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October HeartBeat

Distance: Approximately 150 miles

Ride Time: Make a day of it and enjoy!

Attractions: Lake O the Pines AR LA TX Corner Marker Historic Jefferson, TX Gilmore, TX“ Yamboree”

Restaurants all in Jefferson: Joseph’ s Riverport BBQ Aunt Skinners Riverboat Club Kitt’ s Kornbread Sandwiches and Pie Shop

By ROBERT Dumond

of my favorite rides is the

Ark-La-Tex ride. The ride goes past a marker where you can stand in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas at the same time. I know there are the Four Corners and several other similar places in the United States, but this one is right on a highway with easy access.

This ride will take us on some hilly, curvy, forested roads. Yes, forests. Texas is the 7th largest lumber-producing state, generating $ 43 billion in industry. Not what you think of when you think of Texas. I also like traveling backroads, not highways. Take your rest / gas stops when you see them.

We will start out in Gilmer, Texas, the sweet potato Capital of Texas and home to an annual“ Yamboree.” From downtown, head north on US 271 for 1 / 2 mile and turn right on TX 155. Go 7 miles and turn left on FM 2796; go 5 miles. At the stop sign, turn right to stay on 2796 and go 6 miles. At the stop, turn right on FM 557 and go 1 mile. Turn left onto US 259 and go 3

miles. Caution: busy and fast traffic. The old US Steel plant will be on your left. It once employed 6,000 people but has been idled and torn down. At the light, turn right onto FM 250. I call this the“ Highway of Lost Dreams.” You will see many old, abandoned buildings, truck and rail yards that died with the steel plant. Go 6 miles on FM 250.

Turn left to stay on FM 250 and go 1 mile into Hughes Springs. Gas / rest stops here. At the light, turn right on TX 11 and go 1 block. Turn left on FM 250. Go 5 miles. Turn right on FM 130 and go 8 miles. At the stop, take a sharp left on FM 995 and go 18 beautiful miles. Turn right on TX 77 and go 1 / 2 mile.

Turn left onto US 59 and go 1 / 2 mile. Turn right to get back on TX 77 and go for 11 miles.

The Three State Marker is on your left at the base of a tree with plenty of pull-off space. Continue East on TX 77, which becomes LA 1. Go 8 miles. Pass through Rodessa, which was originally called Frog Level.

Turn right at Myrtis Texas Line Road. After 3 miles, this becomes FM 125. Go 3 miles to McLeod. Turn right at FM 251 and go 5 miles. Turn left on FM 1841 to Bivins. At the stop, turn right on TX 43 for 200 yards. Turn left on FM 1841, go 1 / 4 mile, turn left on FM 248, and go 18 miles.

At the stop, turn right on TX 49 and go 3 miles into Jefferson. At the“ Y,” stay left onto Polk St and go into old