For serious and fun minded motorcycle riders in the Greater Texoma area and beyond.

Honobia Loop Trip Report - 10/27/2007

Departure

Three bikes left Sherman from Jack-in-the-Box at the intersection of US 75 and FM1417 shortly after 8:00 AM, Saturday, October 27, 2007. David and Mary on their blue GL1500, "Rich" Darth Vader wearing all black on his black GL1800, and Ken & Willie on the Silver Bullet - AKA 'The Silver Buzzard' [not Ken - the bike].

This was primarily David's plan, so he led us out of Sherman and up a chilly US 75 toward our first stop in Stringtown.

• NOTE:
• Click on most pictures for enlargement - Enlargements open in a new window
• Enlargements are 900 pixels wide - You may have to make your window larger.

Crossing the Red River we saw an unusually large cloud of fog rolling off the river. The path of the river was quite visible through the trees, being marked by the large tube of fog that followed it's course. Willie did an excellent job capturing the 'tube of fog' along the River. With temperatures in the low 40's it was difficult for her to get the camera out and snap the pictures on short notice.

First Stop - The Choo-Choo Restaurant - Stringtown

Our first stop was at the Choo-Choo Restaurant in Stringtown. After the turn off from US 69 onto Oklahoma 43 to head toward Sardis Lake and just after you cross the railroad tracks where the highway turns toward the left again (southeast) you will see a restaurant just off the road to the right. That is the the place of our first stop.

For those that have made the trip up OK 43 many times in the past, you will remember that we traditionally stop at the McDonalds in Atoka. We suggest you try Glover's Choo-Choo - it is just a few more miles up the road just after you turn off onto Highway 43. And it is well worth the very short wait.

They are very nice folks with lots of table space to accommodate a group of riders. And the food is delicious and at a very reasonable price. I would compare it to a breakfast at the Cracker Barrel at almost half the price. It is well worth the stop.

Glover's Choo-Choo Diner also serves lunch an dinners and have all sorts of home-cooking type specials, so a stop there at any time would prove rewarding.

A Diversion

We left Stringtown and followed 43 northeast to Sardis Lake where we took the north shore drive rather than the traditional drive along the south shore and across the dam. The ride across the lake and over to the north shore was very pretty and showed much more of the lake than can be seen on the southern route. Whether you cross the lake and follow the north shore or follow the south shore around and across the dam, you will end up on Ok 2 in Yanush. From Yanush, we continued on OK 2 a short distance to OK 1 (which turns into the Talimena Drive on the other side of Talihina).

Views along the North Shore ride of Sardis Lake

Upon reaching Talihina we made our first gas stop. Once again we broke with tradition and did not go up on 'The Drive'. Instead, we headed south on US 271 for about 5 miles, where we veered off toward the left on CR-N4490 - also known as "Indian Highway". This turnoff is just as 271 starts curving away from due south toward the southwesterly direction. Taking this road is actually more like going straight at that point, leaving Highway 271.

Views along 'Indian Highway' - the road to Honobia

This was our planned alternate route. The road to Honobia, Ok, also called "Indian Highway". It is a very curvy road and is reminiscent of the Pig Trail in Arkansas in places. In a word - curves, trees, hills - and no traffic. I don't think we saw more than 4 vehicles on the road. Shortly after reaching Honobia, we turned off onto Highway 144 and followed that to US 259 where we made a refreshment and rest stop.

From one source we found, locals pronounce the town 'Honubby'. And it turns out there is a lot of history surrounding Honobia and the Honobia Creek area. Do a Google search on 'Honobia" and you'll see pages of interesting information; everything from Bigfoot sightings and forums to the 'Siege at Honobia'.

After resting and visiting, we followed 259 south to Broken Bow Reservoir and Beaver's Bend. We took the259A loop across the dam at Broken Bow - and also took the sub-loop around the spillway and swimming areas. Then we followed the main 259A loop back to US259 where we headed south to Broken Bow (town). We stayed on 259 South through Broken Bow and took the Idabel bypass out west to pick up Highway 37. As a note - it is so much nicer to get through Idabel on the new bypass - still remembering the 'old days' when we all had to go through downtown Idabel to get to/from Broken Bow.

Broken Bow / Beaver's Bend - 'Inner Loop'

Next Stop - Lunch

We followed 37 to the Red River, where we picked up the 'Paris Shortcut' - Highway 195 - which is immediately across the bridge just after you enter Texas. We followed 195 to Paris and then went on to Capizzi's Italian Kitchen in Paris. We all enjoyed very good Italian food at a very reasonable price. We also recommend Capizzi's for anyone wanting Italian fare in Paris. (Paris, Texas, of course.) After lunch we made our second gas stop of the trip and topped off the tanks.

The Last Leg Home

You can't go to Paris (Texas, that is) without stopping off at the Eiffel Tower (of Paris, Texas, that is). So we did. We photographed Darth Vader underneath the tower for proof.

We all decided that going back on 82 would be kind of boring and opted to take a more southern and less traveled route home. Paris is about 65 miles to Sherman at that point; we ended up adding an additional 20 miles, for a total return leg of about 86 miles. The weather was perfect and it wasn't very late - and we all enjoyed the ride through the country. If you haven't been to Bug Tussle, Gober, Dial or other such locations in Texas, we recommend the this route next time your are returning to Sherman from Paris (Texas, that is.)

Summary

We all had a great time - good food, great roads and outstanding weather. I'm ready to go again. How about a run up to Wilburton /Robbers Cave - do the north loop over to Lequire and Red Oak following a morning stop for a great breakfast at the Choo-Choo Diner?

GPS Statistics

• Total Distance - 382.5 Miles
• Moving Average - 55.5 MPH
• Total Average - 47.1 MPH
• Moving Time 6:53 Hours:Mins
• Stopped Time: 1:14 Hours:Mins
• Total Time 8:07 (GPS)

Trip Totals

• Depart US 75 - FM 1417 @ 8:10 AM
• Arrive Luella - Hwy 11 - FM 1417 @ 6:00 PM
• TRIP TOTAL HOURS - approx 10 Hours