Stable Scoop - Newsletter

Volume 1, Number 1

March and April visitors, wow, have we been having fun! We knew we were going to have to work hard, but we didn't have a clue that we were going to be invited to ride, party, dine, and even share a drink or two with our guests. And ya'll have been fantastic.

All of you Oklahomans must have had to attend a "ride and party school" - you about wore us old folks out - but we are looking forward to seeing you again soon. Then a great surprise was a delightful group of folks (we'll call them our Iron Butts from Texas) that did some very serious riding. On an Alphabet Run from Waco to Xenia, Kansas in one day, and then south to Eureka Springs by the next afternoon - that's some riding - nineteen bikes and twenty-five riders, and they even managed to stay together!

The bad luck had to be with our first group, the folks from Wisconsin. All that way and nothing but bad, bad weather. I sure do give them credit for making the best out of a bad situation though. Looking forward to their return - in August, not March - and we understand. We'll never forget "Wheelie Man" from Kansas. You should have seen how the customers in the restaurant lined up in the windows, as well as those of us in the parking lot with cameras, to watch that daring display of action!

Another group of serious riders would be our neighbors to the north. The Missouri BMW folks start early and run late, and the suspicion is that they run hard! See you again in October.

From us to you

Since we are asking you to allow us to serve as your hosts here at Iron Horse Stables we thought we should introduce ourselves to you.

Janie and I have been married for a little over two years and between us have six children and two grandchildren.

Janie is employed by the Journal of Carroll County and I am serving my fifth and final term as Carroll County Judge.

Motorcycling is a very important part of our life. I have been riding since I was fourteen... a long time ago. My first motorcycle was a Harley Hummer, and yes, I sure wish I still had it. I went from a Harley to a Triumph, to a BSA, and to others. Like perhaps some of you I quit riding for awhile as my life evolved around children and work. Even though I didn't own a bike for some time, I never got over the desire. The saying is true, "if you have to ask, you wouldn't understand".

A couple of years ago a good friend offered me the opportunity to take his Yamaha for a ride. He then let me take Janie for a ride which was a totally new experience for her. Well, she loved it and within days we were shopping for our own motorcycle! We first purchased an '86 Harley Sportster. After extensive moderations and over 10,000 miles in the first year we decided to look for more comfort. Not wanting to give up the look and feel we like, we recently switched to a 1992 FXR.

The Iron Horse Stables idea came about because when we traveled there was never a facility where the motorcyclist was put first. We always were concerned about our bike whenever we were at a motel or restaurant. Janie and I felt bikers deserved better, so that's what sparked the idea - a complete complex designed to meet the needs of the motorcyclist. When we came upon this unique, older motel just a few miles from Eureka Springs, we just knew that this was the place!

We now have everything wrapped up in an idea and all confidence that we can provide excellent service, neat clean rooms at a reasonable rate, good home style food, and indescribable riding opportunities unmatched anywhere. Well, now you know something about us and Iron Horse Stables, so how about letting us learn a little about you. Join us and we promise we will do everything possible to make your stay a memorable one. After all motorcyclists . . . this one's for you!

Feel the Wind

by Janie Jackson

Few things have I ever rode in my life that caused me to laugh out loud. When I was a little girl I went to a carnival and rode a ferris wheel with my Dad. I can remember standing in line-- anticipating, worrying, and wondering what it was going to feel like. I was scared, but still wanted to try it.

Eventually it was our turn to get on the ferris wheel and I shook in fear as my Dad and the carnie man fastened the restraints. Each time it stopped to let some people off and load others on, our little cart swung back and forth, and moved up and up and up... Then the wheel started for real, took off spinning, around and around. Squealing with delight, I took in the sights from the top, could smell all the wondrous odors from the food vendors, and heard all the sounds from the other rides and other riders.

The best part was the feel of the wind as it raced past my ears, lifting my hair, and blurring my eyes. How beautiful all the lights were, one color streaking across another, creating for me my own personal kaleidoscope! I laughed, and laughed, and laughed for hours, even after my Dad took me home. Kids have a very limited supply of adjectives (you know, descriptive words!) to fully express joy. Their best tool - laughter!

Another time when I was older, with children of my own, I rode on a Ski Bob, which is a bullet-shaped flotation device that is pulled by a boat. Having never learned how to ski, this appeared to be my best bet to experience the feel of skiing. It was big enough for two people and I rode with my sister-in-law. Part of the fun was learning how to board it from the water. Even funnier, was trying to maintain your balance once on it in synchronization with each other. Then the boat took off and we were creating our own wake, splashing water everywhere, and hanging on with all our might! We learned how to lean into the curves after a few tumbles to the outside. I laughed all afternoon.

Two years ago my husband, Phil, took me on my first motorcycle ride. In the past I had always been one of those people who warned, "Don't get on a motorcycle, it'll get you killed!" (I thought I was being so helpful.) After his full assurance that he knew what he was doing and that he wouldn't scare me, I placed my trust in him and agreed to go for only a short ride. Full of trepidation , wariness, and a 'hold-my-breath attitude' I stiffly got on the bike. So far, so good. Then Phil hit the starter. . . OH MY GOD was the only prayer that passed my lips. Holding on (or maybe that's 'squeezing') tightly around his waist, he took off.

Then it began. Almost imperceptively, and then louder. . . the squeal. As the sensations of riding were blasting me in the face, I remembered it all. The sights, the sounds, the smells, the taste of my youth were all coming back to me, in force!

The squealing got louder and louder to be heard over the wind. It was whistling past my ears, lifting my hair, and blurring my eyes.

I was being transported back in time; like that child on her first ferris wheel ride, before learning what stress was, whose only responsibility was maintaining balance, recalling how to lean into the curve, and for just that moment -- enjoy the freedom of the ride! Returning home Phil asked what I thought. My only reaction was, "Man, oh man!" I was at a loss for words. And I'm still laughing. . .

Stable Hands

Mark Templeton

Mark is the Shop Manager in the Chrome Corral at Iron Horse Stables, our motorcycle sales and service center. He's been our motel painter, door hanger, floor layer, camping hut builder, gravel walkway maker, mortar mixer, toilet fixer, furniture getter, mower man, lighting man, parts man, and all that before we even opened the shop. We've asked, "Mark, will you please open the office in the morning? Mark, will you go to town to get . . . whatever? Mark, will you fix Sally's car? Mark, will you watch the office, or answer the phone, or help unload this bike? Mark, will you pass out these flyers? Drop this at the post office? Fill the Jeep up with gas?" Guess what, he did. Thanks, Mark. He's an all around good guy, our right hand man, and is anxious to start working on Harleys down in the shop. After all, they never ask for favors, opinions, or questions. Pretty cool, huh?

Sally Sanders

Sally is the Office Manager at Iron Horse Stables. We realized right away we needed a young person who was computer savvy and knew their way around the internet. Her services in that capacity have been invaluable for marketing and promotion of this business. Many of you have probably already corresponded with her through e-mails, letters, and phone calls. Sally is Janie's daughter, and mom says, "Well, she ought to be qualified to run the office after attending five different colleges with six different majors! By now she has gained experience in new, exciting changes and loves the challenge. "Sally just graduated from White River School of Massage and will soon be offering massage therapy for our guests and visitors, between her other duties, of course. Cute, ain't she.