Bud
It is what it is.
It started out with me thinking I hadn't made any rallies this year and the Dells is pretty close, 430 miles, and I've never been there so why not go? Why not go, you ask? Because of Gus, our friendly rain maker, who was surging thru the midwurst bringing rain, rain and more rain.
Well, what's a little rain while riding? Nothing. Rain while trying to get into and out of a one person tent with low headroom is a different story. No problem. Post on the forum and see if someone wants to share a room. Almost immediately, JCabranes, answers that he is willing to split a room. I take another another look at the national radar and forecast and "Yikes" it looks like a downpour all the way there. Well, never mind. I PM JCabranes back and say I've decided to not go.
Then, all day Thursday, conditions are improving. Hmmmm........ Maybe I should give it a shot. Should I write him back and say I've changed my mind again? Decided not to as it would seem pretty fickle.
So I wait, and wait. Check the weather by the hour. Pack the bike just in case. Go to bed at 10 with the conditions improving. Set the alarm for 5AM so I can meet my riding buddy for breakfast 70 miles north of here. Get up in the dark. Here is a picture taken inside my garage.
Light mist outside. I'm packed, suited up and on the bike and out the door by 5:45 AM. Light mist. Don't even bother with the rain gear. But as it gets lighter, I notice heavy, dark clouds to the west. Oh well, I'm going no matter what.
Get to Hillsboro a little after 7 AM. My friend Gary is waiting at Micky D's. We visit for a couple of hours and then I say I have to leave and head north. Interstate the whole way. Still drizzling but no big deal. Around Rockford the sun comes out. Yea.
I stop in Beloit, Wisconsin, my birthplace. I wanted to take pictures of the houses my parents lived in while they were growing up. Found my fathers house no problem. Mom's house wasn't as easy so I called her. She gave me the correct address and found it within a few minutes.
Went by our old house but it was gone.
City of Beloit had built a fake stone water tower there and it was a tourist attraction?
I sure wouldn't leave the highway to look. Oh well. Nothing stays the same forever.
Lunch time on the road. Healthy eating is my motto so it is on to Wendy's for a baked potato with chili on top. Fiber, mmmmmmm........., good. Then a frosty for my dairy group. Gotta love good clean living on the road.
Getting back on the interstate, I had to give it a little gas to merge. With several ton's of stuff on the back of the bike, the wheel came off the ground in 2nd gear. Yikes, looks like it is a good thing I wasn't in FL or IL where it would have been a moving violation.
Along the way I had to stop by the side of the road and take this picture.
There was something pleasing about the symmetry of the odometer reading.
Later that afternoon, I found the rally site, was directed to registration and was warmly greeted by Sue R-M. Good to see a familiar face. Went back to the camping area and tried to set up my tent. I last used it in West Bend, and my son-in-law had taken it camping between then and now. Forgetting how to set it up (I know, how hard can it be?) I mistakenly thought he had lost some parts. Off to wally world where substitute parts (kind of) were purchased. Back to the campgrounds where my neighbors used vice grips and an AX (wondered if I should move knowing they could harm me during the night) modified my purchase to make it usable as a peg onto which my tent pole would fasten. OOOOOPS. One end goes into a sleeve, I didn't need what had just been made.
Here is a picture of my tent? Can you see it? It is yellow and very small.
Tent up. Now time for supper. Beef stew and rolls. Went down pretty well with the help from some dark beer. Went down so well had seconds of stew and rolls and a Liney's Red.
Introduced myself to the strangers around me. Met Bob and Mary Beth from N Wisconsin. We chatted while the band played. Music was the Rockin Robins. Good old stuff. Some folks got up and danced. I decided to call it a night at 10:30 PM and drifted off to sleep with the sound of the band in the background. Around 12:30 I swore that some folks were having golf cart races right outside my tent. With the drone of the highway noise in my ears, I drifted off to sleep again.
6:30 AM. The rain from last night had stopped. I got up and headed towards the donuts (grain you know, another basic food group). Chatted with strangers.
Here is a picture of some of them. You may recognize them from the photos at the post office.
Then Bouncin Bob, who rode during the night from Cleveland, came by and we solved all of the problems of MOA in about 15 minutes. He introduced me to Mark Austin, who has been on the road all summer. Sue came by again, always smiling and laughing. I said I was going to Wallershiem Winery and Mark wanted to go as well so off we go. Never having approached the winery from the NE, I took a couple of wrong turns while Mark (who had a GPS) politely smiled and gave suggestions. I wasn't lost, just wasn't going the right way.
We had to wait for the free cable ferry across the Wisconsin River.
Then just a short zip down the road to the winery.
Mark bought some wine to take home. I bought some as well. We then went to Sauk City for lunch. Had some good home cooking and then fruit (another food group) for desert. My fruit also included grain and dairy. Fresh baked blueberry pie, heated, with ice cream on top! Mmmmmm.... more healthy eating.
Rode back to the ferry where I caught Mark trying to take a picture.
Even in the daylight, the reflective patch on his Stich shows up. IIRC he has done two different trips this summer, 6,000 miles on one and 5,000 miles on this one. Those GS riders sure rack up the miles.
We went by Devils Lake on the way home and I showed Mark how to ride a RT like a GS as we left the parking lot between two large boulders, rather than go all the way around.
Got back to the rally site only to find out that Bob and Mary Beth were behind us at the winery by just minutes.
Called home and told Nancy what I had been doing. She said she didn't understand riding that many miles to a rally to ride with just one other person! I tried to explain I didn't really like group rides. Did the same at West Bend last year.
Time for supper. They had many buffet lines set up and fed the crowd (600 or more?) in short order. Very good meal.
Then I went to the water park and whooped and hollered just like all the other kids while speeding down dark water slides.
By now, you are wondering about the title of the post and what it has to do with this story, aren't you? Get ready, here it comes. Going back to the camping site I had to go thru "security" and who do you think was at the gate? Yup, you got it, JCabranes himself, loudly telling his co-worker that I wouldn't sleep with him.
At the 08 West Bend Rally, he led a group to Milwaukee to eat at a fine Cuban restaurant. Along the way, we went thru some parts of town that I wouldn't go in by myself and he just laughed and mumbled something about the Latin Kings. I don't understand why he hangs with gang members, but I'm sure he will defend himself on this issue.
Time for more music by the Rockin Robins. Their bass player didn't make it but the music was just as good as the night before. Had a little Prarrie Fume that I had purchased earlier in the day. Bob and Mary Beth came buy and also brought a bottle of wine to share. Mark had a little taste as well.
My bad luck continued as I bought 50/50 tickets and didn't win, again, or ever as a matter of fact. Didn't win in the closing ceremony either. If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any. For an example, see Bud's Bad Day.
Back to bed for a much needed beauty rest.
Got up the next morning for more coffee and donuts and things were a bit damp from the heavy dew.
Talked some more and didn't leave till 10 AM. Camp grounds almost empty by the time I left. Had another healthy lunch at the worlds largest Culvers. Post roast sandwich (meat and grain) fries (vegies) and turtle sundae (nuts, dairy and the ever healthy chocolate).
On to Litchfield, IL for supper at the china buffet for more healthy eating including raw fish.
Home by 6:30. Over 1,000 miles. Good food, good people, good riding.
Thanks to the Wisconsin club for a wonderful event.
Ride well.
Well, what's a little rain while riding? Nothing. Rain while trying to get into and out of a one person tent with low headroom is a different story. No problem. Post on the forum and see if someone wants to share a room. Almost immediately, JCabranes, answers that he is willing to split a room. I take another another look at the national radar and forecast and "Yikes" it looks like a downpour all the way there. Well, never mind. I PM JCabranes back and say I've decided to not go.
Then, all day Thursday, conditions are improving. Hmmmm........ Maybe I should give it a shot. Should I write him back and say I've changed my mind again? Decided not to as it would seem pretty fickle.
So I wait, and wait. Check the weather by the hour. Pack the bike just in case. Go to bed at 10 with the conditions improving. Set the alarm for 5AM so I can meet my riding buddy for breakfast 70 miles north of here. Get up in the dark. Here is a picture taken inside my garage.
Light mist outside. I'm packed, suited up and on the bike and out the door by 5:45 AM. Light mist. Don't even bother with the rain gear. But as it gets lighter, I notice heavy, dark clouds to the west. Oh well, I'm going no matter what.
Get to Hillsboro a little after 7 AM. My friend Gary is waiting at Micky D's. We visit for a couple of hours and then I say I have to leave and head north. Interstate the whole way. Still drizzling but no big deal. Around Rockford the sun comes out. Yea.
I stop in Beloit, Wisconsin, my birthplace. I wanted to take pictures of the houses my parents lived in while they were growing up. Found my fathers house no problem. Mom's house wasn't as easy so I called her. She gave me the correct address and found it within a few minutes.
Went by our old house but it was gone.
City of Beloit had built a fake stone water tower there and it was a tourist attraction?
I sure wouldn't leave the highway to look. Oh well. Nothing stays the same forever.
Lunch time on the road. Healthy eating is my motto so it is on to Wendy's for a baked potato with chili on top. Fiber, mmmmmmm........., good. Then a frosty for my dairy group. Gotta love good clean living on the road.
Getting back on the interstate, I had to give it a little gas to merge. With several ton's of stuff on the back of the bike, the wheel came off the ground in 2nd gear. Yikes, looks like it is a good thing I wasn't in FL or IL where it would have been a moving violation.
Along the way I had to stop by the side of the road and take this picture.
There was something pleasing about the symmetry of the odometer reading.
Later that afternoon, I found the rally site, was directed to registration and was warmly greeted by Sue R-M. Good to see a familiar face. Went back to the camping area and tried to set up my tent. I last used it in West Bend, and my son-in-law had taken it camping between then and now. Forgetting how to set it up (I know, how hard can it be?) I mistakenly thought he had lost some parts. Off to wally world where substitute parts (kind of) were purchased. Back to the campgrounds where my neighbors used vice grips and an AX (wondered if I should move knowing they could harm me during the night) modified my purchase to make it usable as a peg onto which my tent pole would fasten. OOOOOPS. One end goes into a sleeve, I didn't need what had just been made.
Here is a picture of my tent? Can you see it? It is yellow and very small.
Tent up. Now time for supper. Beef stew and rolls. Went down pretty well with the help from some dark beer. Went down so well had seconds of stew and rolls and a Liney's Red.
Introduced myself to the strangers around me. Met Bob and Mary Beth from N Wisconsin. We chatted while the band played. Music was the Rockin Robins. Good old stuff. Some folks got up and danced. I decided to call it a night at 10:30 PM and drifted off to sleep with the sound of the band in the background. Around 12:30 I swore that some folks were having golf cart races right outside my tent. With the drone of the highway noise in my ears, I drifted off to sleep again.
6:30 AM. The rain from last night had stopped. I got up and headed towards the donuts (grain you know, another basic food group). Chatted with strangers.
Here is a picture of some of them. You may recognize them from the photos at the post office.
Then Bouncin Bob, who rode during the night from Cleveland, came by and we solved all of the problems of MOA in about 15 minutes. He introduced me to Mark Austin, who has been on the road all summer. Sue came by again, always smiling and laughing. I said I was going to Wallershiem Winery and Mark wanted to go as well so off we go. Never having approached the winery from the NE, I took a couple of wrong turns while Mark (who had a GPS) politely smiled and gave suggestions. I wasn't lost, just wasn't going the right way.
We had to wait for the free cable ferry across the Wisconsin River.
Then just a short zip down the road to the winery.
Mark bought some wine to take home. I bought some as well. We then went to Sauk City for lunch. Had some good home cooking and then fruit (another food group) for desert. My fruit also included grain and dairy. Fresh baked blueberry pie, heated, with ice cream on top! Mmmmmm.... more healthy eating.
Rode back to the ferry where I caught Mark trying to take a picture.
Even in the daylight, the reflective patch on his Stich shows up. IIRC he has done two different trips this summer, 6,000 miles on one and 5,000 miles on this one. Those GS riders sure rack up the miles.
We went by Devils Lake on the way home and I showed Mark how to ride a RT like a GS as we left the parking lot between two large boulders, rather than go all the way around.
Got back to the rally site only to find out that Bob and Mary Beth were behind us at the winery by just minutes.
Called home and told Nancy what I had been doing. She said she didn't understand riding that many miles to a rally to ride with just one other person!
I tried to explain I didn't really like group rides. Did the same at West Bend last year.Time for supper. They had many buffet lines set up and fed the crowd (600 or more?) in short order. Very good meal.
Then I went to the water park and whooped and hollered just like all the other kids while speeding down dark water slides.
By now, you are wondering about the title of the post and what it has to do with this story, aren't you? Get ready, here it comes. Going back to the camping site I had to go thru "security" and who do you think was at the gate? Yup, you got it, JCabranes himself, loudly telling his co-worker that I wouldn't sleep with him.
At the 08 West Bend Rally, he led a group to Milwaukee to eat at a fine Cuban restaurant. Along the way, we went thru some parts of town that I wouldn't go in by myself and he just laughed and mumbled something about the Latin Kings. I don't understand why he hangs with gang members, but I'm sure he will defend himself on this issue.
Time for more music by the Rockin Robins. Their bass player didn't make it but the music was just as good as the night before. Had a little Prarrie Fume that I had purchased earlier in the day. Bob and Mary Beth came buy and also brought a bottle of wine to share. Mark had a little taste as well.
My bad luck continued as I bought 50/50 tickets and didn't win, again, or ever as a matter of fact. Didn't win in the closing ceremony either. If it wasn't for bad luck, I wouldn't have any. For an example, see Bud's Bad Day.
Back to bed for a much needed beauty rest.
Got up the next morning for more coffee and donuts and things were a bit damp from the heavy dew.
Talked some more and didn't leave till 10 AM. Camp grounds almost empty by the time I left. Had another healthy lunch at the worlds largest Culvers. Post roast sandwich (meat and grain) fries (vegies) and turtle sundae (nuts, dairy and the ever healthy chocolate).
On to Litchfield, IL for supper at the china buffet for more healthy eating including raw fish.
Home by 6:30. Over 1,000 miles. Good food, good people, good riding.
Thanks to the Wisconsin club for a wonderful event.
Ride well.
)
