UPDATE FROM FLORIDA

 I have received a number of requests to see how it's going for us in Florida, so I thought it might be easier to inform everyone on the blog.

First of all our trip down here was a little challenging at times.  We waited at home for a couple of hours before leaving on the 29th for the fog to lessen.  It was pretty soupy until we got to Oelwein, and then a few spots in Missouri along the way.  We stopped at Sikeston, MO, for the first night and then on to Defuniak Springs, Florida, and finally to Panama City Beach on the 31st.

When we first arrived, the weather was pleasant, but cool.  I was able to get in a 150 mile ride on Jan. 2nd.  However, since then, the weather has been very cool for this area along with a lot of rain and wind.  For almost a week now, the high temps were in the 40's, and I have not ridden since.  It looks like it's going to be in the 50's today, so I plan on a ride.  Needless to say, the natives are really "pissing and moaning" about the cold, but I also remind them that it's currently below zero in Iowa.  They said it would be crazy to live there!  The outdoor pool here is heated, so we are able to use it most every day.  The real challenge comes when it's time to get out!

We did attend a get-together with the motorcycle group from Ft. Walton last Thursday evening.  They are a group that's affliliated with Eagle Wings Motorcycle Association.  They only had 7 members show up, so I'm a little concerned about this group.  Hopefully we will be able to go on some rides with them.

On Saturday morning, I ventured over to Pensacola for their monthly meeting.  They are also members of the Eagle Wings Association.  Since I am also a member, I was able to participate in their activities and hopefully be able to join them on some rides. This is a very active group.  They have several charities that they support and generally have a couple of RTE's (Rides To Eat) each month.  You have to be a member of Eagle Wings to be able to go on rides with both of these groups.

Tonight we are heading up to Dothan, Alabama, the peanut capital of the world, for a get-together with a group that's similar to our Wednesday Night Riders.  They call themselves the Wiregrass U Crew.  Like us, they have no affliliation with any particular association, but some of the members belong to Eagle Wings like I do.  They have both 2 wheelers, 3 wheelers, and 4 wheelers of all kinds on their rides like we do.  They always have a RTE called a "Sweetheart Ride" near Valentines Day that we participate with them.

None of these groups ride as often as we do and don't have anywhere near the members that they had when we first started coming to  their meetings.  This is why I am extremely proud of our group.  We seemed to be growing in numbers and I was introduced to a fellow at the hospital Christmas party that wants to join us in the spring.

Hopefully the cold weather is coming to an end, and we will be able to get more riding in.  If we have any interesting adventures, I'll post them.  In the meantime, stay warm!

Here's some photos from our condo unit.

GULF OF MEXICO FROM OUR BALCONY

A LONELY TRIKE!

VIEWS FROM OUR FRONT DOOR

CHRISTMAS CARDS

 Apparently we were too darn lazy to gather and send out Christmas cards to everyone like we have in the past.  So, in lieu of taking the time, like we should have, I will use the blog to wish all of our Wednesday Night Riders, their family and friends, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Joyous New Year!

We plan to be heading back to Florida on Sunday, the 29th.  We usually get in a lot of riding with several groups in the area.  It's always fun for me to follow instead of lead for a while.  If we have some interesting experiences while we're down there, I'll try to post them here.  If not, see you in the spring!

He's on his way!

NOT BAD AT ALL

 Four intrepid Wednesday night riders showed up at Casey's Friday afternoon for what probably looks to be the last ride of the season.  With the temp right at 50, but sunny skies offering warmer conditions, the ride was on.  Chuckles and Jim showed up on bikes, while Terry and Bob huddled up on three-wheelers.

IF IT'S AT LEAST 50 AND NOT RAINING, I'M RIDING!

TERRY ALL BUNDLED UP

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!

YEP, LET'S GO!

With Bob in the lead, we departed Casey's at 1 o'clock, passed through Waukon on HWY 9, and made our way up to Lansing.  So far, so good, for the sun did offer more warmth.  Checking the outside temp on the Wing showed a "balmy" 55 degrees.

After rolling through Lansing, we turned north onto HWY 26 heading to Brownsville.  Knowing that we may have to ride through some shady areas, I still wanted to take this route.  I was hoping that the migratory birds might be in the reserve on the Mississippi River south of Brownsville.  We were not disappointed.  There were hundreds of white birds resting in the calm waters of the reserve.  Making up most of the species were swans and pelicans.  If anyone wants to see this spectacle of nature, now is the time to go!

After our bird viewing, we entered Brownsville and continued our ride on CR 3 heading for Caledonia.  Most of CR 3 was in the sun, and the smooth blacktop made for a great ride into Caledonia.  There we stopped at Kwik Trip, so Jim could fill his Wing with airplane fuel and the rest of us could imbibe in warm drinks.  Chuckles snapped a couple of photos here.

ZIP UP, BOB!

TERRY PARKED IN THE SHADE!

After warming up at Kwik Trip, we took HWY 76 out of town and then stayed on HWY 44 on into Spring Grove. We turned onto Division Avenue (CR A-16) and headed south towards Dorchester.  A-16 becomes Dorchester Drive after entering Iowa.  We enjoyed a smooth, "warm" ride down the hill into Dorchester.  After rolling through the suburbs of Dorchester, we came to HWY 76 and followed it south into Waukon.  Bob had 98 miles on the Wing at home.  Was it cool? (kind of!)  Was it worth it?  (definitely!).

Unless there is a dramatic change in the weather, the next time we ride together may be the Spring of 2025.  Also, the annual PMS get-together looks to be on April 16th, so set aside the date.

As for now here's wishing all Wednesday Night Riders, their families and friends a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

ANOTHER POSSIBLE FRIDAY RIDE

 If the temp is above 50 with sunny skies and low wind at 1 o'clock on Friday afternoon, I will go on a ride from Casey's.  Anyone who doesn't shiver easily can ride along!

DEE AND ME/VETERANS' DAY

 On a cool but pleasant fall afternoon, only Dee and Bob decided it was a good time to get in another ride.  With Dee on her W (Kawasaki) and Bob on the Gold Wing trike, the duo departed Casey's at noon on Friday with the plan to stay in the sun as much as possible.  The temp was right at 55 degrees and the sky was sunny.

We cruised up HWY 9 to Lansing, then HWY 26 up to just south of New Albin before we turned onto Iowa River Drive and we followed it all along the river over to HWY 76.  Once reaching 76 we took a short jog north and jumped onto Bear Creek Drive.  While transversing Bear Creek, I was amazed by the amount of corn still in the field.  However, there was a lot of combines, trucks, and wagons in the fields.

Bear Creek took us over to Locust Road and we turned north on it until arriving at HWY 44 just west of Spring Grove.  We rode on into Spring Grove for some warm drinks at Kwik Trip.

TIME FOR SOME WARM DRINKS!

After our break, we backtracked a short distance on HWY 44 and turned north on CR 4.  We breezed through Blackhammer and Yucatan and arrived just outside of Houston on HWY 76.  We then took curvy 76 on into Caledonia.  By this time, a check on the bike's outside temp showed 60 degrees.  After negotiating the hills and curves on 76, we made our way through Caledonia (not stopping at the "Ruptured Rooster"),  and then stayed on HWY 44 heading back towards Spring Grove.  Before reaching Spring Grove, we turned onto CR 17, and "roller coastered" our way back to HWY 76 just north of Eitzen.

We continued south on 76, noting the amount of tar on the shoulder and in the ditches around the bridges.  Apparently there is still more work to do on a section of road that I didn't think needed any repair, because we were stopped and had to follow a pilot car for several miles.  All the while we were following the pilot car, the vehicles ahead of us were kicking up some type of dust from the highway.  Hopefully the dust was harmless, because we did breathe in a fair amount of it before we got out of the construction area.  We spent the rest of the time on 76 back to Waukon, where I headed home and Dee motored on to her abode.  I had 135 miles on the trike when I got home, and Dee probably had about 150 by the time she arrived.  Dee and I can always reflect on this ride when we are looking out the window this winter and see the snow blowing sideways.

Apparently Jim and Cathy also went for a cruise for lunch, coffee, and horseradish cheese!  Not my "cup of tea" or should I say coffee.

If there is another day like this in the upcoming days, another ride might be instore.

VETERANS' DAY

Here's a salute to all veterans on their special day of recognition.  I want to especially honor the vets that are part of our Wednesday Night Riders group.  So special salutes to Terry, Bob Z, Richard, Bernell, and Carl.  GOD BLESS AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!!

FRIDAY RIDE

 If the weather forecast for sunny skies and mid fifties temps holds, I am going on a ride tomorrow afternoon.  I have no idea where yet, but I plan to pull out of Casey's at noon.  If you would like to ride along,  see you then.

FINAL WEDNESDAY ATTACKED BY THE WITCH

 The "Weather Witch" couldn't wait until Halloween to put a damper on our last Wednesday night ride for 2024.  She hit us with wind, rain, and cold temps right around 5 PM.  With daylight savings time coming to an end this weekend, it will be dark at 5 from now on .  We didn't miss very many Wednesday night rides or special rides this year, so it was a great year for the Wednesday Night Riders!

Although the extended forecast looks to be cool and damp, there may be a chance to sneak in a ride some time before snowfall.  Since we take the trike to Florida, we don't have to winterize it.  So it can be ready about anytime.  If I decide to go on a ride and want some company, I'll post it on the blog.  

IN THE MEANTIME

I was able to catch some colorful trees before all the wind and rain knocked all the leaves down.  Here's a couple of photos.

I also like to cruise around town and take photos of Halloween decorations.  This year, thanks to the wind and wet, I was only able to catch a few.  Here they are.

SO, HERE'S WISHING ALL OF OUR WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDERS' FRIENDS AND FAMILIES A HAPPY AND SAFE HALLOWEEN!!

While on a trip to the Carolinas, Dennis & Marlene and Jens and Jane stopped to tour the Jack Daniels distillery in Lynchburg, TN.  Marlene snapped this photo of the Jack Daniels Harley.

AND FINALLY

WHERE WE GOING?!