Eureka Springs July 4th Weekend (Day 5) Sunday

Waking up to dry but overcast skies.  The rain last night was really good.  I know the people of Arkansas that received it was very grateful.  God is good.  We pull out at 7am so that we can hopefully beat the heat.    As we ride the highway back over to 412, everything looks different due to the rain.  It's amazing how a little bit of water can make things look so good.  The dry parched land is still parched, but it isn't quite as brown today.  The fog coming out of the hollers is really a pretty sight.  I am not from around here, but I think those low spots are called hollers???  LOL  Had just about perfect riding weather to Tulsa.  Had to make a stop at Siloam Springs, cause my left upper peg was about to fall off.  A minor tightening and we are back on the road.  We stop at the diner next to Rt. 66 Harley around 10:30.  Breakfast sounded really good, and we all had some.  Traffic was pretty light for a Sunday.  The sun popped out around Stroud and it got really hot.  We made a gas stop at the midway on the turnpike, and as we pull up to the gas fueling area, Chris tells us that we have lost a light lens on the front fender of the bike.  Surprised it made it this far, as it just fell off earlier today.  Plastic...they just don't make it last anymore.  LOL  Fueled and Chris says he knows right where the piece fell off, so he and Chuck drive back to the area.  In a few minutes, here they come back, and Chris has the part.  Wasn't even scratched up.  Only thing broken was the plastic tip that holds it in place.  Chuck removed the bulb, and we are on the road again.  We have all wet down our jackets and clothes.  Happy to say, by the time we get to the Wellson exit, we are back in the cloud cover.  Sure made the drive home a whole lot nicer.  As we come across the Kilpatrick Turnpike around the toll booth, I snap a pic of the skies.  Sure looks like some rain in those clouds.  Will have to wait and see if we get any at home.

We stop at the same place this adventure started, the 3-4 junction.  I look at the clock and it is 1pm.  I know I say it every time, but we really had a wonderful time with some really wonderful people.  Mileage 884  :)

I have to add this last picture because you know I am crazy.  At my store there has been this rogue shopping basket running around for over 6 months.  I convinced my installers to put it in their pick up and drop it off at my house.  Of course Chuck thinks I am totally crazy, but as you see, I have made very good use of it.  Only thing better would be if I painted it pink or turquoise.  I am sure one of these days I will get some spray paint and make that happen.  :)

Last but not least, I was out watering the front yard, and was going to move my watering tractor, and as I stepped off the porch, I saw something grey in color....the tail of a snake....not a little snake, but a BIG snake.  I ran into the house and got Chuck....he is scared to death of those things too, so we both just stand there looking at this tail...and can see this fat body wrapping around the water spigot.  Chuck goes and gets the shot gun..Oh yes he did.  But the way the snake was hiding, he couldn't get a good shot, but attempted anyway.  The stupid thing moved just a little, but was still there.  Called our next door neighbor and he comes over.  He has a long metal stick, and he grabs the tail of the snake and throws him out on the yard.  Now he has made the snake a bit unhappy. A few hits on the head, and then the spear through his head and all the excitement was over.  That stupid thing was around 4' long...looked like he had been feasting on my toads.  Roger takes his knife and open his mouth as the guy had a bit of a triangular head.  Didn't see any fangs.  We still have no idea what kind of snake it was, other than a dead one!!!  Probably weighed around 5 lbs.  I guess I will be watching my steps, and wearing long pants and boots around the yard for awhile.....YUCK!!! Snakes be gone.  No pictures to prove this, cause I was so freaked out, just couldn't take one.