NICE NIGHT TO ARLINGTON

Sixteen riders showed up at Casey's Wednesday night anticipating a loop ride to Arlington, IA and back.  Showing up on trikes were Bugsy (with all the bugs worked out of the trike now), Wayne, Ron & Helen, Chuck(not Chuckles), and Darrel.  Bernell & Kathy came aboard their Spyder, and Larry, Lois, Chuckles, and Bob were on bikes.  Dale & Greg and Irv sported convertibles.

YEP, THAT'S A WHEEL!

DALE RELATES A STORY

OUR WINNESHIEK GROUP

ANOTHER CONVERTIBLE WOULD SHOW UP LATER

LOOKS LIKE A BEAUTIFUL NIGHT FOR A RIDE

CHUCK & DEE ARRIVE

DALE "WELCOMES" THE ONLY GELO

LOIS & CHUCKLES TURN IN

With partly sunny skies and temps in the low 80's, we departed Casey's and headed west on HWY 9 to Centennial Road and turned south there.  We followed CR to Sand Road and turned west again on it and on into Ossian.  Sand Road right now seems to be the smoothest route into Ossian.  Just outside of Ossian we turned south again on CR W42 (Juniper Road) and took it all the way into West Union.  At the stop light on HWY 18 we turned west and at the intersection of HWY 150 turned south again and followed it until just outside of Fayette where we turned onto Klock Road.  This led us back into the edge of town onto Washington St. and then past the Upper Iowa University athletic fields and onto Kornhill Road heading east.  At the intersection of Kornhill and CR W51 (D Ave.) we turned south again and passed on into Arlington where we stopped at Connie's Corners for a break.

DARREL PARTS WITH HIS JACKET

DEE PLEASED WITH THE RIDE SO FAR

THE WHOLE GANG GATHERS

KATHY CHECKING THE KILL SWITCH

IRV HAS NO PROBLEM CATCHING UP TO US

After our break we departed on D Ave. north for a short jog onto CR C2W (Bell Rd.) and turned east.  We meandered along C2W admiring the scenery and just before arriving in Volga made a turn onto CR C24 (Bush Rd.) and headed west again.  After another scenic excursion we arrived at the intersection of CR W51 and turned north on it passing through Wadena and on into Elgin.  We were also treated to some more spectacular northeast Iowa scenery along this route.  

Actually the route on Kornhill, then D Ave, Bush Rd, and W51 offers some of the best views (in my opinion) in the whole state of Iowa.  When we arrived in Elgin, we turned north onto W51 (now called Canoe Road) and took it on into Cleremont and HWY 18.  HWY 18 took us to Postville and HWY 51 north.  It was here that our convoy split and went separate ways whether intentional or not.  At any rate, I'm assuming that our Decorah folks made it to T-Bock's in time and that Chuck (not Chuckles) and Dee made it home OK.  The rest of us took various routes off Yellow River Drive to make it to the City Club for eats.  There the discussion turned to how many different routes you can take from Postville to get to Waukon!  I arrived home with 120 miles on the Wing.

CONGRATS TO LOIS & CHUCKLES--A NEW GRANDSON!!

The plan for next Wednesday's ride is to North Andover.

Jim sent me the following link.  For those of you who like chocolate, you won't believe this!

https://youtu.be/7QuU507OtBE

FOURTEEN TO LARRY'S

 After eating breakfast benefitting 4H clubs and donating to the Mags/Byrnes scholarship ride, we arrived at Casey's at 10:30 to greet 14 riders set to journey on an RTE to Larry's Lookout Bar near Arcadia, WI.  

Waiting there on bikes were Jim & Cathy, Roger, Dee, Al, and Marie and her son.  Trikes made up the rest of the participants.  We had Chuck (not Chuckles) and his son, Darrel, Gary & Gloria, and Bob & Julie on their respective rides.

GOOD GROUP FOR THE LARRY'S RTE

ROGER "ISOLATES" HIS HARLEY

DARREL & GLORIA COMPARE RIDES

DEE GETS THE "W" READY FOR THE TRIP

TWO "BARRISTERS" CONFER

MARIE & SON BESIDE JULIE

GETTING READY TO ROLL

Departing Casey's under sunny skies and temps in the mid 70's, we started our ride by heading east through Waukon on HWY 9.  We turned onto the Lycurgus Road after about 5 miles and followed it to Iowa River Drive, then to HWY 26, and on through New Albin.  HWY 26 took us to HWY 16 just south of LaCrescent.  We passed through LaCrescent and after a short trip on I 90 merged onto HWY 14/61 motoring towards Winona.  After reaching Winona, we turned onto Huff Street and then to the visitor center and stopped there for a break.  Shortly after we stopped at the tourist center, we passed through Winona and across the Mississippi River bridge into Wisconsin.  After crossing the bridge we turned to the north on HWY 35 and cruised along the Wisconsin side of the river.  Actually because of the nice day and Fathers' Day weekend, there was about as much traffic on the river as there was on the highways!

We kept on HWY 35 until just south of Fountain City when we took CR YY to the east.  Shortly thereafter YY joined CR M and then M ended at HWY 95.  HWY 95 offers some great scenic views and on a clear day we were able to really enjoy them.  We then arrived at Larry's (formerly Hanson's Holdup Bar)  where we discovered we were not the only motorcycle group to be attracted there today.

THE VIEW FROM THE "BURNOUT" RAMP

PARKING AMONG THE MANY HARLEYS IN THE LOT

JIM WITH HIS NEW JACKET

THE REST OF THE GELOS GET PARKED

ANOTHER BIKER EXAMINES AL & DEE'S RIDES

WE WERE NOT THE ONLY ONES HERE!

After placing our orders for burgers, pulled pork, a fat-ass reuben, and fish sandwich, we relaxed on the deck enjoying the view and the warm day.  Then the Harley group decided to leave with a burnout and enough exhaust noise to chase away any wildlife for miles!  After the "thunder" from the Harleys, we enjoyed our meals and took one last look at the view.

With Jim now in the lead we headed towards Arcadia on HWY 95.  We wanted to pay a visit to the Soldiers Walk park located in Arcadia, and since Jim & Cathy had been there before, they led the way.  Also this section of HWY 95 offers some nice sweeping curves and some more great views of the valleys below,

We arrived at the park and after viewing a video in the visitor center, we explored some of the statues that are placed along the walk.  Each war that the United States had soldiers has memorial statues placed in special spots along the way.

A BEAM FROM THE 9/11 ATTACK ON THE WORLD TRADE CENTER

This park is very impressive, particularly for a town the size of Arcadia.  We didn't have time to thoroughly explore the entire "walk", but I do plan to return there and spend more time admiring the work done on the statues.

Since Jim was having "dt's" from lack of coffee, he led us to the Kwik Trip where some of gassed up and waited for Darrel to mix up an iced coffee treat. We then departed Arcadia on HWY 93 south.  There are also some beautiful views on either side of this highway.  We then turned onto CR G, another of Bob's top ten scenic routes.  It didn't disappoint either.  The views were spectacular!  Continuing on G, we passed through the hamlet of Pine Creek where they were celebrating "Pine Creek Days".  We just missed the "massive" parade that was scheduled to begin shortly and continued on our journey down CR G.  Normally G would take a traveler all the way down to HWY 35, but because of a bridge being out, we had to detour onto CR P over through Dodge (no Boot Hill) and then Marshland (no marsh) and down to HWY 35. 

HWY 35 took us south to Centerville where we stopped at Toad's Cove BP Store for some ice cream.  All along the highways and stops, we met many, many motorcycle groups.  We were able to visit with some of them while we were at Toad's and they related their adventure up to Bucknuckles Bar.  Apparently there was quite a number of bikers there too.  It was time to make our trip back home, so we continued on 35 to HWY 54 and then onto HWY 53 south through Holmen and back to I 90.  We got off at the LaCrescent exit on 90 and back on HWY 14.  Passing again through LaCrescent and then Holmen, we reached Caledonia and HWY 76 south.  76 took us back into Waukon where I noticed we racked up 214 miles on a really neat trip to Larry's and back.

Right now the plan for the ride on Wednesday night is to Arlington (Iowa, not Virginia!)

GOOD RIDE, BUT JOE WAS A "NO SHOW"

 We had 18 riders show up Wednesday for a planned trip to Guttenberg for an ice cream stop at Joe's Pizza and Ice Cream shop.  On bikes were Roger, Dee, Darron, Jim & Cathy, and Bob.  Boarding trikes were Darrel, Meryle & Mary, Bugsy (new ride), Chuck (not Chuckles), Wayne & Sandy, and Gary & Gloria.  The support vehicles were manned by Greg & Dale and Jay (newbie).

BUGS SHOWS OFF HIS NEW RIDE

WARM NIGHT ATTRACTS BOTH SANDY & MARY
DARRON VISITS WITH JAY (NEWBIE)

THE PAUSE THAT REFRESHES

DALE HIDES BEHIND THE LICENSE PLATE

FILLING THE "QUOTA" FOR GELOS

With temps in the mid 80's and sunny skies, we departed Casey's heading south on HWY 76 for a short jog and then onto Forest Mills Road.  We breezed past the Gelo ponderosa and then took the Cherry Valley Road on into Postville.  Just outside of Postville we turned to the south on the Gunder Road and followed it through Gunder and into Elkader.  From there we took a short trip north on HWY 13 and then picked up the appropriately named Grandview Road.  We passed through Communia, Elkport and Garber.  On the edge of Garber we turned northeast on the (you guessed it) Garber Road.  Following the Garber Road took us to HWY 52 on the east edge of Guttenberg.  Those two roads, Grandview and Garber, rank in my top ten for scenery.  They didn't disappoint because the scenery was spectacular on this clear Wednesday night.

We then made our way through Guttenberg and arrived at Joe's expecting to sample some of the delicious ice cream we have enjoyed for the past few years on Wednesday nights.  Alas, the place was closed now on Wednesday nights!  What a disappointment!

WAYNE INFORMS US THAT THE "JOINT IS CLOSED"

GATHERING OF THE GELOS

"I WONDER WHAT THE HELL THIS BUTTON DOES?"

ROGER SAYS, "I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT!"

BEFORE THEY FOUND OUT JOE'S WAS CLOSED

Since we still needed a "treat" break, we decided to venture over to the local Kwik Trip.  There we found ice cream and other eats to carry us for the return trip home.

After our break we passed through Guttenberg and took CR X56 north out of town.  As we passed along the various rivers (Mississippi, Volga, and Turkey) we noticed how low they had become from the lack of rainfall.  CR X56 took us on north and into McGregor where we followed River Street into Marquette and then onto HWY 76 north.  Just before we entered McGregor, I had to come to a screeching halt for a deer standing in the middle of the road.  Actually that was the only live wildlife I saw on the whole trip.  There were plenty of dead animals lying along the roadsides.

HWY 76 took us back into Waukon where several of us stopped at the City Club for more eats.  There the conversation turned to how to foil all the telemarketing calls we have been getting.  It was also nice to have Bugsy entertain the riders behind him by playing loud radio music! He did do a good job of keeping up on his "new" ride. I had 120 miles on the Wing when I got home.

I do plan to continue the ride to Guttenberg on a Wednesday night in the future. It's just too nice a ride to pass up.  We just won't be able to stop at Joe's unless they change their hours.

RTE ON SATURDAY

On Saturday, the plan is to leave Casey's at 10:30 AM for a RTE to Larry's Lookout Bar near Arcadia.  In the past they have always had good food and a spectacular view from their deck.  I'm anxious to see what it's like under new management.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME.

 

DOZEN SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

 Our impromptu ice cream run attracted a dozen Wednesday Night Riders this Sunday afternoon.  Howard, Darron, Jim, and Al showed up on bikes, while Darrel, Ron & Helen, Chuck (not Chuckles), and Bob & Julie were on trikes.  Irv & Chris drove up in their support Corvette convertible.  

HOWARD STAYS IN THE SHADE AS LONG AS POSSIBLE

YEP, IT'S TIME FOR SHORTS

IT DOESN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE 'VETTE TO WARM UP

AL SAYS HE CAN TASTE THAT ICE CREAM ALREADY

Departing under sunny skies and temps in the upper 80's, we headed towards Lansing on HWY 9 (Helen's favorite road).  After arriving in Lansing, we crossed the Black Hawk bridge into Wisconsin and took HWY 35 south through Ferryville.  Outside of Ferryville we found CR C and headed east until we arrived at HWY 27.  Following 27 south we passed through Fairview and Mt. Sterling before turning back east on CR S.  A scenic ride along CR S took us through Petersburg and we soon arrived at HWY 61 and headed back south again.  HWY 61 took us to our destination in Boscobel where we stopped for ice cream treats at Udder Brothers Creamery.

CHRIS MAKES A BEE LINE FOR THE SHADE

WE PARKED NEXT TO A GIANT COW

AND A GIANT TURKEY

We learned from one of Udder Brothers owners that the vast variety of ice cream flavors were actually produced by WW Homestead Dairy of Waukon!  

After enjoying ice cream and malts, we backtracked through Boscobel and back onto HWY 61 for a short jog onto CR E at Easter Rock.  CR E took us on a scenic ride west passing through Steuben (all roads lead to Steuben) and all the way back to HWY 35 north at Lynxville.  We followed 35 back through Ferryville to HWY 82 where we again crossed the bridge over the Mississippi into Lansing.  I'm sure we disappointed Helen by not taking HWY 9 back to Waukon, we took Lansing/Harpers Road and Elon Road instead.  We had 129 miles on the trike when we arrived in Waukon.

UPCOMING EVENTS

If you didn't make it on Sunday, or didn't get enough ice cream in Boscobel, you will have another chance.  The plan for Wednesday night's ride right now is to venture down to Guttenberg and sample the ice cream treats at Joe's.  That's always a nice ride and good eats!

NEXT SATURDAY is another RTE.  The plan is to ride over to Larry's Lookout Bar & Grill near Arcadia, WI.  This was formerly Hanson's Holdup Bar that we had traveled to a number of times.  This place always has had good food and has one of the best views in the entire state.  We will leave Casey's at 10:30 AM on Saturday.  Everyone is welcome!