ANOTHER GELO TRIP UPDATE

As many of you know by now Jim & Cathy are on their Gold Wing headed for the Pacific Coast Highway.  As much as possible I encouraged them to keep us WNR's updated on their adventure.  Here is the latest installment sent to me from Jim.  You can catch up on earlier reports by reading the previous posts.

"Hi Bob,

Day 3

Heading west from Colorado Springs.  Went through the Garden of the Gods and the Manitou cliff dwellings in the AM then jumped on 115 to US 50.  Made it to Montrose, CO.  Got our room then headed back to Black Canyon National Park just east of town.  Took a nice hike along the canyon.  Cathy got a new job as a park ranger.

Day 4

Headed out of Montrose and jumped on US 550 south.  This is known as the Million Dollar HWY.  It takes you into the mountains to Ouray, Silverton and Durango.  Got some ribs in Durango at a place called Serious Texas Bar-B-Q.  Good stuff!  Beautiful drive but not for the faint of heart.  Lots of switchbacks and the edge of the road is a vertical drop in many places.  Apparently a million dollars doesn't buy guard rails.  From Durango we worked our way to Moab, UT.  Pitched our tent in the Moab KOA.  Set out to explore Arches National Park.  Hiked back to the Delicate Arch.  Quite a long hike but well worth it.  It's beautiful around Moab.  Got back to our tent around 9, it was around 85 degrees yet, found our air mattress was flat.  Blew it back up and went to bed.  Woke up a short time later on the ground.  At least it was sand under our tent but it was still a long night.

Day 5

Headed north out of Moab to 70.  70 and US 50 join for a ways.  We exited back to US 50 at Salina and then stayed on that all the way to Fallon NV.  The stretch through NV is billed as the loneliest hwy.  I would have to say the NV stretch is far better scenery than the Utah section.  Many miles of desolate, hot, dry desert in UT.  Met an old fellow on a Gold Wing on that hwy riding home to California.  He was born in Iowa and had been on the road since May 15th.  I didn't ask his age but he had to be well into the 80's.  Made over 630 miles that day.  Cathy was in charge of the camera while we rode and she must have been bored because she was taking pictures of her reflection in my helmet.  Oh and Bob will be happy, we are at a Hotel 6, the light was on!

Today we head for Yosemite and the coast.  Will report when I can." 

CHUCKLES WANTS TO KNOW HOW THE DONUTS ARE OUT WEST AND WNR ARE LEAVING THE LIGHTS ON FOR YOU HERE TOO.  BE SAFE, AND KEEP THE REPORTS COMING!!

HOME A'GINS and GELO TRIP UPDATE

On a warm, somewhat humid July evening ten WNR departed Casey's at 5:30 headed for Home A'Gins Bar & Grill in the friendly little Wisconsin town of Mt. Hope.  Following Bob R on his Wing were David, Gary, and Bob Z on their Harleys, Carl on his Yamaha, Darrel on his yellow GW trike, Dale & Mike in the red Chrysler, and Dennis & Marlene in the yellow Mustang.  Someone must have known that Carl was bringing his two-wheeler, because we had two support vehicles with us tonight!  Other than forgetting to put on his helmet, Carl got along well.

CARL SHOWING OFF HIS "HELMETLESS" HEAD

WHO'S THE NEW GUY WITH THE NEW JACKET?!

DARREL JOINS US --WE PROMISE NOT TO TAKE HIM TO HOUSTON AGAIN

With Dennis blocking traffic out of the Casey's lot, we headed out on the Elon Road to Lansing/Harpers Road.  We took L/H Road down through Harpers where we picked up the Great River Road to 76 and south to Marquette.  We crossed the bridge into PDC and headed out on 18 through the construction and got on CR C.  C follows the Wisconsin River for a number of miles and offered us some cool shade.  After C ended at 133 we took it south to 18 again and then CR J on into Mt. Hope and a rest stop at Home A'Gins.  In one of the photos below you will see a metal strip that runs along the edge of the street in front of Home A'Gins.  It was placed there for motorcycles to prevent their kickstands from sinking into the blacktop.  How's that for catering to bikers!!

"WHO IN THE HECK WOULD CALL ME IN MT, HOPE?!

SPECIAL SUPPORT VEHICLE PARKING

NOTICE THE METAL STRIP ON THE STREET

COMFORTABLE OUTDOOR SEATING AT HOME A'GINS

After our refreshments, we continued on CR J to CR A and followed it into Bloomington where we picked up 35.  35 took us back up to 18, through the construction in PDC again, across the bridge and finally to Diplomat Road in Luana.  Diplomat changes to Forest Mills Road near the county line and leads onto 76.  We turned on 76 into Waukon and Gus & Tony's where we joined by Julie.  The conversation there soon turned to servicing outhouses!  I added 133 miles to the clock on the Wing and Carl remembered to put on his helmet for the trip back.

GELO TRIP UPDATE
The last report from the Gelo's had them at a KOA in Colorado Springs (see previous post) and heading into the mountains.  Here's the latest update on their journey to the west coast.

"Hi Bob-
Trip is going well, took 115 out of Colorado Springs to US 50.  Spent the night in Montrose, CO.  Heading down 550 to Durango, then Moab, UT today.  We hiked Black Canyon last night.  Very pretty."

KEEP THE REPORTS COMING.  EVERYONE IN WNR IS ENJOYING THE JOURNEY WITH YOU!

NEW LEADER & GELO ADVENTURE

As many of you know Bob was in Denver offloading his grand daughters last Wednesday, so a new leader was needed for the ride.  Here's the report as sent to me from Lois...

While our fearless leader was in "Rocky Mountain High" Colorado, 7 of us gathered to carry on the WNR tradition.  Jim & Cathy led Lois on her 2 wheeler, Meryle (welcome back), Dayton & Joan & Wayne on trikes and Dale with the top down.  As we rounded the corner heading through downtown, we met Daryl on his trike who then fell into formation.
We took 76 north to Dorchester Drive and followed that up to Spring Grove.  We then headed west and picked up smooth, black 4 and would our way through the lush, green Yucatan valley then hopped on 76 for a break in Houston.  We then headed over to Hokah, down to Brownsville then took 3 through farm country to Caledonia then 76 back to Waukon.
Bugsy joined us at Gus & Tony's to fill a table for 10.  Had 115 miles on Suzie when I Parked it.
Beautiful, quiet evening with the air feeling a little fresher than our recent excursions.
Here's a shot of us gathering at Casey's (Dayton getting camera shy); Cathy showing which way she thinks Jim should go; Gary seeing us off before packing for his CMA outing; and the whole group enjoying a stretch in Houston.

THE GELO ADVENTURE

As many of you know, Jim & Cathy Gelo took off on their trusty Wing for California and a ride down the Pacific Coast Highway.  For those of you who are not familiar with the PCH, it is listed as the best motorcycle road in the country for its fantastic scenery.  It's no doubt on every motorcyclist's bucket list.  I told Jim if he would keep us informed and send along photos, I would post them on the blog and keep our WNR following them.  So far here's what Jim sent.  Hopefully he will keep sending me the trip details, because it should be fun for all of us to follow along with them.

"Hi Bob-
Made it to Colorado Springs KOA today.  The first night we stayed in Kearney, NE.  Took 20 then worked our way SW to stay out of rain.  We will start into the mountains tomorrow.  I will try to get some pics sent your way.  I might have to let Cathy drive the bike the way it looks!"

FROM ALL OF US WNR's--"HAVE A SAFE TRIP,YOU GUYS!!"

JAILED!!

Nine of our WNR group headed for jail Sunday morning at 10 AM.  Under custody of Bob R on his Wing, Carl & Joyce and Wayne & Sandy on trikes, Jim & Cathy on their Wing, and Dennis & Marlene in the support vehicle, ventured all the way up HWY 76 past Dorchester, through Eitzen, Caledonia, Money Creek, and Houston.  

THE "JAIL BIRDS" GATHER

CARL EXPLAINS HIS PLANS FOR "ESCAPE" TO DENNIS

After a break in Houston we continued north on 76 to it's end near Ridgeway.  We then took CR 12 to CR 17 down into Winona.  Passing through Winona, we crossed the bridge into Wisconsin and turned south on HWY 35.  After about 7 miles, we arrived at the Jailhouse Saloon with no one trying to escape.

CARL WAITING TO BE HANDCUFFED

WELCOME TO THE JAILHOUSE

After feasting on fabulous burgers of our choice........

WE'RE IN THE JAILHOUSE NOW!!

and paying our tabs, we fled the Jailhouse and headed back on 35 towards Winona.  After a short ways from the Jailhouse, we stopped at a strawberry stand where some of us took berries home with us.  We then passed through Winona again and picked up HWY 14/61 south and followed it on down the river to Dakota.  In Dakota we took CR 12 up the hill to CR 1 (Apple Blossom Drive) where we were treated to some fabulous views of the river.  Since there was very little humidity, you could see for miles and miles.  Here's a view we had along Apple Blossom Drive....

We then continued on Apple Blossom Drive through LaCrescent and up the hill to Teschemper Road.  If you combine Apple Blossom with Teschemper you have probably the best scenic drive in the tri-states area.  We rode down Teschemper enjoying fantastic views of orchards, river valleys, and river coulees.  At the end of Teschemper we took CR 21 to CR25 and then onto HWY 16.  We took 16 into Hokah for our afternoon break.

WE CAN PARK THE "SUPPORT" VEHICLE ANYWHERE WE WANT!!

After our break in Hokah we took CR 8 into Brownsville and picked up HWY 26 and followed it through Reno and New Albin and on into Lansing where we stopped at the Skinny Dip to indulge in a bit of ice cream.  We then took the "pool table top", aka HWY 9 back to Waukon.  I had about 200 miles on the clock when I pulled into the garage.  GOOD WEATHER, GOOD ROADS, GREAT SCENERY, GOOD FOOD, GOOD COMPANY=GREAT RIDE!!

Special kudos to Wayne and Sandy for going along on Sunday.  They just got back on Saturday at 5 PM from their trip into Arkansas!  Apparently they really enjoyed Arkansas and it's hard to beat a ride on a  DFT (Damn Fine Trike).

You will need a new leader next Wednesday night.  Bob will be in Denver on the continuing odyssey with the grand daughters.

The next "special ride" is the I-Ride on the 16th of July.

GRAND KIDS, MY OTHER BROTHER DARREL, JAILHOUSE

MABEL'S FIRST FISH!!

This week Julie and I are "lucky" enough to have our daughter Beth's two girls for the week.  Obviously when they spotted the trike they had to have grandpa take them for a ride.  Afterwards Grandpa took them to his pond where they caught their first fish.  They were introduced to two great sports--motorcycling and fishing!  Grandpa's butt was dragging by the end of the day!

JUNE'S FIRST FISH!!

JUNE--AGE 5--FIRST MC RIDE

MABEL--AGE 2--FIRST MC RIDE

WEDNESDAY NIGHT!!

 Where was everyone?? Just when I thought I was going to be riding alone, Darrel from Decorah showed up on his yellow Gold Wing trike.  That make two of us on what turned out to be a beautiful warm, dry ride.  After waiting as Casey's for more to show up, Darrel and I headed out through Elon, up through Lansing, and up to New Albin.  We then cut across A 26 to HWY 76 and on through Eitzen to CR 17.  CR 17 took us up to Spring Grove for a break at Kwik Trip.

BUSY LOT AT K T

MY "OTHER BROTHER" DARREL

From Spring Grove we continued our journey down CR 8 (Locust Road) to Bear Creek Road where Darrel headed home, and I took BCR to Highlandville and then over to 76.  I took A26 again over to the Lycurgus Road and back to HWY 9 and Waukon.  Since I was alone, I stopped at Green Valley Getaway and visited with Dennis and Jens.  I had 125 miles on the Wing when I got home.  For those of you "with little faith", you missed a really nice ride with what turned out to be really nice weather!

JAILHOUSE RUN IS SUNDAY

I plan to leave Casey's at 10 AM on Sunday for a run up to the Jailhouse Saloon near Trempealeau for their excellent burgers.  Everyone is invited to ride along.

RE GREASED!!

This last Wednesday a dozen of departed Casey's with a breezy 84 degree temp headed for one of our favorite stops, Greaser's Drive In in Guttenberg.  Wayne F and Dayton and Joan were on trikes, with David, Howard, Jim S, Jim & Cathy, Lars, Lois, and Bob R on bikes, and Dale in the support convertible.

WHO'S THE NEW GUY?!

LARS FINALLY GETS A CHANCE TO JOIN US

After leaving Casey's we headed west on HWY 9 to Old Stage Road passing through Fishville.  Old Stage Road took us to Yellow River Drive and then onto HWY 51 to Postville.  East of Postville we picked up the Gunder Road and breezed through Gunder and on into Elkader.  South of Elkader we took Grand View Road and through rush hour traffic in Communia and Garber.  At Garber we took the Garber Road (what else would you call it?) to HWY 52 just south of Guttenberg.  With the humidity gone out of the air, the views from Gunder, Grand View, and Garber Roads were fantastic.  I don't think it gets any better in Iowa!!  We turned north on 52 and on into Guttenberg for our stop at Greaser's.  Our WNR motto is "Life is short.  Eat desert first!"  Along the way Clair Riesberg was able to join us and pulled into Greaser's with the rest of us.

CLAIR ARRIVES WITH US AT GREASER'S

GASSING UP AT CASEY'S BEFORE FILLING UP AT GREASER'S

After our ice cream treats at Greaser's, we headed up the river road and past Clayton and Pikes Peak and on into McGregor.  In McGregor we followed HWY 18 through Giard, Froelich, Monona, and into Luana.  In Luana we took Diplomat Road past the Luana golf course and through Hardin to Forest Mills Road and finally onto HWY 76 south of Waukon.  In Waukon we pulled into Gus & Tony's where Jim G shared his cheese curds, and we watched Jim S try to gorge down someone's garden.  Bugsy also joined us for further entertainment.  What a great ride and great scenery!!  I had 120 miles on the Wing when I pulled into the garage.

HAPPY TRAILS TO WAYNE & SANDY AND DAYTON & JOAN AS THEY VENTURE DOWN TO ARKANSAS.  I'm envious.  Arkansas is a great motorcycle state!  We expect a full report upon your return.

FABULOUS FIVE TO HOUSTON--UPCOMING RIDES

Apparently most WNR were recovering from Monday's ride, because only five of us journeyed out on Wednesday.  With Wayne F on his trike and David, Howard, Bob Z, and Bob R on bikes we departed Casey's at 5:30 headed north on HWY 76 with temps at 69 and moderate west winds.

WAITING FOR BOB Z TO FINISH VISITING WITH DR. OLSON

We traveled up 76 to Dorchester Drive and followed it (A16) on into Spring Grove.  Just west of Spring Grove we took CR 4 through Black Hammer and the Yucatan valley all the way to HWY 76 just south of Houston.  CR 4 was recently paved and is a nice smooth and scenic ride through the Yucatan valley.  We did spot a couple of deer along the way however.  After reaching 76, we turned on to HWY 16 west and on into the BP station there for a break.

After the break we took HWY 16 east to CR 25 and turned north to follow the Root River for a ways.  CR 25 took us over to CR 21 where we headed west to HWY 16 and on into Hokah.  In Hokah we turned onto CR 18 and followed it into Brownsville where we got onto HWY 26 heading south.  26 took us through Reno and New Albin where we turned onto Iowa River Drive.  IRD joined onto Lycurgus road and then onto HWY 9 back to Waukon and Gus & Tony's.  I pulled into the garage with 116 miles on the Wing.

BACK AT G & T's BEFORE DARK

NEXT WEDNESDAY
Dennis and I will be up in Boulder Junction, WI, filling the boat with small mouth bass, so you will need a new leader Wednesday night.  If it's warm, I'll bet a trip to Greaser's in Guttenberg might be on the itinerary.  Be safe and stay off the gravel!

UPCOMING RIDES
There are a couple of upcoming rides in the area that may be of interest.  Here's the first one for this Saturday.  It sounds interesting, but I won't be able to make this one.  If anyone goes, give me a report on it.

The second one is the Hospice Ride that Nancy helps sponsor.  Many of us have been on this ride before and I'm sure some of us will try to make it again.  There's a little different format this year.  It's on a Sunday, and they are serving a breakfast before the ride at the Inwood in Spillville.  See below.  I do plan to be back and riding in this event.  I plan to leave from Casey's at 9:15 that morning and anyone that's interested is welcome to ride along.  It's for a good cause and it's been good routes and good food!

AND FINALLY
We had a couple of leftover items from the cookout on Monday.  If these are yours, you may want to claim them before Chuckles does!