Wednesday Night Riders: COUPLES' TRIP--BOATS & TRAINS

On a sunny crisp Saturday morning seven couples headed out from Casey's on our annual Wednesday Night Riders couples' trip. This time we were traveling to Osceola, Wisconsin to ride on the Osceola-St. Croix train. Wayne & Sandy, Dayton & Joan, Meryle & Mary, Carl & Joyce, Jim & Cathy, Chuckles & Lois, and Bob & Julie took off north on 76 and stopped in Hokah for a break. We then wound through the cones on HWY 61 and on into Winona for warm-up coffee at McDonalds. Following 61 north we went through Lake City and a beautiful view of Lake Pepin and all the sailboats and on into Red Wing where we picked up HWY 63 and crossed the river. We stopped in Hager City for gas for some of us and moonshine for others. We continued on past a couple of roundabouts and on into Osceola just in time to catch our train. After the train ride we rode to Tippy Canoes Restaurant for a midday meal featuring Aussie burgers.

After real full bellies, we returned back on HWY 35 to Somerset and on to HWY 64 traveling east. From there we went through another roundabout on to HWY 63 south and on into Baldwin and the Super 8. After resting, swimming, or walking for an hour or so, we decided it was time to eat again, so everybody brought their snacks to the meeting room and we dug in. After a lot of laughs, stories, BS, and updates on who died, we were finally so full of food that we decided we had better retire before we passed out!

Sunday morning was also crisp, and after wiping all the dew off the bikes, we headed towards home. Along the way we made stops in Menomonie and Ellsworth for gas before we journeyed on down to HWY 35 south for another drive down the Wisconsin side of the river. Again we saw many sailboats out on the Mississippi lakes and the sun was gradually warming us all up. We continued down 35 stopping at Buena Vista city park in Alma for a spectacular view of the river, the locks, and the surrounding bluffs. By this time we worked up our appetites and headed down 35 to Centerville and the Jailhouse Saloon for some of the best burgers we ever tasted! Also some of us spent some time "locked up" for misbehavior. Continuing on down 35 we went through LaCrosse with very little traffic, on over to LaCrescent just in time to miss the Apple Fest parade, and onto HWY 26. Taking 26 south into Lansing, we made our last stop at Skinny Dip's for ice cream and then back on HWY 9 back home. All together I had about 500 miles round trip on the trike. GOOD WEATHER--GOOD ROADS--GOOD FOOD--GOOD COMPANY--GOOD FUN! In fact it was so good, word has it that there will be a video coming out later.

Since Bob will be on a golf outing next Wednesday and Thursday, Chuckles will be in charge of the Wednesday night ride. Have a safe one!

CAMP COURAGEOUS
Next Sunday is our annual fall ride to Camp Courageous in Monticello. This is the pancake breakfast fundraiser for the camp and one of the events that the Wednesday Night Riders have supported for quite a few years now. Weather permitting we will leave Casey's at 10 AM Sunday morning. Everyone welcome and spread the word to support Camp Courageous, a great facility for youth and adults with special needs, and receives NO government funding!

Here's a couple of shots from the couples' trip.