The rigors of retirement finally got to us so we took off on the motorcycle for a few days. After all, there are only so many Rotary meetings I can run, bike routes to ride, trips to the gym, afternoons in the pool….you get the picture. We headed south yesterday morning and stopped at a diner for breakfast which is Burl’s favorite thing to do since the maid never fixes anything except fruit and cereal at home – damn her! Our route meandered down Highway 7 and then we cut west and south on some unknown roads to our destination of Cedar Rock B&B in Mena, AR.
The B&B has only been open a month but our hosts, Debra and Tony, exhibited the ultimate in Southern hospitality and had thought of every little pampering touch to make our stay a 5-star experience. After leaving the trailer at the B&B we took off again on the bike and rode around the area and then had dinner at the restaurant at Queen Wilhelmina State Park where we will stay on Saturday night with our Shrine motorcycle unit. When we returned “home” the hot tub on our deck was ready so we broke out the Bailey’s Irish Cream and enjoyed a beautiful fall evening under the stars.
This morning we had coffee on the deck overlooking the pool followed by a yummy breakfast – complete with fresh peaches soaked in amaretto! We then drove back to Queen Wilhelmina State Park and hiked the trails for about an hour before meandering home. By early afternoon we were in historic Van Buren, AR where we parked the bike on the square and decided to wander the quaint little shops. Since most of them were either craft/crap stores or antique/flea markets we actually just walked around and window shopped until I spied this shirt in the window of the Republican Headquarters. 
Now I just purged my closet of about 2 dozen t-shirts that I’ve accumulated over the years from charity runs and bike rides so I certainly didn’t need to add another one to the mix but it’s for sure I couldn’t pass it up. Especially since I can’t find the bumper sticker for my car that says “Coldest State – Hottest Governor” so not only did I buy it but I immediately put it on to advertise for the only person I’m truly rooting for in this whole presidential fiasco election. Go Sarah! For my readers with a different political persuasion, no need to comment – I figure each of us gets one vote!
When we pulled into the drive late this afternoon, Mulligan was delighted to see us and of course we had to go for a walk. Since we’d eaten at the Thai House in Van Buren for lunch I skated out of cooking this evening and Burl got to snack on microwave popcorn. Nothing like a high-fiber meal I always say.
Tomorrow it’s back to “normal” – work the Chamber of Commerce Expo for Leadership Springfield in the morning, preside over Rotary at noon, help Tammy pack for her big move in a little over 2 weeks and then dinner with friend Mary Ann who’s in town for a visit. No matter what the plan, it still beats a good day at work. 
