WE HONOR OUR VETS AND HAVE A GREAT RIDE!

 Memorial Day for The Wednesday Night Riders usually means paying tribute to our fallen veterans and then a ride followed by a cookout.  This year we did all of the above, but had fewer participants.

First of all we had great participation from our WNR members by paying tribute to veterans at the Memorial Day event in Waukon.

CHUCKLES WITH THE KC'S

SUZANNE ESCOURTS THE GRAND MARSHAL

DALE ESCOURTS THE POPPY LADIES

JENS AND JANE ESCOURT THE WREATH LAYERS

BOB Z WITH THE VETS CLUB

JULIE PRESENTS QUILTS OF VALOR RECIPIENTS

JIM DOWNING'S SON (ALSO NAMED JIM) RECEIVES A QUILT

JIM'S DAUGHTER-IN-LAW IS ALSO HONORED

After our tribute, our group gathered at Casey's for our annual ride.  Surprisingly we only had nine riders show up on what proved to be a beautiful day and probably the most scenic ride we will take all year.

The two-wheeler contingent included Howard, Lois, and Chuckles.  With three wheels being their choice were Gary & Gloria and Bob & Julie.  In our four wheel convertible were David & Suzanne.

DAVID GETS TO DRIVE THE SUPPORT MUSTANG, BUT NOT IN PARADES

HOWARD GETS READY FOR OUR SCENIC JOURNEY

AL & MARK SEE US OFF

THE GELOS MAKE THE RIDE OFFICIAL

With clear skies and temps in the low 80's we depart Casey's at 1 PM.

TODAY WE RIDE FREE THANKS TO THOSE WHO MADE THE ULTIMATE SACRIFICE

My original intention was to include Tschumper (aka Thumper) Road in our ride,  Thumper is probably the most scenic drive in the tri-state area, but when I journeyed up there earlier, I discovered that the downhill portion of the road had been rerocked.  There was still a fair amount of loose rock still present.  It probably would have been fine for cars and trikes, but maybe not so good for two-wheelers, so we by-passed it, but the alternative turned out to be great.

After a brief detour to the Rotach house, we journeyed out of town on HWY 76 passing on the outskirts of Hanover, Dorchester, and Eitzen.  It was already clear that this was going to be a scenic trip, because you could see in the distance forever.

Just north of Eitzen, we turned west onto CR 17 and wound our way across some peaks and valleys over to HWY 44 just outside of Spring Grove.  However, we turned back east and made our way back to HWY 76 and cruised on into Caledonia.

We kept on 76 through Caledonia and found CR 10 to our liking.  Cr 10 is another smooth stretch of asphalt with some twists and turns that keeps things interesting along with some great views.  Continuing on 10, we avoided the "rush hour" in Sheldon and arrived back on HWY 76.  We motored on it into Houston for our first break.

TIME FOR SOME COLD DRINKS

GARY FIGURES HE NEEDS HIS WALLET

THE MUSTANG IS BACKED IN FOR A QUICK ESCAPE

After our refreshments, we continued our journey by picking up CR 9 just outside of town.  CR 9 east offers smooth blacktop on through Looney Valley and up to CR 11 where we turn a little north.  We pass by two decorated cemeteries and turn onto CR 8.  CR 8 takes us some south to CR 5 and 6 at New Hartford.  CR 5 goes for a short ways and becomes CR 6 and we take that on into LaCrescent.  Those five county roads all make for smooth riding and great scenery.

In LaCrescent we find CR 25 and head back southward again.  We pass by the turn that goes to "Thumper" and continue on what is probably the next best route for some spectacular scenery.  Here's a couple of photos I took the other day, but they really don't do justice to the incredible views we got today.

Continuing on CR 25 and down a long scenic hill, we cross the Root River and end up on HWY 16.  Turning east on 16, we take it into Hokah for our second break at Kwik Trip.

After the break in Hokah, we passed through town and turn onto CR 18 and motored down the hill into Brownsville and onto HWY 26 heading south.  Just outside of New Albin, we turned onto Iowa River Drive (CR A26) and then turned onto Lycurgus Road.  This was by far the roughest road we had been on the whole day.  When we arrived at HWY 9 we headed south back into Waukon for our cookout.  We had about 145 miles on the trike when we pulled her into the shed.  What a day!  What a ride!

 

At the cookout we were joined by Jens & Jane, Dennis & Marlene, and Wayne & Sandy.  It was especially great to have Wayne & Sandy join us.  We were treated with delicious Jet's brats and some scrumptious salads and deserts to top off a great day.

Right now the plan for Wednesday night's ride is over to Protivin.