MO, AR, OK - Day 5

Today's Theme: Pain, Pleasure, and People 🏍️🌦️

Pain - I left Poplar Bluff, MO, under overcast skies with a "chance" of rain throughout most of the day. The chances were actually 100%, and I rode more than 200 miles in light to moderate rain. Having had more rainy days than sunny ones, today's ride was emotionally draining.

Pleasure - Riding through northern Arkansas along Rte 412 was amazing, despite the rain. The continuous turns, undulating hills, and vistas of farmlands and valleys below made it seem like I was riding along the spine of a dragon. I'll make a point of returning here again. 🐉🌳

People - When I checked into the Holiday Inn in Poplar Bluff, I noticed many people wearing American Red Cross shirts. Many had large suitcases or stocks of food indicating they were staying for some time.

While packing the bike before checking out, I met a fellow rider, Mike Hill, who told me more about the ARC people I was seeing. Mike rode in from TN as part of a relief effort with the ARC to help parts of Missouri and Arkansas devastated by flooding in early May.

Talking to Mike inspired me to donate to ARC’s flood relief efforts. 🌊❤️ www.redcross.org

Arrival in Tulsa, OK - With 12 cousins, aunts, and uncles in Tulsa, arriving felt like a mini family reunion. When I pulled into the driveway, my cousin’s five bouncing kids swarmed to greet me. After some dinner, wine, air hockey, and catching up, I slept peacefully, anticipating tomorrow's full day of quality time with family. 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦🍷✨

Mike Hill, a true hero, rode his Harley from TN to help flood victims in the AR and MO area.

Cruising along Rte 412 in AR would be absolutely perfect without the rain.

Northern Arkansas is abundantly filled with rolling hills and green landscapes.

Buzzard Roost Road is here... in case anyone is looking for it.

Alpena Chainsaw Art... a wanderer can find interesting things in small towns.

Is this for real?  Apparently So Pho Real services Mexican, Chinese, and Thai cuisines.

Coo-Y-Yah Road... I'm guessing it's only in OK.

Charging through light to moderate rain isn't fun.  Shortly after this picture, the rain began to subside.

Sunlight broke through the clouds in OK, as I'm nearing my destination in Tulsa.  This is Lake Hudson, OK.