EVEN DOZEN to Wood Carving & Burgers

 Our first RTE (Ride To Eat) for the Wednesday Night Riders drew 12 participants on our ride Saturday.  The goal was to take in America's Largest Woodcarving Museum in Ridgeway, Iowa (of all places) and then continue our journey over to Cresco for burgers at Dan's Road House.

The lucky dozen included Jim, Mike & Joan, Bill, Chuckles, and Lois on 2 wheelers.  Terry, Dave M, and Bob made up the 3 wheeled gang. Dr. David & Suzanne completed the converible crowd, and Julie supplied the "support vehicle" with her Dakota.

WELCOME BACK TO TERRY FROM HIS UTAH TRIP

LOIS WELCOMES BILL BACK FROM FLORIDA

PRERIDE BS AS ALWAYS

CHUCKLES WELCOMES TWO DAVIDS

With temps in the low to mid 60's and a very brisk northwest wind howling, we departed Casey's via HWY 9 to take Bob's "shortcut" to Ridgeway.  His plan being to take as many backroads as possible to avoid being wind blown.  It worked at times and at times it didn't.

After a short ride west on 9, we turned south onto CR W60 (West Ridge Road) and followed it to Yellow River Drive.  We turned west again on YRD for a short stint over to HWY 51 south.  With the wind still pounding us at times, we made our way into Postville where we picked up HWY 52 just outside of town and continued our journey passing through Castalia and Ossian before rolling into Calmar.

Just outside of Calmar we found 175th St. and made our way westward passing the PIVO Brewery (now for sale) and the South Winn Country Club. 175th took us over to CR B16 (Dvorak Memorial Hwy) and we took a short jog westward into Spillville.

On the edge of Spillville, we continued our quest and took a newly repaved CR W 14 on into Ridgeway and our stop at the Woodcarving Museum.  This building has an interesting history.  It was first a school, then a failed shrimp raising facility, and now a facility called the Turkey River Culteral Center that houses the woodcarving museum.

WE ARRIVE AT THE MUSEUM

DR. DAVID TELLS BILL THAT THE WIND DIDN'T BOTHER THEM.

JULIE ARRIVES EARLIER AND FINDS A SEAT
UNDER THE TOTEM POLE

We are soon invited on a tour of the museum with Slim Maroushek, the founder.  He informs us that we are going to see well over 6 thousand carvings, some done by him, and others from all over the world. The following are some photos and a video of just a few of the displays.

SLIM GIVES US SOME HISTORY AND BACKGROUND INFO

ONE OF THE MANY DISPLAYS THAT ARE MOBILE

ERTL TOYS EVEN HAD PROTOTYPES CARVED

JULIE GETS A CLOSEUP OF ONE OF THE MANY DISPLAYS
FEATURING ELVES

MOST OF THE DISPLAYS ARE THEMED
THIS ONE IS AMERICAN INDIANS

SOME OF THE CARVINGS ARE VERY RARE AND VALUABLE

ONE OF SLIM'S OWN CARVINGS

YEP, IT'S A CARVED SKELETON WITH ACCURATE BONE DIMENSIONS

YES, EVEN CARVED MOTORCYCLES

ONE OF SEVERAL TOTEM POLES SLIM CARVED

THE WORKS IN PROGRESS

I think all dozen of would agree that we were amazed and fascinated by Slim and his America's Largest Woodcarving Museum!  One could probably spend a whole day just viewing all of the carvings here in Ridgeway, Iowa.

After our amazing museum visit, we were all hungry for burgers, so we took another one of Bob's "shortcuts" heading for Cresco.  We left Ridgeway heading west on CR A46 (Schley Rd), and continued on this smooth asphalt over to another section of Dvorak Memorial Highway.  Only this time we followed it north on into Cresco where we stopped at Dan's Road House for our burgers. (After all, this ride was called a Burger Run).  Dan's was named one of the top burger places in Iowa last year when Bill, Julie and Bob ate there, and Dan's did not disappoint this year.  I think everyone had the "smash burgers" along with fries and they were fantastic along with the service!

THE BURGER GANG

SOME PEOPLE LOOK BETTER FROM THE BACK!

After our burgers, it was time to head back home.  The wind had not let up at all, so Bob decided to take Pole Line Road back to Decorah, instead of HWY 9.  We were able to dodge the wind in most places, but not until we descended the hill near Decorah were we completely out of it.  At least the temps still stayed in the 60's.  We completed our journey by taking a "ripped up" HWY 9 through Decorah and on into Waukon where everyone split for home.  The clock on the GW trike read just over 100 miles when she got parked in Bob's shed.

While we did have to battle the wind, I think everyone would agree that our first RTE was a success.  I think the Woodcarving Museum was fantastic and the burgers at Dan's were great.  It don't get any better than that!

UPCOMING EVENTS

This upcoming week is going to be a busy one for some of our WNR's.  A possible ride on Wednesday evening, and we are scheduled to do trike rides for the residents of Good Sam in Waukon on Thursday at 1 PM, and for the residents at Northgate Care Center on Friday with a time to be determined.  If you would like to see how we can create smiles on Thursday and Friday, you are invited to these two events.

Now, on Sunday, the 17th, you will have a chance to go on our second RTE, see a semi-world famous pancake maker in action, and take a scenic ride afterwards.  We will be leaving Casey's at 10:15 that morning (Notice the time change.  Bob may have to deliver the scripures at his church that morning), and head up to New Albin for the New Albin Fire Department Pancake Breakfast fund raiser.  After the breakfast the plan is to continue the ride and possibly go on Apple Blossom Drive up above LaCrescent.

We should also be excited to hear that one of our veterans, Terry, is going on the Veterans' Honor Flight to Washington, DC, on May 12th out of Cedar Rapids.  I really hope all the veterans in our WNR get to take that honor flight.

If Wednesday evening weather cooperates, Wauzeka will be our destination.

BRRR!

With temps below the 50 mark, only two riders ventured out Wednesday evening.  Mike rode his bike, and Richard was in his Slingshot.  Their wives were smart enough to stay home!

Here's Mike's ride report.

 Richard and I headed out it was 48. Took 76 to Eitzen, Caledonia. 46 for a high on the ridge. Fueled up in Caledonia. Casey's in waukon was swarming. Took 5, 14 out of Caledonia on Jefferson ridge. Took 26 south back to New Albin. Stopped by my shop and showed Richard my inventory. Richard headed back home. I had around 80 miles round trip.

Glad they arrived back home safely!

Don't forget the RTE on Saturday.  Leaving Casey's at 1 that afternoon to see some wood carvings and gobble up some burgers.

TOO DAMN COLD

 Just to let anyone who may attempt a ride tonight know, Bob will NOT be joining you.  Gas prices are just too high! 

That's true, but the real reason is the Weather Witch is going to keep the temp below 50 and toss in a brisk north wind.

However, it does look like right now she is going to give us a break for our RTE on Saturday with temps in the 70's.  So until then, be safe and stay warm.

In the meantime, there is a new club being formed.  They call themselves.... HELL'S ANGLES

Ride To Eat on Saturday and update on blossoms

Just to keep you informed, our first RTE (Ride To Eat) for the season is scheduled for this Saturday, May 9th.  It's our Burger Run.

This year we are going to combine the burgers with a museum visit.  The plan is to depart Casey's at 1 PM Saturday afternoon and ride over to Ridgeway and take a tour of America's largest woodcarving museum.  And yes, it's in Ridgeway, Iowa!  I rode over there last Saturday and told them we would be over there around 2:30.  They close at 4, so we would have time for a tour (cost is $10) and to look around some afterwards.  I visited there last year when I was a mentor for a day with human services.  I really enjoyed it, and it's an interesting place, to say the least!

After our museum visit, the plan is to continue the ride over to Cresco for burgers (or whatever you want) at Dan's Road House.  Bill, Julie, and I ate over there last year, and the burgers were great.  Dan's finished in the top 5 best burger places in Iowa last year.

After our meal, and depending on daylight, we will continue the ride back using a different route.  Looks to be a great time!  If you have already visited the museum, or for some reason can't, you could still catch us to eat at Dan's around 5.

BLOSSOMS

I was hoping to be able to ride over to Gays Mills on an upcoming Wednesday night to cruise through the orchards and take in the sights and smells of the blooming apple trees.  I ventured over there yesterday (Sunday) and discovered that the trees were beautiful and in full bloom.  However, the highway that runs right down through the orchards (HWY 171) is going to be closed starting Wednesday.  Hopefully they are going to resurfacing 171, because it really needs it.  So, if you want to see the blossoms, you are going to have to go over today or tomorrow.

I have another appointment at Gundersen in LaCrosse tomorrow, so I may see if the apple trees on Apple Blossom Drive above LaCrescent are in bloom, and maybe shoot for that Wednesday night if the weather cooperates.  If not, see you Saturday.

 

FEARSOM FOURSOME CHILLS OUT

This Wednesday night looked to be somewhat cool, and it was.  However four riders bundled up and challenged the elements to a duel.

We had Jim and Mike on GW bikes while Richard drove his Slingshot and Bob led on his GW trike.  Apparently only Gold Wings and Slingshots are built to take the cold! 

A SMALL, BUT TOUGH GROUP

When we pulled out of Casey's the temps were in the low 50's with a better than brisk northwest wind and partly sunny skies.  The original destination was Pikes Peak, so we started off heading east on the Elon Road.  The wind pounded us pretty good until we made the turn onto Waterville Road.  We cruised through Waterville and once again hit the strong breezes as we made our way up to HWY 76.  We took 76 south, and it felt great to cruise down the hill past Effigy Mounds and into Marquette.

We made our way on into McGregor and took CR X56 (Great River Road) up the hill past the old Barnum & Bailey Circus wintering grounds and up to the turn for Pikes Peak.  Since we only had a few riders, waiting to see Pikes Peak at a later time seemed to be the thing to do, so we continued our journey on GRR.  Once we reached the turn to Garnavillo, we took Clayton Road on into Garnavillo.  Clayton Road proved to be a wildlife sanctuary, since we had to slow for a deer and passed a turkey on the roadside who paid us no attention.  Maybe he couldn't believe anyone would be out on a motorcycle today.

The plan was to stop in Garnavillo for a break at the newly remodeled Quick Stop there, but it wasn't ready to open yet. So we turned around and went back to the Garnavillo Mini-Mart on the southside of town.  None of us had ever been there before, but we decided to go in and try it out.  We were surprised to find they had a lot of goodies packed into a small space.  We were able to warm up with some coffee while we watched the friendly help make pizzas and sandwhiches.  I plan on stopping there again sometime.

OUTSIDE OF THE MINI-MART

We continued our journey under warmer temps and less wind as we made our way north on HWY 52.  Once we reached HWY 18, we turned east and rolled into Marquette again.  Only this time we took CR B45 (Pleasant Ridge Road) toward Monona.  The uphill portion of this road is still rough, but the rest of it has been recently been resurfaced, so we had a nice smooth ride ahead of us. We missed the "rush hour" in Watson and rolled into Monona.  The streets in Monona could use some work also.

We turned north again onto CR X26 (Volney Road) and made our may up to Rossville and onto HWY 76.  HWY 76 took us back into Waukon, where Jim & Mike split for home.  Richard & Bob stopped for eats at Uptown.  Bob had a welcome bowl of hot French onion soup.  Upon returning home he had just at 100 miles for the trip.  As he as always said, "If it's a 50 or above and not raining, I'm riding."  But that's when he was a lot younger.  Actually it was a cool, but enjoyable ride, and I'm glad we went.

However, when I got home, I noticed this...

FULL MOON

The saying is "That all the crazies come out when there's a full moon!"

Hopefully it will be a little warmer and dryer next Wednesday and we'll head for Houston.

Jim and I are thinking about heading down to Tama or Belle Plain on Monday, June 1st to see Big Boy, the world's largest operating steam  locomotive as it passes from Wyoming to Omaha.  We would go down and come back the same day. More on this later.

Bill correctly identified the mystery rider on our last blog entry.  It was one of my favorite singers, Roy Orbison.  He sang "Crying", "Only the Lonely", "Blue Bayou", and the still popular "Oh, Pretty Woman" among others.

If anyone who was unable to make the PMS get-together last week and would like a copy of the video presentation used there, I can give to a DVD copy.  Just let me know.

Everyone should know this guy...

CAMP COURAGEOUS

Eight Wednesday Night Riders made the journey Sunday morning to Monticello to support Camp Courageous at their omelet breakfast fundraiser.  Bikers were Jim & Cathy, Chuckes, and Lois.  Dave, Richard & Melodye, and Bob made up the three-wheeled gang.

CHUCKLES & LOIS FIRST TO ARRIVE

THE SLINGSHOT ROLLS IN

JIM ARRIVES, CATHY WALKS

TIME FOR PRERIDE B S

DAVID ARRIVES ON HIS "OLD" RIDE

JULIE SEES US OFF

THE LEADER GETS READY

CHUCKLES WOULD SOON BE STRUGGLING WITH HIS ZIPPER

When we departed Casey's it was just above 50 degrees and partly cloudy.  We traveled down through Rossville, into Monona, onto HWY 18 and then over to HWY 52 near Froelich. Following HWY 52 through Garnavillo, Guttenberg, Millville, Luxemberg, and New Vienna until we reached Dyersville where we took a short break at Casey's.

After a short break, we picked up HWY 136 just outside of Dyersville and passed through Worthington.  We then turned onto HWY 151 south at Cascade and sped along at 65 mph until we reached the turn for HWY 38 at Monticello.  HWY 38 south took us to the turn for Camp Courageous (190th St.) and we rolled into CC and found our usual parking spot on the basketball court.  By now the sun was out, and the temp was in the upper 60's.

PLENTY OF ROOM FOR PARKING

LET'S EAT!

While we were in line for the omelets, I met the new CEO for CC, Craig Stadtmueller.  He wanted to know more about our Wednesday Night Riders group.  I informed him about us as much as I could, and told him we have been coming down both spring and fall for the fundraising breakfasts for at least 25 years.  He was impressed and gave us a warm welcome.

Usually when we get there, around 11:15 or so, the dining area is about half empy.  Today, however, they were still streaming in at that time.  I asked the lady who made my omelet about the crowd, and she says they have been extremely busy the whole time.  She was actually from a group that came all the way from Waukee, Iowa, to volunteer.

We loaded up our plates with the omelet, toast, and sausage patties and found a place to sit.  There we were served juice, coffee, milk, or water if we wanted it. Our coffee connoisseur, Jim, said the coffee was just better than none, but I noticed he still had several cups.

EIGHT CHOW HOUNDS

We usually try to take a different, more scenic, way back, so we weaved our way through Monticello on HWY 38 and followed it up to CR A47 and turned north.  After arriving at HWY 20, we took it back through Dyersville and HWY 52 north.  Taking 52 north back through New Vienna, we turned west on HWY 3 and motored past Colesburg and into Edgewood where Bob and Dave needed gas.  After gassing up we made the mandatory ice cream stop at the Edgewood Country Club.

After our ice cream treats, we got onto CR X 21 (Littleport Rd) and headed north.  This stretch of road is one of my favorites.  It's been recently resurfaced and offers some outstanding scenery. After passing through Littleport we continued onto CR X3C (Grandview Road) and enjoyed some more great views until we reached HWY 13 north.  We then cruised through Elkader and stayed on 13 until we got to CR B65 and motored down the hill into St. Olaf and then took CR X28 (Fawn Hollow Road) into Farmersburg.  After passing by xxxhole's garage, we made our way to HWY 18 staying on X28.  After turning back west on 18, we turned off at Luana and followed CR X16 through Hardin and then passed the Gelo plantation where Jim & Cathy departed.  The rest of us motored on north to HWY 76 and into Waukon.

I had a little over 200 miles on the Wing when I arrived home.  GREAT RIDE FOR A GREAT CAUSE!

If it's fit to ride Wednesday night, Pikes Peak will be our goal.

Lois correctly identified the mystery rider in the last post.  It was Jack Nicholson.  He starred in many films, but I most remember him in the movie Easy Rider.

How about this guy?

GOOD SHOWING AT PMS

We had another good turn out for our 18th PMS (Parked Motorcycle/Motorcar Syndrome) get-together on Wednesday evening.  According to the unofficial count, we had 30 attendees.

After feeding our faces, Bob presented a recap of our 2025 year including comments on the special rides upcoming.  We also paid tribute to those members of our group that passed on including Sandy, Darrel, and Irv.

The final set of videos was meant to give some good-natured teasing to most of our members and drawing some humor and laughter.  Apparently that was successful.  So, I think everyone had an enjoyable evening, and are looking forward to another great riding season.  Special welcome to Karrie.  She and her husband, Don, plan on joining us for some rides this season.

Here are some photos of the folks in attendance.  Bernell & Kathy joined us later, and Ken K apparently got lost going home after his pills.

This coming Sunday is our first charity ride.  We will be heading to Camp Courageous for their omelet breakfast fund raiser.  We will depart Casey's at 9 AM Sunday morning.  After the breakfast, we will be taking a scenic ride back with a possible stop for ice cream on the way.  There should be a car ride available for those who do not want to ride motorcycles.  If you can't make the ride, you can still come to Casey's that morning and send along a donation to Camp Courageous with one of us.  LET'S HAVE A GOOD TURNOUT FOR THIS VERY WORTHWHILE CAUSE!

The mystery rider from the last post was Charlie Chaplan.  No one guessed right.  How about this guy?