EVEN DOZEN TO CAMP COURAGEOUS

Sunday started out cool, but turned warm, sunny and pleasant for our semi-annual journey to Camp Courageous for their omelet fund raiser.  Ten of us left Casey's at 10AM.  Jim G (tougher Jim), Wayne F (tougher Wayne), Gary, Meryle, Mary, Dennis, Marlene, Bob R, Julie, and guest Dale R started out with 5 bikes and 2 support vehicles for Monona where we met up with Carl and Joyce in a hard-starting Jeep.  The temp was about 45 with sunshine.  We continued on through Farmersburg, Elkader, Garber, Colesburg, Petersburg, and on into Monticello and Camp Courageous.  We were greeted there by the largest group of motorcyclists I've ever seen parked on the basketball court.  It's now close to 60 degrees.

After some outstanding omelets with toast, sausage, juice, and coffee we started back to Waukon.  Since the county roads we usually take were being resurfaced, we returned through Cascade, Worthington, Dyersville, New Vienna, Luxemburg, Holy Cross, Rickardsville, Durango, and then through Sherrill, Balltown, N. Buena Vista, Millville, and into Guttenberg where we stopped at Greaser's for ice cream.  (Yes, it had warmed up that much! And I'm pretty sure that won't be our last stop at Greaser's this riding season.)  From there we took the river road past Clayton and into McGregor.  Then we went by Monona, into Luana, and back to Waukon.  I had about 250 miles on the clock when I pulled into the garage.  Overall we saw nice scenery, rode on some nice roads, ate well, and had some good laughs all for a good cause.
This coming week looks to be good weather, so maybe we'll have a good turnout on Wednesday.

Here's some shots from the Camp Courageous run.

GARY ARRIVES WHILE JIM TRIES ON HIS RAIN PANTS

GARY SHOWS UP IN HIS NEW SPRING GARB

THE GROUP MAKES FUN OF JIM STILL TRYING ON HIS PANTS

MEANWHILE THE WOMEN TELL DIRTY JOKES

CARL TELLS US ABOUT HIS NEW RIDE WHILE JOYCE KICKS THE TIRES

CARL SAYS, "SHE"S HARD TO GET STARTED." (THE JEEP THAT IS!)

THE GROUP POLISHES OFF THE OMELETS

COLD WEDNESDAY--WARM OMELETS SUNDAY

No one rode on Wednesday night due to cold weather and a never ceasing wind.  The weather witch just doesn't want to let go, but someone told me they saw a barn swallow, so warmer weather should be on the way.

Sunday is our annual Camp Courageous Omelet Run starting from Casey's at 10 AM.  It sounds like the day is going to start off cool, but warm to about 60 (a heat wave) and be sunny.  I plan on riding the Wing down to Monticello if it's not raining.  If you don't want to bike down and still want to go, there will be car rides available.  Hopefully we can get some folks from our Wednesday Night group going.  It's for a good cause.

4 Riders and a Tree Rat

Wednesday night finally gave us some nice riding weather again, so four of us showed up at Casey's for a really nice ride.  Jim G, Gary, John Ellingson, and Bob R headed north on 76 through Hanover and Eitzen and on into Caledonia.  From there we took CR 3 to Brownsville where we had our rest stop and watched Jim and Gary polish off some ice cream.  They said, "Eat desert first.  You never know!"
We then followed the river on HWY 26 back towards New Albin.  On the way, I saw a dark object in my lane on the road ahead.  As I approached, it looked like a road kill squirrel, so I went to swerve around it.  Suddenly, the dumb tree rat jumped to life and started running in small circles.  I couldn't avoid him, and he jumped up and struck my left boot.  (A good reason to always wear a good pair of boots!)  He was last seen skidding on his back into the left hand ditch.  It could have been worse.  The little rat ass could have jumped up into my lap or run up my pants leg!
At any rate, all was well and we continued on into New Albin and then took CR A26 back to HWY 76 and back to Green Valley Resort in Waukon for supper.  John said he enjoyed the ride and I told him he was welcome any time.  We ended up logging about 98 miles.

Don't forget the last Sunday in April is the trip to Camp Courageous.

Here's a couple of photos from Wednesday night.

GARY TELLING THE GUYS HOW LONG THE SKID MARK WAS COMING INTO THE LOT

GARY ADMIRING JIM'S BOOTS

WE ARRIVE SAFELY AT GREEN VALLEY AFTER A GREAT RIDE

FIRST WEDNESDAY NIGHT RIDE FOR 2015

No, this is not an April Fool's joke!  The Wednesday night rides have officially started on April 1st.  I left Casey's at 5:30 sharp with Dennis there to see me off and a temperature near 70 degrees with a brisk south wind.  I traveled past Wayne & Sandy's to Yellow River Drive and then to HWY 51.  I then cut through Frankville and Decorah, and onto the Locust Road.  My intent was to stay on the Locust Road and on into Spring Grove, but our neighbors to the north don't have their portion of the Locust Road paved yet, so I had to back track to A26 (Bear Creek Road).  I took A26 all the way to the Lycurgus Road and then to HWY 9 and back to Green Valley where Dennis, Jens, and I met for supper at 7:30.  I put on a total of 95 miles and made it back before dark.  Actually the county roads I was on are in good shape as far as the sand is concerned.  Almost all of the sand is now at the intersections, so I had to be careful there.  It was a beautiful Wednesday night for a ride and hopefully they keep coming!  I got the Wing back from Dean's on Monday after having some warranty work done (tire pressure monitoring sensor).  So after getting the dt's from not being able to ride since we got back from Florida, I put about 500 miles on her Tuesday and Wednesday.

Here's some shots from Wednesday night.

GOOD RIDDANCE TO THE SNOW!

WING & DENNIS' PICK UP AT CASEY'S

AT 76 & BEAR CREEK RD

MOON OVER THE UPPER IOWA

JET TRAILS IN THE SUNSET

MOON OVER LYCURGUS

UGH!!!

Just when you thought it might finally be spring....BAM!!  The weather  _ _itch lays a foot of snow on us!!  It looks like it might be a while now before the Wednesday night rides start. My Gold Wing "buddies" in Florida had to remind me that it was 75 and sunny there.

Sunday was an all round lousy day with the weather and then Iowa and UNI getting bounced from the NCAA tournament.  Things could be worse, I could be a Cub fan.  When I'm feeling low, I am always reminded of a sermon I heard once around Easter time when I accidentally stumbled into a church in the south..."It's Friday...but Sunday's a'comin'!!

On a brighter note, WNR actually had a number of birthday celebrants this March.  Gary, Wayne M, Dennis, and Lois for sure, and there may be others.  The first three show their age, but Lois looks better every year!  I don't think Chuckles can keep up the pace!  Actually Gary got some riding in before the snow hit, so it doesn't look like the bum knee or turning 73 slowed him down at all.

For your viewing pleasure (or displeasure):

IS THAT REALLY GARY?!

2nd DAY OF SPRING??!!

AND THIS IS SPRING IN NE IOWA?

AND JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT YOU LIKED LIVING HERE!

OUR GATHERING SPOT FOR MEMORIAL DAY?!

WE'RE BACK!!

Our winter foray to Florida is officially over, as we are now back in Iowa.  And yes, we did bring the warm weather back with us!  We were able to dodge a few ice storms on the way back,  We did end up putting 2,000 miles on the Wing.  Just to let you know I haven't forgotten about our WNR, because since I got back I have been working on the summer trips.

I am finishing up the guys' trip with such exotic stops like the tallest US flagpole in Sheboygan, the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowac, Lambeau Field in Green Bay, some attractions in Duluth, the mining museum in Chisholm, and the Old 52 store in Saban.  Maybe a few less miles this year, but more stops for seeing the sights.

I am also working on the couples' trip as a possible ride to Osceola, WI for a train ride on the Osceola & St. Croix Valley Railroad (www.trainride.org).

Looking forward for WNR to a warm, fun-filled summer!  Who deserves it more?

We also MAY be joining the ranks of trike riders at least for riding double.  I want to keep a 2 wheeler for 1 up trips.  More on that later.

I haven't seen most of you yet, but Gary K comes up to the wellness center in the morning, and he seems to be clipping right along on his new knee.  He says he may be able to kick start the Harley now, but no reverse yet!

When Meryle gets back, I think we will try to go on another outing before the riding season like we did last year (the Motorcycle Museum in Anamosa).  This year I'm looking to try to get down to see the John Deere museum in Waterloo and tour the assembly plant.  More on that later.

In the meantime, a little Harley humor about starting up after winter.  Actually except for the cigarette, the guy looks a little like Gary!

JIM & CATHY IN NEW MEXICO

I received an e-mail from Jim & Cathy Gelo with some photos of their trip to New Mexico.  Jim said they only put about 300 miles on the Wing and came back to Iowa too soon, but from the photos, it looks like they saw some neat stuff.  Thanks to Jim & Cathy for the update, and I'm sure we'll all have some questions about a couple of the photos.

GERONIMO!!

MOM LOOKS LIKE A REAL BIKER!

BETTER GET CRACKIN' !

SNOW??!!

THE ARMY CAN USE TWO GOOD BIKERS