I agree with all the great advice already given.
Keep warm, dry, front loading and take visually pleasing routes is the way to go...
Yes, if you don't do it, you'll most likely regret it...
Catch you in the wind, on the battlefield.

Above find my rig on the road 4 days... logged around 1300 miles those 4 days...
BTW-NOT business related and in no hurry to get anywhere fast...

 

The Cafe on the Square in Kosciusko is a good place for Breakfast and lunch and it is right up the road from you. If you have the time you could head towards little Rock and then west on 270 (?) through the Ouacthita NF to Mena then go west on the Talimena Scenic Drive. Then north from there. Take rain gear. Take a different back than the one you took there to see more on the companies dime.

 

pack your rain gear on top, never bury it under other stuff and pack a roll of azz wipe. truck stop azz wipe is not a guarantee. nothing worse than no toilet paper.

 

Don't want to repeat the good advice here....I would just add that I always like to have plenty of rags/clothes to wipe the windshield, the seat and even the bike depending on conditions.