Back from Alaska--WNR Reports--Stone City

We made it back from our Alaska adventure on Sunday afternoon.  Not to bore everyone with a travelogue, I'll just summarize our trip.  We flew from Minneapolis to Anchorage--5.5 hours.  We did some exploring in Anchorage and then rented vans and traveled to Seward where some of our group hiked and the others fished.  After a couple of days in Seward we took the vans to Whittier (a really unusual town) where we took a cruise boat out to see the glaciers.  We then headed back to Anchorage to turn in the vans and jump on a train to Denali.  In Denali we toured the park by bus, hiked, took an ATV adventure, and visited a sled dog training.  From Denali we took a bus back to Anchorage and flew back to Minneapolis.  Alaska is incredible, just not easy to get to.  I talked to several bikers while I was there who said they had to travel quite a ways on chip seal and gravel and ate a lot of dust.  Also food and lodging is very expensive in Alaska, but the trip was worth it!

While I was gone, the WNR did some riding.  So here's a couple of reports from Jim.

Wednesday, the 9th
"It was Wednesday night, so of course there was rain.  At 5 it looked like it might be safe to the south.  We had Lois, Larry. and Jim & Cathy on 2 wheelers.  Wayne (Sandy elected to stay home with the repairman), Darrel, Dayton & Joan on trikes, Dale & Greg in convertibles.
Headed out to John Deere and took a left on 76 to Forrest Mills Rd. took a right on Cherry Valley Dr. to Postville.  Proceeded through Gunder and Elkader.  Hopped on Grandview Rd. to Garber Rd. into Guttenberg and made a stop at Joe's Pizza for ice cream.  Decided to head back on 52 to Garnavillo and take a right to bring us past Pikes Peak into McGregor.  When we got to Garnavillo, the radar showed we would be driving into showers if we stayed on 52 to Monona.  Volney Rd and back on 76 to Gus & Tony's for supper.  Showed about 120 miles on the bike.  Had a few light sprinkles after we left Guttenberg but all stayed dry."

Nice report, but I can't believe that no one asked, "Who in the hell was the repairman?!!"

Wednesday, the 16th
First from Chuckles
"It's a quarter to 5 on another glorious Wednesday evening.  Think it will clear up enough to ride?"

And then from Jim--
"Well another wet Wednesday.  The rain let up enough to head to town just after 5.  Dale said he would go, so Dale & I headed out from Casey's on Elon Dr. to Lansing.  The valleys had a little fog from the earlier rain that was pretty to ride by.  We crossed the bridge into WI and headed south on 35.  We pulled into Ferryville so Dale could put the top down and the proceeded to Lynxville where we picked up F to 27 and then 179 to Steuben.  On 27 we saw a chicken building that had fenced around the building and had all the chickens outside running around.  There were a lot of chickens.  I think Cathy and I need to step up our game next year.  We took 131 North to County Road E into Boscobel.  The radar said rain was coming so we grabbed a pizza and let the rain pass.  We took 131 through Woodman and then C back to 18/35.  The back through Prairie and up 76. Stayed dry until we were on top of the hill on 76.  Had one dirty little rain cloud that seemed to be tracking us.  When I reached Forest Mills Rd I headed south and Dale headed back to town.  I had 130 miles on the bike."

STONE CITY IS SUNDAY
On Sunday we have a ride scheduled for the Stone City General Store Pub, a restaurant in Stone City, IA.  It's located near Anamosa and looks to be about the same time frame as our rides to Camp Courageous have been.  We plan to leave Casey's at 10 AM that morning, so if you plan on going, let me know on Wednesday night so I can call in reservations.  If you want to look the joint over go to www.generalstorepub.com
Right now Wednesday night looks good for riding, so see you then!