WE DID NOT FORGET MEMORIAL DAY!

 This Monday, Memorial Day, was honored by several Wednesday Night Riders participating in the various events of the day.

We began with the annual parade, and the service at Oakland Cemetery in Waukon.  Here's some photos from that day.

THE HONOR GUARD

BOB Z WITH THE VETS

SUZANNE PROVIDES AN ESCOURT FOR THE POPPIES

JENS & JANE BRING THE CHAPLAIN AND FAMILY

NO SEAT BELT DRAGGING THIS YEAR!

FLAG ESCOURT

CHUCKLES WITH THE KC'S--NICE BERET!

JULIE WITH THE QUILTS OF VALOR

PRESENTING THE QUILT

ALSO, THE CEMETERY LOOKED GREAT!  THANKS TO CHUCKLES, LOIS, AND HELPERS.

AFTER THE CEREMONIES, WE WENT ON OUR ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY RIDE.

We had 13 riders show up at Casey's for the ride at 1 PM.  Richard & Melodye arrived in their Slingshot.  Dee, Jim & Cathy, and Mike & Joan cruised in on bikes, while Terry, ChucK, and Bob & Julie straddled trikes.  Dr. David & Suzanne provided the Mustang "support vehicle".

THE SLINGSHOT ARRIVES

THE TRIKES ARE ACCOUNTED FOR

JIM & CATHY WITH A FILL OF GAS & COFFEE

THE HAHNS' IN THE MUSTANG

DEE, FEELING A LITTLE DIZZY AFTER A PRACTICE RUN

MIKE & JOAN ROLL IN FROM NEW ALBIN

We departed Waukon via HWY 76 north and followed it all the way through Caledonia to CR 10.  Heading west on 10 we passed through Sheldon, back to HWY 76 and into Houston for a break.

JIM DECIDED TO PRAY FOR OUR SAFE VOYAGE

UNTIL HE GOT A CRAMP IN HIS LEGS

After our break, we passed through Houston and picked up CR 9 heading westerly.  At the end of 9 we turned onto CR 11, then CR 8, which becomes CR 5 and then turns to CR 6 and down into LaCrescent we went.  These county roads are well kept, scenic, and offer some great riding.  Upon reaching LaCrescent, we stopped at the Quik Trip for another break.

IT STILL REMAINED A GREAT DAY FOR A RIDE

After departing Quick Trip, we became separated for a bit, but recovered enough to take CR 25 out of town.  This is another great stretch of road to ride with some great views from above down into the valleys below.  CR 25 took us all the way back to HWY 16, and we hightailed it into Hokah for another break.  However, after checking with everyone, we decided a break wasn't needed, so we continued on by finding CR 18 in Hokah and motored down it into Brownsville.

Once in Brownsville, we found HWY 26 and headed south along the Mississippi River into New Albin.  Just outside of New Albin, we took Iowa River Drive (CR A26) over to Lycurgus Road and back to HWY 9 and into Waukon and the Rotach house.  135 miles showed on the Gold Wing trike clock for the day.  A REALLY GREAT RIDE!

IT WAS NOW TIME FOR THE ANNUAL MEMORIAL DAY COOKOUT

We were joined by Dennis & Marlene, Jens & Jane, and Chuckles & Lois.  Bob barbequed some brats and we feasted on the salads and deserts that everyone else brought.  We were even treated to some Polish chocolate covered plums!

IT DIDN'T TAKE LONG FOR THE EATING TO START

EVERYONE WAS ABLE TO GRAB A PLATEFULL

WHO ELSE WOULD HAVE A "LOVE SEAT" CAMP CHAIR BY BUC-EE'S

LOIS MUST HAVE HAD ONE TOO MANY OF THE CHOCOLATE PLUMS

IT WAS A GREAT MEMORIAL DAY FOR OUR GROUP, BUT LESS WE FORGET.....

If you are able to ride Wednesday evening (rain predicted), you will need a new leader.  Bob will be getting another injection in his back from the Pain Clinic (Shawn Blake)

WEDNESDAY NIXED, BUT MONDAY STILL LOOKS GOOD

 With temps just barely above 50 and light rain falling, our Wednesday night ride fell victim to the weather. (We needed the rain, but it could warm up!)  However, Memorial Day so far looks good for our ride and cookout.  Temps in the mid-sixties.

Just to remind everyone again, our annual Memorial Day ride and cookout afterwards at Rotach's is set to go Monday.  We will plan to honor our fallen heroes at various Memorial Day events/parades, and then take a ride through the area.  Departing Casey's at 1 PM on Monday is the plan.  Afterwards EVERYONE is invited to the Rotach house for a cookout.  The brats and buns will be furnished, but you need to bring your own beverages and possibly a snack, salad, or desert to pass. You can drop these off at Rotach's before the ride if you want.  The cookout should start around 5 PM, and if you can't make the ride, you are still invited to the cookout.  You also may want to bring along a chair.

SEE YOU THEN!

MORE SMILES AND PANCAKES

 Two events took place Friday and Sunday for the Wednesday Night Riders.  On Friday, Ron and Bob gave trike rides to six residents of Northgate Manor here in Waukon.  We would have had more participants, but it was a very windy day, and some of the residents did not want to give it a try.  However, we did bring smiles to the faces of the riders who did go.  Here's some of Julie's photos.

Sunday was our second "ride to eat" event.  The destination was New Albin for the New Albin Fire Department pancake brunch, and to get a glimpse of the "semi-world famous" pancake maker.  At 10 AM departure time from Casey's, we had Bill on his Gold Wing bike, Dave M on his Harley trike, Julie in the Durango "support" vehicle, Richard & Melodye in their Slingshot, and Bob leading on his Gold Wing trike.  Jim & Cathy left earlier, in case the firemen ran out of pancakes!  With cloudy skies and temps barely scraping 50, I'm sure there were quite a number who passed this ride up.

A SMALL, BUT HEARTY AND HUNGRY, GROUP GATHERS

We departed Waukon heading northward of HWY 9.  Since Bill had just come down from Lansing on HWY 9, we decided to take Lycurgus Road and Iowa River Drive up to New Albin.  We were able to park right in front of the fire station.

TIME TO EAT!

As we entered the station and paid our admission, we spotted Jim & Cathy along with Joan.  Apparently Jim & Cathy had to come early to have enough time to return home and do some crop spraying.  And shortly therafter, we laid eyes on the "semi-world famous" pancake chef!

THERE HE IS!

The firemen put on quite a feast!  We were treated to all the pancakes we wanted, scrambled or fried eggs, sausage, and milk or coffee.  The warm pancakes and hot coffee took away the chill from the ride.

Even though it was still cool, we continued the ride after eating.  We cruised up HWY 26 and on into Minnesota where we picked up CR 14 and turned east.  We made our way along scenic CR 14 into Caledonia.  We left town on HWY 44 heading towards Spring Grove.  Before we reached town, we turned southward onto CR 17, and rode this "roller coaster" route back to HWY 76.  Once on 76 we headed south back into Waukon and now the sun suddenly decided to appear.  I don't know if the temps ever got to the mid sixties as predicted, but we still had a good ride besides the great eats! There were about 80 miles on the trike when she got parked at home.

PLEASE NOTE:  AS OF TODAY, SUNDAY, MAY 18TH, THE BRIDGE AT LANSING IS CLOSED DUE TO MOVEMENT.  NO TIME FOR REOPENING HAS BEEN SET YET

UPCOMING EVENTS

Monday, May 19th--The trike rides for the residents of Wellington Place in Decorah has been postponed until June 12th.

Wednesday, May 21st--Regular Wednesday night ride (weather permitting)

Monday, May 26th, Memorial Day--This is our annual Memorial Day run and cookout.  After paying honor to our fallen soldiers, we will meet at Casey's at 1 PM for a ride through NE Iowa, SW Wisconsin, and SE Minnesota.  After the ride, we have a cookout at Rotach's.  Brats and buns will be furnished, but you can bring along snacks, salads, or deserts to pass.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!  If you can't make the ride, you are still welcome to attend the cookout.  That should start around 5 PM.

A GRAND LADY!!

A PAIR OF 15's

This Wednesday evening, we had fifteen riders show up for a ride destination to Gays Mills to check on the apple blossoms.  Bikers were Jim S, Mike, Bill, Lissa, and Jim & Cathy.  Trikers were Dave M, Terry, Roger, Bernell & Kathy, and Bob.  Richard & Melodye arrived in their Slingshot while Irv showed up in the "support" Corvette.   FIFTEEN riders

THE GANG INSPECTS THE TRIKES

TIME TO RIDE

 We pulled out of Casey's with partly cloudy skies and temps in the low 80's.  We motored out of Waukon via HWY 9 heading for Lansing.  Crossing the Blackhawk Bridge we were able to notice the construction progress on the new bridge.  Once we arrived in Wisconsin, we took HWY 35 south through Ferryville and turned east onto CR C.  We use this county road a number of times during the riding season, since it seems to remain well-maintained and offers some challenging curves.  

CR C took us across HWY 27 and past Bathtub Springs.  Near here two deer suddenly decided to cross in front of our leader who had to squeeze the brakes to avoid them.  Continuing on C, we arrived in Soldier's Grove and stopped for a break at the Mobil One Stop.

A NICE LINE UP

SOME VISITING WHILE ON BREAK

ROGER INSPECTS THE PARKING SITUATION

We departed Soldiers' Grove via HWY 61 heading south.  We did a little by-pass operation by taking CR H over to CR X and back onto HWY 61.  Both of these county roads are well kept and offer some special scenery.  Once back on 61 we cruised on south to HWY 171 and turned back west for a route past the orchards.  This section of HWY 171 has been in need of repair for quite some time, so it's best to just sit back, take the bumbs slowly and enjoy the views.

Late last week the apple trees were in full bloom, but today, probably due to some recent wind and rain, many of the blossoms had already fallen off the trees.  However ther were some great views of the valleys below.  We skated down hill into Gays Mills and continued on a still rough 171 on into Mt.Sterling.  Since it was still comfortably warm and still plenty of sunlight, we took HWY 27 south through Seneca and Eastman and down into Prarie du Chien.  Once there, we took HWY 18 across the bridge into Marquette and jumped onto HWY 76 heading north.  This is where some of our riders continued on 18 heading for home.  

The rest of the convoy too HWY 76 back through Rossville and on into Waukon where a few of us stopped at Uptown for eats.  Bob was able to nix a rabbit who couldn't make up its mind on the way back.  There were 118 miles on Bob's trike when we parked in front of Uptown.  So far, the longest ride of the new season.  Even though we were disappointed in not seeing a lot of apple blossoms, it was still a nice ride.  Although I'm sure there were a few sore butts that were not used to the length of time in the saddle yet.

On the previous day, Tuesday, we gave trike rides to FIFTEEN residents of Good Sam in Waukon.  Once again they were thrilled to have us.  Ron, Bob, and Jim (using ChucK's trike) put smiles on the faces of the fifteen  residents who chose to ride.  Each driver making five trips on a route within the city limits of Waukon.  A special thanks to Julie for taking photos and passing out our "angel" riding pins and to ChucK for the loan of his trike.  Here's some of the photos Julie took.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FRIDAY, MAY 16--Ron & Bob scheduled to give trike rides to residents of Northgate Care Center in Waukon at 1 PM

SUNDAY, MAY 18--New Albin Fire Department Pancake Brunch with ride afterwards.  Leaving Casey's at 10 AM

MONDAY, MAY 19--Ron, ChucK, and Bob scheduled to give trike rides to residents of Wellington Place in Decorah at 1 PM

NEXT WEDNESDAY, MAY 21--Possible ride to Houston, MN

GUESS WHO BOUGHT A BRAND NEW HARLEY BACK IN 1957!

JUST BILL AND US

Our scheduled "burger run" to Cresco took place on Saturday afternoon.  With some great riding weather, we still had only three riders show up.  Bill arrived on his Gold Wing, and Bob & Julie showed up on their Gold Wing trike.

Our destination was Dan's Road House in Cresco.  They are well-known for their burgers that finished strong in a "Best Burger in Iowa" contest.  We departed Waukon under sunny skies and temps in the low 70's.  Taking Main St. west, after about 3 miles outside of town, we came upon a "Loose Gravel" sign, and turned north back to HWY 9.  HWY 9 also is lined with chip seal, but the non-caring Iowa DOT won't put up any of the "loose gravel" signs.  Thanks to Allamakee County for thinking of motorcyclists!

We took HWY 9 into Decorah and entered HWY 52 north.  After a short scoot on 52, we turned onto the Pole Line Road heading west.  This is a neat motorcycling road since it is well-maintained and offers some sweeping curves and views of the Upper Iowa River.  Pole Line took us all the way over HWY 9, and we crossed it to continue our journey on into Cresco.  After a brief hunt, we did find Dan's Road House right on Main St. (He does need some better signage!)

WE MAKE IT TO DAN'S ON A BRIGHT, SUNNY DAY

Dan's does offer a very limited menu, so you had better like burgers or chicken strips.  Since we came for the burgers anyway, we placed our order for what they called "smash burgers".  After quizzing the folks at the table next to us, they assured us that the "smash burgers" were huge and really delicious.  They weren't wrong!  It was one big, tasty burger served with french fries.  If anyone is looking for a great burger for a meal, Dan's is the place!

THREE "WELL SATISFIED WNR'S

DAN'S ONLY SIGNAGE

After leaving Dan's, we took another "shortcut" home.  We turned onto the Dvorak Memorial Highway south at the next stop light.  This is another well-kept stretch of pavement but remains pretty straight.  Instead of following DMH into Protivin, we turned back east on CR A46 and headed towards Ridgeway.  I hadn't been on this tarmack in a long time, but it proved to be another well-kept stretch of pavement, and we cruised into Ridgeway.

In Ridgeway we picked up CR W14.  To our delight, this stretch of road was recently resurfaced, and we had a smooth ride into Spillville.  Once we reached Spillville, we again found the Dvorak Memorial Highway (this time CR B16), turned east for a short distance and turned onto 25th Avenue that becomes 175th St. as you close in on Calmar.  This is all newly resurfaced concrete that goes right by the South Winn golf course and ends at HWY 52 just north of Calmar.

We passed through Calmar and sped on into Ossian with the temps still in the 70's.  Once in Ossian, we exited town on Sand Road and took it east over to Centennial Road where we turned back north and arrived at HWY 9 just east of Decorah.  HWY 9 took us back into Waukon where we had just short of 100 miles on the trike.  Bill gave us the "thumbs up" and headed for home in Lansing.

GREAT WEATHER, GREAT FOOD, GREAT TRIP..but perhaps on a weekend that conflicted with Mothers' Day.

Tuesday we give our trike rides to the folks at Good Sam.  Wednesday our destination may be the apple blossoms around Gays Mills.  Friday is our trike rides for the residents at Northgate Manor.  No wonder May seems to be flying by!