May 2024. A meet up in Viroqua, a little camping, and a croissant.
Day 1.
Meandering down to Viroqua to meet up with my dad around 4:00. I like to start these weekends with an all day, solo ramble with just a loose idea of where I'm going. Today's goal was to drift around on some Zen roads, and to make it to the meetup spot roughly on time.
River road, following the Tremealeau west out of Arcadia.
Stringing Zen roads together, bringing me closer to La Crosse.
E out of Alma bypassing Cream on Bank Hill Road.
95 to River Road south to P.
Bambenek Rd/ Dodge Hill Rd, out of Dodge of all places.
G to 93 to Norway Valley Rd.
T to 53 to Galesville for a snack.
A stop at Buena Vista Park first.
A Zen road. A perfect Guzzi road.
I just want hours of this.
Checking in on The Cut.
All geared up for camping, brought a warmer sleeping bag this year.
West Fork of the Kickapoo.
Best camp sites around, lots of room in May.
Day 2.
Lunch at the Saint Francis Hermitage. It was a cold wet morning. We were a little out of place in our rain gear and boots but, the nuns welcomed us into the main dining room anyway. The whole experience was up lifting and set the tone for the rest of the day.
Rain.
Some riding. Lunch! Some more riding.
Followed by sunset around the campfire.
With a little scotch.
What a treat!
Heading home after spending some quality time in the outdoors with my dad.
I forget exactly where this picture was taken.
I think I went down to De Soto before heading back north.
The road north.
Mississippi River backwaters.
Lake Pepin, the Chippewa, and the Mississippi river valley.
I stopped at the Eagle Center in Wabasha.
I learned that they are all juvenile bald eagles.
There is a population of golden eagles that visit Wisconsin but,
it's very small and they only stop by in February.
What do you know, an eagle!
Another great spring ride in the books. Looking forward to next year! (Lord willing and the creek don't rise.)
- Ride North
May 31st - June 2nd | 70s and rain | 575 mi. | 13.5h moving time