BIB GANG FOR MEMORIAL RIDE & BRATS

For a good number of years now, the Wednesday Night Riders have planned a ride and a brat feed after the ride on Memorial Day.  We always wait until after the Memorial Day presentations are completed at the cemetery.

Here's some photos of some Wednesday Night Riders who attended and /or participated in the presentation at Oakland Cemetery this year.

LOIS OBSERVES THE PARADE FROM THE SHADE

BOB Z ARRIVES WITH THE VETS

KEN K BRINGS THE GRAND MARSHAL

CHUCKLES REPRESENTS THE KC's

WAYNE'S GRANDDAUGHTER CARRIES A FLAG

SUZANNE BRINGS THE WREATH LAYERS

ONE OF "BUGSY'S" SONS BUILT THIS WWII REPLICA

RICHARD & MELODYE'S GRANDDAUGHTER DELIVERS THE GETTYSBURG ADDRESS

WAYNE OBSERVES THE CEREMONIES

BOB Z WITH THE RIFLE SQUAD

JIM DOWNING'S GRANDDAUGHTER DELIVERS HER ESSAY

Our ride planned to leave Casey's at 1 PM well after we paid our respects to our fallen service men and women.

Arriving on bikes for the ride were Dee, Jim & Cathy, Mike, Chuckles, Lois, and Bill.  Aboard three-wheeled vehicles were Dave M, ChucK, Richard & Melodye, Mark, Uncle Wayne & Karrie, Terry, and Bob.  Dr. David & Suzanne drove in with their Mustang convertible.

DAVE M ARRIVES

ChucK & DEE DISCUSS COMMUNICATIONS

THE GANG GROWS

LOTS OF PRERIDE VISITING

UNCLE WAYNE & KARRIE ARRIVE

BILL PULLS IN FROM LANSING

BOB & CHUCKLES OBSERVING THE BIG GANG

The plan was to take Bob's "shortcut" up to Rushford and include three of his favorite pathways to get there.  The gang rolled out of Casey's under high 70's temps, but with a strong south wind.  Thanks to the "support" convertible blocking traffic, we were all able to get out of the Casey's lot still together.

Our journey started by passing through the only stop light in Allamakee County and continuing through Waukon until we reached HWY 76 and turned north.  We cruised along 76 with wind blasts until we arrived at the Dorchester turn and took CR A16 up the hill into Spring Grove.  We passed through Spring Grove on HWY 44 and made our way through Mabel, where we picked up Roger, adding to the three-wheeled gang.  Continuing on 44, we arrived in Canton, and there took CR 21, one of Bob's favorites, north all the way to HWY 16 just outside of Lanesboro. CR 21 is a smooth stretch of pavement that offers up some spectacular scenery  We slipped into town for a break at the BP store there.

AFTER PICKING ROGER UP IN MABEL

LOIS CHECKS TO SEE WHERE WE ARE

THE GANG STARTS TO RETURN FROM THE RESTROOM

THAT'S NOT A BUDWEISER!

After our break, we pick up HWY 250, another of Bob's favorites, and start weaving our way north.  250 offers some neat curves, but is probably best know for its "roller coaster" hills.  At its junction with HWY 30, we turn eastward on 30, and wind our way on into Rushford.  Once there, we pass through town and find our way to CR 27 and follow it part way along the Root River.  This stretch of road is pretty well tucked into tree lines, so the wind wasn't as bothersome. Bob likes this route because of the variety of hills and curves along with some great views. Near the end of CR 27 is Money Creek Haven, a campground with a huge swimming pool.  Per chance, a bathing beauty was spotted on the diving board as we passed by (very slowly!).

We then arrived at HWY 76 and cruised south on into Houston, where we stopped at the River Valley Convenience Store for a break.

WITH TEMPS NOW IN THE 80'S JACKETS COME OFF

SOME FIND A LITTLE SHADE

BUT SOME FIND LOTS OF SHADE

AND SOME LIKE TO BE DISTANT

After our second break on the trip, we continued our journey on HWY 76 out of Houston until we reached CR 10, another fun road.  After avoiding the "rush hour" in Sheldon, 10 led us back to HWY 76 just outside of Caledonia.  We passed through Caledonia staying on HWY 76, cruised past Eitzen and Dorchester and back to Waukon.  Bob had about 140 wind blown but fun miles on the trike when he arrived home.

Julie and Dennis & Marlene joined the 14 riders who stopped by for the  cookout, so we had 17 folks chowing down on brats and other goodies for a great climax to another Memorial Day.

We had a good ride, good food, and good fellowship today, but there is always something we should never, ever forget, especially on Memorial Day...