Day 16, McAlester Oklahoma to Queen Wilhelmina Lodge Arkansas
Monday, September 26, 2011 Category: Bike Ride
Today was one of the “day of days” on the ride. We left McAlester OK on relatively flat roads. They remained flat until around mile 50+, when we turned onto the Talimena National Scenic Parkway. Oh, what a ride! It was arguably one of the most beautiful rides so far. The parkway is on a ridge top, and so in many places, you can look down at the valleys below either to the north or to the south. You can see some views of the parkway on the photos page. A lot of the climbs were 13% which doesn’t seem like much, but it is. My lowest gear felt like it just wasn’t low enough. There was 20 miles of 13% climbs along the way. Other than the toughness of the climbs, the scenery was simply breathtaking!! Along the way, there was one spot where people were paragliding off the side of the ridge.
We entered Arkansas at mile 97.3, near the end of the ride. We are staying at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, which is also spectacular. Along with the construction of the Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Gulf Railroad through the Ouachita mountains of west-central Arkansas, railroad officials sought to increase passenger traffic by opening a 35 room hotel on Rich Mountain in 1898. The Inn has gone through some hard times, but was reopened in 1963. The Lodge is at the top of Rich Mountain, and has incredible views of the valley below!
We had a buffet dinner in the restaurant, and the meal was good. Awesome weather this evening. We have been blessed with great weather over the past few days. Hope this remains with us.
Click to see today’s pictures
We entered Arkansas at mile 97.3, near the end of the ride. We are staying at the Queen Wilhelmina Lodge, which is also spectacular. Along with the construction of the Kansas City, Pittsburgh, and Gulf Railroad through the Ouachita mountains of west-central Arkansas, railroad officials sought to increase passenger traffic by opening a 35 room hotel on Rich Mountain in 1898. The Inn has gone through some hard times, but was reopened in 1963. The Lodge is at the top of Rich Mountain, and has incredible views of the valley below!
We had a buffet dinner in the restaurant, and the meal was good. Awesome weather this evening. We have been blessed with great weather over the past few days. Hope this remains with us.
Click to see today’s pictures
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