Indian Summer Runaway - 2005

Living in Wisconsin one has to make the most of every nice day we get. Often winter (at least cold weather) comes upon us in late October and we loose the riding season without warning. For those of you lucky (or hearty) enough to ride all year through I envy you. Here in the heart of the cold northern Midwest we often have to place our Goldwings into storage for a few months while we wait for the ice and snow to leave our roadways once again in the spring. During those long dark cold months of no riding we have to satisfy our traveling urges by remembering our past riding season and the enjoyment and exhilaration of feeling the sun on our face; and the wind in our nostrils.

With this in mind, I adopted a ritual the first year after I bought my 1985 Aspencade. This ritual is to make certain that when that 1 warm last day of summer arrives I am out riding in the glorious weather all day. By doing this I hope to stave off the chill effects of the long (3-4 months) dormant season for 2-wheeled entertainment.  For the past 3 years, I have followed this ritual.  The past few years this one day of 70+ degree weather has fallen in early October ad I have had the good fortune to enjoy some outstanding adventures however this year October came and went and I never found that perfect day to go out and ride around the Wisconsin countryside. I began to recognize that maybe the tradition would be interrupted this year.

Then I received a very pleasant surprise. November 3^rd 2005 turned into that day, the one glorious day when the weather was great, and life didn’t get in the way. On Monday, I noticed the weather reporter saying the end on the week was looking to be fabulous. I paid particular attention to the best day of the week –Thursday! When I arrived at work, I quickly checked my schedule and knew that Thursday was going to be MY day for Indian Summer Runaway 2005. I informed my co-workers that on Thursday I was going to call in to work pleading the fact that I was too well to work that day.

Thursday came and the sun broke through the darkness to begin a magnificent day. Planning on being gone only for the day I knew I could travel light and packed into the saddlebags only what I thought was going to be needed for the days adventure. A camera and a thermos of coffee along with some assorted clothing items and I was ready to go. Thumbing the start button and hearing the 4 cylinder classic ‘Wing come to life I instantly knew the day was going to be one to be remembered.

The plan was simple… take the quickest route possible straight west to the Mississippi River, cruise along the Great River Road and make a run for home. The first leg of the journey was to Prairie du Chien - a quick run along the interstate and highway system of about 174 miles.. Little did I know what surprises lay ahead for me.

The travel to the ‘jumping off’ point was fairly routine; all interstate traffic all moving along at about 75 mph with my Wing loping along easily. The thrumming of the engine running at those speeds was mesmerizing and relaxing, like a familiar sound, or a bit of “white noise” which played into the core of who we are as motorcycle enthusiasts. It didn’t take long before I was completely at ease and feeling as one with the machine. The sun was at my back as I headed west and I realized I would be running from the sun all day as I headed west in the morning and back east in the afternoon. The temperatures were rising quickly and the early chill left me as I traveled through the light traffic to Dodgeville where I would leave the four-lane highway and proceed along the country highways to Prairie du Chien and the Mississippi River.

Finally, I found it…! The place Highway 18 leaned right and made a beeline westward for the Mississippi River and Prairie du Chien. Onto the nicely paved highway and away from the sun I rode all the time waiting for the next rise, looking through the next corner and watching the rolling hills of Southwestern Wisconsin give way to my relentless travel.  I don’t remember how it happened, but I was suddenly staring at one of the most unique farms I have ever seen.  I had just left the sleepy burg of Cobb (whose roads were as rough as a) and I was coming up on the city of Monfort when I saw them. The giant blades turning in the wind slowly, almost lazily with the morning breeze. A long, long row of them all turning wind into power…

After a brief stop to capture the moment I again twisted the throttle and zipped on toward the great river that was calling me. It seemed like only an instant before I found myself rolling along those ever-steeper hills and progressively tighter curves that signified my entry into Wisconsin hill country. The glaciers had done a good job of making their mark on this piece of the state with hills, and valleys and amazing vistas at every turn. Soon enough I made it to Prairie du Chien and started to roll along the

Great River Road

taking in the sights to be seen… The expanses of marsh land, and the roadway carved out of the rocky hillsides, the variety of trees, bushes and animal life all presenting itself in ways one doesn’t see near the city where I live.  I made it … I was at the big muddy river, Old man River, rolling along without so much as a nod to those of us who pass our lives nearby. 174 miles done already…!?

With that, I resolved to continue my morning escapade into the beautiful area of southwestern Wisconsin. Following the

Great River Road north

I enjoyed the easy pace and gently rolling hills, the road followed the river and the curves swept back and forth in a flowing pattern that made travel simple and carefree.

After nearly 22 miles of this, I found my “shortcut”... I had looked at the map at the last fuel stop and wanted to visit Richland Center to stop in at Vetesniks Power Center, a dealer and friend to GWRRA members. I saw a rural highway (number 171) that seemed to cut almost directly toward the city. Highway 171 hit the

Great River Road

slightly south of Ferryville so I sadly said goodbye to the river and headed east again. I thought that if I make good time I could stop for lunch in Richland Center, visit Vetesniks and be home before dark…

What I didn’t realize was that Highway 171 is a great motorcycle road. Sweeping corners, elevation changes, and continuous shifting made this section of the trip an unexpected pleasure to travel.  It wasn’t long and I was seeing plenty of warning signs that indicated sharp turns and winding roads were in store for me. Combine these turns with a few more factors made for some technical riding that most riders relish. Steep rock walls waited for an unwary rider at almost every turn and the road surface itself was rough and pot-holed from the extreme weather conditions found in this part of the state. A real workout for shocks, brakes, tires, engine and rider but well worth it.

This highway section was about 40 miles long from the Great River road to the village of Boaz but easily worth traveling for anyone looking for some place to go in Wisconsin. There were scenic overlooks, and fantastic views, curvy roads and hills, and breathtaking beauty all along this undiscovered highway. But there was more than steep downhill turns as this roadway climbed out of the Mississippi River valley. There was a new challenge around every corner and over every hill with a sprinkling of surprise as well.

As I came to top of the hill leaving the river below me, I knew I was in a new place. I could SMELL it… A heavenly aroma that I recognized immediately, one that everyone would recognize, one that says “fall is here, and it’s all right”… APPLES…! I could smell the apples more than a mile before I topped that small hill and found the orchard. I rode into a part of Wisconsin I never knew existed. A place I am sure the locals take for granted without knowing how impressive arriving here really was. The next 15 or 20 miles was through some of the best apple country in the Midwest. Orchard after orchard of apple trees all bearing fruit and roadside stands popping out of the countryside like sweet smelling fragrant oases.  Each one with it’s own unique hand painted sign and a wide variety of all the bounty of the earth fall has to offer. Roadside stands offering apple cider, apple juice, and apples of all varieties alongside squash, pumpkins, corn and gourds. You could get it all from these friendly little markets not 50 feet off that fabulous road. And all the while, the sweet, heady aroma of apples mixed with fallen leaves, and the crisp clean air only found away from suburbia. A smiling Grandmother, busy waving off yellow jackets greeted me as I stepped off my ‘Wing and made my way toward her conveniently placed outdoor rocking chair. I told her I didn’t want to buy anything but I wanted to share with her that I could smell her orchard more than a mile away and to thank her for sharing this little piece of heaven with me as I passed by. With a smile that did little to hide her amusement at my fascination and a self-conscious “Thank you” she quickly dismissed me as a roving lunatic who stumbled onto her property. Nevertheless, being the ever-polite shopkeeper she allowed me my little indulgence.

Knowing that my lunch stop was not too far away I continued along Highway 171 until I reached the small town called Boaz. Not more than a stop sign and a few houses, I turned north looking for the metropolis called Richland Center. I found I was close to the western edge and followed the signs for Highway 14 into the city. Before I came into the city proper, I was again surprised by what I saw. At the VFW they had set up a permanent display honoring all of those who have served our country. I was proud to be able to stop and take a few pictures of my trusty classic Wing among all those American flags. The picture doesn’t do the setting justice as I have only captured about ½ the flags in the scene. There are polished granite monuments and markers that list all the names of those who made the supreme sacrifice from the area and a truly humbling site this was.

After spending a few moments reflecting on my freedoms I threw a leg over my ‘Wing and started back on the road into town. Finding a fast food restaurant that apparently met with many of the locals’ approval (it was very crowded) I spent a short while relaxing and reminiscing on the fine morning I had spent already. Taking inventory of the day, I realized that I had covered almost 250 miles and been at the Mississippi River, found a great curvy road, visited the apple hill area and seen a fantastic memorial. Not a bad way to spend a morning off from work. I had stopped for fuel a few times and was averaging close to 43 MPG on my 1985 GL1200 Aspencade that had turned 65,000 miles as I left the driveway this morning. I knew my runaway trip was now on the downward side and felt a twinge of regret that it had gone so quickly.

I left the lunch station, and stopped in by Vetesniks Power Sports and made some small talk with the sales staff while I rested and digested. A brief tour of their facility and I knew why they are one of the premier dealers in our area, a clean well kept showroom, a variety of products, and a friendly knowledgeable service staff.

“135 miles left to get home” I thought as I climbed back onto my ‘Wing and headed East on Highway 14. A quick run home and the Indian Summer Runaway 2005 would be over. But I was ready for the trail home… I wanted to hit my driveway before the ever shortening, fall day turned to darkness and I had the opportunity to meet another Wisconsin creature – a deer- too close up and personal.