A PERFECT NIGHT!

 The comment "It's a perfect night," was heard a number of times from the nine Wednesday Night Riders who gathered at Casey's last night.  On bikes were Chuckles, Howard, and Mike.  Sporting trikes were Irv, Ron & Helen (our only female rider), and Bob R.  Following in the "support" Jeep were David and Bob Z.

"FEARLESS LEADER" WITH PLENTY OF NEON YELLOW

CHUCKLES, MIKE, AND HOWARD

DAVID SHOWING THE GRIP USED TO STEER THE JEEP

RON CHECKING THE TRUNK FOR TREATS

Departing Casey's under sunny skies and temps in the mid 70's and our destination being Pikes Peak in McGregor, we headed east via the Elon Road.  At the end of the Elon Road, we took a short jog on the Lansing/Harpers Road and then onto Lafayette Ridge Road.  We followed LRR east and turned south onto the Great River Road.  Along the LRR we were treated to sights of a lot of trees with white blooms.  We assumed they were apple trees, but without Dee along, we couldn't be sure.  (More on the blooms later.)

We progressed down Great River Road passing by the Wexford Church and into Harpers Ferry taking in the great scenery and "perfect" temperatures.  We passed through Harpers, and continued our journey south on GRR.  Passing along the river we were able to see where the flooding had swamped some of the dwellings along the shore of the Mississippi.  The water still being high, prevented some of the cabin owners access to their properties.

GRR ended at HWY 76 and we turned southward and headed into Marquette.  Along the way past Effigy Mounds, we could see where the water had been that caused the highway to be closed earlier. When we arrived in Marquette, we had to take HWY 18 west for a ways and take Business 18 into the west side of McGregor.  Apparently Main Street in McGregor is undergoing some new sewer project and is closed to through traffic.

We arrived in McGregor after a bumpy ride down n Business 18.  I'm sure all the big grain trucks that have to use this route have added to the poor condition of the pavement.  Fortunately it's a short jog into town.  At the Catholic Church, we turned onto CR X56, Clayton County's version of the Great River Road.  On the way up the hill, we passed the site where the Ringling Brothers were born.  Upon arriving at the top of the hill, we turned on into Pikes Peak State Park.

PLENTY OF PARKING AVAILABLE

MIKE TELLS US THAT HE HAS CAMPED HERE BEFORE

THE BOYS IN THE JEEP MUST BE GETTING COLD!

 After parking the vehicles, we made a walk and stretch up to the lookout platform for some spectacular views of the Mississippi River.  We noted how high the water was yet and noticed some barges that had yet to continue their journey.

We all enjoyed the beautiful view from above.

HELEN TOOK A PHOTO OF ALL THE GUYS ON THE RIDE

HELEN, "A ROSE AMONG THORNS"!

"AIN'T THIS GREAT!"

"WHAT A VIEW ON A PERFECT NIGHT!"

HELEN FOUND THIS TREE (MAYBE CRABAPPLE) JUST LOADED WITH BLOOMS

THE GUYS STILL ENJOYING THE VIEW

SOON THEY WOULD "JOURNEY" INTO THE MEN'S ROOM

After enjoying Pikes Peak, we mounted up and exited the park onto CR X56 and made our way south to Clayton Road and took it west into Garnavillo and a break at the Speede Shop convenience store there.  While enjoying our refreshments, we were impressed by the monuments across the highway in the park that were dedicated to veterans from the area who served in various wars various wars.

After our break we cruised north on HWY 52 until we reached the junction of HWY 13.  We had to take 13 as a detour of HWY 18 west, because the bridge near Froelich is being repaired.  Once on 13 for a short ways, we turned west again on Golden Avenue and passed through Farmersburg, just missing the "rush hour".  

We continued on Golden (not exactly a pool table top!) to HWY 18 and took a short trip west again and cruised on into Monona.  There we followed Falcon Avenue through town and onto the Volney Road.  This took us north through Rossville and onto HWY 76 again heading north into Waukon. Once arriving in Waukon we made our way to the Uptown Grill where the popular eats for the night were Hawaiian burgers (very tasty).  I had a little over 100 miles on the clock when I parked the trike in the shed, and I would have to agree, it was a perfect night for a ride!

UPCOMING EVENTS

As most of you know by now, ChucK, Ron, and Bob R will be giving trike rides to approximately 10 residents of North Gate Care Center on Tuesday at 12:30.  Right now, if the weather holds, it looks like another "perfect" day.  Anyone else who would like to see this event is welcome to come to North Gate that day.  Bob R could use some help taking pictures and handing out attendance pins.

Next Saturday, May 20th, is our RTE (Ride To Eat) Burger Run.  Right now I'm leaning for a ride over to St. Olaf to the appropriately named St. Olaf Grill to sample a burger or one of their famous tenderloins.  We plan to leave Casey's at 4:30 that afternoon, and everyone is welcome.

 Next Wednesday Night the plan right now is to ride over to Gays Mills and hopefully enjoy the apple trees in bloom.

UPDATE ON WAYNE F

Wayne was in Rochester yesterday and had all the tubes removed, so hopefully he is now on his way to recovery.  We all were concerned and want to wish him well.

AND FINALLY

How remiss would be be without wishing all our Wednesday Night Riders moms...