I NEEDED THAT!!

To make things perfectly clear, I am doing my best to obey the mandates that have been in place for the Covid 19.  However, I am tired of being "cooped up"along with the lousy weather.  So today with the temps in the 50's and supposed sunshine, I got the trike out of her brief hibernation.  I did put on a little over 75 enjoyable miles by going north on 76, turning on Bear Creek Dr., going down Locust Drive into Decorah and down the main street there.  I counted only 7 parked cars on that whole stretch of street!  I then took HWY 9 back east to Old Stage and went through Fishville and down to Yellow River Drive.  Turning east I went past the Gelo estate and onto Forest Mills Drive, then to 76 and back home.  It felt really good to be out of the house and breathing fresh air.  The only stop I made was for gas and I didn't breathe on anyone, and no one breathed on me!  Hopefully the virus can't exceed 55 mph.  

A bit of warning--there is a lot of sand on the roads out there, particularly at intersections.  They must have put a whole dump truck full on the intersection of Forest Mills and Yellow River Dr.  I was fine on the trike, but I'm not so sure how safe it would have been on the two-wheeler, so if you plan on getting out the two-wheeler watch for sand!

With a lot of time on my hands, I have been perusing the WNR ride schedule for this year.  While I was doing that, Dennis & Marlene sent me the following link.  This is a place I'm considering to add to the ride schedule.  It's a ways away, and would probably involve most of a day, but it sure looks like an interesting place to visit

https://www.youtube.com/embed/HyuE1XnYO0I

Right now I can't say things are looking too good for our rescheduled PMS meeting on the 8th.  I'll try to keep you posted on that.  In the meantime stay safe and healthy.

Here's a couple of interesting signs that Dennis & Marlene forwarded to me.

NEW PMS DATE

Right now I am looking at April 8 for our PMS meeting.  Again this will depend on how the virus is progressing and whether restaurants can be open and how many can gather in one place.  Maybe some of us will be riding by then.  If so, then be advised that being on a motorcycle is an excellent way to avoid the virus.

WE'RE BAAAACK!!

We made it back to Waukon from South Carolina on Monday.

No we didn't fly back, but this video is one that I forgot to put on the last post.  It shows how close planes were coming to our motel in Miami.

The last post I told about the cruise stop in Key West.  After a day at sea along with some events with the Gold Wing group (about 300 of us including seven couples from Iowa this time), we arrived in Cozumel, MX.  There Julie and I took a tour of the island.  Our first stop was at a park where we saw miniature models of Mayan monuments, churches, and Cozumel itself.

Our next stop was a chocolate maker.  Here they import the cocoa beans, process them, and end up with delicious chocolate.  We were first entertained by a Mayan descendant and a loud parrot.

We were then given a demonstration on how the chocolate is made.

We were then invited to sample some of the various chocolates, and purchase some of the bars if we liked them.  We did buy three bars.  They did not make it back to Waukon!

Our next stop was a family tequila distillery.  They actually grow their own plants to use to make the product.

We were then invited to sample some of the flavors of tequila that they produce.

We sampled six different flavors in small shot glasses.  Not being a tequila drinker, if I had put down one more shot, I would have had to crawl back to the bus.  We did purchase two bottles of passion fruit and pina colada.  Those bottles did reach Waukon, and if you come to the cookout on Memorial Day at our house, you will also get to sample them.

Our bus then returned us back to the city for shopping and photos.  I took some of the harbor there.  Cozumel's only industry is tourism.  And actually it was Jacques Cousteau (remember him?) who got the tourism started here by discovering the excellent diving just off the coast.  Divers come by the thousands to explore the waters off Cozumel.

ARCH DEDICATED TO COUSTEAU

OUR SHIP IN PORT

The major form of transportation in Cozumel is scooters.  They outnumber other vehicles two to one, since the price of gas is over $4.50 a gallon.

We departed Cozumel and set sail for our return to Miami.  On the way, the Wingers group held a 60's party where prizes were awarded for best costumes and best dancers.

COUPLE FROM FT. DODGE

We arrived back in Miami on Saturday morning, and actually found the traffic moving well as we headed north back to Panama City Beach.  Overall we really enjoyed the cruise again.  We were able to see old friends and meet new ones and had a lot of fun doing the various activities.  We also ate way too much!!

UPCOMING EVENT
On March 25th at 7PM we will be having our twelfth annual PMS meeting at the Old Rossville Store.  This usually proves to be a fun evening getting together again after a long winter and talking smack.  You will soon be getting a "formal" invite in the mail along with the 2020 ride schedule.

Also, we will need a new post ride supper hang out!

WHAT'S LEFT OF GUS & TONY'S

Guess what WNR is doing this on his 70th birthday!!

Until we meet again, here's some thoughts for the weeks ahead.
Thanks to Dennis & Marlene.

"Told my wife I wanted to be cremated.  She made an appointment for Tuesday."

Confuse your doctor by putting on rubber gloves at the same time he does.

My wife asked me to take her to one of those restaurants where they make the food right in front of you.  So I took her to Subway and that's how the fight started.

Heading North

Right now we are in South Carolina visiting Julie's sister.  After our Waves and Wingers cruise to Key West and Cozumel we returned from Miami to Panama City Beach for a couple days of r&r and another ride.  We plan to spend a couple of days here and then begin our journey back to the frozen tundra of Iowa.  However, I did look at the long range forecast for Waukon and the temps look pretty good.

THE CRUISE
We departed Miami on the 24th.  We drove down from PCB the day before and stayed overnight at a motel that would also let us park the truck there for 5 days. On our way down we stopped at Daytona to check on a new seat for the trike.  Right across from the seat store was the J&P Cycles new store.  Of course we had to venture in and check it out.  It's quite an establishment!  They even have a big shop where they will put on any accessories and even do tires. 

Driving through Miami is a real treat!!  Don't plan on that trip being on the schedule for Wednesday Night Riders!  The motel we stayed at was right close to the airport and it looked like departing planes were going to fly right into our window.

We spent a day at sea and then arrived at our first port, Key West.  Key West is a unique place, to say the least.  Wayne Martin and I rode down there in the early 80's, and it's a whole new ballgame.  To refresh, it is the southern most city in the U S.  It is actually closer to Havana, Cuba than it is to Miami.

THE SOUTHERN MOST HOUSE IN THE USA

THE MOST PHOTOGRAPHED AND MOST STOLEN SIGN IN THE USA

HENRY FLAGLER--BUILT A RAILROAD FROM ST AUGUSTINE TO
KEY WEST--THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD

THE US GOVERNMENT CONSTRUCTED THIS BUILDING WITH SNOW AND
ICE GRATES ALONG THE EAVES ON THE ROOF.  IT HAS NEVER SNOWED
IN KEY WEST

IN KEY WEST CHICKENS RUN LOOSE AND ARE A PROTECTED SPECIES

A KAPOC TREE--USED IN LIFE PRESERVERS

• 

  CIGARS ARE STILL POPULAR IN KEY WEST
  
  Another unusual feature of Key West are the beaches.  The sand for the beaches has to be hauled in, because it gets washed away into the coral.
  
  ENOUGH FOR NOW
  I'LL POST NEXT ON COZUMEL