CLOSE, BUT NO HOUSTON

 After a pretty heavy downpoor in Waukon, we still had 5 hardy riders show up at Casey's for our Wednesday night ride.

Jim, Mike, and Bill two wheeled their way through some rain water and arrived a little damp.  Richard arrived in his Slingshot after dropping Melodye off, and Bob rolled in on his trike to lead.

IT AIN'T EXACTLY DRY OUT HERE!

RICHARD SAYS HE'S READY

BILL CHECKS FOR DRIER CLOTHES

The original plan was to take Bob's "shortcut" to Houston via CR 13 (the mountain pass).  After some convincing from the other 4, the plan was to continue to reach Houston, since it did look pretty good in that direction.  So, we decided to give it a try.

We left Waukon via HWY 76 north up to Bear Creek Drive.  We headed west on BCD and followed it until it turns into Big Canoe Road and then crosses Locust Road and becomes 337th St.  Finally this road with 3 names ends at North Winn Road and we venture back south on it passing by Seed Savers Exchange Farm and onto HWY 52.  We turn northward on 52 and arrive at its junction with HWY 44.  After a look in the direction of Houston, we spotted what looked like a pretty healthy looking shower to the north, so we decided to turn eastwardly on HWY 44.  Once we arrived in Mabel, we could take HWY 43 north to get to CR 13.

However, after a brief stop at the BP station in Mabel, things didn't look any better to the north, so we continued our abbreviated journey by staying on HWY 44 and rolled into the Quick Stop in Spring Grove.

HOT COFFEE HITS THE SPOT!

RICHARD THINKS MELODYE MADE THE RIGHT DECISION!

Actually, except for some wet roads and a few sprinkles, it had not been a bad ride at all.  So with the possiblity of the rain catching up with us, we left Spring Grove with the intention of heading back to Waukon.  On the edge of Spring Grove we made our way onto CR 27, Sylling Road.  This is a fun motorcycle road, and to our delight, it has been recently resurfaced, so we had a smooth, curvy ride back down to HWY 76.

We headed back south on 76 and came up to the stop lights where the bridge over Bear Creek is being replaced.  It was amazing to look down and see all the materials and equipment that was being used for this small bridge repair.  It's hard to imagine the amount of material and machinery that it must take to build a big bridge like they are doing in Lansing!

HWY 76 took us back into Waukon.  There Mike and Bill decided it was in their best interests to head back north to home.  Jim, Richard, and Bob stopped at Uptown for eats where the conversation turned to remote controlled lawn mowers with the names Mabel and Grassinova.  I had 91 milles on the trike when I got her in the garage.  Just as I pulled into the garage, a pretty strong rain shower hit.  Good timing!

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Monday, Labor Day, is our annual "Double Dip" Ice Cream Run.  We will venture out of Casey's at 1 PM that day and find an ice cream establishment somewhere for one dip (or more), and return to Waukon and WW Dairy for the second dip (or more).  This ride is going to include the now famous "Thumper Road", probably the most scenic four mile stretch of road in the tri-state area.  EVERYONE IS WELCOME!

Next Wednesday we may try CR 13 into Houston again.

Looks like something Jim & Cathy, Mike & Joan, and Chuckles & Lois could use!!

EVEN DOZEN ON WEDNESDAY

 Again we were treated to another "chamber of commerce" day in northeast Iowa.  The pleasant sunny skies and temps in the low 80's drew an even dozen Wednesday Night Riders to Casey's this Wednesday.  The three-wheel crowd was dominant with 8 units and 10 riders.  Richard & Melodye, Wayne, Terry, Dave, Bernell & Kathy, Roger, Ron, and Bob all arrived on three wheels.  The two bikers were Mike and Bill.

MIKE IN THE REAR VIEW MIRROR

THE SLINGSHOT ARRIVES

WAYNE JOINS US AGAIN

DAMN BUGS!

GD BUGS!!

SOME FRIENDLY PRERIDE CONVERSATION

TERRY MOTORS IN

DAVE ARRIVES

GOOD TO SEE BURNELL & KATHY AGAIN

ROGER JOINS THE GANG

A GOOD CROWD BEGINS TO GATHER

BILL ADDS TO MAKE THE TWO WHEELES TWO

CHECK OUT RON'S FANCY BIKER SHOES!

The original plan was to go through Hawkeye, but with so many county roads being worked on around Hawkeye, we would just come close.

After leaving Casey's with the "dangerous" dozen, we motored down HWY 9 west for a short jog and then onto CR W60, aka West Ridge Road, aka Old Stage Road.  By whatever name you want to call it, we followed it south to Yellow River Drive  and turned back west. After a few curves, we arrived at HWY 51 and took it south again into Postville and onto HWY 18 heading west.  A smooth curvey ride on 18 took us into Clermont and then onto CR B40 (Great River Road).  

Part of the plan in taking CR B40 was that it meaners along the Turkey River and actually crosses it five times.  With all the heavy rainfall in the area recently, we observed a raging, but bankfull, Turkey River.  We continued on GRR westerly over to HWY 150 near El Dorado and turned south.  After about 4 miles, we pointed our wheels onto CR B44 (Nature Road).  

Nature Road ranks right up there with most of the fun roads to ride in the area.  It has some sweeping curves, it's smooth, and has some great views.  It also rolls through the metropolis of Douglas.  At the end of Nature Road we come to CR W14 (Rose Road) and head south again.  Rose road crosses HWY 18 and after two miles would lead into Hawkeye.  But again, with all the road construction going on, if we went into Hawkeye, we would just have to come back to HWY 18 again.  So instead of going into town, we turned east onto HWY 18 and cruised on into West Union where we stopped for a break at Casey's.  There the soft serve ice cream was a popular choice.  By this time we have crossed the Turkey River 8 times.

After leaving Casey's, we continued our journey by turning onto CR B64 (Golden Road) and heading easterly.  Golden Road is another "gem".  It's "pool table" smooth, has some neat scenery, along with sweeping curves.  This stretch of newly laid asphalt takes us into Elgin where we pick up CR B64 (Agate Road) and climb the hill out of town.  Again we pass over and along a swollen Turkey River as we make our way to Gunder.  There some of us stop for eats, while the rest head for their respective homes.

The meals at Gunder were both plentiful, tasty, and very reasonably priced.  After eating, the five of us continued our journey on Gunder Road (CR B60 and CR W64) up to HWY 18 again just outside of Postville.  The original plan was to cut through Postville and take Cherry Valley Road back, but with darkness starting to set in, we decided to stick to the main roads.  So we took 18 back into Postville and then onto HWY 51 again and headed north to HWY 9.  HWY 9 took us back into Waukon where I had 110 miles for the trip according to the clock on the trike.  We didn't quite make it to Hawkeye, but still a nice ride on a great night.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Next Wednesday the plan is to take the "mountain" route into Houston.

Labor Day, September 1st is our "Double Dip" Ice Cream Run".  We will depart Casey's at 1 that afternoon.

GETTING ACROSS THE RIVER WHEN THE LANSING BRIDGE CLOSES!

HOT BEEF SANDWICHES DID NOT DISAPPOINT

 Our most recent RTE (Ride To Eat) took us to Kickapoo Corners in Readstown, WI, for what IMHO are the best hot beef sandwiches on the planet.  Willing to give them a first try or  back for a second time were ten Wednesday Night Riders who showed up at Casey's on Sunday morning.

The bike crowd featured Chuckles, Lois, Bill, and Jim & Cathy.  Boarding three-wheelers were Dave, Richard & Melodye, and Bob & Julie.

HERE'S CHUCKLES & LOIS

BILL WANTS TO TRY THEM AGAIN

JULIE ARRIVES FOR A MINUTE

RICHARD WENT LAST TIME, BUT MELODYE IS A FIRST-TIMER

JULIE COMES BACK

NOW WE'RE READY

The original plan was to take mostly backroads to Readstown, but with all the rain in the area last night, we were a little leary of some possible flooding.  So we elected to stick to the main highways.  That meant taking HWY 76 south to Marquette. While in route, I dodged a hungry eagle.  At Marquette we crossed the Mississippi and took HWY 18 around Prairie du Chien and onto HWY 60 south of town.  HWY 60 took us through Wauzeka and past Boydtown and Boscobel and onto HWY 61 heading north.  We followed 61 cruising past Plugtown, Mt. Zion, and Rolling Ground.  After putting Soldiers Grove in our rear view mirrors, we arrived at Kickapoo Corners Restaurant at the intersection of HWY's 61 and 14, just outside of Readstown.  By the looks of the parking lot, it was a busy Sunday, like it always is there.

WE WERE ABLE TO FIND ENOUGH PARKING

BILL TELLS JIM ABOUT THE HOT BEEF

LOIS LOSES TRACK OF CHUCKLES

HE'S STILL TRYING TO FIND THE KICKSTAND

After we entered the very busy Kickapoo Corners, the earlier call to reserve a table became the best thing we did.

A short time after we were seated, a very efficient waitress took our drink orders and then came back for meal orders.  Obviously the recommended meal by Bill, Richard, and Bob was the hot beef sandwich.

HOW GOOD DOES THAT LOOK?!

A WELL FED GANG

When it came time to pay the checks, we were pleasantly surprised that someone had already paid for us.  Looking around our table, we knew it couldn't be anyone seated there.  We soon discovered that Bob P, Richard's brother, had picked up the checks for all of us.  A VERY SPECIAL THANKS TO BOB FOR THAT VERY GENEROUS GESTURE!!

Upon leaving the restaurant, I discovered that next door was the Kickapoo Trading Post, an antique store.  Here's a couple of shots of some of their outdoor mechandise.

It turned out to be a nice, warm day, so taking some backroads home seemed to be the thing to do.  We headed west a short ways on HWY 14 until we came to CR M.  Up the long, windy, and scenic hills we went until we came to CR J.  A turn north on J and we were treated to some striking views all along the way to HWY 82.  Once on 82 we past through Liberty Pole and got a glimpse of the famous Monument Rock.  Continuing of 82 we swept by Fargo, and when we reached West Prairie, we turned onto CR N and looped through Retreat (too late for the World's Fair) and back onto HWY 82.  Down the hill we went for some grand views of the surrounding countryside, passing through Red Mound and arriving at HWY 35 at the bottom of the hill outside of DeSoto.

Since our RTE's require a mandatory ice cream stop, we jogged on into the conveniece store there for our hand-dipped treats.  I hadn't realized that Pork's Hilltop no longer exists.  It's now called Pike's Den.  We may have to give that a try sometime.

After our treats, our journey continued on HWY 35/82 until we turned west towards Lansing.  Across the Black Hawk Bridge we went and passed through Lansing on HWY 9 and on into Waukon.  We had 135 miles on the trike when we garaged her.

We had a really nice ride and I did not hear anyone complain about the hot beef sandwiches.  Bill said he thought they were even better than last year!  AND AGAIN, THANKS TO BOB P!!

UPCOMING

If it ever stops raining, we will try Arlington or Hawkeye on Wednesday night.

It was 48 years ago on Friday, that we lost this great singer.

BACKASSWARD TO WAUZEKA

The plan for our Wednesday night ride was to try to make it back to Wauzeka.  Last Wednesday Wauzeka was our goal, but with the rain in the area, we took a different route.  This week we were going to do the Wauzeka route in reverse, because I think it's more fun and scenic.

We had 14 souls arrive on a near-perfect night.  The bikers were Bill, Lissa, Chuckles, Lois, and Jim & Cathy.  The three wheelers were Terry, ChucK, Wayne, Richard & Melodye, Dave, and Bob.  Irv roared in with the Vet.

TERRY FINDS PARKING

ChucK ARRIVES

BILL & RICHARD HAVE AN IMPORTANT DISCUSSION

WAYNE & MELODYE GREET

WE COULD HEAR IRV COMING!

HERE'S DAVE

GOOD TO SEE LISSA AGAIN

CHUCKLES TRIES TO FIND THE KICKSTAND

LOIS FOLLOWS CHUCKLES IN

 If we were going to do Wauzeka in the opposite (backassward) direction, then we had to start by taking HWY 9 to Lansing, cross the "singing bridge", and take HWY 35 south to CR B.

With the convoy following, we turned eastward on CR B.  This is another of the scenic alphabet roads that we are lucky to have in our area to ride.  There were some scenic sights, but the tall corn near the sides of the road blocked some views.  Great looking crops though!  CR B took us up to HWY 27 and we headed south along the same stretch of road we took last Wednesday, but from the opposite direction, and still some great views.  We passed through Rising Sun, Fairview, Mt. Sterling, Seneca, and Eastman again before arriving at CR N.  The next trip down CR N is what I consider one of the best panoramic rides of the alphabet roads.  Some of the distant views were spectacular particularly going this direction.  After some grand scenery and sweeping curves, we arrived in Wauzeka for our break at the BP convenience store.

SOME WITH DRINKS, SOME WITH ICE CREAM

GETTING READY TO DEPART

The route back home was the same route we usually take to get to Wauzeka, but in the opposite direction.  Taking HWY 60 out of town, we followed this smooth route along the Wisconsin River and up to HWY 18 at Bridgeport.  We turned onto HWY 18, followed it through Prairie du Chien, and across the bridge into Marquette.  From there we took a supposedly redone CR B45 (Pleasant Ridge Road) westward to Monona.  While B45 is better than it used to be, it is still a road I would avoid yet.  

Once in Monona, we took the Volney Road (CR X26) through rosie Rossville and onto HWY 76.  This took us into Waukon where some of ate at a busy Uptown Grill.  There were 120 miles on the trike when I parked her at home.  We did ride over some of the same roads we did last week, but I think the trip down CR N from HWY 27 was worth it.

UPCOMING EVENTS

This Sunday, the 17th is another RTE (Ride To Eat).  Is that all we do, is ride and eat?!  Anyway, this trip is to Kickapoo Corners Restaurant near Readstown, where in MHO, they have the best hot beef sandwiches.  They obviously have other items on their menu, so you DON'T HAVE TO get the hot beef, but I am.  Last year the guys who went with me said the hot beef sandwiches were well worth the trip.  We will depart Casey's at 10:15.  (Note the time change.  Bob has to read the scriptures at church that morning, and pray for the rest of you!)   FUN TRIP WITH GOOD EATS!  EVERYONE WELCOME!

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!