Harley Davidson Travel Blog . . . and thoughts along the journey

When I made the decision this morning to go through Arkansas, I had hoped to hit Oklahoma in the evening. But as it is often in life, we don't always get what we want.
I traveled on St. Rt. 70 - West which is a beautiful route to ride on a bike. Very little traffic, great impressions of neighborhoods, nature and life as such.

The closer I got to Hot Springs, Arkansas the more I noticed pick-up trucks packed with belongings coming toward me on the opposite lane . . . these were the people who had left the coast and were seeking hotel rooms. (Hurricane Rita)
As I arrived in Hot Springs, Arkansas it became clear . . . NO hotel rooms anywhere. I finally made a last effort and checked out a not too aesthetic hotel . . . the lobby was . . . well, you get the idea. However, the receptionist was exceptional friendly and . . . they had a room left for $ 59.00. YEAH! YEAH! And wouldn't you know the room is great! I will be checking the hurricane later and then make the determination if I should stay another night (because of the coming rain, etc.) or if I should hit it and move on.

Anyway: Earlier this morning I stopped at a gas station for breakfast and the local farmers asked (they called me the "lone wolfe" . . . I was called the same yesterday as I had lunch). The farmers told me about the land prices (between $1,500 to $2,000 / acre) and they told me that the Mississippi river is currently very low for transporting the grain, since they did not have much rain. As the devastation of the hurricane continues, the locals mentioned that they have no place to deliver the grain since they normally ship it to New Orleans. They now have to wait and pay storage at the local Farm Bureau silos.
The single discussion in every restaurant I have stopped is about the devastation in the South. I am learning in those conversations, that the poverty in the devastated area(s) is not an economic impact, but a lifestyle choice. I want to be careful here and NOT to proclaim the same as truth, but as an opinion of those who know the area. I would be very interested in your opinion and knowledge of the area.

Never has the issue of poverty in the USA touched me more then on this trip. I am riding through areas of our country that seem separated from most of us. I see neglect and I see hopelessness. I DO NOT want to sound like a social activist, but what appears to me is that there is another layer of people living among us that we (at least I don't) do not believe exist in such numbers. It seems that their social values are upside down and their pride is displayed in the rims of their cars . . . their neighborhoods are filled with pawnshops, cash advance signs that are larger then the local church sign, grocery stores that have prison bars in their windows, gas stations that are used to deal in drugs, outfits they wear that look like gangster rap clothing, girls that sing the lyrics of those who defile their gender, . . . how much do you want me to go on? Couches are in ditches, grass in front of homes that is growing higher then in my pasture, neighborhoods that seem as if Pearl Harbor has it's memorial there.
What have we done?. Where have we missed the mark?. Or do I have to accept the world as it is? Do I sound like my Mom when she looked at us? Do I need to lighten up . . .?




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Thought of the day:
Life is not only in what I see, but also in what I do not want to see or can't see.
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Stats:
Weather: Very hot 94 degrees and humid
Gas : $ 7.87
Miles: 160 miles

This entry was posted on Friday, September 23, 2005 at Friday, September 23, 2005. You can skip to the end and leave a response.