OSTERDOCK NO LONGER A MYSTERY

 Thirteen riders showed up Saturday afternoon to participate in the second mystery RTE (Ride To Eat) of the season.  With the "never wrong" weather forecasters saying we were going to run into rain, thoughts were to postpone the ride until Sunday morning when the weather would be better.  Fortunately we ignored them, and ended up riding on a very pleasant afternoon.

Arriving at Casey's were Chuckles, Lois, Mike & Joan, and Jim & Cathy on bikes.  The three wheelers were ChucK, Richard & Melodye, and Bob & Julie.  Dr. David & Suzanne arrived in the "support" Jeep converible.

A FEW EARLY ARRIVALS

CHUCKLES MODELS HIS HELMET

THE SLINGSHOT IS WINKIN' AND BLINKIN'

A SET OF NEW GRANDPARENTS ARRIVE

THE TOP IS STILL UP

ChucK APPEARS

ANOTHER SET OF NEW GRANDPARENTS ARRIVE

THE GROUP TRIES TO GUESS WHERE WE'RE GOING

With Bob & Julie leading the way, and Bob being the only one who knows where we're going, we depart Casey's at 4 with a convoy of 13.

We take HWY 76 south to Rossville and then CR X26 (Volney Road) into Monona.  We pass through Monona on some streets that badly need repair.  Hooking up with HWY 18 outside of town we head east for a short jog and on to CR X28 (Golden Avenue) heading for Farmersburg.  X28 is being resurfaced at the present time and is still smoother than it was before.

After arriving in Farmersburg, we continued on X28 (now called Fawn Hollow Road) and motored into St. Olaf, where some of the group thought we were going to eat at the St. Olaf Tavern.  WRONG!

In St. Olaf we turned back west on CR B65 and cruised on over to the Gunder Road.  There is a huge, beautiful Lutheran Church (Norway Church) located at this corner.  Turning south we followed the Gunder Road on into Elkader, where some of the group thought we were going to eat at Finnelly's Irish Pub.  WRONG AGAIN!

We passed though Elkader and onto HWY 13 heading south until we reached CR X3C (Grandview Road) and pointed our wheels onto it.  From here until the end of our journey, we will be treated to some of the best scenery in northeast Iowa.  We traveled on Grandview until we reached Elkport/Garber where X3C now becomes Colesburg Road.  Cruising along Colesburg Rd, we reached CR X47 (Osterdock Road) and made our way onto it.  At the top of the hill just before decending into Osterdock, there is a view in front that can only be described as "breath taking".  Here's where some of the group thought we were going to continue on to Guttenberg for a meal at Joe's Pizza.  WRONG AGAIN!

In the outskirts of the metropolis of Osterdock we stopped at our "mystery" location, the Stockyard Restaurant and Bar.  Bob had stopped there before on the Hospice Ride, and said he would be back.

SUZANNE LOOKS HUNGRY

TIME TO UNLOAD THE JACKETS

JOAN CLAIMS SHE KNEW WE WERE GOING HERE

After perusing the extensive menu, we placed our orders, and the very accomodating waitress took some photos of our lucky 13.

While we were there, the place filled up quickly, which indicated that they do a good business.  The food was good and plentiful.

After our "mystery" meal, we departed Stockyard by continuing on Osterdock Road northward to CR 7X (Garber Road) and cruised down the hill to HWY 52 just outside of Guttenberg.  The original plan was to stop at Joe's for ice cream, but with everyone still stuffed from the meal, we decided to continue on.  

After passing through Guttenberg, we took CR X56 (Great River Road) all the way into McGregor.  There we determined that our "mandatory" ice cream stop would be at WW Dairy in Waukon.  Since the road between McGregor and Marquette is closed for repair, we took the detour on HWY 76 around McGregor and into Marquette.  We were then able to follow 76 on into Waukon and WW Dairy.

The clock on the Gold Wing showed about 120 miles for our mystery RTE.  It turned out to be a great ride with plenty of good food.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Next Wednesday, we will try to give Wauzeka another shot.

Our next RTE is August 17th for the "hot beef" at Kickapoo Corners.

COUPLES' TRIP

Six couples are now planning to make the trip on Sept. 13-14 to Taylors Falls, MN for a cruise on the St. Croix River.  I have Jim & Cathy, Mike & Joan, Richard & Melodye, ChucK & Dee, Chuckles & Lois, and Bob & Julie.  I have booked 6 rooms at the AmeriVu Inn in St. Croix Falls. There is a 48 hour cancellation time. We would like to take the Princess on the river cruise, since that's the boat Mike helped build.  I have contacted the cruise company to see what is available for a trip on that boat on the 13th.  I will inform you when I find out.

EVERYONE NEEDS A BACKUP!

TOOK THE ALTERNATE ROUTE

 We had 10 riders show up Wednesday night for a planned trip over to Wauzeka.  Mike, Jim, Bill, and Lois arrived on bikes.  Ron, Dave, Richard & Melodye, and Bob made up the three-wheel crowd.  Irv roared in with the "support" Vet.

MIKE ARRIVES FIRST

JIM DISPLAYS HIS HELMET

YOU CAN HEAR IRV COMING

RON BACKS IN

THE SLINGSHOT ROLLS IN

DAVE ARRIVES

BILL BRINGS HIS "GUZY"

LOIS CATCHES UP ON ALL THE NEWS

With nearly perfect riding weather, we leave Casey's via HWY 76 south, cruise past Rossville, wind around Effigy Mounds and arrive in Marquette.  After crossing the Mississippi River bridge, there looks to be a few ominous clouds over the area were were going to take to Wauzeka.

So, a decision was made by the leader to head north towards a more sunny looking sky.  We skirted Prarie Du Chien by taking CR K along the river.  When we came to Limery Road, we turned east, crossed the railroad tracks and HWY 35 and continued on Limery past the apple orchard. (looks like a bumper crop).  When we arrived at HWY 27, we headed north, passing by all the alphabet roads we couldn't take because of the never ending work on HWY 35.  After passing through Eastman, we arrived in Seneca for a break at Greener's Corner BP.

WE ARRIVE AT GREENER'S

After some refreshments, including ice cream, we continued north on HWY 27.  Almost all of HWY 27 in this area is considered to be a scenic drive, but this section from Seneca to HWY 82 is arguably the best for a smooth scenic venture. Until recently I didn't know that HWY 27 was called the Citizen Soldier Highway. We passed through Mt. Sterling and avoided the "rush hour" in Fairview and Rising Sun.  We hit Fargo and turned west on HWY 82.

With the sun in our faces (better than rain in the faces), we took 82 through West Prairie and into Red Mound.  Instead of continuing on 82, we veered to the right and took CR UU through the curves back down to HWY 35.  UU is really a fun stretch of blacktop with some sweeping curves, uphill and downhill stretches, and some fantastic scenery. 

When we arrived at HWY 35 just ouside of Victory, we headed south, passing by DeSoto, and onto the soon to be dismantled Black Hawk Bridge.  In Lansing, some of us took HWY 9 back to Waukon for eats at Fiesta Vallarta, since Uptown was closed for vacations.  Melodye and Bob were the only two to eat Mexican as the others dined on burgers.  There the conversation turned to eliminating moles.  Bob had a little over 100 miles on his trike for the night.  The alternate route turned out to be a good one along with some great weather.  We will make it to Wauzeka some other Wednesday night.

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Saturday, the 9th, is our second Mystery Ride to Eat.  We will leave Casey's at 4 that afternoon.  I'd tell you where we're going, but I'd have to kill ya!

IMPORTANT!!  COUPLES' TRIP

As of now I have Jim & Cathy, Mike & Joan, Richard & Melodye, and Bob & Julie on board for the Couples' Trip September 13-14.  I have set a deadline of this Sunday, the 10th, to indicate whether you are planning to go.  We are headed to Taylors Falls, MN, for a boat cruise on a paddlewheeler that Mike helped build.  Sounds like a good trip, so let Bob know by Sunday if you want to go!

Here's a couple more photos from the Summer Trip last week.

BACK FROM PLANES, TRAINS, AND AUTOMOBILES AND THE COUPLES' TRIP

 After approximately 1500 miles, the "magnificent 7" (Chuck, Dee, Mike, Richard, Bill, Dr. David, and Bob have returned from the "Summer Trip".  The first two days were "steamers", but the rest of the week had temps for some fabulous riding. There are a few photos to follow, but you will have to ask any of the individuals how much they enjoyed it.  Also while we were gone, Mike & Joan became grandparents again, and before we left Jim & Cathy celebrated grandparenting again.

Here's a few photos from the trip.

AT DE SOTO NATURAL WILDLIFE VISITOR CENTER

AT STRATEGIC AIR COMMAND MUSEUM

IN THE MAHANEY BELL TOWER IN JEFFERSON, IA

AT THE AMERICAN AUTO EXPERIENCE IN KEARNEY

AT THE 100th MERIDIAN IN COZAD

AT THE NELIGH MILL

AT THE WELLS ICE CREAM VISITOR CENTER IN LA MARS

More photos of the trip will be posted in future blogs.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Saturday, the 9th,  is another Mystery Ride To Eat--Plan to leave Casey's at 4 that afternoon.

COUPLES' TRIP !!

By the end of this week, you need to let Bob R know if you are planning on going on the Couples' Trip on Sept. 13-14.  Right now the plan is to ride up to Taylors Falls, MN, and take a boat ride on a boat that Mike helped build (hopefully it won't sink!) for a cruise on the St. Croix River.  It is important to know if you are planning to go so ticket and motel rooms can be arranged in time.

https://www.taylorsfallsboat.com/daily-excursions/

Goin' Back To Houston

We were heading back to Houston, MN, for the second attempt this year, but with the temps Wednesday night, one would think we were headed for Houston, TX !  The thermometer on the bank clock read 91 degrees as eight "cool" riders arrived at Casey's.  

Chuckles and Mike were our bikers. while ChucK, Terry, Richard & Melodye, and Bob boarded three wheelers.  Irv arrived in the "support" Vet.

HIS WATCH MUST BE BROKEN.  CHUCKLES IS THE FIRST ONE HERE!

ChucK & TERRY DO CROSS-OVER MANEUVERS

CHUCKLES INSPECTS TIRES

TERRY GETS PARKED

THE SLINGSHOT ARRIVES

JUST HOW HOT IS IT?!

SORRY BOYS, NO AIR CONDITIONING FOR YOU

MIKE TOPPS OFF THE GANG

It actually felt good to start moving again as we pulled out of Casey's parking lot.  I had the windshield set low and the wind deflectors on full, as we passed through Waukon and onto HWY 76 north.  The temp on the trike read 91 degrees as we made the corner and turned onto Bear Creek Drive.  We followed Bear Creek onto Big Canoe (CR A26) over to Locust Road and then turned north.  All along the way, the field crops looked tremendous!

When we arrived at HWY 44, we turned back east, and just outside of Spring Grove, we pointed our wheels onto CR 4.  I call this county road the "Yucatan Expressway".  We were treated to a refurbished stretch of blacktop all the way over to HWY 76.  CR 4 is a popular road for our gang.  It's scenic as it meanders along side of the south fork of the Root River and offers some nice sweeping curves.

As we looked to the west and north, we could see some dark skies forming and the wind started to cool down.  Actually the temp on the trike dropped down to the low 80's before we reached the BP convenience store in Houston.  Clouds were all around us, but so far no rain on us.

SOME OF US FOUND PARKING UNDER THE OVERHANG

CHUCKLES, TERRY, AND MIKE PLAY WEATHER FORECASTERS

THE REST OF THE GANG FINDS PARKING

THEY DECIDE WE ARE NOT GOING TO GET WET RIGHT NOW

TERRY FILLS US IN ON HIS HELMET LIGHTS

After some well-needed hydration, we left Houston, and with clouds still surrounding us, Bob decided to take HWY 76 back to Caledonia since that direction seemed less cloudy.  By passing along the shadey spots on 76, the changes in temps were remarkable.  At one time 76 degrees actually showed up on the trike thermometer.

We wound our way down to Caledonia and stayed on 76 south until we reached Iowa River Drive (CR A26) and turned back east skirting along the Iowa River.  When we reached Lycurgus Road, Mike headed back to New Albin, while the rest of us took Lycurgus Road back to HWY 9 and rolled into Waukon.  A few of us chowed down at Uptown.  I had 108 miles on the trike in downtown Waukon.

It was quite a ride!  Some of us got accumstomed to the heat we might endure on the upcoming Summer Trip, but all of us were amazed at the number of temperature changes and the great looking crops.  Thanks to Houston County for reconditioning one of our favorite county roads!

UPCOMING EVENTS

Seven of us are going to be gone for six days on the Summer Trip starting Monday.  Since Bob will be gone on this trip, you will need a new leader for a ride next Wednesday.

Our next scheduled "special ride" is another Mystery Ride To Eat on Saturday, August 9th, leaving Casey's at 4 that afternoon.  

BOY, IS THE SUMMER SLIPPING AWAY FAST!!