June 1, 2019. Ozark Mountain Trail Ride. Pelsor, Arkansas.
We all met at the Fairview trail head parking lot on AR Highway 7 just north of Sand Gap/Pelsor, AR. The meeting time was 9AM. No matter how many of these trail rides we do, there is something magical about getting back together with good old friends and loading up into vintage Willys jeeps for a day of adventure and memory making.
The scenery was spectacular. The trail ride was about 40 miles and 7 hours. The weather was very pleasant for June 1. Normally it is getting hot and humid by this time of year, but we caught a pleasant day with low humidity.
Because of all the recent rain, the creeks were all flowing nicely. Lunch was on the banks of one of the creeks.
We always come home with a story to tell. Here is a good one. We found this really nice trail leading up the side of a mountain. We climbed up it enjoying the scenery. At one point, we had to stop due to a recently downed tree. A folding hand saw made quick work of moving a few limbs to open the trail back up. We then climbed farther up the mountain only to find a big tree trunk right across the trail. It had to be 20 inches or more in diameter. There was no cutting this one with a hand saw. We contemplated going around the tree but the terrain was too difficult. We finally agreed that there were other trails so we turned around and headed back down the mountain.
Later in the day as we were trying to find our way back to the starting point, Dave’s GPS was indicating we were getting close to a trail that we had already been on earlier in the day. We were growing concerned that we were going to come to the same large tree across the trail and have to turn around again, now on the other side. Sure enough, we came to the same place but were pleasantly surprised to find that the tree had been cut sometime in the past 2 hours and the trail was now open. Who’d a thunk it!
On our way back to the starting point, as we were getting close to the end of the trail ride, one of the jeeps broke down. We made a few inspections and tried a few tricks only to finally determine it was out of gas. A few gallons from a jerry can and we were back on the trail.
We finished up the day with loading up the jeeps, strapping everything down, planning future repairs, and a group photo. I’m sure it will only be a few short weeks before someone sends out a message, “Trail Ride?” and we will be back for more.
There is nothing like good friends, the Ozark Mountains, and vintage Willys Jeeps (and a Mutt every now and then!). Maybe you should come join us sometime!
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