A DOZEN ON THE RUN, CHICKEN, RUN RUN ON SUNDAY

Even though we have had 11 straight weekends with rain, we lucked out on Sunday for our annual Run, Chicken, Run run to Rockton, WI, to sample their "nearly world famous" barbecue chicken with trimmings.  Ten of us started out from Casey's, but because of the low temps at the time, only Bob R rode a trike and Julie and Dennis & Marlene in a van and Wayne & Elaine, Wayne & Sandy, and Meryle & Mary in another van.  The temp was 55 at the start.

WAYNE TAKING CHICKEN ORDERS??!!

We traveled east on the Elon Road and the sun started to shine through the clouds.  Elon took us to Lansing/Harpers Road and on into Lansing where we crossed the Blackhawk Bridge into Wisconsin and HWY 35 heading south.  After passing through Ferryville, we turned east again onto CR C.  We frequently take C on our rides since it is scenic and curvy.  C took us to CR J heading north along a scenic ridge, onto HWY 27, and into Viroqua where we stopped at the Kwik Trip north of town for a break.  At the break there, we were joined by Chuckles & Lois.  Chuckles was still full of free snacks from the Harley-Davidson open house yesterday and two breakfasts today.  We can only assume that he was late joining us because of time needed in the bathroom!

NOTICE THE BLUE SKIES

CHUCKLES & LOIS MAKE THEIR APPERANCE

READY FOR THE LAST LEG INTO ROCKTON

After leaving Kwik Trip we turned east onto CR Y and passed through Avalanche and then onto CR S through Dell and finally onto CR P which took us over to HWY 131 north and on into Rockton.  Y, S, and P proved to be both smooth and scenic.  I was a little concerned about possible flooding on P, since a lot of rain had fallen in this area and P runs along several creeks and part of the western branch of the Kickapoo River.  We had no problems, however, and by the time we made the turn into Rockton, we could smell the barbecuing chicken.

After introducing ourselves as the Wednesday Night Riders having reservations, we got in line for 1/2 chicken, macaroni salad, beans, and a roll.  Even though the sun was shining and the temps were now in the mid sixties, we found a spot to eat inside the Rockton Bar.  The Packer game had not yet started, or we wouldn't have been able to sit inside.  Thanks to Lois for the inside photos.

HEARTY CHICKEN EATERS

SOME MORE USDA CLUCKERS GOT DEVOURED

Part of our chicken trip has always been to stop at the orchard in Gays Mills for their apple cider donuts.  Actually we found out that the reason for taking vans was not because of the cool weather, but to have enough room to haul donuts back home!  So after leaving Rockton, we took HWY 131 through LaFarge, Viola, Kickapoo Center, and into Readstown where we got onto HWY 61 south through Soldiers Grove and then HWY 171 west at Rolling Ground.  171 took us to Sunshine Orchard and the mass of humanity there buying apples and other goodies.  After stocking up on the donuts, we continued on 171 through Gays Mills and past the swollen Kickapoo River.  171 passed through Mt. Sterling and down the hill to Ferryville and HWY 35 this time heading south.  At HWY 82 we turned west across the bridge again and into Lansing.  We would normally stop for ice cream either at Ferryville or Lansing, but with the cool temps and being full of donuts, the ice cream will have to wait until next time.  We took the Terry E Branstad Memorial Byway (HWY 9) back into Waukon.  I had 167 miles on the trike when I got home.  Even though he was full of snacks, breakfasts, and chicken, Chuckles was still able to polish off this desert when he got home.

LOOKS GOOD!

It was a nice fall trip, but in another week or so if Mother Nature cooperates, the leaves should be turning, and this route would be a really beautiful scenic journey.