UPDATE FROM FLORIDA

 I guess I didn't realize how many of you were interested in our adventures down here in Florida this winter.  After a fair number of you asked how things were going, I thought an update on the blog might be appropriate.

First of all the weather here has been the poorest of the 15 years we have ventured south.  It has been much cooler and more windy and rainy than any of the previous years.  There have been many days where the highs have not been in the 60's.  You should hear the natives down here howl about that!  Despite the weather, I have been able to get some rides in.  I figure I have somewhat over 1,000 miles on the trike.  You know me...if it's 50 degrees and not raining, I'm ready to ride.

I have been able to hook up with some of the local motorcycle groups down here.  On New Years Day, I joined the Fort Walton group for a ride.  We put on a little over 200 miles and had lunch in Hartford, AL, called Mom's Kitchen.  It was all home-cooked food, and I had the best chicken dumplings I had ever tasted.  There were about ten units on that ride including a couple of convertibles.  When I told them that our group rode every Wednesday night and sometimes had as many as 16 units, they couldn't believe it.  They have another lunch ride scheduled for Thursday, and I plan on joining them for that.

Julie and I also participate in a group located in Dothan, AL (the peanut capital of the world). They call themselves the Wiregrass U Crew. We participated in their annual "Sweet Heart Ride".  This one took us to the metropolis of Grady, AL, and Red's School House Restaurant.  It was an old rural school house at one time that has been remodeled (somewhat) into a restaurant   Again it's home-cooked food served buffet style.  We were joined by motorcycle/convertible groups from Montgomery and Mobile Alabama.  We attended their last get-together in Dothan (the second Tuesday each month) in January, and plan on dropping down there tonight for their next meeting.  Their meetings are at night, so we take the pick-up down to Dothan.  They will probably have another RTE (Ride To Eat) yet this month.

The third group that I participate with is located in Pensacola, about 100 miles west of here.  Their meetings are on the second Saturday morning of each month.  I attended last Saturday's meeting, but because of rain, I took the pick-up over there.  This is by far the most active group, as there were about 50 in attendance.  They tried to tell me that I attract a crowd!  They have at least two weekly rides and support the nearby Ronald McDonalds.  They always ask me for a story, so I told them the one about the old pop machine at a convenience store I stopped at several years ago.

I have gone on several rides by myself, and Julie has ridden along on several others.  We have yet to make our annual excursion down to Apalachicola and St. George Island.  Hopefully the weather cooperates and we can do that before the end of the month.

We have played golf twice and are going again on Friday with Frank and Patty Goltz.  We also went to the movie "Boys in the Boat", and I highly recommend you see it.  Despite the cool weather, we still use the heated pool in the mornings, and I try to make it to the hot tubs each day.  I really like going to the hot tubs, because I get a chance to meet and converse with people from all over he US and Canada.  I did get to attend my annual juco baseball classic tournament here in PCB.  There were 16 teams playing, and eight of them were rated in the top 20 in the nation.

We did just have a tornado just miss us and do some damage in town just west of us.  I guess after a blast of snow and some frigid temps, you guys have had a very mild winter.  Jim told me that he and Cathy got the bike out for a little cruise.  Keep a hold of that weather until we get back!

I'm going to try to post a couple of photos and videos for you, but I'm using a different computer and they may not work.

WE STILL HAVE BEAUTIFUL SUNSETS OVER THE GULF

LINED UP IN FT. WALTON

 

Notice damage to marina building on the left.

Cruising down CR 30A

We have about two weeks left (time flies down here too).  On the way back we will be stopping at Traxxion Dynamics in Woodstock, GA to have the front end of the trike reconditioned.  In the meantime, keep April 17th open for the PMS get-together.

AND FINALLY

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

 As Julie and I get ready to depart for our annual winter get- away to Panama City Beach, Florida, on the 29th with the trike in tow, here's wishing all of our Wednesday Night Riders a merry Christmas and a happy new year!

THIS SAYS IT ALL

 

And you know me--here's some holiday humor....

FOR THE BIKER WHO HAS EVERYTHING!

If the situation works out right, I may post some of our riding adventures during our Florida stay.  We plan to return to Iowa sometime in early March.  Keep April 17th open for PMS!

WEDNESDAY NIGHT FINALE? ANOTHER VET HONORED

 A handful (5) Wednesday Night Riders gathered at Casey's Wednesday (when else?) to go on what is most likely the final Wednesday night ride of the season.  Because of daylight savings time and the cooler weather approaching, we moved our Wednesday night ride earlier in the day to 2 PM.  It's dark now at 5.

The five riders who showed were Bill, Chuckles, and Dee on bikes, while Dave M and Bob were on trikes.

THE GROUP GATHERS FOR THE FINALE

The temp was 63 and under bright sunshine, we pulled out of the Casey's parking lot, passed through Waukon, and turned north onto HWY 76.  We followed 76 under very comfortable temps and then reached the Dorchester Drive (CR A16) and turned northeast heading for Spring Grove..  Once we passed into Minnesota, we were on a brand new stretch of blacktop, which was a real improvement from the road conditions before.

We arrived in Spring Grove and passed by the city park that had been beautifully decorated for Christmas.  Just on the edge of town we turned onto CR 27 and followed it back to HWY 27 just outside of Eitzen.  With most of the corn now out of the fields, we had unobstructed views and could see for miles and miles.  Turning north on 76 we arrived in Caledonia and took a short break at the Kwik Trip.

After our break, we passed through Caledonia and took CR 3 on down to Brownsville.  Passing through the shady areas was considerably cooler.  When we arrived in Caledonia we took HWY 26 back along the river heading towards New Albin.  I chose this part of the route even though I knew it would be cooler on the chance that we might get to see some of the swan migration in the Mississippi River reserve area.  We were not disappointed!  There were hundreds of those beautiful white birds resting in the reserve.  If you get a chance in the next few days, make a trip by there.  It's well worth it.

Shortly after passing through New Albin, we turned onto Iowa River Drive (CR A26) and followed the river until we reached Lycurgus Road straight ahead of us.  Onto Lycurgus we went stopping at the junction of HWY 9.  There Bill turned back to Lansing while the rest of us headed into Waukon and being passed by a couple of sheriff's vehicles with flashing lights apparently on their way to some type of emergency.  Arriving at Uptown, I was joined by Lois and Chuckles for eats.  It was a nice enough day that Julie and a number of women were playing cards there after a round of golf.  I had just at 100 miles on the clock outside of Uptown.

NOT BAD FOR THE MIDDLE OF NOVEMBER IN IOWA!

ANOTHER HONOR

I'm happy to announce that another of the veterans in our Wednesday night group was honored with a "quilt of valor".  Here's Richard receiving a beautiful quilt on Veteran's Day in New Albin.

Well deserved, Richard, and thanks for your service!

On Saturday, Julie and I will be off to Denver to see the kids and grandkids for Thanksgiving.  So here's wishing all our Wednesday Night Riders', their families and friends--A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!

TRIO RIDES ON SUNDAY

 With the above average temps in our area, three Wednesday Night Riders who still had their rides ready yet, met at Casey's Sunday afternoon for a late season foray on motorcycles.

Mike arrived from New Albin, Chuckles rolled in on his Harley, and Bob led the way on the GW trike.

CHUCKLES & MIKE ARRIVE

BOB GASSES UP

THE TWO-WHEEL RIDES

The temps had already reached 60 by the time we departed, but there was a pretty stiff wind blowing from the south that kind of "jolted" us at times when we were riding east on the Elon Road.  The last time I was on this road, I saw a number of Amish buggies.  But this time we didn't come across any.

We turned onto the Waterville Road (CR X32) and down through Waterville we went and then continued on up the hill to HWY 76.  The wind was bumping us again on 76 until we started down Sunshine Hill.  We rolled into Marquette and took the bridge over to Prarie du Chien.  We passed through PDC on CR K, and then took Limery Road east back across HWY 35, past the orchards, and onto HWY 27 heading north.  The wind was now pretty much at our backs.

As we neared Eastman, we came across what I can only describe as a semi-free range chicken ranch!  There seemed to be at least 100 chickens in a fenced in pasture on the east side of the highway.  This is the first time I saw it.  We continued on 27 until we reached the turn to CR F, and down the hill we went.  Each time I ride this 4 mile stretch of road is a special treat, and today was no exception.  Since most of the leaves were now off the trees, there was  unobstructed views of the river and the surrounding valleys.

At the end of CR F, we took HWY 35 north along the river and stopped at Ferryville for a break.

BREAK TIME

VIEW OF THE RIVER FROM FERRYVILLE

After visiting with some "locals" about farms in the area, we continued on HWY 35 north to HWY 82.  We had to wait to turn on to 82, because a huge milk hauling semi coming from the north could not make the turn until a passenger car backed way up out of the intersection to let him through.  It seems to me that semi's are getting bigger all the time!

After that short delay, we crossed the Black Hawk Bridge and saw a huge crane that must be involved in the construction of the new bridge.  Once we crossed the bridge, we turned north onto HWY 26 and cruised along the river again.  No wind to speak of, but it was considerably cooler in the shade of the bluffs.  The temp was still at 60!

When we reached the intersection of Iowa River Drive (CR A26) we followed it along the Upper Iowa River over to HWY 76.  There Mike left us to head home, while Chuckles and Bob continued south towards Waukon.  When I came around one of the curves on 76, I must have surprised an eagle who was feasting on a road kill.  I slowed down, and by the time he got airborne, he was only a few feet above my head!  The rest of the ride into Waukon was uneventful, and I had a little over 120 miles on the trike when I parked her.  The wind made the ride a little uncomfortable at times, but still, being able to ride a motorcycle in our area in the middle of November is a real treat!

ANOTHER LATE FALL RIDE...

With the warm weather seemingly holding for the rest of the week, I am planning a Wednesday night (well, actually a Wednesday afternoon) ride.  This Wednesday I plan to leave Casey's at 2 PM, go for a ride, get back before 5, and have an early supper at Uptown.  Anyone who wants to go with me is welcome.  I would think this would be our last Wednesday night ride, but who knows!

SOME LATE SEASON RIDING WEATHER?! WNR HONORED!

 The upcoming weather forecast for this Sunday to next Saturday shows high temps in the high 50's to low 60's, so it's possible for some more riding yet this year.  To start with, I plan to go on a ride Sunday.  I'll be leaving Casey's at 1 PM for anyone who would like to join in.  The rest of the days will be "play it by ear", so if there is some riding to be done, and you have not winterized your ride, stay tuned to this blog.

The Boy Scout Troup 64 is having an omelet breakfast at the Waukon Banquet Center from 8-12 on Sunday.  Warm up before you ride!

Like me, most of our Wednesday Night Riders have a lot of well earned respect for our veterans.  This is why I'm happy to announce that one of our group has received an honor he richly deserves.

Yesterday, at Robey Library in Waukon, Terry Lubahn was honored by receiving a "quilt of valor".  Terry served our nation in Viet Nam.

Julie, from the Patriot Quilters, introduces the recipients.

And Terry is one of them.

HE RECEIVED THIS BEAUTIFUL QUILT

THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE, TERRY!!

IF YOU DON'T HAVE 'EM PUT AWAY YET

 I put on about 75 miles today, and was comfortable.  Tomorrow (Monday) is supposed to be in the low 60's, so I plan to put on some miles again.  The two-wheeler is stored for the winter 😞, but since we take the trike to Florida in January, it's still ready to go.

I plan to leave Casey's at noon, and go about 100 miles.  If you haven't stored your ride yet, you are welcome to come along.  It looks like this could be the last one for 2023, so if it's above 50 and ain't rainin', I'm ridin'!

THE FINAL FOUR!

 No, we didn't shoot any 3 pointers, make any lay-ups, or commit any personal fouls (at least I didn't see any), but four of us did make what is most likely the final Wednesday night ride for 2023.

On an overcast but mild (65 degrees) evening, we had four riders make the rendezvous at Casey's last night.  Richard, Ron, and Bob all had their three-wheelers gassed up and Irv arrived in the support Vettte.

RON GASSES UP WHILE RICHARD & IRV OBSERVE

PROBABLY THE LAST FILL FOR THE YEAR

READY TO ROLL

THREE OF THE FINAL FOUR

Knowing it would probably be the last and shortest ride of the season, the four departed Casey's at 5 for a loop taking us through Calmar and back.  We headed down Forest Mills Road and observed the corn the Gelo's have harvested.  After turning onto Cherry Valley Drive, we journeyed on into Postville.  We took Tildon St. through town and the onto HWY 52.  A sharp turn to the north on 52 and we were on our way to Castalia.  We soon came upon two large manure haulers in our lane.  Fortunately we didn't have to follow them very far as they turned into a close by field.

We cruised through Castalia and made our way into Ossian.  Outside of Ossian, we made another sharp turn to the north and headed for Calmar.  Once we reached Calmar we stayed on 52 on into Decorah and onto HWY 9.  There Ron departed for his home (see you in April) while the three of us continued on into Waukon dodging a dog on the highway.  

DARKNESS HAD SET IN

BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY

NO, I DIDN'T GIVE THE CORN STALKS A RIDE!

We stopped at Uptown for eats and were joined by Chris.  I had about 75 miles on the Wing for it's final Wednesday night foray.  I always hate to see the Wednesday night rides come to a close, but I think we had a really good riding season this year, and I hope everyone who rode with us enjoyed it.  

We welcomed Richard & Melodye, Mike & Joan, and Bill to our group, and while Tom only rode with us once before he had to have shoulder surgery, it sounds like he wants to join us again next season.  Our "little group" continues to grow!

SERVICES FOR DAWN RONEY

As most of you are aware, Dawn Roney, Dale's wife and Jim and Larry Gelo's sister passed away this fall.  Friends may greet the family from 10 to 11 AM this Saturday at First Baptist Church here in Waukon.  Her funeral service starts at 11 that morning.  I'm sure a good number of Wednesday Night Riders would like to stop and pay their respects.  Heartfelt sympathy for the Roney and Gelo families.

MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR!

As of now, the annual PMS (Parked Motorcycle/Motorcar Syndrome) get together will be held at Uptown Grill in Waukon on Wednesday (when else), April 17th, 2024.  More to follow as the time approaches.  If you received an invite by mail last year, that means I have your mailing address.  If you did not get a written invitation last year, and want one this year, then you need to get me your mailing address.

FINALLY--HAPPY HALLOWEEN!