles).  M Hwy turns into H Hwy and you just keep on going East.  Another 15 miles or so and you find yourself in Manes, MO.  Turn onto Hwy 95 going North.  Hwy 95 will run into Hwy 32 around Lynchburg, where you will go West on Hwy 32 (it is actually heading North as the crow flies).  Hwy 32 takes you 7 miles or so north until you find the junction with U Hwy.  Take U Hwy to Hwy 17 North.  This will take you to I-44.  I know we don't usually say this ... but ... get on I-44 West.  You only go to the first exit which is Hwy 7.  Take Hwy 7 North, and then immediately turn right on W Hwy.  Follow W Hwy until the pavement ends, bear left and follow the signs. 

Distance one way:    unknown ... estimated at 90 miles.

"Back Roads Winding Path"  

I have not put together the article that goes with this ride.  This is the route that we took for an evening ride, but there is so much to see that I thought it would be a good weekend ride for those that like to stop and take a few pictures, soak up nature, and just piddle about.  I rode this again and took a few pictures.  I hope to get the route information recorded and maybe even ride it again before the article gets posted (I missed the front end of the route on my re-ride).  Be patient ... this might get done one day.

"Roaring River State Park"    

NOTE: The following article is reprinted with the permission of the original author (Club member Matt M.)  The goat could not be reached for comment.  

Roaring River is located South of Cassville on Hwy 112.  This is a great place to visit and you have several choices of nice roads to travel on getting there and back.  This is a Missouri Trout Park complete with its own fish hatchery, camping areas, nature center, hiking trails, and picnic area.  There is a large, deep, spring-fed pool at the base of a bluff next to the hatchery which is home to some HUGE trout.  Get some trout food at one of the vending machines and watch as these monsters come to the surface when you throw it in.  Save a little bit to throw into one of the hatchery holding areas and watch the explosive fury of hundreds of fish trying to get a bite.  If you are hungry yourself, check out the really nice Tree Top Grille restaurant as you start up the hill on Hwy 112 just South of the Park area.  Try to get one of the booths next to the windows so you can look out onto the valley below while you dine.  http://www.mostateparks.com/roaringriver.htm      

This is the route that I suggest for a day trip from Springfield, MO :  

Leave Springfield traveling West on Sunshine (Hwy 60).  You will go through Republic, Billings, and Marionville before reaching the intersection of Hwy 39 at Aurora (approximately 28 miles).  Turn South (left) on Hwy 39, settle down in the saddle, and get ready for some beautiful scenery which will start just a few miles down the road.  Once it starts, the route I am giving you will provide many hills, valleys, curves, and intermittent scenic views of the landscape spreading out for miles around you.  Soak it all in, but stay alert and keep your eye on the road.  You will travel around Jenkins and cross over Flat Creek as you head towards Shell Knob.  As you start down a long gently sloping hill just before entering Shell Knob, there will be a sign showing a scenic overlook which will be on the North (left) side of the road.  Take the time to go up onto the overlook area, take a break, and take some pictures.  There is ample parking space and the scenery is fantastic.  You can see where the town got its name because the surrounding hills look like knobs rising from the landscape.  Just after you leave the scenic overlook there will be a Conoco gas station on the South (right) side of the road where you can top off your tank.  After fueling continue on Hwy 39 through Shell Knob and over the long bridge that crosses Table Rock Lake.  Just before the bridge take note of the Pizza Hut that sits on the left side of the road.  This Pizza Hut has an outdoor deck dining area, and a dock down on the lake where boaters can tie up and order pizza and a cold drink after a day on the water.  What a great idea.

Continue South going through Viola until you reach Hwy 86 where you will turn West (right).  You will cross over Kings River , another large bridge over Table Rock Lake , and you will go through Eagle Rock before reaching Hwy F where you will turn West (left), and travel about 5 miles before entering Roaring River State Park.  At this point you have traveled approximately 85 total miles and have been on the road 1 ½ - 2 hours.  Time for a break and this is a great place to take one.  As I noted at the beginning, there is a lot to see and do here.  It just depends on your interest and energy level.  Some of the trails are short, but some are quite long and require a lot of climbing.  As a minimum you should check out the fish hatchery and cave spring.  Also the Tree Top Grill offers good food and a great view of the park area.

On the way back, head East out of the park on the same road you came in on (Hwy F) until you reach Hwy 86 again.  Turn North (left) and travel this very scenic 8 mile section of the road until you reach Hwy 76.  Turn East (right) and continue on to Cape Fair.  At this point you have two choices.  1.)  Turn back North (left) onto Hwy 173 until you reach Hwy 413 at a little community called Elsey (approximately 9 miles),   or   2.)  Continue on East until you reach the unique little town of Reeds Spring and then turn back North on Hwy 248 which will lead you through Galena and on to Hwy 413, and the same little community called Elsey (approximately 23 miles).  I recommend option 2 because Reeds Spring offers some unique sites (including a UFO museum and an old wooden train trestle bridge), and Hwy 248 between Reeds Spring and Galena is another road made for motorcyclists who enjoy twist and turns, hills and valleys, and nice scenery.  Galena also offers some unique sites including an old bridge over James River designed like none I have ever seen*, and some unique rock bluffs where Hwy 248, Hwy 176, & Hwy 413 meet.  At this intersection look around for the goat that I have seen hanging around there more than once while riding through that area.  Some day I am going to stop and see if I can find out the story behind this goat from the locals. 

You will end up traveling North on Hwy 413 towards Crane.  If it is any day but Sunday, I recommend you stop at Old Hickory restaurant in Crane.  This is a great little place to eat, and when the weather is warm they plan to have live music on the porch on Friday and Saturday nights.  The restaurant is located immediately South of the bridge crossing over the creek that runs through the Crane city park.

When leaving Crane continue North on Hwy 413 where you will end up again at Hwy 60 just about 1 mile West of Billings.  You can turn East (right) on Hwy 60 and it will lead you back into Springfield .

* There is a picture of this bridge on the "Nature Photos" page.

Other destinations yet to be added:

Rock Bridge

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Table Rock Lake area

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