It what may be the last chance to see the beautiful autumn foliage from the seat of a cycle, Sunday may have been the day. With the sun out, the trees seem to glow with color, and even though it was somewhat cool (If it's 50 and above and no rain, I ride) five riders showed up at Casey's on Sunday to take advantage.
Chuckles had the only two wheeler, while Dave, ChucK, Richard, and Bob were aboard three wheelers.
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| THE THREE WHEELERS |
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| CHUCKLES GASSES UP |
Departing Casey's at 12:30 we were to start in on one of Bob's top ten rides that would hopefully show us some fall colors. With all the wind in the area yesterday, we had some doubts about how many trees would be leafless.
Heading north on HWY 76, we were bundled up to be warm enough in the low 50 temps, but the sun sure felt good. We traversed 76 on through Eitzen and Caledonia and then took CR 10 through Sheldon and back onto HWY 76 just outside of Houston. We were able to get up close and personal to some really colorful trees along CR 10. This stretch of pavement has been recently resurfaced, so we had a smooth ride all the way. We stopped at the BP in Houston for some warm-up, although no one seemed to be too cold.
On our way through Houston, I was able to grab a couple of photos at a home that really must enjoy Halloween.
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| BOO! |
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| BOO AGAIN! |
Just outside of Houston, we picked up CR 9 and headed east on into Winona County. We then took a jog north onto CR 11 and then back east again on CR 8. Along these two routes we were treated to some fantastic yellows from the birch and aspens. CR 8 took us back east past New Hartford and on to CR 5. This stretch turns into CR 6 near Pine Creek and down the hill we went into LaCrescent. CR 5 and 6 are both scenic and smooth routes, and we were still enjoying many colors.
Just outside of LaCrescent, we turned onto CR 25 and up the hill we went to catch CR-258 aka Tschumper Road (aka Thumper Road). Many have described this 4 mile stretch of road "the most beautiful road in Minnesota", and they will get no argument from me. The views of the rivers, bluffs, streams, and valleys from atop this road are fantastic especially in the fall! It was probably a special treat for Richard, since it was his first time meandering down the hill. The speed limit is only 25, and that's for a reason. It needs to be that slow moving along to enjoy the views and do a little bit of gawking at the beautiful scenery. This route is definitely worth taking a couple of times a year. Our next trip down it may be on Memorial Day next spring.
Thumper Road ends at its bottom onto CR 21. We then took 21 east for a short stint over to HWY 16 and followed 16 into Hokah where we stopped at the Kwik Trip for a break. After our break we passed by Hokah Hardware (a division of Horsfalls!) without stopping and took CR 18 south down the hill into Brownsville. Even this route offered up some beautiful trees. In Brownsville we journeyed onto HWY 26 and followed it all along the river through Reno and New Albin and on into Lansing. HWY 9 then took us back into Waukon where I had about 130 miles on the Wing.
Here are a few examples of the type of colors we saw on the trees on this trip, and also a few more Halloween characters.
I would say with the upcoming weather, the leaf looking is going to be short-lived from now on, so I would say it's now or never if you want to enjoy the fall colors. I'm really glad we went!
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