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.