hog heaven

They roared through town in a steady stream, fifty or so in a row—I didn't count. Motorcycles, tricycles and some weird-looking things that I have no idea what they are. The loop across northern Arkansas and southern Missouri is well known in motoring circles for it's banked curves, empty highways and welcoming business, including motels, restaurants and even a motorcycle church. The group then forgathered, helmetless and maskless (but of course! they are outlaws, even if most of them will never see 60 again!), at the nearest truck stop in Birch Tree.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the highway in Thomasville, there was a different kind of hogfest going on. Feral hogs have long been a problem in the Ozarks, as well as other parts of the country.The conservation department here traps them and shoots them. A neighbor managed to score quite a few of them, and spent the afternoon gutting and skinning them, which is no easy job. He then cooled them in the river until he could cut them up and smoke or freeze them. I foresee bbq in my future.