CAMP COURAGEOUS--BEST DAY EVER!

We have been making motorcycle and sometimes cage trips down to Monticello to support the Camp Courageous fund raising meals in the fall and spring for many years now.  For the most part there have been very few times where the weather has been pleasant.  Many times it has been cold or rainy or both.  But this fall, seven riders were greeted by a spectacular fall day!

With clear skies and temps in the mid 60's to start, Lois, Chuckles, Bill, and Bob P stoked up their bikes.  Dave and Bob & Julie rolled in on their trikes.  The group gathered at Casey's for a 9 o'clock starting time.

JULIE LOOKS EXCITED!

DAVE'S GOING TO RIDE WITH US THIS YEAR

GOOD TO SEE BOB P AND BILL AGAIN

WE'RE READY TO ROLL!

The "magnificent" 7 rolled out of Casey's onto HWY 76 south then onto the Volney Road through "rosey" Rossville.  As we progressed through some of the low areas near the Yellow River, the temp on the trike read 52 degrees.  However, once we reached Monona, we were well into the upper 60's.

We sped on through Monona and passed by Froelich on HWY 18 and then turned southward on HWY 52.  We followed 52 all the way to Dyersville passing through Garnavillo, Guttenberg, Millville, Luxemburg, and New Vienna on the way and took a short break at the Casey's there.

CHUCKLES & BOB P FOUND THE HARLEY PARKING SPOT

CHUCKLES COMBED THE DITCH FOR $100 BILLS, BUT CAME UP EMPTY

After a short break, we continued our journey onto HWY 136 still heading south and passed through Worthington.  As we neared Cascade, we were supposed to turn onto HWY 151 south, but Bob was gawking around and missed the turn.  With everyone following, we were able to turn around and get onto 151 and speed towards Monticello.  All along the way so far, we noticed that like in our area, very few crops had been harvested.

After about 10 miles on 151, we took HWY 38 south and soon arrived at Camp Courageous where we had our own parking lot attendant guide us onto the basketball court.  We arrived at 11:15 and headed into the lodge for our waffle feast.  We were offered all the waffles and sausages we wanted, and some took advantage of that offer!

After being fully stuffed, we departed Camp Courageous for what in 

MHO is the most scenic journey in northeast Iowa.  

We backtracked on HWY 38 and 151 until we reached North Cascade Road and turned northward.  From N Cascade to Roller Coaster Road (very appropriate name) to Placid Road and on into Epworth we motored for a gas stop.  All three of these county roads are well maintained and offer some outstanding views, but the best was yet to come.

On the edge of Epworth, we found Gun Club Road and followed this windy, scenic tarmack into Bankston and St. Clement Church.  A short jog on Bankston Park Road took us over to Asbury Road and some more incredible scenery.  Again, your leader was gawking at the scenery, and missed the turn onto Five Points Road near the metropolis of Graf.  Again we were able to get turned around and onto Five Points to enjoy some breathtaking scenery.

Five Points ends ay HWY 3, and we normally take HWY 3 over to Sherill Road for a stop at Eichman's Store.  However, HWY 3 was closed at that point due to some never-ending repair work.  Since our goal was to get to Balltown, our only option was to try bypass the closing by taking S Mound Road over to Sherill.  So across the highway we went and onto South Mound also passing a "Road Closed" sign for it.  The last time I was on South Mound it was in really bad shape, and today was no exception.  Fortunately right at the closed barriors for S Mound, we were able to turn north onto Mill Road.  After about 2 miles, we came upon Haberkorn Road and were able to turn back east.  What a treat this road was!  It took us right into Sherill and onto Balltown Road we went.  Balltown Road is another one of the scenic drives in this area.  

After passing through a very busy Balltown, we stopped at one of the overlooks along the Great River Road for some photo opps.

We continued our scenic journey down the Great River Road and passed through North Buena Vista and back to HWY 52 at Millville.  What's a waffle breakfast without ice cream?!  So, our next stop was Joe's in Guttenberg where there were at least 20 choices of ice cream.

WE ARRIVE AT JOE'S

AND GET TO PARK OUT FRONT

After our ice cream treats, we left Guttenberg via the Great River Road and down into McGregor.  What an improvement is Main Street in McGregor!  We pass through McGregor and on into Marquette where we pick up HWY 76 and motor north back into Waukon.  We had 220 miles on the trike when we parked her.

What a day!  Great weather, great roads, great scenery, all for a good cause.  Thanks to Carl & Joyce who couldn't make the trip, but sent a contribution for Camp Courageous with us.