UPDATE ON JIM D

 Jim D and I have been trying to contact each other for a while without much success.  As some of you may know that Jim and Honey have parted ways, and I have included a couple of clips of them in the video I plan to show at our PMS get-together on Wednesday.  So, I wanted to contact Jim to see if was still OK to use the clips.  Today, we finally made contact with each other, and here is the update of Jim.

Hi Bob,
It is very kind of you to ask.
It has been a very busy winter for me. I do not mind a bit you showing honey and me and on your presentation. Unfortunately, I will not be able to make it as I am still in Florida. I will be heading north from here the end of this month but it will probably take me another month before I get back to Iowa. In the meantime, I left Waukon last September and went to the Black Hills I spent five days there riding. From there I went to Cody Wyoming and was there for two weeks and explored Yellowstone and the surrounding country. . I went from there to Green River Wyoming, and spent several days while I cruised through the flaming gorge. From there I went to Tucson Arizona and spent a month there, cruising all over southern and central Arizona. From there I went to Yuma Arizona and explored southern California and south west Arizona. I left there on Christmas day and headed for Dallas Texas
 and spent a week there with my younger brother and then headed on to Sebring Florida. I spent two months in Sebring and met a wonderful woman who I am now married to. She is a beautiful blond and has her own motorcycle ( a BMW 1250R) and toy hauler and is almost 6 foot tall and we hit it off right off the bat. So at this time I am not sure what my plans will be, except that we plan to continue RVing and Motorcycle riding around the country.
Feel free to share this with anyone you want to and I will send you some pictures.
Thank you Bob,

Jim Downing

On behalf of the Wednesday Night Riders, I sent congratulations to Jim and said we would be anxious to meet his new bride when he gets back to Waukon.

NEW SEASON AND NEW RIDES!

 The 2023 riding season for the Wednesday Night Riders has been officially "kicked off".  Nine riders showed up at Casey's on Wednesday night ready to roll into the new season including Jim & Cathy on a new Wing, Howard and Irv in the support Corvette, Dave on his Harley trike, Lissa on her Harley bike, Dr. David in the support Jeep, ChucK on his new Wing bagger trike and Bob R on his Wing trike.  Not only were we embarking on a new season, a couple of the group showed up with new rides!

JIM & CATHY TELLING IRV & HOWARD ABOUT THEIR NEW GOLDWING

ChucK's NEW PURCHASE, A GOLDWING BAGGER TRIKE

DAVE READY FOR THE NEW SEASON

DR. DAVID MOUNTING UP IN THE SUPPORT JEEP

LISSA CHECKING HER REAR SHOCKS

With Bob R leading the way again this year, we pulled out of Casey's at our new 5 o'clock time.  The temps were an unbelievable 85 degrees and there was a pretty strong SW wind blowing.  We passed through Waukon on Main St. and turned north to catch HWY 76 north.  Once on 76 we were blasted a few times by wind gusts, but passed through Eitzen and on into Caledonia safely.

Just outside of Caledonia we departed HWY 76 and turned westward onto CR 10.  Most of CR 10 passes through valleys, so it was a welcome relief from the wind gusts.  After a smooth and curvy ride on CR 10, we reconnected with HWY 76 just outside of Houston, and rolled into town for a break at the BP station.

THE "WINDBLOWN" CREW ARRIVES IN HOUSTON

I would almost bet that it was warmer in Houston, Minnesota, than in Houston, Texas, on this April evening!

After quenching our thirsts, we backtracked a short distance on HWY 76 until we reached CR 4.  We followed that stretch of blacktop on through Yucatan and Black Hammer and on into Spring Grove.  Heading in this direction seemed to give us some relief from the wind.  Once arriving in Spring Grove, we opted to take CR A16 southward out of town and cruised on it all the way into Dorchester.

Passing through the "suburbs" of Dorchester we arrived on HWY 76 again and turned south.  After a short jog, we picked up CR A26 (Iowa River Drive) and headed eastward.  IRD led us over to Lycurgus Road and followed it southward to HWY 9 at the Lycurgus church.  We then followed HWY 9 back into Waukon for eats at the newly remodeled Uptown Grill.  I had 110 miles on the clock on the trike when I pulled into the shed at home.

Despite the wind, it was great to get in our first (hopefully of many) Wednesday night rides.

REMINDER

Our fifteenth annual PMS get-together is next Wednesday at the Uptown Grill party room in Waukon.  Eats at 6 and "program" at 7.  Everyone is invited.

DRIVEL  

Terry sent me the following humorous take on group riding.

Also, we saw several squirrels on our ride Wednesday night, but I don't remember seeing this guy!

YOUR CHECK'S IN THE MAIL

 First of all, Easter blessings to all Wednesday Night Riders and their families and friends.

You probably don't have a check coming in the mail, but you will, or maybe already have, your invite to the PMS get-together on April 19th. at the Uptown Grill in Waukon starting at 6 PM.  This has proved to be a fun time, and hopefully everyone can make it.  If you did not receive an invitation in the mail, that means I do not have your mailing address.  However, you are still more than welcome to attend.  Consider this your invitation!

Along with the the invites, I enclosed a 2023 Rides Sheet.  I will have some of these available at the meeting if you didn't receive the mailing. At the time I sent these out, the Hospice Ride had not yet been finalized, but there's a good chance it will be on June 25th.  Information about this important ride will be forthcoming on the blog.

  Also in some of the mailings I enclosed a flyer pertaining to mentoring.  If this doesn't interest you, I would like to see you pass it on to someone you think might be a good prospect for being a mentor.  Allamakee County can really use some mentors for young people that are waiting!

POSSIBLE RIDE THIS WEDNESDAY NIGHT!

Unless the weather forecast changes drastically, this coming Wednesday evening looks to become our first Wednesday night for the year!  Right now temps are predicted to be in the 70's and practically no chance of rain.  How lucky can we get!  I did not get any negative feedback on changing our DEPARTURE time on Wednesday nights from 5:30 to 5:00, so let's plan on leaving Casey's at 5 next Wednesday and usher in the new riding season.

SCOTT VOTSMIER

Chuckles and Lois's son, Scott, was featured in a video promotion put on by his employers.  I thought it was really well-done, and have included the link for those of you who haven't seen it yet.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZlCZ_-wnvC8

FINALLY .....

  

PMS Get-Together--Wednesday Night Rides--Irv's New Ride

 The date for our annual PMS (Parked Motorcycle (Motorcar) Syndrome) get-together will be held at the Uptown Grill in Waukon.  We will have the party room there for our use, and there is a TV mounted on the wall so everyone can see the presentation.  We are looking at Wednesday, April 19th, with eats at 6 and "program" at 7.

If I have your mailing address, you will be getting a "formal" invitation and a list of the "special rides".  If I don't have your address, you can keep posted on this blog or you can send me your address.  Either way, everyone is invited and you can pick up the special rides list at the get-together.

The reason for the location change is strictly convenience.  The food and service at Rossville was excellent, but it was inconvenient for me to lug a tv and all the connections for the program out there.  If it doesn't work out at Uptown, we can always go back.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT AND SPECIAL RIDES

Right now I am in the process of arranging the "special" rides for this summer.  I am looking at the Upper (UP) Peninsula of Michigan for the "guys' trip", and thinking about Mason City for the "couples' venture".  The real PITA is getting motel reservations, so if you plan on going on the "guys" trip then let me know ASAP.  Hopefully I can have all of this arranged in time for the PMS.  There has also been some talk about an "everyone" trip in September.  I will let those who want to do this trip to plan it themselves. Arranging the guys' and couples trip along with all the other "special rides" and Wednesday night rides takes the sap out of me, but I will be glad to put it on the "special rides" sheet if I get the information soon.  Also, if anyone has an idea for a special ride, particularly a place to go for a Ride To Eat, then let me know ASAP.

 How about if we change the leaving time on Wednesday nights to 5:00 instead of 5:30?  It seems to work out ok in the fall and gives us more riding time to get back for eats afterwards.  I do not want to make this change if it prevents anyone who has been riding with us from going along.  If 5:00 will not work for you, then let me know, either by phone or e-mail.  No names will be used!

IT'S FINALLY HERE!

We have all been waiting anxiously for a look at Irv's tilting trike.  It looks like it's finally here and ready to go, so were all looking forward to that warm Wednesday night when it comes out of hibernation!

AND AIN'T THIS TRUE!

Once again, this blog is the only form of communication that is going to be used for Wednesday Night riders.  If you wish to be informed when there is a new post up on the blog, then you need to get Bob your e-mail address.

ANOTHER LOSS

 Another of our Wednesday Night Riders extended family passed away recently.  Dorothy Gelo, mother of Jim & Larry and mother-in-law to Dale R and, of course, Cathy, passed away on Friday, May 10th.  Dorothy had reached the "ripe old age" of 101.  She was a remarkable woman.  Considering the two "outlaws" that she had to raise, it's amazing that it didn't seem to shorten her life span!

Friends may greet the family from 4 to 7 pm on Tuesday, March 14th, at Martin-Grau Funeral home in Waukon.  I would hope that many Wednesday Night Riders would stop by and pay their respects.  Jim & Cathy and Larry and Dale have been very active in our riders' group.

Godspeed, Dorothy!

You may want to mark your calendars for Wednesday, April 19th.  I have tentatively set this date for our annual PMS get-together.  More on this later.  In the meantime, it would be nice to kiss this winter weather "goodbye".

SAD NEWS

 It's with a heavy heart that I'm reporting the passing of a good friend and Wednesday Night Rider.  Wayne Martin passed away on March 4th at the age of 85.

My friendship with Wayne goes back a long ways, well over 50 years.  We played softball together both in Waukon and Postville and participated in a number of golf tournaments.  We also bowled on the same team for over 30 years.

Like me, Wayne had a passion for motorcycle riding, and we made many trips together.  Actually our trips evolved into the "guys' trip" that we go on yet with our group.  Wayne also joined us on many Wednesday night rides and special trips.  He especially enjoyed the chicken run up to Rockton.  It was especially enjoyable to hear him and Meryle Honn razz each other.  Like Meryle, Wayne had a great sense of humor.

There will be a Celebration of Life for Wayne this Saturday, March 11th from 1 to 4 at Martin-Grau Funeral Home here in Waukon.  I would hope that a good number of our Wednesday Night Riders group would come Saturday and pay their respects.

We will miss you Wayne, but I'll bet you can't wait to be able to "heckle" Meryle again!

FINAL REPORT FROM FLORIDA

Before you see our "travelogue" from Florida, on behalf of the Wednesday Night Riders I want to offer our condolences to Greg Conway.  His mother, Kathy, passed away recently after a courageous battle with cancer.  Kathy and Leo were clients of mine and I always enjoyed the time I was able to serve them.  Kathy always impressed me as being a hard working farm wife.  Besides helping with the milking operation, she also served meals and did housework for her family.  She always was one to welcome me when I went out to the Conway farm.  She will certainly be missed by her family and friends.  God bless.

Julie and I will be returning to the "frozen tundra" this week.  Due to some very comfortable weather during the last two months, we were able to rack up just over 3,000 miles on the trike (a new record for our Florida trips).  We did play less golf, but the rides and the good times we had with the motorcycle groups down here made up for it.  I did shoot my pistols once each week at the indoor range here.  I think I have improved enough now that instead of just scaring an intruder, I actually may be able to nick him.

I have always been fascinated with highway bridges, and believe me, Florida has a bunch of them.  What follows are a couple of videos of the trike passing over them.  Since the blog only allows a small amount of video time (around 20 sec.), I'll try to do the best to show the bridge work and water.

Besides bridges, we also navigated some of the more scenic county roads.  Here's a couple of short videos of some we rode.  By the way, I didn't get lost this time!

As in previous years, we made a trip over to St. George Island.  On the way we stopped at a place on the bay called Indian Pass.  This place draws a lot of fishermen.

THEY DIDN'T SEEM TO BE HAVING MUCH LUCK THAT DAY

Indian Pass also serves as a shuttle for people, bicycles, cars, etc. for 

tourists who want to venture over to St. Vincent Island.

ST VINCENT ISLAND

Video of the shuttle in operation.

 This trip is also a RTE, and this is the place we stop at on St. George Island to have the best po-boy shrimp sandwiches in the area.

THE NAME GIVES IT AWAY

Speaking of eats, there is a new place in PCB that Jim G and ChucK would never leave.  Incredible layered donuts (over 50 varieties) and too many kinds of coffee to be able to name.  The place is packed for the breakfast crowd.

PARLOR DOUGHNUTS

THEY ARE EVEN MOBILE!

And check out the sign in the men's room!

When we get settled back in Waukon, I'll set a date for our PMS get-together.  This year I'm thinking about going to Uptown Grill because of the available tv.

In the meantime....