NOT A DROP!

 Just two riders showed up at Casey's for our Wednesday night ride.  Amazingly, the rain, at least in Waukon, stopped right at 5 O'clock!  Only Richard in the Slingshot and Bob on his trike were ready to ride.  Not knowing for sure where the showers may be next, we both decided that this would not be the first time we got our butts wet, so we took off toward the clearing skies to the east.

This meant taking the Elon Road east to the Lansing/Harpers Road and turning north back into Lansing.  Actually most of the Elon Road was dry and there were also dry areas on the L/H Road.

We cruised through Lansing and across the bridge into Wisconsin still dry.  We took HWY 35 south into Lynxville and then turned back east on CR E.  Following E up to HWY 27, we turned south passing through Seneca.  We continued on 27 up to CR N and then turned west and cruised down the hill enjoying the "whoopty-doops" (up and down rollercoaster like hills.  We arrived back on HWY 35 and turned south toward Prairie du Chien.  Taking CR K along the river we passed through PDC and onto HWY 18 west.  Across the bridge we went and into Marquette where we picked up HWY 76 and headed north.

We followed 76 on into Waukon to the Uptown remaining perfectly dry.  What started out to be a "chancy" venture turned out to be a great ride enhanced by getting to view the changing trees.  I had 97 miles on the trike when I got home.

AFTER OUR "DRY" RIDE

With daylight getting shorter for the rest of our Wednesday night rides, we will not be stopping for a break, since the rides will be short enough anyway.

NEXT WEDNESDAY

The plan will be to head over to the Ridgeway area.

CALL ME A CHICKEN

Just a reminder!  Our Run, Chicken, Run Run to Rockton is taking place this Sunday departing from Casey's at 10:15 AM.  Note the slight time change.  (Bob has to deliver the scriptures at Zion Church on Sunday, so it may be 10:15 before he can get to Casey's)

Again, if you want chicken, you will need reservations.  If you want Bob to make the reservations, then let him know by Saturday afternoon.  The weather looks to be excellent, so we should get a good ride and be able to see the turning trees.  Also a stop at the Sunrise Orchards is on the agenda for the way back.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Apparently Richard and/or Melodye  recorded the ride that took place on Wednesday.  It's on Facebook, but I will try to move it to here.

Wednesday night Riders September 20. Just a few showed up Mike our only two wheeler, Mel and Richard in the slingshot three wheeler, Irv and Howard in the

Vet. Mike took the lead when it was clear we were all there was. He took us north on 76 down over the Iowa river the road construction had been completed. Did not miss the stop lights and traffic was light. Up past Dorchester and Eitzen to Stylling Road or Highway27 a smooth black top in to Spring Grove. Taken highway 44 through town to Houston County Rd 4 taking us through Black Hammer on the ridge. Dropping down in to the valley and past the town of Yucatan bring us back to 76. We pulled into the town of Houston stopping at BP station on the edge of town. Taking a short break there and the only photos of the trip. When we left town we headed east on Houston Bluff County Scenic Bywy or highway 16. shared it with the farmers working on getting crops out of the fields. Taking us to the town of Hokah with a few turns we picked up highway 18 taking us up over a short ridge dropping us into Brownsville. Where we picked up highway 26 and the Mississippi River road. It was a nice ride south to the town of New Albin. on the south end of town Mike jumped off at home. Irv and I took the Iowa river drive to the Lycurgus Rd back south and west. Puting us beside the Lycurgus church and highway 9. Taking it back to town and a bite to eat for our time. Did not record the miles but had nice time and we got back just as the sun left our sky. Looking forward to next trip out!

Thanks to the Protsman's for the write up and thanks to Mike for leading.

CAMP COURAGEOUS & OZARK RIDE

 Since I did not get a report from the ride that took place last Wednesday, the 20th, I will spend this blog on the trip Sunday to Camp Courageous and the trip six of us took last week in the Ozarks.

We had only five riders on our Pancake Breakfast Fund Raiser to Camp Courageous this Sunday.  Jim & Cathy and Chuck & Dee couldn't make the trip (still recovering from the Ozarks), but they were thoughtful enough to send down contributions with us.  Dennis & Marlene supplied the "support" van with Julie aboard, while Mike and Bob took motorcycles down.

WE GET TO PARK BIKES ON THE BASKETBALL COURT AGAIN

AFTER POLISHING OFF DELICIOUS PANCAKES & SAUSAGE

MARLENE CATCHES THE TWO BIKERS
NOTICE THE LEAVES CHANGING

We were all happy for a beautiful ride and to contribute to a very worthy cause!

OUR OZARK RIDE

Six Wednesday Night Riders departed for the Ozarks on Sunday, the 17th, and after racking up over 1,700 miles returned back home on Saturday, the 23rd.  Jim & Cathy and Bob had made several trips down there previously, but Chuck & Dee and Julie were first timers.  We had great weather, a great leader (Jim), great roads, and great scenery.  In other words we had a great time!  However, I now know why you never want to arm wrestle a trike rider from Arkansas!  It would be impossible to show all the photos and videos of this trip on the blog, but I will share some.

YEP, THAT HOUSE IS UPSIDE DOWN

THE FERRY ACROSS BULL SHOALS LAKE

TABLE LAKE VISITOR CENTER

BLUE SPRINGS STATE PARK

AT ARKANSAS GRAND CANYON

GRAND CANYON WITH THUMB

OUR LEADERS--FULL OF COFFEE

THE ARKANSAS GRAND CANYON

ONE OF THE MANY GREAT ROADS

I believe Jim & Cathy and Chuck & Dee will be planning another trip like this next season.  I'll have to admit, you see a lot more scenery when you aren't leading!  And I know Chuck, Dee, and Julie really enjoyed their first venture into the Ozarks.

UPCOMING RIDES

This Wednesday the plan is to venture over near Wauzeka.

OUR LAST RTE

Our last Ride To Eat for this season is our annual Run, Chicken, Run Run up to Rockton for their "nearly world famous" barbeque chicken.  We will depart Casey's at 10 AM this Sunday and take a scenic voyage up to Rockton.  On the return trip, we plan to stop at Sunrise Orchard near Gays Mills for apples and/or apple cider donuts.  If you want chicken to eat at Rockton, you will need reservations.  Bob will call them in on Saturday afternoon, so you can let him know by then if chicken is your choice.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

EVEN COOLER

 Last week's break from the oppressive heat was a welcome relief.  Who would have guessed that this Wednesday we would be looking for sunshine on our ride.  Quite a cool down!

Ten riders arrived at Casey's this Wednesday including Ron, who claimed to be a friend of ChucK's.  (After some heckling by the group leader, Ron decided that he had never heard of ChucK).  Ron added his convertible to the Vette with Irv & Terry aboard.  The three wheelers consisted of Ron & Helen's trike and Richard & Melodye's Slingshot.  The bikers for the night were Jim D, Chuckles, and Bob.

WHAT ARE IRV & TERRY WATCHING?

CHUCKLES USING JIM FOR REVERSE!

RON GETS TO KNOW THE GROUP

DESPITE HIS CHOICE OF FRIENDS, WE INVITE HIM ALONG

THE SLINGSHOT JUST WAITING FOR HER DRIVER & PASSENGER

After waiting around for Ron's friend to show, we departed town heading north on HWY 76.  The bridge on 76 near CR A 26 is still under repair, but we hit the green at the stop light just right and continued our journey northward.

We picked up CR A 26 (aka Bear Creek Drive) heading west over to Locust Road where we turned north again and made our way up to HWY 44.  We cruised through Spring Grove on 44 and rolled into Caledonia.  We stopped at the Kwik Trip there on the chance that we might catch Lissa there and see how she was doing after hitting a deer some time ago.  Lissa was there and after several operations on her wrist and arm and one more to go, she says she is recovering well.  She can't close her fist well yet, so she hasn't been able to ride by herself.  She has been a passenger with her husband, but is looking to be able to ride herself next season.

After our break and visit, we continued by taking Main Street into town and turning onto CR 5.  This is a smooth stretch of blacktop that takes us to CR 14 and down toward the river we go.  CR 14 is a scenic route that also offers up some sweeping curves.  This road ends at HWY 26 where we turn south and cruise into New Albin.  Apparently some type of resurfacing is going to take place on 26, since we were riding on grooved pavement.

I had planned to take HWY 26 into Lansing, but instead turned onto Iowa River Drive (A 26 again!) thinking it would offer more sun than the bluffs along 26 would.  We motored along on IRD to Lycurgus Road and took it to HWY 9 where we turned west and made our way to the Uptown in Waukon for eats.

THE CREW GATHERS AT UPTOWN

WHILE RON PUTS UP THE TOP FOR THE RIDE BACK TO MANCHESTER

I ended up with 96 miles on the Wing when I bid her goodnight.  It was cool, but still a great night for a ride!  Hopefully Ron will be able to join us again. He enjoyed the scenery in "our little corner of the world" and he's looking forward to coming back when the leaves turn.

NEXT WEEK

Jim & Cathy, ChucK & Dee, and Bob & Julie will be exploring Arkansas on a trip planned by Jim & ChucK.  We will be leaving Sunday and returning on Saturday, so for the ride next Wednesday, a new leader will be needed.

CAMP COURAGEOUS

The Camp Courageous pancake breakfast fundraiser is Sunday, September 24th.  We will just be getting back from Arkansas on Saturday, but I still plan to lead a ride down to Monticello for this event on Sunday.  That's how important I think it is to support this wonderful organization!  Hopefully we have enough Wednesday Night Riders who feel the same way.  We plan to leave Casey's at 9 that morning, and everyone is welcome and encouraged to come along!

Speaking of cold...

IT COOLED DOWN

 With a dramatic change in temps from the weekend, 14 riders in or on 11 units showed up at Casey's for our Wednesday night foray.  With Chuckles, Jim D, Mike, Dee, Jim & Cathy, and Bob on bikes; Roger, Darrel, and ChucK on trikes; Richard & Melodye in the Slingshot, and Irv & Terry in the support Vette, the Wednesday Night Rider gang was set to depart for the Gays Mills area.

ChucK & DEE LOOK OVER THE WEEKEND PLANS

MIKE FINDS A PARKING SPOT

GATHERING AROUND TO CHECK OUT THE NEW SEAT

JIM SAYS HE HAD TO SELL HIS OLD BIKE TO PAY FOR THE NEW SEAT

ROGER "BUTTONS UP"

JIM D JOINS THE CREW

WHERE'S THE DIP STICK?

Under overcast skies and temps in the high 60's the convoy heads out of town on HWY 9.  When we arrive in Lansing, we marvel at the new mural painted on the Main Street building.  We cross the Mississippi and take HWY 35 north until we come to CR B.  My original plan was to take CR C east, but local reports said that C was being resurfaced with a lot of loose gravel and tar, so B made the logical choice.  Up the hill we went on B.  This road offers some twisties along with some great views.

As I was coming up over a rise on B, I nearly came "face to face" with a bald eagle who was trying to devour a road kill on the left side of the pavement, and it took him a while to get airborne.  Until you're up close to one of these birds, I don't think one realizes how big they really are!

We continued on B, just missing rush hour in Towerville, until we came to HWY 131 and turned south.  We pulled in to the Cenex Market Place just outside of Gays Mills  for our break.

TIME FOR A BREAK

PLENTY OF PARKING AVAILABLE

After the break, we returned to HWY 131 and cruised into Gays Mills.  Just outside of town we turned east onto HWY 171 and followed it into Mt. Sterling.  There we made a turn south onto HWY 27 and cruised through Seneca.  We then came to one of my favorite 4 mile stretches of road, CR F.  This smooth route takes us downhill to HWY 35, and offers some of the best scenery in the tri-state area.  Some of the views across the valleys and the Mississippi River are incredible!

At the end of CR F, we turned south onto HWY 35 and headed toward Prairie Du Chien.  Just north of PDC, we took CR K around the west edge of town and along the river.  We then arrived at HWY 18 and turned west.  At Marquette some of us continued the ride on HWY 76, while others broke off for home.  HWY 76 is still under construction (repaving), but we did not have any delays and made our way into Waukon for eats at the Uptown.  I had 115 miles on the Wing after parking her on Main Street.  By now the temps were in the low 60's, or about 30 degrees cooler than the weekend.

NEXT WEDNESDAY

Looking to head up into the Spring Grove area.  The rides will be getting shorter as the daylight is also.

THIS WEEKEND

Saturday and Sunday is the annual Wednesday Night Riders Couples' Trip.  This year Jim & Cathy, ChucK & Dee, Dennis & Marlene, Jens & Jane, and Bob & Julie are headed to Lake Geneva for a scenic ride and a boat cruise on the lake.  We will be staying at the Baymont in Waterford with snacks and lies on Saturday night.  We will meander our way back on Sunday.

WE VISIT THE USS LST-325 AND MAKE THE NEWSPAPER

 After deciding that it would be too hot to comfortably ride on Labor Day, we decided to have an alternative ride on Saturday.  A WWII warship, the USS LST-325 had arrived in LaCrosse and was open for tours.  So we decided that would be our destination that day, along with a couple of stops for refreshments.

Eight regular Wednesday night riders showed up at Casey's at 10 Saturday morning.  We were also joined by David R (aka Porky) from Wellsburg.

Mike & Joan, Jim & Cathy, and Dee rode in on bikes.  ChucK and Bob & Julie were on trikes, and David arrived on his Spyder.

ChucK DEMANDS A STOP AT THE ROOSTER IN CALEDONIA

JIM TELLING A "TALL TALE"?

CATHY TELLING A SURPRISING STORY?

DAVID R (PORKY) JOINS US AGAIN

The nine of us hit the road with a "required" stop at the Wired (aka Ruptured) Rooster coffee shop in Caledonia with temps in the low 70's (for now).  Passing through town we took HWY 76 north all the way up to Caledonia.  We arrived on Main Street and while Bob & Julie opted for the bakery, the rest of the group decided to patronize the Rooster.  I don't know about the coffee at the Rooster, but the pastries at the Caledonia Bakery are to die for!  After the rest of the group joined Bob & Julie, the proprietor of the bakery came out to see how we were doing. David asked the proprietor about free samples, and to our amazement, she brought out a plate full of portions.  Everyone sampled them and agreed that they were the best!  The next time you are traveling anywhere near Caledonia, and want to try some delicious baked goods, the be sure to stop at the Caledonia Bakery.  Apparently the Wired Rooster across the street has any type of coffee you might desire.  WE WILL BE BACK!

After our break, we got back onto HWY 76 for a short jog out of town and then took HWY 44 up through Hokah and to HWY 16 just outside of LaCrescent.  At the stoplight we turned east on HWY 14 and rode on into LaCrosse.  Making our way to Riverside Park where the LST was docked, we soon realized that we were not the only ones that decided this was the thing to do today.

After parking the cycles, Bob, Julie, and David waited for a shuttle to take us a long ways to the end of the line waiting to board the ship.  The rest of the group made the long hike to the docking spot.  After an hour and half wait in line, we were able to board the ship for our tour.

The LST-325 (LST=Landing Ship Tank) is the last fully operational WWII Landing Ship Tank.  Winston Churchill called the LST's "the ships that won the war".  They were capable of carrying 20 Sherman tanks, 200-400 troops, and 30-40 wheeled and/or tracked vehicles.  Here's some photos I took of the LST-325 on Saturday.

THE BOW WHERE THE TANKS ROLLED OUT

THE HISTORY OF THE LST 325

YES, IT ALSO TRANSPORTED JEEPS

ONE OF THE ARMAMENTS

THE BRIDGE

LOOKING TOWARDS THE BOW

ONE OF ITS CAMPAIGNS

A SPARE PROP

An interesting tour of a ship type that most people have probably never heard of.  They also participated in the Korean and Viet Nam wars.

After our tour we returned to the cycles by various methods, and decided on Chinese food. The temps had now moved into the middle 90's.  Jim took us to the Chinese Buffet on Losey Blvd. where the service and food were great.  What would a Labor Day weekend be without ice cream?!  We stopped at DeSoto Arco convenience store for the desired hand-dipped deserts.

We then made our way across the bridge into Lansing, where Mike & Joan peeled off for New Albin, and the rest of us headed down HWY 9 to Waukon and then some on to rural Postville.

The ship will be in LaCrosse on Monday yet, and then down to Dubuque.  If you're looking for something different to do on Labor Day, then a tour of LST-325 would fill the bill.

MORE GOOD PUBLICITY FOR WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDERS

This article appeared in the last issue of the Waukon Standard newspaper.