Because of the horse_ _ _ _ weather we have been having and again on Sunday, our ride to Camp Courageous obviously didn't materialize. However, Bob & Julie drove down in the Dakota, and there at Camp Courageous were Gary and his grandson and family. So WNR was represented again at this worthwhile charitable event. Actually there was snow still on the ground stretching all the way down to Monticello, but the heaviest seemed to be around here and near Guttenberg. By the way, there were no motorcycles in the parking lot at CC. The omelets, sausage, toast, juice, and coffee were delicious as usual.
On the way back we noticed that most of the snow had melted up here and we passed Carl's Used Car lot on the Volney Road. Maybe we will have better weather for the fall ride to Camp Courageous.
RIDE TO HELL
As you may know by now the guy's trip this summer (Chuckles' pick) is to Hell and (maybe) back by going around the north shore of Lake Superior via Canada. Because of limited motel accommodations in some of the areas we plan to travel through, it would be important to know how many guys plan on making this trip. I realize it's not until late July (July 29-Aug.3) when we will be going, but if you are considering going along, you should let Bob R know as soon as you can, so he can plan the motel stops. Right now we have Bob R, Chuckles, Clair, Jim, and Darron on the list. You will need some sort of passport to get back into the US, unless you plan on staying in Hell!
Monday, April 29, 2019
Thursday, April 25, 2019
FINALLY!!
Three red bikes departed Casey's Wednesday night at 5:30 for the official kick-off of the Wednesday Night Riders season.
Aboard with partly sunny skies and a temp of 64 were Jim & Cathy, Howard, and Bob R. We traveled up HWY 76 to Bear Creek Drive and headed west to Locust Road and turned north. Highway 44 was our next stop and turning back east we passed through Spring Grove and then onto CR 17 following it back to 76 just north of Eitzen. 76 took us back to Iowa River Drive east and then onto Lycurgus Road. We followed Lycurgus to HWY 9 and back into Waukon and Gus & Tony's. Because of construction, we had to park on the side street. The conversation at supper was based around fat Mexican chickens! I had 85 miles on the Wing when I pulled into the shed at home. Nice first 2019 ride, and hopefully many more.
CAMP COURAGEOUS
We have a ride scheduled on Sunday to go down to Monticello for the Camp Courageous omelet breakfast fund raiser. Right now the weather doesn't look too good. The Wicked Weather Witch even craps on charitable events! If it's above 50 and sunny, I will probably take the bike, but there's a good chance that Julie and I will be driving down in the Dakota. If you want to ride along with us, meet at 9:15 AM at Casey's on Sunday morning.
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| JIM & CATHY, BUT NO HOWARD! |
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| THERE HE IS. HIGH STEPPING IT ACROSS THE STREET |
CAMP COURAGEOUS
We have a ride scheduled on Sunday to go down to Monticello for the Camp Courageous omelet breakfast fund raiser. Right now the weather doesn't look too good. The Wicked Weather Witch even craps on charitable events! If it's above 50 and sunny, I will probably take the bike, but there's a good chance that Julie and I will be driving down in the Dakota. If you want to ride along with us, meet at 9:15 AM at Casey's on Sunday morning.
Thursday, March 28, 2019
GOOD TURN OUT FOR PMS
Twenty-five hungry and "hard up for entertainment" folks showed up at the Rossville Store for the 11th annual Wednesday Night Riders PMS (Parked Motorcycle Syndrome) meeting. After a long winter, it was great to see everyone again.
After a delicious meal and some lively conversation, Bob R presented a video reflecting on our year in 2018. The video was proof that there is no group that has more fun than the Wednesday Night Riders!
We are now anxiously waiting for the first warm and sunny Wednesday night to relieve the PMS!
After a delicious meal and some lively conversation, Bob R presented a video reflecting on our year in 2018. The video was proof that there is no group that has more fun than the Wednesday Night Riders!
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| CHUCKLES' NEW RIDE |
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| 60 YEARS! |
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| 50 YEARS |
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| 40 YEARS! |
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| GLAD HE WORE HIS GLASSES! |
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| FUNNY ROAD SIGN |
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| HARD TO FIND GOOD HELP! |
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| BRING ON THE COLD! |
We are now anxiously waiting for the first warm and sunny Wednesday night to relieve the PMS!
Friday, March 8, 2019
WE'RE BAAACK!!
We arrived back in Waukon from the south on Tuesday evening. Whoever made the sign "Welcome Back, Fools!" was right. Good travel conditions until we reached good ole' northeast Iowa, and then we had to fight wind blowing snow across the roads causing near blinding conditions at times. Thanks to Dennis, the trike is now safely tucked away in his shed since getting to my shed in the backyard won't be until July!
On our way back we had a couple of interesting stops; one tourist attraction and two unique dining experiences. The first dining experience was at the Old Country Store in Lorman, Mississippi, on our way from Vicksburg north to Jackson, TN. We were following one of the routes that General Grant and his troops used to gain access to Vicksburg when we came across this little "gem". They have shelves full of old items that I'm not sure anyone would want to buy, and it is certainly set up like the old country stores. As you will see they even still have the old sliding ladders to reach items on the top shelves. However, it's not the merchandise that makes this place famous, it's the food, particularly the fried chicken. It's the best I've ever eaten (sorry Josh and Dave)! The other unique feature about this place, as you will notice in the photos, is that one entire wall, the back room and bathroom walls are all covered with business cards. There are literally thousands of them placed there by patrons who ate there at some time or another. I looked some of them over, and they are from all over the U.S. It was raining, so this trip was made in the truck.
After leaving Loran, we ventured north to Jackson, TN. We pass through Jackson on our way down and back from Florida. Jackson is the home town of Casey Jones and there is a museum (actually a small village) named after him. We've always been curious but never stopped there before. This year, with no hurry to get back, and me being somewhat of a rail head, we decided to pay Casey a visit. Here's some photos from that venture.
After leaving Jackson, our final stop was Sikeston, MO., a town about 140 miles south of St. Louis. We spent the night there before trekking on into Waukon. But before we left, we ate supper at Lambert's Cafe. This place was recommended to me by one of my Gold Wing contacts and it did not disappoint. The food was plentiful and delicious, but what the cafe is actually famous for is it's "throwed rolls". Yes, as you will see, there is a waiter who comes around with a tray of freshly baked rolls and actually tosses (throws) them to waiting patrons. You can have as many as you want. I caught three for our table. They also have what they call "pass arounds". Waiters pass through the restaurant and offer customers fried okra, macaroni and tomatoes, apple butter or sorghum, black-eyed peas, and fried potatoes and onions. They will just put the "pass arounds" on your plate with no charge. At Lambert's instead of business cards, their walls are covered with license plates from all over the country.
We are "home" now and it seems like it's going to be a long time before we can break out the bikes and convertibles, so keep the evening of March 27th open for our MPS get-together. If you're important enough, you'll get an invitation in the mail. If you don't, come anyway!
On our way back we had a couple of interesting stops; one tourist attraction and two unique dining experiences. The first dining experience was at the Old Country Store in Lorman, Mississippi, on our way from Vicksburg north to Jackson, TN. We were following one of the routes that General Grant and his troops used to gain access to Vicksburg when we came across this little "gem". They have shelves full of old items that I'm not sure anyone would want to buy, and it is certainly set up like the old country stores. As you will see they even still have the old sliding ladders to reach items on the top shelves. However, it's not the merchandise that makes this place famous, it's the food, particularly the fried chicken. It's the best I've ever eaten (sorry Josh and Dave)! The other unique feature about this place, as you will notice in the photos, is that one entire wall, the back room and bathroom walls are all covered with business cards. There are literally thousands of them placed there by patrons who ate there at some time or another. I looked some of them over, and they are from all over the U.S. It was raining, so this trip was made in the truck.
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| ROLLING LADDER AND BUSINESS CARDS |
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| A MODEL OF CASEY'S ENGINE |
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| WNR "CASEY" ROTACH RINGING THE ENGINE BELL |
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| ANOTHER FAMOUS IOWAN WAS THERE TOO |
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| ALONG WITH THIS OTHER FAMOUS IOWAN |
Monday, March 4, 2019
FLORIDA UPDATE--FINAL RIDES
We were able to rack up 2,120 miles on the trike before we checked out of the condo on March 1st. I have already requested the months of January AND February for the condo next year. Before we left, we got a "sending off" lunch from our GWRRA friends here and in Alabama. It was held at the Mission Barbecue in Panama City. It's quite a place! At exactly noon, they request everyone to stand and the national anthem is played. I thought it was great, and I didn't see anybody kneeling. We are really going to miss our "southern" friends until next winter.
Since we wanted to take our time getting back to the frozen tundra, we took Jim & Cathy's suggestion and headed over to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to see the National Civil War Park over there that commemorates the battle of Vicksburg. This was a siege won by the Union under General Grant that let the north gain control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy. This park is set up much like the one some of us guys visited in Chattanooga. You can drive (we took the trike) through the park and see where the various skirmishes took place and see the various monuments that have been erected by the states that sent men to fight here. We also got to see a cannon demonstration and see the Cairo (an iron clad ship built by the Union that was sunk by Confederate torpedoes (mines).
Here are some photos of our park visit.
After our ride in the park, we returned to the motel in Jackson just before it started to rain. The next morning the rain was continuing and there was a big cool down (all the way down to 50 degrees), so we reluctantly started our homeward trek. On the way back we had two of the most unique dining experiences we have ever experienced along with a visit with Casey Jones. I'll save those for the first post when we get back to tropical Iowa on Tuesday.
Since we wanted to take our time getting back to the frozen tundra, we took Jim & Cathy's suggestion and headed over to Vicksburg, Mississippi, to see the National Civil War Park over there that commemorates the battle of Vicksburg. This was a siege won by the Union under General Grant that let the north gain control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy. This park is set up much like the one some of us guys visited in Chattanooga. You can drive (we took the trike) through the park and see where the various skirmishes took place and see the various monuments that have been erected by the states that sent men to fight here. We also got to see a cannon demonstration and see the Cairo (an iron clad ship built by the Union that was sunk by Confederate torpedoes (mines).
Here are some photos of our park visit.
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| WILLIAM HALL-COMMANDER OF AN IOWA BRIGADE |
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| AN IOWA MONUMENT |
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| GENERAL GRANT-UNION |
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| GENERAL FORREST-CONFEDERATE |
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| WNR NEXT TO IRON CLAD TRIKE AND IRON CLAD SHIP |
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| THE CAIRO--PULLED UP FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE BAY |
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| EACH OF THE CANNONS SHOWN HERE WERE USED IN THE BATTLE AT VICKSBURG |
After our ride in the park, we returned to the motel in Jackson just before it started to rain. The next morning the rain was continuing and there was a big cool down (all the way down to 50 degrees), so we reluctantly started our homeward trek. On the way back we had two of the most unique dining experiences we have ever experienced along with a visit with Casey Jones. I'll save those for the first post when we get back to tropical Iowa on Tuesday.
Monday, February 25, 2019
FLORIDA UPDATE--MORE RIDES
Again I'm going to try to get this post up to you guys back in Iowa in between the storm blasts. I hear this time it was my favorite weather phenom, the wind! I'll update you on some rides we have taken since the last post.
I took about a 200 mile round trip up north from here to Samson, AL. I did this last year and with some guidance from one of the Panama City riders, I found some really nice stretches of county roads including some curves. As I have said before, when I rode the Dragon there were 341 curves in 11 miles. Down here there are 11 curves in 341 miles! A favorite stop for lunch on this route is Granny's in Samson. A lot of the restaurants down here have buffets with home-cooked food, and Granny's is one of them. Nothing fancy, just good eats!
On the way back, I passed by this field. And no that's not snow. It's cotton!
I arrived back at our condo. We got a lot better rate this year! LOL
My next ride took me again up north to a small park that is actually the highest point in the state of Florida.
Here's the trike gasping for air at in the high altitude!
Our latest ride was last Saturday when we rode over to Port St. Joe for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Not my favorite type of food, but they toned down the spices for me and NO lima beans. This group also gathers at a convenience store, but it's Raceway, not Casey's.
We arrive back at the condo just in time for a spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
We plan on starting back to the frozen tundra on Friday, March 1st. Right now it looks like we are going to take our "sweet" time getting back there!!
GOOD LUCK TO THE GIRLS' BASKETBALL TEAM TONIGHT!! We will be listening by computer.
I took about a 200 mile round trip up north from here to Samson, AL. I did this last year and with some guidance from one of the Panama City riders, I found some really nice stretches of county roads including some curves. As I have said before, when I rode the Dragon there were 341 curves in 11 miles. Down here there are 11 curves in 341 miles! A favorite stop for lunch on this route is Granny's in Samson. A lot of the restaurants down here have buffets with home-cooked food, and Granny's is one of them. Nothing fancy, just good eats!
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| GRANNY'S--YES, WE HAVE NO LIMA BEANS |
I arrived back at our condo. We got a lot better rate this year! LOL
My next ride took me again up north to a small park that is actually the highest point in the state of Florida.
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| YES, A WHOPPING 345 FT! |
Our latest ride was last Saturday when we rode over to Port St. Joe for lunch at a Mexican restaurant. Not my favorite type of food, but they toned down the spices for me and NO lima beans. This group also gathers at a convenience store, but it's Raceway, not Casey's.
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| RICH AND CATHY--ORIGINALLY FROM IOWA |
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| THEY ALSO HAVE "SUPPORT" VEHICLES |
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| WE ARRIVE AT PEPPERS IN PORT ST. JOE |
We plan on starting back to the frozen tundra on Friday, March 1st. Right now it looks like we are going to take our "sweet" time getting back there!!
GOOD LUCK TO THE GIRLS' BASKETBALL TEAM TONIGHT!! We will be listening by computer.
Tuesday, February 19, 2019
FLORIDA REPORT 3--SOME RIDES
I've been waiting for a let-up in your crap weather before I post anything more from Florida, but the weather witch isn't giving you many breaks back there in northeast Iowa. But on the bright side, Irv may be able to unload a few snowmobiles now! So I thought I might try to catch you up on some of the rides we've done so far. At this posting, we've put on a little over 1,200 miles on the trike so far.
The first ride I took alone was over to Ft. Walton where I joined the GWRRA chapter over there for their meeting and ride afterwards. It was kind of fun being able to follow along instead of leading. I talked to their ride planner and he said he was getting tired of planning their once a month ride. I said "How would you like to do that every Wednesday plus about a dozen other special rides?!" Our ride went about 130 miles round trip to Milton, FL, where Boo Weekly and Bubba Watson (pro golfers) attended high school. We visited a train museum there.
We have done a number of local rides in the area on our own, but none yet with the local Panama City chapter. We've ridden through Panama City and areas to the east that were devastated by hurricane Michael back in October. I think we are done riding in that direction, because I am really getting depressed looking at all of the damage. I can't imagine living there and having to go to work and look at that every day. Hopefully you guys aren't getting too depressed looking at all the snow!
One of the more interesting rides we have done was over to East Point, FL (about 250 miles round trip). There we visited a facility that showcased the animals and the features of an estuary. An estuary is where fresh water from a river flows into a bay of salt water in the ocean. Many types of animals (especially oysters) live in these areas.
There also was a long boardwalk that went out into the bay for further observation and also displays of some of the live animals and fish, but the hurricane destroyed most of the boardwalk and took out the equipment used to keep the animals and fish alive. They all had to be set free!
Our most recent ride was to Falling Waters State Park near Chipley, FL. Florida had done a great job with their state parks, particularly in the panhandle. This park has a huge waterfall (700 ft.) that flows into a huge sink hole. The whole park has several huge sink holes, but I doubt if we could turn the sink holes in Allamakee County into tourist attractions! Here's a short video of the falls.
I know in your area, if you can't run a snowblower, you ain't crap!
If you ain't a roofer or a dump truck driver down here, you ain't crap!
Hopefully by the next post, your weather will have improved, and congrats to the girls' basketball team for making the state tournament!
The first ride I took alone was over to Ft. Walton where I joined the GWRRA chapter over there for their meeting and ride afterwards. It was kind of fun being able to follow along instead of leading. I talked to their ride planner and he said he was getting tired of planning their once a month ride. I said "How would you like to do that every Wednesday plus about a dozen other special rides?!" Our ride went about 130 miles round trip to Milton, FL, where Boo Weekly and Bubba Watson (pro golfers) attended high school. We visited a train museum there.
We have done a number of local rides in the area on our own, but none yet with the local Panama City chapter. We've ridden through Panama City and areas to the east that were devastated by hurricane Michael back in October. I think we are done riding in that direction, because I am really getting depressed looking at all of the damage. I can't imagine living there and having to go to work and look at that every day. Hopefully you guys aren't getting too depressed looking at all the snow!
One of the more interesting rides we have done was over to East Point, FL (about 250 miles round trip). There we visited a facility that showcased the animals and the features of an estuary. An estuary is where fresh water from a river flows into a bay of salt water in the ocean. Many types of animals (especially oysters) live in these areas.
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| AN OYSTER BOAT |
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| A FLIGHT OF PELICANS |
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| A WHALE'S BACK BONE |
Our most recent ride was to Falling Waters State Park near Chipley, FL. Florida had done a great job with their state parks, particularly in the panhandle. This park has a huge waterfall (700 ft.) that flows into a huge sink hole. The whole park has several huge sink holes, but I doubt if we could turn the sink holes in Allamakee County into tourist attractions! Here's a short video of the falls.
I know in your area, if you can't run a snowblower, you ain't crap!
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| HI'YA, CHUCKLES! |
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| THE ROOF ON THE CONDO NEXT TO US |
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