FIRST REPORT FROM FLORIDA--THE CRUISE

Hey Everybody!  Long time, no see!

We have finally arrived in Panama City Beach today, the 30th.  When we left Waukon on the 13th with the trike in tow, the wind chill was -30.  Our first stop was in Jackson, TN, the home of Casey Jones, and the temp there was in the 50's.  From Jackson we made it to Lake City, FL on Wednesday.  On Thursday we traveled over to Disney Springs (near Orlando) in a real downpour and then had lunch with an old high school classmate of mine.  Disney Springs is a big shopping shopping center with all Disney theme stores.  Thankfully the grand kids weren't with us or we'd still be there!

We left Disney Springs and stayed overnight in Vero Beach and actually got the trike off the trailer and took a ride around the countryside on a 70 degree day.  We got in over 50 miles, so it counts as a ride for January.  I'm hoping to be able to ride each month in 2016 like I was able to do last year.

After Vero Beach we headed for Ft. Lauderdale to meet our ship for the Gold Wing cruise.  The traffic this time of year in southern Florida is unbelievable.  Even the interstates and toll roads are crowded!  The only good part is that the highways are in really good shape.

The cruise ship with over 3,000 passengers including about 100 Wingers set sail on the 17th for ports in Grand Cayman, Jamaica, and Haiti.  We had a great time with Wingers from all over the country including Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Arizona, Kentucky, Tennessee, Kansas, and California.  We were the only ones from Iowa in the group.   YOU MEET THE NICEST PEOPLE ON A HONDA!  We made the port in Grand Cayman and toured the island by bus and made an interesting stop at a turtle farm where sea turtles are bred for meat and release into the ocean.  At our stop in Jamaica toured the area around Fallmouth and saw the places where  Diana Ross (the Supremes) and Mick Jagger own and visited a 500 year-old Catholic church. We also saw a lot of poverty here.  Believe me, Jamaica is not all fancy resorts and rich beaches!  We actually did visit Hell!  There was some rioting going on in Haiti, so that stop wasn't made and we just stayed at sea and arrived back in Ft. Lauderdale on the 23rd.

More coming later on our journey through the Everglades, the stop at Bob & Cathy's, and New Orleans.  For now here's a few photos from the cruise.

CRUISE SHIP IN HARBOR

TENDER FROM SHIP TO HARBOR

THE OLD CHURCH

WINGER HANDLES A SEA TURTLE

WE TRAVELED TO HELL

GRANDPA WINGER ON BOARD

A CREATURE SNUCK INTO OUR CABIN

Marlene's Mother

Marlene Blocker called to let us know that funeral arrangements have been made for her mother, Helen Tangen, who passed away Wednesday evening.  Visitation will be Sunday from 2-4pm at Riley's Funeral Home in Chatfield, MN and one hour before the funeral service which will be held on Monday at 10am at Root Prairie Lutheran Church between Chatfield and Fountain, MN.  Obituary can be viewed at rileyfuneralhomes.com.

NEW BIKES FOR 2016 AND OFF TO FLORIDA

With boredom setting in, I decided to check out the new bike models coming out for 2016.  I think some of these new models have been specifically designed for some members of WNR.  See if you agree!

FOR YOU CO-RIDERS WHO SAY THE PASSENGER
SEAT ISN"T COMFORTABLE ENOUGH!

FOR YOU KAWASAKI FANS!

FOR CARL ON THE FARM!

FOR USE ON 76 TO MARQUETTE AND 9 TO LANSING

THEY EVEN MADE A GAS SAVER FOR CHUCKLES!

FOR OUR H.O.G. MEMBERS

FOR GARY--IT EVEN COMES WITH REVERSE!

FOR OUR STEUBEN BURGER RUN!

FOR OUR PLANT LOVERS!

FOR THOSE OF US THAT HAVE TO STOP FREQUENTLY!

We are heading to Florida on the 13th for a Gold Winger's Caribbean cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale on the 17th.  We will tour around the Florida Everglades for a while after the cruise, and maybe stop and see Bob & Cathy in Venice.  Then before we get into the condo in Panama City Beach on Feb 1st, we plan to go to New Orleans to see the WW II museum.  We are taking the trike (thanks to some help from Dennis & Chuckles), so we will be able to ride with some of the Gold Wing chapters there in the panhandle.  I'll do my best to try to keep you posted on our adventure.  While we're gone, Chuckles is in charge of the weather in Waukon, so don't be afraid to give him a call if it turns to crap.  We do plan to stop at a couple of our favorite biker bars down there.  Here's one of our favorites!

BYE FOR NOW!

DEPRESSING SNOW! HAPPY NEW YEAR! COUPLES TRIP UPDATE

With over 8 inches of snow sitting in my driveway waiting to be blown away, it's rather depressing for those of us who like to drive bikes, trikes, and convertibles.  While waiting for the city to come by and plow the street and dump it all back in my driveway, I came up with a few thoughts (Thanks to Chuckles for some of the photos) that have helped cheer me up this morning.

BUT REMEMBER..........

And to show that I'm trying to keep "upbeat" during the down times, I have been doing some of our summer trip planning.  I have been asked already about the couples trip!  So, even though I don't have the exact destination yet, I do have part of the route planned.  It should cut down on the number of motel rooms that are needed!  CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW TO SEE THE ROUTE I HAVE CHOSEN.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wa1lAVJHb_g


DON'T YOU JUST LOVE A "SMART ALEC" WITH TOO MUCH TIME ON HIS HANDS!!  AND TO ALL WNR..AND THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES....

PMS and A Very Merry Christmas

Since I got no takers for emceeing the annual P M S (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) meeting this January, it has been moved to March 16th at Rossville.  Josh said it would work for him.  Set aside that date, and you should have a good dose of PMS by that time!  Invitations will be sent out as the date draws closer.

LAST YEAR'S PMS MEETING

Thanks to everyone for the cards and gifts we received.  Boy! Judging by the size of some of your families, I would say your place at the dinner table may be in jeopardy.

I know there are many types of motorcycle clubs around, but I'll bet there aren't many that have more fun than WNR.  So with that in mind, here's a couple of tidbits (a card and a funny Bud Lite commercial) that were sent to us that I thought you might enjoy.  And as he said as his sleigh flew away...."and a Merry Christmas to all and to all a good night!"

Here's the card with "another" motorcycle club--

And here's the Bud Lite commercial.  Click on the link and enjoy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FhaYvI1yrUM

A COLD ONE AND A COOL GIFT

With the promised forecast of 55 degrees and sunshine, I got the trike out of storage last Thursday.  Well, the temps never got above 50, but the wind did!  Needless to say it was cold even with the heated seats and grips.  However, I did cruise down to Luana, then to Gunder, back to Monona, to Volney, past the Gelo ranch (new bridge is done), through Fishville, and back home with a frozen butt and in need for hot coffee.  The ride was over 50 miles, so it qualified as per WNR rules  (see Chuckles for a copy of the rules), so that means I was able to ride in every month of 2015.  I realize I cheat for part of the time by being in Florida part of January through February, but I'm still counting it!

It sounds like Honda is recalling a lot of years of 1800 Gold Wings for possible brake issues. I just received my recall notice on the bike, but the way it sounds it also applies to trikes.  That means another trip for me with the trike to Oelwein for the recall work before it goes to Florida.  The bike will have to wait until spring the way it looks.  So, I would say Meryle, Wayne F, Jim G, and Carl may have the same situation.  There is no time limit on the recall, but if you want to use my trailer before the middle of January, let me know.

Now, if some of you are still looking for that last minute gift for the motorcycle grandpa, look what I found!  Click on the link below, and see what they have to offer.

http://diversethreads.com/products/only-the-coolest-grandpas-ride-motorcycles-coffee-mug?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=jun15-024-mug-gpa&utm_content=w11 

PMS LATER ON IN MARCH--SOME HUMOR

Unless someone else wants to run the annual PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) meeting this year, it will be moved to somewhere near the middle of March--probably the 16th.  By that time we will either be riding or have a real good dose of PMS!  The reason for this is Bob & Julie have to be in Ft. Lauderdale on January 17th for a Gold Wing Caribbean cruise.  That means they will have to leave Iowa (depending on the weather) somewhere around the 13th, so that would only leave the 6th as a date for our meeting.  So after consulting with two other officers, it was decided the 6th is too close to all the new year events, so it's best to wait until March.  After the cruise is over, Bob & Julie will be heading over to Panama City Beach for the month of February, and then maybe on to the Carolinas to visit Julie's sister on the way back.  At any rate, plan on the 16th of March.  You will receive an invitation in the mail sometime before that.

With winter now upon us, as mild as it may be, I still thought you might enjoy some motorcycle humor from a comedian.  Hopefully if you click on the link below, you will be able to enjoy his humorous tale of his motorcycle ride.

ON OUR WAY TO FLORIDA

SOME MOTORCYCLE HUMOR--CLICK BELOW

https://www.youtube.com/embed/46fk02enulQ?rel=0