FOURSOME ON RTE TO HOUSTON

 Well, it wasn't raining at 11 AM on Sunday, and the temp was above 60 (barely), so four WNR embarked on the RTE rescheduled from Camp Courageous.  Chuckles and Al rode up on their Harleys, while Bob & Julie led the way on their Gold Wing trike.  With still a 50% chance of rain we headed north where the sky looked a little brighter.  Traveling north on HWY 76, we did catch a couple of sprinkles, but that was it for our 50%.  We took 76 through Eitzen and Caledonia and then turned northwest onto CR 10.  Passing through Sheldon we again intersected with 76 just south of Houston.  We then followed 76 into Houston for the E in RTE at JT's Corner Bar & Grill.

THIS IS THE PLACE

SHE DID MAKE USE OF THE WING'S HEATED SEAT

THE HARLEY BOYS GET PARKED

I"LL BET I COULD HAUL MY HARLEY ON THIS!

Wandering inside with masks on, we noticed all of the tv's were set to the Vikings game naturally.  Since I have no interest in the NFL, I was amazed at this table and chair set up.  Looks like it was designed to hold NFL players!

REAL SOLID WOOD!

FOUR SATISFIED EATERS

After the E, we continued with the R and took HWY 76 north out of town for a short ways and then got onto CR 9 heading east.  CR 9 took us to CR 21 and we headed south to CR 25.  Thanks to Houston County for repaving CR 25 for us!  Apparently this county chooses to put new blacktop down instead of dumping a bunch of chip seal to fix things!  After a smooth cruise up Happel Hill on 25, we came to the turn onto "Thumper" Road near the WXOW tv towers.  The trip down the four miles on "Thumper" is always a treat.  Even though it was overcast, the views went on for miles and miles and some of the trees had turned bright red.  We passed by the Van Lin Orchards where it looked as if there was a bumper crop of apples on the trees.  The scenic ride took us back down to CR 21 and a turn back east put us onto HWY 16.  We followed 16 into Hokah and past Hokah Hardware (a division of Horsefalls) and then onto CR 18 heading down the hill into Brownsville.  We stopped at the River Station Convenience Store there for a break.  We then continued the R on HWY 26 through Reno, New Albin, and into Lansing.  There we took the newly refurbished HWY 9 back into Waukon.  We had 121 miles on the trike when we parked her.  Although it certainly was not a perfect fall day, we still had a pleasant and scenic R (ride) along with good E (eats).  From the looks of things, we may be in for some good fall colors for a change this year.  Let's hope the Weather Witch cooperates!

NEXT SUNDAY

Speaking of the Weather Witch cooperating, next Sunday, Oct. 4th, is another RTE.  This time it's our annual "Run, Chicken, Run" Run to Rockton for their near world famous barbequed chicken dinners.  Right now the plan is to leave Casey's at 10 AM that Sunday.  More on this in an upcoming post and after we get a better handle on what the Witch has in store for us.  

TOMORROW

 If it's not raining at 11 AM tomorrow (Sunday), the RTE (ride to eat) will leave from Casey's. This was supposed to be the day we traveled to Monticello for the Camp Courageous breakfast, but due to COVID that has been cancelled.  So my next plan was to try to go to Larry's Lookout, but apparently they have some type of event this weekend.  So, the plan right now is to head up to Houston and eat at J T's Corner Bar & Grill and from there continue the ride including a trip down Thumper Road (the most scenic four miles in the tri-state area).  Then passing through Hokah, down to Brownsville, through New Albin, and return to Waukon on HWY 9 for the rest of the ride.  Should be about 120 miles total.  Everyone is welcome to ride along.

You can google JT's Corner Bar & Grill and see their menu.

FIRST RIDE OF THE FALL WAS A TREAT

 On the second evening of the new fall season we had a baker's dozen WNR show up for our Wednesday night ride.  Irv, Darrel, and Chuck (not Chuckles) & Dee brought their trikes.  Mounting bikes were Howard, Beth, Al, Chuckles, Lois, Jim & Cathy, Roger, and Bob.

HOWARD & IRV CATCHING SOME RAYS

YEP, THAT'S BETH

I HOPE THAT'S NOT OUR SUPPORT VEHICLE!

CHUCK & DEE ARRIVE

With very pleasant fall temps and a sunny sky, we departed Casey's heading east on reconditioned, but not yet finished, HWY 9 east.  After about 5 miles, we turned west onto Lycurgus Road and followed it to Iowa River Drive again heading west.  Cruising along the Iowa River bottoms, we arrived at HWY 76 and took a short jog on it to Bear Creek Drive.  With the sun light ducking in and out from behind the bluffs, we continued west to Locust Road.  You could really tell the differences in temps when the ride went into a shady area of the road.  Locust Road took us north to HWY 44 east just outside of Spring Grove.  We entered Spring Grove and turned onto CR A16, or what I call Dorchester Drive heading back east.  There are some really scenic views on A16 coming down into Dorchester, but the distance of the views were blocked somewhat yet by the smoke haze from the fires out west.  Still there was some fine northeast Iowa scenery. We did spot a number of turkeys, but no deer.  After passing through Dorchester and avoiding rush hour, we hooked up with HWY 76 and headed south into Waukon. While the haze limited our distant views, it did make for a beautiful red sunset!  Some of us stopped at City Club for our after ride meal.

ARRIVING JUST AFTER SUNSET

After cleaning the bug splatters off my the windshield on the Wing, I looked at the speedometer to see that we put on about 80 miles on our first trip of fall 2020.  Let's hope this is not the last of our pleasant Wednesday night riding.

TIP--Speaking of bug splatters on the windshield, I have found that spraying hydrogen peroxide on the splatters makes them foam up and very easy to remove with a soft sponge and water.  Then wipe the water off with a good chamois cloth.  Do not use the windshield wipers at gas stations!  They will put scratches on your windshield.  Hydrogen peroxide is cheap, and it will not harm paint or plastic.  I buy it by the quart and put it into a spray bottle.

SUNDAY

This Sunday, the 27th, was supposed to be our semi-annual ride to Camp Courageous in Monticello for their pancake breakfast fund raiser.  However, due to COVID, Camp Courageous is temporarily closed, so we won't be riding down there on Sunday.  Julie and I will be sending in our donation to them by mail.  Without the fund raisers, the camp can use all the donations they can get!

I still plan to go on a RTE (Ride To Eat) on Sunday. It looks like the weather is still going to be nice that day, but turning colder the rest of the week.  One possibility is riding up to Larry's Lookout Bar (used to be Hanson's) now under new management.  That was a ride that was scheduled in July, but the Weather Witch didn't cooperate back then.  At any rate, if the weather still looks promising, I plan to leave Casey's at 11 AM on Sunday morning.  Everyone is welcome to ride along.

TURNING COOL QUICKLY

 With temps predicted to get into the 40's later this Wednesday evening, we knew our rides from now on would have to be shorter now due to less daylight.  With that in mind, we did have nine Wednesday night riders cruise into Casey's for our weekly ride.  It was sunny and temps in the high 60's when we got set to take off.  Irv, Darrel, and Chuck (not Chuckles) were on trikes, while Howard, Chuckles (birthday boy), Lois, Dee, Al, and Bob mounted bikes.  It must have been too chilly for support convertibles!

TWO ROSES AMONG THORNS

After departing Casey's at 5:30 we took a short jog on HWY 76 to Forest Mills Road and cruised past the Gelo estate and onto Cherry Valley Road.  CVR took us on into Postville.  Just west of Postville we took a smooth  HWY 52 through Castalia, Ossian, and into Calmar.  Turning south on HWY 150 in Calmar we rode about another four miles to Festina and turned east on CR B32.  Following B32 took us on a redo through Ossian and onto CR W42 heading north.  W42 led us back to HWY 9 just east of Decorah.  After a short drive west on 9, we arrived on the Old Stage Road and headed back east towards Waukon.  We did pass through Freeport on our way back, and I could see a beautiful red sunset in my rear view mirrors on our way to Waukon.  We arrived at the City Club just as darkness was closing in and a temp that was now in the low 60's.

ARRIVING ON MAIN ACROSS FROM CITY CLUB

BIRTHDAY BOY CHECKING HIS TIRES

After arriving, I received a call from Chuck indicating that Dee had some mechanical issues with her ride, but they made it back home safely.  The rest of us entered City Club for grub, where the conversation turned to food poisoning!  I had 80 miles on the clock on the Wing when I got home.  

Our Wednesday night rides sadly will have to be shorter as fall is now upon us, and we don't have near the amount of daylight time now.  We should be able to keep riding on Wednesday nights until daylight saving time starts.  We won't have time to take  mid ride breaks anymore, so make sure you have a full tank and an empty bladder for rides from now on.  Next Tuesday is the first day of Fall.  Let's hope that this year we do have an Indian summer!

GRANDPARENTS DAY. RECIPE, AND FREEDOM ROCK

With the cancellation of the Couples' Trip on Saturday (a good call considering the weather), a ride Sunday (Grandparents Day) drew a dozen WNR to Casey's on a beautiful, sunny morning.  With temps in the upper 60's to start, we had Dee, Chuckles, Lois, Al, and Howard on bikes.  Chuck (not Chuckles), Carl & Joyce, and Bob & Julie mounted trikes, while Dennis & Marlene supplied the support convertible.

AL'S BETTER SIDE

GOOD TO SEE CARL & JOYCE AGAIN

SUPPORT CONVERTIBLE & DRIVER

 Departing Casey's at 11 AM, we took HWY 76 for a short jog onto Forest Mills Road and past the Gelo plantation.  We arrived in Luana and then took HWY 18 across the Mississippi bridge in Marquette and passed through Prairie du Chien.  Outside of PDC we too CR C west to CR X and circled the Wisconsin River into Bagley.  We then took CR A out of Bagley to CR VV and turned south again.  Following a scenic CR VV we ended up in Cassville at Moon's Town Pump for our eats.

CARL & JOYCE CHASED THE RUST OFF THE TRIKE

PLENTY OF CONVERTIBLE PARKING

NOW FOR THE "E" IN RTE

After entering we placed our orders and recapped the ride so far.

READY FOR EATS

After Lois ordered a "Bloody Mary", we were being watched closely by the Moon Tavern bouncer.....

After the eats (chicken philly and chicken tenders being the most popular), we were treated to apple cider donut cake supplied by Julie.  The cake was popular enough that the recipe was requested.  It will be posted later.

Departing Cassville, we headed east on HWY 81 into Beetown where we took CR U east to HWY 35 north.  Following 35 north we passed by Cabela's in PDC where Carl & Joyce departed while the rest of us continued on north.  Passing through Lynvville we noticed that the tavern that sat on the corner of 35 and CR E had burned to the ground.  We found out later that a man lost his life in the fire.

Some of us stopped at the convenience store in Ferryville for drinks and ice cream while Al, Chuckles, and Lois continued on home.  After our stop in Ferryville, we crossed the Blackhawk Bridge into Lansing and picked up HWY 9 for Waukon.  HWY 9 improvements are coming right along, making it a much smoother ride now.  By this time the temps had reached the mid 70's and make for a very pleasant return back to Waukon.  We had 157 miles on the trike clock after parking her.

APPLE CIDER DONUT CAKE

As mentioned above, the recipe for Julie's popular apple cider donut cake was requested by some, so here's the link to it.

https://princesspinkygirl.com/apple-cider-doughnut-cake/

FREEDOM ROCK

On Friday there was an unveiling ceremony for the Freedom Rock painted by Bubba Sorenson for Allamakee County.  The rock is located in the city park in Waukon, and while there were some WNR there for the ceremony, I thought the rest might enjoy some photos I took.  The rock is really well done and is something to see. It pays tribute to all our veterans and especially to several Allamakee County soldiers who lost their lives defending our great country.  Donations are being taken to complete the project, and it is a worthwhile cause. 

ALLAMAKEE COUNTY COLOR GUARD

 

THE WITCH IS BACK!!

 

Just when we thought we were rid of the "weather witch", she returned.  Because of the rain and cold we were not able to gather for our Wednesday night ride, and since the wet and cold weather is working its way into Saturday, the Couples' Trip has been cancelled for this year.

AND RAIN!

However, the weather in this area looks good for Sunday, so instead of a couples' trip, everyone is invited to another RTE (Ride To Eat).  I don't know where we will be riding to yet, but be prepared for good eats.  We will depart Casey's at 11 AM on Sunday.  Everyone is welcome!

NOT TOO COOL FOR ICE CREAM

 Even with a 20 degree drop in temps from the previous day, we still had 10 WNR show up at Casey's this afternoon for our annual "Double Dip Ice Cream Run".  Roger and Al were aboard bikes.  Greg arrived on his Spyder and Wayne, Irv, Darrel, and Bob & Julie put butts on trikes.  Dennis & Marlene supplied the yellow support convertible.

YELLOW IS THE COLOR OF THE DAY

GOOD TO SEE GREG AGAIN

TELL GREG HE HAS HIS WHEELS ON BACKWARDS!

With temps in the low 60's, we headed north on HWY 9.  Even though 9 is not completely finished being repaved, it is still a lot better than it was!  We arrived in Lansing, crossed the Blackhawk Bridge, and got on HWY 35 heading south.  Just outside of Ferryville, we turned east in to CR C and followed it up the hill to HWY 27 heading south.  HWY 27 took us into Seneca where we stopped for our first dip.

SUPPORT CONVERTIBLE READY TO ROLL

ICE CREAM WAS GOOD!

After sampling generous dips of ice cream we remounted and continued south on HWY 27 to CR F and turned east down to the river.  CR F is only about 4 miles in length, but it is probably the most scenic four miles in Wisconsin!  After a leisurely trip down F, we arrived at HWY 35 again and took it north passing through Lynxville and Ferryville again.  We crossed the bridge again back into Lansing.  From there we took the Great River Road to Lafayette Ridge Road west and to the Lansing/Harpers Road.  After a short jog on LHR we turned onto the Elon Road and cruised on into Waukon and arrived at WW Homestead Dairy for our second dip.  Some opted for coffee, but most tried the ice cream.  We had 99 miles on the trike when we parked her in the shed.

COUPLES TRIP

Right now I have four couples (Dennis & Marlene, Wayne & Sandy, Meryle & Mary, and Bob & Julie) ready to take the Couples Trip to Marshfield next weekend.  It's supposed to warm up by then.  We will depart Casey's at 9 AM on Saturday morning.  If there are any couples who still want to go, you need to contact Bob as soon as possible. I will try to pass out the agenda sheets Wednesday night.  If we are able to ride, you can pick up the sheets then.  If the weather is not suitable for riding on Wednesday, I will have the sheets at the City Club at 6:30 that evening.  Otherwise I will give them to you on Saturday morning before we leave.

PHOTOS

Here are some photos that Jim & Cathy took last Wednesday, but didn't get to me before I wrote the post.

HE LOOKS A LOT BETTER WITH A MASK ON!

NEW LEADER ON WEDNESDAY

 Apparently on Wednesday the riders got along pretty well without Bob's leadership.  This is assuming that Jim & Cathy led the pack.

Here's the report I received.

While Bob is off fishing and working on some big fish stories we had a good turnout for a beautiful Wednesday night ride. On trikes we had Wayne and Sandy, Meryle and Mary, Irv, Chuck K, and Darrel . On two wheelers we had Dee, Al, Lois, Larry, Marie and her daughter, Howard,  Jim and Cathy. The support vehicles were Dale and Greg in Dales convertible, and Kenny in his. 

We headed out of town north on 76 to Caledonia then on towards Houston. Meryle got a good of a look at a buck. It sounds like they each scared the other. When we reached 16 we turned right and headed to Hokah for a stop at Kwik Trip. After some refreshments and chatting we took 18 to Brownsville, 26 to Lansing, and 9 to Waukon for some good food at the City Club. It was a perfect night to ride. Had 107 miles on the bike.

COUPLES TRIP

As of today, Friday,,,,,, we have only two couples signed up for the couples' trip to Marshfield next weekend.  Right now it's just Dennis & Marlene and Bob & Julie.  If you plan on going you need to let Bob know by the end of the day on Monday, Labor Day, the 7th.  Call 563-568-7277 or e-mail brotach@msn.com

LABOR DAY DOUBLE DIP ICE CREAM RUN

Our next scheduled "special" ride is Monday, the 7th.  It's out "Double Dip Ice Cream Run".  We will ride to a place out of town that serves ice cream for our first dip, and then we will return to Waukon and WW Dairy for our second dip.  We will depart from Casey's at 1 PM that afternoon.  Everyone is welcome!

Some humor from Chuckles...