WINDY EIGHT..DOUBLE DIP MONDAY..MORE COUPLES

On a clear blue sky but some strong winds and cooler temps, eight WNR met up at Casey's for the Wednesday night ride.  Lois, Howard, Al, Jim, and Bob R were on bikes, while Chuck (not Chuckles), Wayne, and Meryle took trikes.

GOOD LOOKING CREW....

ALONG WITH AL...

AND THE POSTVILLE CONTINGENT

MERYLE BROUGHT THE PILOT TRUCK..JUST IN CASE

LEADER OF THE PACK

We departed Casey's at 5:30 sharp and took HWY 9 to HWY 76 and then onto the Forest Mills Road.  We passed the Gelo Ranch and the Tri-City Golf Course and on into Luana.  From Luana we took HWY 18 east through Monona, Froelich, Giard, and Marquette, across the Mississippi River bridge, and on into Prairie du Chien.  We took Main St. north in PDC and then onto CR K.  From K we turned onto Limery Road, rode past the orchards (bumper crop), and onto HWY 27 heading north again.  Passing through Eastman, we then turned west and headed down the hill on scenery filled CR F.  After enjoying the spectacular views on F, we came to HWY 35 and took it north to Ferryville where we stopped at the Mobil Store for a break.

REST STOP IN FERRYVILLE

CHUCK (NOT CHUCKLES) GETS PARKED

AL CHECKS FOR PHONE MESSAGES

And a view of the Mississippi from the Mobil store in Ferryville.

  After sampling the cookies and tangling with the cappuccino machine, we headed for HWY 82, crossed the Black Hawk Bridge, and entered Lansing on HWY 26.  Refusing to take HWY 9 (Terry E Branstad Memorial Byway) to Waukon, we took HWY 26 north and turned onto Iowa River Drive just before New Albin.  IRD took us to Lycurgus Road and then to HWY 9 and into Waukon and Gus & Tony's.  I had 111 miles on the Wing at G & T's.

LABOR DAY DOUBLE DIP ICE CREAM RUN
It's hard to believe, but Labor Day is this coming Monday, the 2nd.  It's time again for our annual double-dip ice cream run.  We stop and get a dip on the route and another dip at WW Dairy when we return to Waukon.  It's always a fun run, and so far the weather looks favorable.  We will leave Casey's at 1 PM on Monday and everyone is welcome.

COUPLES' TRIP
Dennis & Marlene and Chuckles & Lois are now aboard.  If you are planning to go, be sure to let Bob R know as soon as you can.  It's only about two weeks away!  Part of the plan now is to visit the National Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa on our way to Rock City for lunch on Sunday.  It's been quite a while now since some of have been there, and there are some who have never seen it.  So we'll try to add that to our itinerary.

WHOO! WHOO! WHOO!--also Couples' Trip

On Sunday our RTE was going to take us to Wings in Dorchester for brunch and then on to Houston, MN for a visit to the National Owl Center.  WHOO all went?  We had 13 of us with Gary K and Lois on bikes and Meryle & Mary, Gary & Gloria G, Darrel, Wayne & Sandy, Carl & Joyce, and Bob & Julie on trikes lined up at Casey's at 11AM ready to roll.

GARY & GLORIA G JOIN US

QUITE A LINEUP OF GW TRIKES

GARY ROLLS IN

CARL GETS HIS CREDIT CARD TO WORK

We departed Casey's and headed up HWY 76 north and turned on Dorchester Drive and on into Wings.

PARKING ACROSS FROM WINGS

HAIR COMBING BEFORE BRUNCH

While inside Wings, light rain started to fall even though the Weather Channel said 0% chance of rain.  After way more than enough to eat, we departed Dorchester with light rain falling.  Soon outside of Dorchester and heading west on CR A16 toward Spring Grove, the rain stopped.  After arriving in Spring Grove, we took HWY 44 over to Caledonia where we got on HWY 76 through Caledonia and onto newly resurfaced CR 10. (We don't need no stinking yellow lines!).  CR 10 took us back to HWY 76 just outside of Houston, and we followed it on into the Owl Center on Main Street.

THE LEADERS ARRIVE IN FRONT OF THE OWLS

While inside the Owl Center, we had a "hooting" good program given by the center staff.

THE GREAT HORNED OWL

HE ONLY WEIGHS ABOUT 5 POUNDS
WE ALSO SAW A FLIGHT

After the program, we took a look around at the displays in the center and visited the gift shop.

After our visit to the Owl Center....

We took CR 9 west out of Houston and then CR 21 south to HWY 16 just outside of Hokah.  In Hokah we too HWY 44 south to Caledonia where we made our customary ice cream stop at the Dairy Queen.  After ice cream treats, we headed south on 76 back to Waukon.  We had about 110 miles on the Wing.  The following is a good summary of our RTE this Sunday.

COUPLES' TRIP
This years' trip is Saturday and Sunday, the 14th and 15th of September.  The tentative plan is to leave Casey's at 9 AM on Saturday and travel to the Amana Colonies.  There are a number of places to visit in the colonies, and not everyone may want to go to the same places. So the tentative plan is to start at the Visitor's Center after lunch and decide where each couple wants to go from there.  We will meet back at the Visitor Center later in the afternoon and then travel to Cedar Rapids Quality Inn for our snacks and lies and overnight stay.  On Sunday, the plan is to journey over to Rock City and have lunch at the iconic restaurant there like we did a couple of years ago.  After lunch we will head back to Waukon.  Most of the entire trip to and from will be on back roads.

If you are planning on going on this trip, it's time to let Bob R know ASAP, so he can confirm the motel reservations.  Right now we have Meryle & Mary (Meryle reserved the honeymoon suite!), Wayne & Sandy, and Bob & Julie set to go. 

WHAT A TURNOUT!

On a night designated for our get-well card signing for David, we may have set a new Wednesday night ride record for riders and units.  I hope I counted right and got everyone's name correct.  The Tolefsrud's came over in their Slingshot, while Darrel, Irv, Dave & Susan, Ron & Helen, Chuck (not Chuckles), and Wayne & Sandy boarded trikes.  Jim & Cathy, Bob P, Clair, Al, Howard, Chuckles, Lois, and Bob R were on bikes.  Bugsy showed up in his support convertible.  That was a total of 16 units and 21 riders!

QUITE AN ASSORTMENT OF REDS

BUGSY AUTOGRAPHS THE GET-WELL CARD

CLAIR STATED OUT AT 9AM TO GET HERE

After last week, I planned a route that would get us back way before dark.  After skating along on the grooved pavement going out of town south, we picked up Dave & Susan who were caught in the pilot car shuffle.  We then turned onto HWY 76 and then onto Forest Mills Road where Jim & Cathy hooked up with us.  A trip down Cherry Valley Road and into Postville came next.  Outside of Postville we turned onto the Gunder Road and followed its scenic path on into Elkader where we stopped to reconnoiter at the Fast Trac.

ROLLING INTO THE FAST TRAC

CLAIR WILL DEPART FROM HERE FOR DYERSVILLE

A GET ACQUAINTED HUDDLE

After departing Elkader, we took HWY 13 north and then turned west into St. Olaf.  In St. Olaf we followed CR X 28 north through Farmersburg and onto HWY 18 west just outside of Monona.  We passed through Monona on the Volney Road then through Rossville and onto HWY 76 north (Terry E Branstad Memorial Highway).  We took 76 into Waukon and our Decorah friends kept going so they could be back by dark.  We then weaved along on the grooved Main Street to Gus & Tony's where the conversations turned to why a Harley needs to be in neutral to start, chest thumping turkeys, and Confucius sayings.  I had a little over 80 miles on the Wing and the only deer we saw were way off the road.

SUNDAY'S RTE
We will depart Casey's at 11 AM and head north to Dorchester for brunch at Wings and then on up to Houston to visit the International Owl Center.  Should be a HOOT!!

DAVID IS BACK IN WAUKON!!

Apparently after Howard and Bob R went up to Rochester to visit David, Mayo must have decided that, "if this is the kind of visitors he's going to get, we gotta get him outa here!"

At any rate, I'm sure he's real happy to be back home.  Here's the text I received from Suzanne last night about 10 PM.

David got to VMH this eve.  A private service transported him.  A 2018 Dodge Mini van fitted for this purpose.  So a good smooth ride and he slept.  Those guys were fantastic.  A family business.  He ate and sleepy again.  Soooo good to be in Waukon.  Your visit was good timing as he was getting agitated.  Do visit again as he will have cabin fever.

What good news!  Those Harley riders must be tough!  Less than a week and he's back home!

Ride tonight at 5:30 and a card to sign.

TUESDAY UPDATE ON DAVID

This morning Howard and Bob R took a road trip up to Mayo in Rochester to check and see how they were treating our friend David.  They must be taking good care of him, because I think he looked really good, particularly for all he's been through!  He is real anxious to come home, as expected, but it may be another day or two for arrangements to be made.  I also think he's tired of the view outside his window--more construction.  Since it looks like it's going to be a couple of months with no weight bearing, Mayo will be transporting him back to Waukon.  Howard and I told him how many people have been concerned about his condition, and I told him that I didn't realize he had that many friends!  Hopefully the next time we are able to visit him, he will be here in Waukon and updates will be provided.

While we were there, John and Mary O'Neill dropped in to see David.  They were there to visit little Oliver, their grandson.  He is now up to seven pounds and seems to be doing well also.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S RIDE
As I mentioned previously, I will have a get-well card for everyone to sign and give to David when he gets back home.  If you can't make the ride Wednesday or the ride on Sunday and want to sign the card, let Bob R know and arrangements can be made.

SUNDAY'S RIDE
Also, as mentioned before, we have a RTE scheduled for this Sunday.  We will ride up to Wings in Dorchester for brunch and then continue on to Houston for a visit to the National Owls Center.  Plan to leave Casey's at 11 AM.  I talked to Linda at Wings, and she will be expecting us around 11:30.

A LITTLE HUMOR--FROM A SIGN IN A BAR IN MANCHESTER

TODAY'S DAVID UPDATES

I received the following text from Suzanne today at 10:30 AM:

David having blood loss.  In ICU and just left for a scan.  The surgery site very swollen.

Then at 5 PM

No blood leakage so did not have to reopen.  Blood in tissue and muscle from injury and surgery.  Gave him 3 units.  A set back for getting PT.  He slept this afternoon and is doing better.  What is the name of the rider behind David at the time of the accident?

I told her I thought it was Darrel Samuelson.

DAVID UPDATE--NEXT WEDNESDAY--NEXT SUNDAY

Last night I received the following text from Suzanne:

"He started a bit of PT today.  Did well."

NEXT WEDNESDAY
I plan to have a get-well card for everyone to sign to give to David when he gets back home.  If you can't ride Wednesday, and you want to sign the card, contact me and we can arrange something.

NEXT SUNDAY, the 25th
We have a ride scheduled that will include brunch at Wings in Dorchester and then a ride up to Houston to visit the International Owl Center.  The plan is to depart Casey's at 11 that morning.  More details to follow.

BELIEVE IT OR NOT--MADE ENTIRELY OF BALLOONS!

ANOTHER UPDATE ON DAVID

This comes from Suzanne on Friday morning, Aug. 16th:

I slept in a little since short the night before?  He looks good and sounds good.  We are hoping to see x-rays as showed him the before and after pics.  They have removed neck collar and oxygen so more comfortable.  He was having a panic attack last eve, but cooled him and removal of some things helped.  I read your blog and overwhelmed me on how he was so cared for at road side.  When you ride again please tell them how much I appreciate their being there for him.  Chuck a special thanks for attending as an emt.  You are an awesome group!

UPDATES ON DAVID

I received the following updates on David today:

Thurs Aug 15  12:16pm
David just went into surgery, new hip, a lot of reconstruction with femur Rx. 2-3 month recovery with no wt bearing

Thurs Aug 15, 10:23pm

David came through the surgery good today.  They repaired the femur and did have to replace the hip.  A long recovery but fortunate to be alive.  Probably here through the weekend.  Thanks for everything.

WN RIDER INJURED IN DEER STRIKE

What started out as a pleasant Wednesday night ride through northeast Iowa and southeast Minnesota did not end that way.  Ten of us (Ron & Helen and Darrel on trikes with Jim & Cathy, Bob Z, Chuck (Chuckles), Lois, David, and Bob R on bikes) left Casey's and traveled up HWY 76 north to CR 27 just north of Eitzen.  27 took us into Spring Grove where we then took HWY 44 on into Caledonia.  We stopped at the Kwik Trip there for a break and remarked about how nice the night was and how smooth and scenic CR 27 was.  The plan was to take CR 3 out of Caledonia down to Brownsville, but a local resident informed me that CR 3 was being worked on and there was quite s stretch of loose gravel there yet.  So we then decided to take CR 14 down to HWY 26 instead.

We were about 5 miles out of Caledonia on CR 14 when a doe deer ran out in front of David.  The doe was out ahead of him, so David was able to avoid her.  However, she was followed by her fawn that ran into David's Harley.  As near as we can figure, the fawn struck David's bike behind the front wheel and threw him off onto the roadside, while the bike continued on down a steep embankment.  While David was lying on the roadside, Chuck used his EMT skills to tend to David while the rest of us picked up his belongings, directed traffic, and placed calls for an ambulance and to Suzanne (David's wife).  We were extremely glad that Chuck was along with us tonight, because he proved to be invaluable in treating and transporting David.
Shortly help arrived from the Caledonia police department and sheriff deputies who investigated the scene, took names, and directed traffic.  When the ambulance arrived from Caledonia, Chuck made sure that the EMT's used proper procedure for getting David off the ground, into a sling, onto a gurney, and into the ambulance.  The ambulance took David to Mayo in LaCrosse at his request.  All during this time David was conscious and able to carry on a conversation with us and the EMT's.
At Mayo, David was given X-rays and scans to determine the extent of his injuries.  The doctors at Mayo concluded that the hip he had replaced some time ago was damaged.  He also had some pelvic fractures, a split fibula, a broken rib, and many scrapes and contusions.  He was then transferred by ambulance to Mayo in Rochester so his hip replacement damage could be addressed.  Right now he is still in Rochester.
While it looks like it's going to take some time for David to recover, this accident could have been much worse.  After examining the damage to his helmet, jacket, gloves, and boots, it was determined that if he had not been wearing this gear, his injuries would have been far greater if not fatal.
Many thanks goes to all the emergency people, and especially Chuck.  I don't know what we would have done without him.  Also thanks to Gloria K for driving Suzanne up to the emergency room at Mayo.  Our well wishes go out to David and his family for his speedy recovery, and future posts on this blog will try to keep up to date on his condition.

FOUR BOB'S, TWO GREG'S, TWO DALE'S AND ONE SAMMY

What a crowd!  We had 14 units with 17 riders plus one dog gather in the Casey's parking lot on Wednesday with a perfect summer evening awaiting us.  On bikes we had 4 Bob's--Bob P (newbie), Bob H, Bob Z, and Bob R.  Also on bikes were Lois, Chuckles, Howard, David, and Al.  Donning three wheelers were Dale & Sue L (newbies) from Castalia along with special passenger, Sammy.  Also on three wheels were Wayne & Sandy, Greg C, and Irv.  Following in the support convertible were Dale R (another Dale) and Greg K (another Greg).

DR. DAVID BACK FROM HELL

MY OTHER BROTHER BOB'S-- NEXT TO TRASH BIN

DALE & SUE AND SAMMY WITH HIS OWN SEAT

DALE (1) AND GREG (1) WITH THE SUPPORT CONVERTIBLE

MY OTHER BROTHER BOB

The convoy departed at 5:30, circled the golf course, and headed east on the Elon Road.  We then turned north onto the Lansing/Harpers Road and on into Lansing where we crossed the Mississippi River on the soon to be replaced Black Hawk Bridge and onto HWY 35 south heading for Ferryville.  Just outside of Ferryville we turned east again on CR C and followed its scenic path all the way into Soldiers Grove where we picked up HWY 61 heading south.  After a short stint on 61, we turned west onto CR X for another scenic stretch down to HWY 131.  We turned south on 131 and after a short stint, we turned into the Cenex grocery store in Gays Mills for our break.

SAMMY SAYS IT'S TIME TO GAS UP

OUR GROUP DRAWS A LOT OF ATTENTION

BOB #3

DALE #1 AND GREG #1

SAMMY--AFTER DUCKING SEVERAL SWIPES WITH A FLY SWATTER

SAMMY DIRECTS DALE & SUE'S PARKING

After our break we continued on HWY 131 through Steuben (all roads lead to Steuben) and onto HWY 179 west up the hills and onto HWY 27.  We went straight across 27 onto CR D for yet another scenic ride down to the river and onto HWY 35 south.  Following 35, we turned onto CR K just before Prairie du Chien and followed it along the river, through town and onto HWY 18 west.  18 took us into Marquette where we found HWY 76 (Terry E Branstad Memorial Highway) north and passed through Rossville and on into Waukon where we stopped at Club 10 and found Bugsy waiting for us.  I had 135 miles on the Wing outside of the City Club.

BACK FROM HELL
As promised, I am including a few photos of the guys who made the trip to Hell and back by traveling along the north shore of Lake Superior.  This was my fourth trip around the lake and I was still awed by the beauty, and Hell was not hot as Hell!

WE MADE IT--NOW TO GET BACK!

GOOD FOOD IN HELL

FERRY TO MACKINAC ISLAND--NOTICE THE ROOSTER TAIL! 

AGUASABON GORGE AND FALLS

KAKABEKA FALLS

We went from Hell to Heaven all in one trip!