A Short Sunday Ride

Today, John and I went for a 130 mile ride through Pierce and Pepin Counties. We left Prescott on 10, then north on county QQ. East on 620 st. North on E to 690 st. then east to O. We went down O through Trimbelle, to 35. South on 35 to VV. I was going to take a few pictures, but as I found out at our first photo stop, the quarry on VV, that I left the SD card at home! The camera only has enough memory for 6 or 7 pictures. At our first stop, I also trashed my headphone/ear plugs. I knelt down to take a picture and ended up stepping on the cord. I pulled both wires completely out of the plugs! I just got the darn things back from repair this spring. I guess I'll have to send them off again.

John had an unused 16 mb card with him. I put it in my camera, but we didn't stop for anymore pictures.
We explored the back roads around the Trimbelle River, between K and 63. Neat! We ended up stopping for a pop in Plum City. From there, we took 10 out to the county line. We went south to Sunny Brook Road, down to D, D to SS. We followed SS to CC and down to Pepin. It was a slow ride back on 35 to Prescott. I remember why I like retirement, I can ride during the day, while others are at work. I have the roads to myself !

Another Run Up to The North Woods

I finished a few home repair projects over the last few days, so I rewarded myself with another run up north. I took the long way up. My route included, River Falls to New Richmond by highway 65. Then east on 64 over to highway 25. North on 25 to Barron on highway 8. East on 8 through Cameron, then north on county road M. County road M runs straight north on the east side of Rice Lake. I followed M all the way up to highway 70. I took 70 to highway 27 to Hayward. From Hayward I went east on highway 77. I turned off on Kreyer Drive. I wanted to check out a home for sale. Nice, but the neighbors would be too close. I continued east on 77 and went north on Pederson Road. That turned into county road OO. I took that all the way to Seeley. I turned around at highway 63 and headed back on OO. I took "Old OO road". That was nice untill, it turned to gravel.

The leaves are just past their prime colors. The weather was a perfect 65 degrees that far north. A great day for a ride!

On the way back home I stopped in Spooner to snap a picture of this WWII vintage, welded hull, M4 Sherman tank.

I got this picture of a small cannon in Cumberland.

And no trip to the North Woods would be complete without a picture of this.

It was a 356 mile day. That brings the miles on the Zx-14 to 16108. There are 7808 miles on the tires now. I should be putting new ones on first thing in the spring.

A Northern Fall Color Run.

Nancy has been out of town since Monday and I've been keeping busy working on projects around the house. This morning, I decided that I would have a day of rest for myself. I thought that a day trip through the north woods was just what I needed. I ate breakfast, washed the dishes, fed the cats, brought in the mail, and got ready. I left home a little after 0900. I took the Zx-14 because the FJR has a problem....

The left fork seal is leaking, so I pulled off the forks. I haven't had them fixed yet so the bike sits waiting.

I drove up to Hudson and got on 94 and got off 17 miles later at the Baldwin exit. I took 63 north and stopped for a quick fill of premium at the 63/64 intersection. I continued up 63 to Spooner. In Spooner, I went east on 70 to Stone Lake, then north on 27 To Hayward. I had a small bite to eat at KFC, then back on the road. From Hayward, I went north on 63 towards Cable. I got off 63 near Seeley and took a few back roads along side the main highway. I drove past a home for sale. Nancy and I had looked at it a few weeks before, but I wanted to see it again. It's nice but,there are a few issues with it. It's large, has 2 full flights of stairs, a 1 car garage, and interesting neighbors. The neighbors have a gaint cross and the ten commandments in their yard.. not that there's anything wrong with that... but...I'm just saying..
Anyway, here are some pictures from the ride.

I went east out of Cable on county road M, into the Chequamegon National Forrest, north on county road D, around Namekagon Lake, and I followed that up to 63 in Grand View. I took 63 back south and stopped in Drummond at the BP for a stretch and another tank of premium.

I left Drummond at about 2:00 p.m., and I went down 63 to Hayward. I made a quick pass over to check on my sisters cabin on Smith Lake. I took a few more pictures.

From Smith Lake, I went through town and visited my parents and the rest of my family at Greenwood Cemetery.

From there I headed home.

It was a great day to ride, with cool temps, light wind, and not much traffic!
I was home by 5:45 p.m. 371 miles.

I've put 15750 miles on the Zx in the last 2 seasons. It is fast becoming my favorite!

Early Fall Ride.

Being as I retired last week, I now find I have time to ride during the week when traffic is light. That is so nice. Today, I did a little route scouting for a small group ride later this fall. I did a nice 180 mile loop through Pierce, Pepin and Buffalo Counties. I really like this area of Wisconsin. I'm lucky to have nice riding right outside my door. I left home about 1030, and brought my camera with to take a few fall pictures. I got home about 4 hours later.

The sumac is turning red already.


The soy beans are finishing off and turning gold.


The corn is drying up too.


Even some of the maple trees are starting to turn color.


I drove out Hwy. 10 to Plum City. From there it was almost all county roads. All but 3 were "alphabet roads". From Plum City, I made my way down to Pepin. I stopped at BP for a hot chocolate and a cookie.


Then back to riding. Here's my route sheet.


Some of the trees are starting to turn.


When to corn is gone, this will be a great view into the valley.


The obligatory bike shots.



A few more pictures.




I was headed back to Prescott, and going through Ellsworth, it had warmed up a little bit.

New Map

I figure it's time to post a new map of the USA. The red states are places I've been to, or through, by motorcycle.



Now it's time for oil and filter change and a new air filter.

Day 21. The End.

Today, we got up at the crack of dawn, 0445. Richard and Linda provided breakfast for us, and we were on our way by 0539.
We drove to the Wasta Rest Area and took a short break. We wanted the sun to get a little higher in the sky so we could see without squinting. We gassed in Murdo and got gas and lunch in Mitchell. We stopped for a pop in Worthington, and a last gas stop in Windom. I got home at 1720.





Total miles for the trip = 5821
Days riding in the rain = .5
Days with perfect weather = 20.5
Days camping = 7
Nights in a hotel = 12
Nights with friends = 1
Performance Awards, AKA tickets = 1
Accidents = 0
States travelled = 11
Best breakfast = Silver State Restaurant, Ely, NV,
Chorizo w/american fries, peppers and onions, and eggs.
Best day of riding = Hwy. 12, Idaho.

Day 20. Belle Fourche

We actually got an early start today!



We were packed up and at Dori's Cafe by 0700. We had breakfast and were on the road by 0730.
I didn't take many pictures today. We spent the day driving and we were at Belle Fourche by 1515. We're spending the night with John's friends Richard and Linda.

Day 19. Sapphires

Today, we went looking for sapphires. We drove out to the Spokane Bar Sapphire Mine. We got a 50 lb bag of gravel and went to work. Pour a little gravel into a screen, rinse, shake, drain, place a piece of foam on top , flip and pick. Repeat.





It's a lot of work, it would have been better if I had my glasses with me. I found a few that were of good enough quality that they could be processed into nice gems. John found about 8.


After spending 4 hours picking rocks, we hit the road. We had lunch in Townsend, and continued to White Sulphur Springs. The mountains are being replaced by the plains.



Tonight's lodging is at the White Sulphur  Hot Springs Spa + Motel.

Tomorrow we'll try for Belle Fourche, and be home by Friday.
4662 miles so far.