HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL

He's on his way, so I hope all Wednesday Night Riders have been good little boys and girls.  I have some suspicions about some of you, but I decided Santa could decide for himself.

Thanks to all who sent us Xmas cards, and hopefully you got ours.  Otherwise Elvis and Marilyn are going to be disappointed!

In about a month Julie and I will be boarding one of the largest cruise ships in the world (Oasis of the Seas) at Port Canaveral, FL, where we will be joined by several hundred Gold Wingers from all over the US for a seven day cruise to the Bahamas, St. Thomas, and St. Marten.  I will still probably be a little gimpy yet, but I'll be glad to leave the northeast Iowa winter behind.  After the cruise we will return to our usual condo in Panama City Beach for the month of February.  While there we have a good time with the Gold Wing chapters in the panhandle of Florida.  We go on rides with them and attend their chapter meetings.  Hopefully the "gimp" will be healed up enough to ride the trike.  As usual, I will try to post some of our activities with our Florida riders.  They are a lot of fun, but have a ways to go to match the WNR rides.  They do like to eat though!!

Right now I plan to have our annual PMS meeting on the 15th of March.  That time of year seemed to work out well last year, so set that date aside.  You will receive more information on this later, and if you are important enough, you will receive a personal invitation in the mail!

But for right now here's wishing y'all a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR!!  Here's some "warm" memories from 2016.

ANOTHER WNR HONORED & DRAG-A-LEG 2

We had another WNR honored last week!  Notice the smiling face below.  Congratulations to Wayne!

43 years!  How many young lives he must have touched over all those years.  And never did have to kill one of the "little urchins"!

DRAG-A-LEG REPORT II

Today, the 28th, I returned to Gundersen in LaCrosse for some x-rays to see how my knee was progressing.  The news was good!  Everything was healing well, and I could start physical therapy.  The doctor who saw me said that all the walking I had done (1/2 to 3/4 mile daily) at the Wellness Center paid off.  She was also surprised by the amount of flex I already had in the knee.  So, baring some unfortunate circumstance, I am well on the road to recovery.  I have to do some active flex exercises in pt instead of forced bending.  Thanks to everyone who wished me well.  Gary said they were praying for me in church, but he didn't know whether to pray for me or Julie!

MY NEW MODE OF TRANSPORTATION

WNR VETS HONORED & KRISTI WINS

This past Veterans' Day three of our WNR were presented Quilts of Valor to honor their service to our country as veterans of our armed services.  The quilts were presented to Carl, Meryle, and Dale at a special assembly in the Waukon High School gymnasium.  The quilts were made especially for veterans by a group of local quilters which includes Julie.  As you can see from the photo, the quilts are quite beautiful and represent a lot of labor.  Thanks to the quilters and especially THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE, Carl, Meryle, and Dale!

CONGRATS TO KRISTI
Congratulations to Kristi Hager who won election to the Iowa House.  Kristi will be our representative in Des Moines in the Iowa Legislature.  Hopefully she and Bob will still have some time for motorcycling.  Maybe they can ride their Wing to town meetings!

SOME DRIVEL
It has come to my attention that one of our WNR had a collision with his bicycle and Harley, and the Harley is the worst for wear!  Apparently we are going to have to wait until spring for the full story.
Also. I have been recently informed that our newly elected Vice President rides a motorcycle!

Hopefully some of you are taking advantage of this sensational fall weather to do some cruising!

UPDATE ON DRAG-A-LEG

Again thanks to all of the WNR who either called, stopped by, or sent cards concerning my knee replacement surgery.  Since it has been about three weeks since the surgery. I thought it might be a good idea to update you on my progress.

First of all, the pain has been very tolerable.  In fact, I have been able to walk (with the use of a walker from Dennis & Marlene--still supplying a support vehicle) about four blocks on the street at home in the morning and about four laps around the track at the wellness center in the afternoon.  When I went back for my two week check-up, they were well pleased at my progress.  I will try to continue to "push" myself and hope this speeds up the recovery since we are shooting for the middle of January to head south on another cruise and our stay in February in Florida where I plan on riding the trike.

The only downside has been having to wear a stabilizer on my knee when I'm up to keep the knee from bending.  Apparently my knee was quite a way out of place, and the ligaments on the inside of the knee had shortened.  So the surgeon had to stretch and reattach them to get the leg straight again.  That means that I'm not supposed to bend the knee for another three weeks until my next check-up.  Using the stabilizer makes it difficult getting into the car, and almost impossible to sit anywhere but in the recliner (that was loaned to me by Dennis & Marlene).  The  doctor was surprised that I could get along at all before he operated.  I didn't have the heart to tell him that I had played 27 holes of golf and rode 200 miles on the Wing the week before. 

I think my disablement this fall has benefited everyone else.  Because I would guarantee you if I was able to be up and about, mother nature would have had six inches of snow on the ground by now!

I'll try to keep you posted as time allows.  In the meantime, enjoy the great fall weather and put some miles on the bikes, trikes, and convertibles!

MY NEW TWO-WHEELER

LOIS IS "LONE RANGER"---THANKS, THANKS A LOT!!!

Apparently Lois was the only WNR to venture out last Wednesday.  Here's her report.  

"Seemed a bit cold and damp last Wednesday evening so we didn't ride or hear of anybody else that did, either.  At about 6:30, I ended up putting on my long johns and winter coat and heading up to 'Fields of Faith' where I sat covered with a couple more Indian blankets.

I was the lone rider on this comfortably quiet 59 degree evening.  Chuckles was on ambulance call so I put him on photo duty as I prepared to depart Casey's.  I headed out Elon to Lansing/Harpers Rd, took Lafayette Ridge across to Great River Road then up to Lansing where I stopped to see the wonderful progress on the new visitor center and to take a peek at the creek before taking  Hwy 9 back to Waukon.  Turned over about 40 miles and the sun may have set on my Wednesday night rides for the season." 

Here's some photos of what may well be the last Wednesday night ride of the season.

WOW!!!


THANKS--THANKS A LOT

I want to thank everyone in WNR who has called and even sent cards wishing me well after my knee replacement surgery on the 11th.  Also, many of you have offered help if I need it.  I really appreciate that, and I may have to take some of you up on your offers.  In the meantime, things are progressing surely but slowly so it's going to be a while before I throw a leg over the Wing again.  It looks like there is some nice fall weather coming yet, so I hope the WRN can get some good rides in yet, especially with the fall colors  My next riding will probably be in Florida in February.  The hospital sent a whole bag of "goodies" home with me.  In the bag was a set of ear plugs!  So far I haven't found a use for them.  But as time goes on, I'm sure Julie will! 

THREESOME ON BONUS RUN

Three veteran WNR showed up for the final special ride of the season, the Bonus Run.  With Bob R in the lead followed by Chuckles and Howard, we pulled out of Casey's on Sunday at high noon under sunny skies and temps in the sixties.  We took HWY 76 north to Bear Creek Road and then east to Locust Road.  Locust Road north got us to HWY 44 east near Spring Grove.  After a short jog on 44, we got onto CR 4 and wound our way through Black Hammer and the Yucatan valley over to 76 again.  We then took 76 into Houston for a break at the BP station.  While there we saw a lot of smoke coming from a farm field and soon the Houston fire department was on its way there.

ARRIVING IN HOUSTON

A FARM FIELD FIRE!

After our break we took CR 9 just outside of Houston heading east. This county road had just been resurfaced and was smooth as glass.  9 took us over to CR 11 north and then onto CR 8 heading back east through New Hartford and onto CR 5 into Nodine.  Nodine is the home of the "tin man".  It is mandatory if you are a male to stop and pay homage to the tin man.  Severe consequences may result if you don't!!  We did stop.

THE TIN MAN IN NODINE

After paying our homage to the tin man, we took Apple Blossom Drive where we were treated to a spectacular view of the Mississippi river valley and La Crosse below.

I HAVEN'T LOST THEM YET!

Here's a short video of the view from Apple Blossom Drive.  Click below.

After our view from the top, we continued on Apple Blossom Drive and on into La Crescent where we picked up CR 25 and then turned onto one of our all-time favorite roads--Teschemper.

Here's a short video of the view from Teschemper.  Click below.

After the most scenic five miles in the tri-state area, we continued onto CR 21, then over to HWY 16 and into Hokah for another break at the Kwik Trip.  

We got onto CR 18 in Hokah and took it on into Brownsville.  In Brownsville we headed south on HWY 26 into Iowa and just south of New Albin, we turned west onto Iowa River Drive.  From IRD we stayed straight onto Lycurgus Road, over to HWY 9 and back into Waukon for 150 beautiful miles!  If you missed this scenic trip, I have received a request to do it again next spring on our Memorial Day Run.  We'll see.

The only down side of the day was realizing that I had to put the Wing to bed for the winter, since after the knee surgery there won't be any fall riding left.

A SAD SIGHT

Hopefully there will still be plenty of nice fall rides yet for WNR.  You will need a new leader, and be careful.  With the crops coming out, so are the DEER!!

A ROSE AMONG THREE THORNS

On Wednesday evening four WNR gathered for Bob R's final Wednesday night ride as leader.  We had Nancy on her Harley, Howard on his Harley, Gary in a support vehicle, and Bob leading on his Wing.  Just from this description, you should be able to pick out the rose from the thorns!

GOOD TO SEE NANCY AGAIN

NEW SUPPORT VEHICLE??!!  SHOULD HAVE A MOWER ON THE FRONT!

NOT HARD TO FIND THE ROSE IN THIS PICTURE!

 Since the daylight is getting shorter, so are our rides.  Since we want to try to be back before dark, it looks like we need to be at Gus & Tony's by seven.  So we decided to take a perimeter run around Allamakee county by starting out east on the Elon Road and then took Lafayette Road down to the Great River Road and into Lansing.  We headed north out of Lansing along the river on HWY 26 to New Albin where we picked up Pool Hill Road west into Eitzen.  In Eitzen we took HWY 76 south to Iowa River Drive over to Lycurgus Road and then onto HWY 9.  We took 9 on into Waukon for our usual stop at Gus & Tony's where Dorothy and Wayne & Sandy joined us.  Nice fall evening and about 75 more miles on the Wing.

BONUS RUN

On your ride sheet you'll notice a Bonus Run on Sunday.  That was put there in case we couldn't go to Rockton the week before, or if it turned out to be a nice day for a ride, we could try to squeeze one more in.  If it is a nice day, I do plan to ride on Sunday.  I'll leave Casey's at noon.  I don't know where I will be going yet, but I will be back before dark.  Anyone is welcome to ride along!!  Since I'm having my knee replaced on Tuesday, this will no doubt be my last ride for 2016.

SEVENTEEN CHICKEN EATERS!!

On what turned out to be a beautiful Sunday morning, fifteen WNR and two guests raised anchor and journeyed across the pond to Rockton and the apple orchards.  Bob R and Julie led followed by Jim & Cathy, Meryle & Mary, Wayne M, Carl & Joyce, Dayton & Joan, Wayne & Sandy, and Dennis & Marlene in the support vehicle.  Our guests were Darron & Sue S from Decorah.  Darron is a fireman over there, so it was nice having him along in case Meryle tried to set his socks on fire again!

CARL CHECKING HIS GAS AND HIS TEETH

JIM & CATHY ARRIVE UNDER WADE'S WATCHFUL EYE

THE "FLOCK" IS STILL GATHERING

OUR GUESTS, DARRON AND SUE, WONDERING IF THEY MADE A WISE CHOICE

After leaving Casey's we headed east on the Elon Road and then north on the Harpers/Lansing Road.  At Lansing we crossed the bridge and turned south to pick up CR B near Ferryville.  We took B east to HWY 27 and turned north again and headed into Viroqua for a break and watched Joan set a land speed record sprinting into the Kwik Trip.
We continued north out of Viroqua and got on CR Y again heading east.  We continued following Y and CR S and CR P over to HWY 131 just south of Rockton.  That stretch of CR Y,S, and P is one of my favorite routes since it is very scenic any time of year, especially in the fall.  We pulled into the Rockton Bar at 12:30, just in time to get some of their "almost world famous" barbecued chicken.

WE MADE IT TO ROCKTON

JOAN DOESN'T HAVE TO DASH IN THIS TIME!

MERYLE TRIES TO GET BOB TO PAY FOR HIS CHICKEN

"TOOTHLESS" CARL CUTTING UP HIS CHICKEN WITH A BOWIE KNIFE

THIS PLACE AIN'T CHIC-FIL-A!

THIS SAYS IT ALL!!

After polishing off 8 1/2 USDA cluckers, our group decided it was time to sample the apple donuts at Sunshine Orchards, so we headed south on 131 until we came to the detour outside of Viola and had to take HWY 56 west to CR S.  We followed S south until it connected with 131 south again just outside of Readstown.  131 south was closed again at Readstown, so we detoured onto HWY 14 east and followed it to CR X.  We turned south on X until we came to CR H and followed it south to HWY 171 west.  171 took us into Sunrise Orchards where the apple and donut shoppers were as thick as flies.  They did have a huge tent that gave away free samples of every kind of treat you could think of.  It's a good thing Chuckles wasn't along, or we would still be there! 

After loading up on apples, cider, and donuts, we continued on 171 west down to HWY 35 north just outside of Ferryville.  We followed 35 to 82 west across the bridge to Lansing and HWY 9 back to Waukon.  It turned out to be about 177 fabulous miles.  GOOD WEATHER--GOOD FOOD--GOOD COMPANY!!

NEXT WEDNESDAY

Next Wednesday, the 5th, will be my last one for the year, since I will be having knee replacement surgery on the 11th.  So up until daylight savings time ends, you will need a new leader on your Wednesday night rides.  Good luck and stay off the gravel!!

TWO HARDCORES & A NEWBIE--IRV--CHICKEN RUN

On a rather cool and damp Wednesday night only three of us chose to ride.  Jim and Bob R as the hardcores, and Austin R as the newbie departed Casey's with a temperature of 60 degrees and partly cloudy skies.

HARDCORE I

HARDCORE II AND NEWBIE ARRIVING

NEWBIE

HARDCORE II

After leaving Casey's we headed out on HWY 9 west and then turned south onto Centennial Road.  We followed Centennial to CR W46 where we turned west again.  W46 led us onto CR W42 that took us through Ossian and onto the Great River Road (B40) heading for Clermont.  Along the River Road we saw where the Turkey River had jumped out of its banks in several places.  At Clermont we turned onto HWY 18 for a short jaunt and then onto CR 51 heading into Elgin.  In Elgin we picked up CR B64 and were on our way to Gunder.  In Gunder we turned onto CR B60 for a short ways to CR W64 and headed north onto HWY 18 and into Postville where the Newbie needed gas.  We then took HWY 51 out of Postville and turned onto Yellow River Drive heading back east.  After a ways on YRD, we turned north onto Old Stage Road and through Fishville and onto HWY 9 again.  We followed HWY 9 into Waukon where Bob R (Hardcore I) was the only one to stop at Gus & Tony's where he warmed up with soup and cheese curds that he didn't have to share!  The run was about 85 miles.  Welcome to newbie Austin.  We hope to see him again.

IRV 

 Howard received word that Irv Fosaaen was in a motorcycle accident in Italy.  It was a near head on collision on a curve and Irv's injuries mainly involve his head and chest.  The accident was on Thursday evening and as of Tuesday morning, due to swelling on the brain, he is becoming aware of where he is and what is going on.  His son, Blake, was traveling there with him and his wife, Chris, flew over and is there now also. 

CHICKEN RUN

The "Run, Chicken, Run" Run is this Sunday.  We plan to leave from Casey's at 10 that morning.  If you plan to go along and want chicken, you are going to need reservations.  You can do one of two things:  Call Bob R (563-568-7277) by Friday, and he will call in the reservations then.  OR if you want to call and make reservations yourself, call the Rockton Bar (608-625-4395) and tell them you are with the Waukon group.  Call before Sunday, or you may be too late.  It's supposed to be a pretty decent day, so we will probably stop at the orchards on the way back and load up on the apple donuts!

ALL ROADS LEAD TO STEUBEN AND WATER

After leaving Camp Courageous on Sunday, Jim said he was going to cross the bridge at PDC and do some snooping on the water levels across the river.  I thought you might be interested in seeing what he sent me, since the photos show places that we've been on our Wednesday night ventures.

Jim said, "I went snooping to Steuben and then up 131 to Gays Mills.  Water was across road at bridge in Gays Mills but I was able to make it to Towerville to come home.  Alot of water ran in those big wide bottoms going to Towerville you could see the whole valley had high fast moving water in it.  

Good thing they had the Don't Park In The Grass sign in Steuben.  I would have, if not for the sign!

NOTE THE "DON'T PARK ON THE GRASS" SIGN