DHOG Takes on Branson, MO

Tuesday Morning September 8, 2026 members of The Dallas HArley Owners Group gathered at the Racetrack Gas Station at Hwy 78 and 205 to embark on a 6 day adventure to the HOG National Rally in Branson Mo. 10 of us set the front wheel towards Paris, TX to meet up with a few other HOG members and make OUR CHECK in at Paris Harley Davidson. We checked out the dealership, and their HOG room, had coffee, and cooled off while we waited for the rest of our group. Once all together we set off for Hugo OK for our first fuel stop of the day. We gassed up, and made the short trip to the Buffalo Grill in Hugo. The food was really good, the service was OUTSTANDING and we were ready for the next leg of this trip.

Brett was leading this trip and he is always looking for the crookedest way to get someplace, you are assured of 2 lane windy, scenic, sketchy and always a gravel road on his routes, thankfully the gravel on this route was only about 50 feet. We made our way to HWY 259 and the Mountain Pass Scenic Byway making a stop aT the 3 Sticks Monument in Hogden Ok. The monument was created to symbolize the land, wood and water, the 3 essential natural elements for prosperity. It was a nice scenic stop for pictures. We continued on to our next fuel stop at Heavener OK. We lingered here a little longer than anticipated cause it was warm and folks needed to cool off. After some much needed cooling off in the beer fridge and rehydrating our bodies, we made the final 75 mile trek into Fort Smith Ar, where we would hunker down for the night.

Victor arranged for a Mexican dinner in Fort Smith, with an army buddy of his, food was good, beers were cold and a great time was had. After dinner we set back to the hotel for an early night as we were all pretty whipped

Wednesday morning came early, breakfast and KSU @ 0800 to make that last 151 miles to Branson, but wait remember who’s leading this ride. Who wants to make a straight 151 mile trip when you are on the edge of the Ozark Mountains, not me. So, for the next 6 hours, we criss crossed and switched back, did a couple UTurns, and rode some of the most scenic roads you can imagine, and it was GLORIOUS. We did eventually make it to the Branson convention center, the official check in point of the HOG National Convention, grabbed lunch at Guy Fieris place and made our way to the hotel to meet 8 other DHOG members who were meeting us in MO. Checked into the hotel and the official pool party was started at 1630. We relaxed, unwound, laughed, told lies, and relished about how awesome the ride in was. We walked next door for a lackluster meal and GREAT FELLOWSHIP. Some of us went back to the hotel, others explored a little of what Branson Mo has to offer. Lots of Lights, sounds, and good times.

The next 3 days “Toad” led us all around the Ozarks, Table Rock Lake, The peel ferry, Eureka Springs AR, where we got to be part of a Jeep Parade, we all came home with oodles of rubber ducks. But my favorite destination of the trip was up URANUS way, where they pack your fudge for free, and always be careful when pulling out of Uranus, cause they dont like accidents, out on the road. All of us guys were definitely back in 6th grade when it came to the comments about Uranus. We ride beside each other, we dined together, we laughed, we giggled, we had a great time. I hope everyone on that trip had a blast, I DID for sure. We took in all that Branson and the HOG National Rally had to offer. The concerts, the vendors, the wall of death, Full Throttle Saloon, Jesse James Dupree and Jackyl. It was an awesome time. We even supported Ironman and Turtle in their Mile Monsters endeavor by holding a live raffle giveaway on 9/11 from Craigs Crazy Treehouse Bar and Grill where our very own DHOG member Antonio Tan, shared with us his experience of being at ground zero when the world trade centers collapsed. Antonio is a retired NYFD member, and we are grateful for him.

It was a great time with our HOG Family, and like always they end way too soon. I have lead many HOG trips over the years, its always a lot of work, but it is always WORTH THE WORK, THE SMILES, THE LAUGHS, THE RELATIONSHIPS, THE FRIENDSHIPS, THE MILES ON OUR BIKES BRING US ALL SO MUCH CLOSER TOGETHER.

I really hate the final morning of every trip, when we all say our goodbyes, see ya soons, until next times, they are always bittersweet, but oh so worth it. THANK YOU to-everyone that has let me lead you over the years and across this MAGNIFICENT COUNTRY WE CALL THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, IT HAS BEEN MY JOY TO BE AT THE FRONT OF THIS GROUP.

And if you have not experienced the sheer joy of taking off across this country with this group, I encourage you to plan it, find the next trip and tag along and go check it out. Get out ride that motorcycle, explore this world that we live in. Tomorrow is not promised, yesterday is gone, but TODAY, TODAY is staring you in the FACE. What are you gonna do with it?

GO BE AMAZING,

Brett “Ironman” Moore