Chapter H will have a meeting on January 9th at the Chapter H Club House. We will start at 1:00 p.m. Munchies in the afternoon and then Potluck in the late afternoon/evening. We are going to work on our blankets that we will be donating to Operation First Response.
Meeting will be to follow and conducted by our new Chapter Directors, Pam and Bob.
Saturday, December 12, 2009
Chapter H Christmas Party
We had our Chapter H Christmas Party tonight at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines. Weather cooperated allowing several of our members to attend. Thank you to Dennis and Donna Pittman, our meeting area looked very festive and got us in the Holiday spirit. We had many good munchies as we visited as people arrived. We had supper with good food, a lot of laughs and great friendship.
Much to the surprise of Steve and Connie, they received a plaque of recognition for their years of service as Chapter Directors, a nice card and gift.
After the meal, we got in a circle and played a gift exchange game. Everyone brought a gift labeled male or female gift. We each started out with a gift and as a story was read about The Right family, as right or left was read, that was the direction the gift was passed. It was fun and some got confused about which direction to pass the gifts on next. At the end, each person ended up with a gift and opened it. We really enjoyed seeing some of our friends that hadn't been able to attend for awhile and we did get to talk on the phone to our "snow bird couple, Bill and Dee".
Thank you to everyone for making this a fun party.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
December
Wow, December already! The weather hadn't been too bad until this past few days when we were hit with a snow storm that became a blizzard. Our area ended up with almost 16 inches of snow and drifts that are several feet high. This is like the snow storms I remember as a kid. I hope everyone stayed safe warm and dry. At least we had electricity and heat even with all the strong winds. Already have so much snow piled in the yard, not sure where to put more if it comes. I am sure everyone has their own story about this storm that will be shared for some time.
Our snow birds sure had the right idea and now more will be leaving right before or after Christmas.
Our Chapter Christmas Party is this Saturday, December 12th at 4:00 p.m. at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines. We will be bringing snacks and sweets for the party. We will be eating supper there at the restaurant. Members that want to participate in the gift exchange game - please remember your wrapped gift labeled man, woman or either. Sounds like the weather will be cold but no more of the white stuff forecast until late Sunday. Looking forward to fun and being with friends.
We hope that everyone has safe travels as they go to be with family over the Christmas season.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous safe fun New Year in 2010.
Our first meeting of the New Year will be January 9th but location and time will be different. More to come on that later.
Our snow birds sure had the right idea and now more will be leaving right before or after Christmas.
Our Chapter Christmas Party is this Saturday, December 12th at 4:00 p.m. at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines. We will be bringing snacks and sweets for the party. We will be eating supper there at the restaurant. Members that want to participate in the gift exchange game - please remember your wrapped gift labeled man, woman or either. Sounds like the weather will be cold but no more of the white stuff forecast until late Sunday. Looking forward to fun and being with friends.
We hope that everyone has safe travels as they go to be with family over the Christmas season.
Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous safe fun New Year in 2010.
Our first meeting of the New Year will be January 9th but location and time will be different. More to come on that later.
November
Time really flies by... Hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. We are really grateful for all of our friends and family. We were really fortunate to have some great weather. We actually got to ride some in November.
Chapter H had their November meeting at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines. Some of our members were not able to attend and we have our Snow birds in Arizona. I am ready for someone else to take over as Chapter Director. We have had a good time and have done a lot of things together as a chapter. We thank everyone in our group for all that they do and we are grateful for their friendship. Pam and Bob Beveridge have stepped up and will be the 2010 Chapter Directors and Secretary. Our chapter is very much like a family and we have a lot of fun together. We will continue to have our blog as our newsletter and will keep our rides at the same location.. meeting Monday nights at Wynsong Theater in Johnston leaving at 6:30. We look forward to meeting, riding and friendship together next year.
The weather was about in the 50s the last Saturday in November so we took a ride up around Boone. We saw a small town called Mongoina... it has a couple of big businesses and a few houses and is right near Boone. We ate a late lunch at Colorado Grill ... kind of like an Applebees or Okoboji. Food was pretty good. We got back before the sun went down as it cooled off quickly. Connie had her electric gear on and her heated seat turned on to stay warm.
Chapter H had their November meeting at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines. Some of our members were not able to attend and we have our Snow birds in Arizona. I am ready for someone else to take over as Chapter Director. We have had a good time and have done a lot of things together as a chapter. We thank everyone in our group for all that they do and we are grateful for their friendship. Pam and Bob Beveridge have stepped up and will be the 2010 Chapter Directors and Secretary. Our chapter is very much like a family and we have a lot of fun together. We will continue to have our blog as our newsletter and will keep our rides at the same location.. meeting Monday nights at Wynsong Theater in Johnston leaving at 6:30. We look forward to meeting, riding and friendship together next year.
The weather was about in the 50s the last Saturday in November so we took a ride up around Boone. We saw a small town called Mongoina... it has a couple of big businesses and a few houses and is right near Boone. We ate a late lunch at Colorado Grill ... kind of like an Applebees or Okoboji. Food was pretty good. We got back before the sun went down as it cooled off quickly. Connie had her electric gear on and her heated seat turned on to stay warm.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Impromptu Gathering
Monday night, November 9th we plan to meet at the Mexican Restaurant on the square in Winterset. We have been there before and the food is very good.
Reminder, our chapter meeting will be Saturday, November 14th at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines, at 6:30 p.m.
Reminder, our chapter meeting will be Saturday, November 14th at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines, at 6:30 p.m.
November Impromptu Get together
Monday, November 2nd, the chapter decided to have an impromptu gathering and check out the new Smokey Row restaurant that opened in Des Moines. It is just off 235 near Martin Luther King road. It is a corner shaped building. There is a lot of room in the restaurant with a small parking lot and some side street parking. We had a several come and we had a great time! The food was good and there were many choices of salads, sandwiches, coffees, teas, desserts and more.
We have had supper rides to the Smokey Row in Pleasantville and this is set up very similar.
We have had supper rides to the Smokey Row in Pleasantville and this is set up very similar.
Fall colors
Steve and Connie rode out to Dubuque the 3rd weekend in October hoping to see some great fall leaves. Some had changed but not as many as expected. We stopped at the Field of Dreams film spot and checked that out. The weather was cool and windy.
We did a Riverboat ride down the Mississippi River on a Paddleboat cruise. It was chilly that day and the leaves were not as bright and colorful as we had expected. We did get to see some bald eagles flying over head.
We took a long ride as the weather began to warm up some and rode by Breitbachs Restaurant in Ball Town. It is now open although we didn't go inside to see what it looked like or to eat. The outside of the building looks a lot like it did after it burned the first time.
We did see a few colorful leaves and had a long ride over into the Wisconsin side and back down and across the river to Dubuque.
It seems like the leaves became more brilliant and colorful during the week after we got back from this trip.
Now in November, most of the leaves are gone or piling up in the yards to be raked and bagged.
We did a Riverboat ride down the Mississippi River on a Paddleboat cruise. It was chilly that day and the leaves were not as bright and colorful as we had expected. We did get to see some bald eagles flying over head.
We took a long ride as the weather began to warm up some and rode by Breitbachs Restaurant in Ball Town. It is now open although we didn't go inside to see what it looked like or to eat. The outside of the building looks a lot like it did after it burned the first time.
We did see a few colorful leaves and had a long ride over into the Wisconsin side and back down and across the river to Dubuque.
It seems like the leaves became more brilliant and colorful during the week after we got back from this trip.
Now in November, most of the leaves are gone or piling up in the yards to be raked and bagged.
Iowa's Best Tenderloin
Someone read in the newspaper that Goldies, in Prairie City, Iowa was voted as having the best tenderloins! So of course, we needed to go check this out!
Goldies is a very small ice cream stop that serves food. It has some tables and a few stools up to the counter. The tenderloins are very big and very good! Their ice cream is really good too!
The restaurant has been extremely busy more so than they every expected, since the article came out in the paper. We have been back several times and you may sometimes have to wait to find a place to sit, but the food is very good and worth the wait!
If you are 4 wheelin, go check out the Neal Smith Prairie/Wild Life refuge nearby. It is on gravel and you can drive through the park and see wildlife (unless they decide to hide from you). There is a large statue of a buffalo as you drive into Prairie City near the Caseys as you come into town.
Goldies is a very small ice cream stop that serves food. It has some tables and a few stools up to the counter. The tenderloins are very big and very good! Their ice cream is really good too!
The restaurant has been extremely busy more so than they every expected, since the article came out in the paper. We have been back several times and you may sometimes have to wait to find a place to sit, but the food is very good and worth the wait!
If you are 4 wheelin, go check out the Neal Smith Prairie/Wild Life refuge nearby. It is on gravel and you can drive through the park and see wildlife (unless they decide to hide from you). There is a large statue of a buffalo as you drive into Prairie City near the Caseys as you come into town.
Our first Chapter Meeting October 10th
We had our first fall meeting of GWTA Chapter H Friendship Riders of Iowa on Saturday, October 10th at 6:30 p.m. at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines. We reviewed our agenda and discussed several different things in our by-laws, keeping them the same. We renewed our Chapter Registration.
We discussed our Christmas party and it will be in December. More info to come later. We are having elections at our November meeting. We did vote on our Chapter Family of the Year for 2010! Congratulations to Pam and Bob.. we feel you are perfect to represent us.
our favorite Beveridges! :)
We continue to use our blog as our newsletter, so if you have something to add, please get it to us so we can put it on the blog. If you checked out a new restaurant, if you went to a GWTA event, something about your family, a trip or ride...whatever you want to share...
Nebraska Fall Follies.. there is some confusion on the dates, some say the second weekend in November and some say the weekend of the 21st. Not sure how many will be going this year.
We have some snow birds that are anxious to leave since the weather has been cooler already!
We are going to do the blankets again for Operation First Response at a get together in January. More details on that later.
The next Chapter Meeting is Saturday, November 14th at 6:30 p.m. at Felix and Oscars.
We discussed our Christmas party and it will be in December. More info to come later. We are having elections at our November meeting. We did vote on our Chapter Family of the Year for 2010! Congratulations to Pam and Bob.. we feel you are perfect to represent us.
our favorite Beveridges! :)We continue to use our blog as our newsletter, so if you have something to add, please get it to us so we can put it on the blog. If you checked out a new restaurant, if you went to a GWTA event, something about your family, a trip or ride...whatever you want to share...
Nebraska Fall Follies.. there is some confusion on the dates, some say the second weekend in November and some say the weekend of the 21st. Not sure how many will be going this year.
We have some snow birds that are anxious to leave since the weather has been cooler already!
We are going to do the blankets again for Operation First Response at a get together in January. More details on that later.
The next Chapter Meeting is Saturday, November 14th at 6:30 p.m. at Felix and Oscars.
September Supper Rides and Impromtu
Our September supper rides were fun. We had some that decided to 4 wheel it, but those of us that rode had a chilly ride but enjoyed the conversation and good time. We had several come to the Kin Folks supper and we had a great time!
October was to be impromptu rides but as the weather seems to be getting cooler and surprise! snow!! we only had one ride, still with some 4 wheeling.
October was to be impromptu rides but as the weather seems to be getting cooler and surprise! snow!! we only had one ride, still with some 4 wheeling.
Applefest in Woodbine
The last weekend in September, some of our members decided to ride over to Woodbine for Applefest. The temperatures were cool in the morning and we got a few sprinkles but when we got to Woodbine, the sun came out and it was a very nice day. The guys found a place to sit and visit and the girls took off up town and checked out the many gift and craft ideas at the craft show and checked out the flea market. We went back and joined the guys for the Chapter Z get together with really good food, entertainment and a camp fire.
We stayed at a motel and then worked our way back home going through the Loess Hills and back roads. It was a good weekend. We always enjoy it and we thank Chapter Z for their hospitality and great time!
Mrs Welaxn
We stayed at a motel and then worked our way back home going through the Loess Hills and back roads. It was a good weekend. We always enjoy it and we thank Chapter Z for their hospitality and great time!
Mrs Welaxn
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Restaurant update The Rumor Mill is closed
In case anyone was wondering, The Rumor Mill in St Charles is closed. It opened the next day with a new owner and a new name. Eats and Sweets. They do have pizza but it is not prepared in the cast iron skillets... they said because it takes too long. yes, it did seem to take longer but they were really good pizzas and stayed hot to the last bite. Some have already tried the new restaurant and said the food was ok.
Will just need to find another restaurant that serves good pizza prepared in cast iron skillets.
Will just need to find another restaurant that serves good pizza prepared in cast iron skillets.
Supper Rides and More
Wow, September already? Where is summer? We had a few hot days, then some really cool days, and now Indian summer. Leaves on the trees are already starting to change? What is going on?
We have had some good supper rides and some great places to eat. We had a mystery ride on August 31st and went to Benchwarmers in Ankeny. They always have good service and good food. We always are very careful around the TV Stands on the walls there. Don't want to receive a concussion like Glen got one time.
Labor Day, was To be announced, but with everyone gone doing things with family, we didn't have a ride.
Some went to the Davis Rally... It sounds like several riders had some difficulties. Dave and Betty Oleson from Minnesota had an accident and Dave is not doing well. Betty was having wrist surgery today, Thursday...Sending our heartfelt thoughts and prayers their way.
Monday Sept. 14th was our first ride led by our ride captain, Bill since they returned. We had a great ride to Georgio's in Colfax and had a good group there. Since Bill and Dee will be gone on their anniversary, we gave Dee a sympathy card, and then them both a 50th Anniversary card. Dee laughed.. not sure what Bill was really thinking :) We love you both and missed you being gone a whole month.
September 21st we are going to Italian Village in Adel...if it rains as forecast, we can 4 wheel it.
Monday, September 28th, we are going to Kin Folks in Altoona. That will be the last of our official supper rides.
Saturday, September 26th is Applefest in Woodbine. This is a great time. I think some of us plan to go for the day. Chapter Z Nebraska usually does a ride and is a chance to connect with more friends.
October will be Impromptu rides if anyone wants to ride and the weather is good.
Colorama is October 9-11 in Harrison Arkansas this year.
Some of us are not going to be able to go. Our first fall Chapter meeting is Saturday, October 1oth at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines at 6:30 p.m. We have several very important issues to discuss at this meeting.
Everyone be very alert and Be safe
We have had some good supper rides and some great places to eat. We had a mystery ride on August 31st and went to Benchwarmers in Ankeny. They always have good service and good food. We always are very careful around the TV Stands on the walls there. Don't want to receive a concussion like Glen got one time.
Labor Day, was To be announced, but with everyone gone doing things with family, we didn't have a ride.
Some went to the Davis Rally... It sounds like several riders had some difficulties. Dave and Betty Oleson from Minnesota had an accident and Dave is not doing well. Betty was having wrist surgery today, Thursday...Sending our heartfelt thoughts and prayers their way.
Monday Sept. 14th was our first ride led by our ride captain, Bill since they returned. We had a great ride to Georgio's in Colfax and had a good group there. Since Bill and Dee will be gone on their anniversary, we gave Dee a sympathy card, and then them both a 50th Anniversary card. Dee laughed.. not sure what Bill was really thinking :) We love you both and missed you being gone a whole month.
September 21st we are going to Italian Village in Adel...if it rains as forecast, we can 4 wheel it.
Monday, September 28th, we are going to Kin Folks in Altoona. That will be the last of our official supper rides.
Saturday, September 26th is Applefest in Woodbine. This is a great time. I think some of us plan to go for the day. Chapter Z Nebraska usually does a ride and is a chance to connect with more friends.
October will be Impromptu rides if anyone wants to ride and the weather is good.
Colorama is October 9-11 in Harrison Arkansas this year.
Some of us are not going to be able to go. Our first fall Chapter meeting is Saturday, October 1oth at Felix and Oscars in West Des Moines at 6:30 p.m. We have several very important issues to discuss at this meeting.
Everyone be very alert and Be safe
Friday, August 7, 2009
Restaurant in Davenport
We love just going for a ride and ending up at a different town, sometimes state, just to try out a new restaurant. We rode with Darl and Melissa to Davenport, a weekend or so ago and ate at Thunder Bay. On Sunday's only, they have a Brunch buffet... you can have breakfast or lunch. The atmosphere reminds you of being in a log cabin, with fireplace, log furniture, and a canoe as a light over the table, (you would need to see it!) or an antler chandelier. The food was great, Breakfast buffet was REALLY good, and lunch side of buffet included smoked salmon, catfish and shrimp and more.
We rode the river road as far as Clinton and then headed back towards home on back roads. We were on some roads we hadn't been on before. The wind came up and was blowing pretty hard by afternoon.
Great ride and got home safely.
I love this great riding weather!
We rode the river road as far as Clinton and then headed back towards home on back roads. We were on some roads we hadn't been on before. The wind came up and was blowing pretty hard by afternoon.
Great ride and got home safely.
I love this great riding weather!
Tour Master riding Gear
On hot days, A lot of people look at us like we are crazy and ask us how we can stand to wear our full gear when riding! We wear our jacket, riding pants, and gloves, and full face helmet
(with the flip down sun shades :)
We have the Tour Master Jacket and pants that have zip out linings. They have a quilted liner, rain liner, mesh jacket, and an outer layer. The same set up for the riding pants. They are a very nice, multi-season riding gear.
What people do not realize is that the mesh jacket and pants are actually very cool. The air flows through the mesh and keeps you quite cool. You can wear shorts under the mesh pants.
We also have gloves that have mesh between the fingers and an air dam on the back of the glove, allowing air to flow through.
There is a guy that I work with that bought a riding jacket and full face helmet. He hit a deer on his bike one day and after seeing how his riding gear protected him, it made me a believer in wearing this to keep safe.
(with the flip down sun shades :)
We have the Tour Master Jacket and pants that have zip out linings. They have a quilted liner, rain liner, mesh jacket, and an outer layer. The same set up for the riding pants. They are a very nice, multi-season riding gear.
What people do not realize is that the mesh jacket and pants are actually very cool. The air flows through the mesh and keeps you quite cool. You can wear shorts under the mesh pants.
We also have gloves that have mesh between the fingers and an air dam on the back of the glove, allowing air to flow through.
There is a guy that I work with that bought a riding jacket and full face helmet. He hit a deer on his bike one day and after seeing how his riding gear protected him, it made me a believer in wearing this to keep safe.
August Supper Rides and More
Monday, August 3rd, our supper ride was to Winterset to their Sports Page. We had 3 bikes and several drove (for various reasons). It was soooo good to see Don and LaVone there. She looks great and is happy to be out and about. Pam and Bob had made it back from Goldrush with many stories to tell as well. Patti was there back from their trip (Rick was out of town for work). Ask her about their Train ride, a package they had purchased at a Colorama auction. Bill and Dee, our newer retirees are off with their "camping train" on a month long trip somewhere in Colorado.
Sunday, August 9th is Iowa Chapter J's Fun Run... check out Iowa's site www.iowagwta.com
for details.
Remaining Monday night supper rides for August:
Next week, Monday August 10th we are going to Polk City Papa's Pizzeria
Monday, August 17th, LaCasa mexican in Indianola
Monday, August 24, Jimmy's BBQ in Boone
Iowa's GWTA Fun Fest (State event) is in Storm Lake Iowa, August 14th and 15th, with a fun run, food, auction and more.
Davis Rally is September 11, 12 and 13th, in New Hampton.
Don't forget Woodbines, Applefest, Saturday, September 26th. The town has quite a celebration and lots of friends to visit with.
Everyone please do safety checks on your bikes, tires, and trailors before taking off on a ride or long trip. It can save a lot of heartache and you can catch a problem before it is too late.
Everyone ride safe
Sunday, August 9th is Iowa Chapter J's Fun Run... check out Iowa's site www.iowagwta.com
for details.
Remaining Monday night supper rides for August:
Next week, Monday August 10th we are going to Polk City Papa's Pizzeria
Monday, August 17th, LaCasa mexican in Indianola
Monday, August 24, Jimmy's BBQ in Boone
Iowa's GWTA Fun Fest (State event) is in Storm Lake Iowa, August 14th and 15th, with a fun run, food, auction and more.
Davis Rally is September 11, 12 and 13th, in New Hampton.
Don't forget Woodbines, Applefest, Saturday, September 26th. The town has quite a celebration and lots of friends to visit with.
Everyone please do safety checks on your bikes, tires, and trailors before taking off on a ride or long trip. It can save a lot of heartache and you can catch a problem before it is too late.
Everyone ride safe
July 27th Supper ride
Monday, July 27th, was our supper ride to Hickory Park in Ames. We had good weather and a good group showed up. It was so good to see Donna ride her own bike to the restaurant. Jerry and Jan met us there.
We continue to send healing thoughts to LaVone and Don.
We continue to send healing thoughts to LaVone and Don.
Heard about Jay
After arriving home from our Goldrush vacation/trip, we heard that Jay Liniger from Iowa's Chapter J had an accident after blowing a trailor tire when he was in Arkansas. He is home recovering and we send our thoughts and prayers his way for a quick recovery.
Well wishes go out to anyone else that had difficulties to, at or on their way home from Goldrush.
Well wishes go out to anyone else that had difficulties to, at or on their way home from Goldrush.
Saturday, July 18th and then Home Sunday
We got up, had breakfast and headed south and west. We passed the Trail of Tears State park and then crossed into Missouri. We rode into the Mark Twain Forrest, up and around some hilly, winding roads. There were many trees totally uprooted and laying all over the hillsides. It looked like a tornado had gone through. At a small town gas station, we found out that they had a storm in May that had involved a lot of wind and strong wind. Scientists decided that it was an Inland Hurricane. Hadn't heard of that before. 
We rode some great roads and saw some awesome scenery. We landed in Rolla MO for the night. We found a new Super 8, very nice place to stay. Rolla is part of Route 66 and there was a gas station and curio shop nearby.
Sunday, we are up and on the rode again, this time on our way home to Iowa. It was a great trip and we had a really good time traveling with friends, seeing new scenery and visiting and making new friends. Everyone made it home safely.
Friday July 17th Goldrush is Over
We needed to let the campers dry out so headed to breakfast. We ate at the Waffle House.. ask Bill about his "Most Embarrassing" moment... 
My new friend!
We headed back to the campgrounds, folded up the campers. Jon and Rosalee headed to Tennesee to see "Elvis" and spend more time riding and enjoying the roads.
Rick and Patti are still camping with their family. Bill and Dee, and we headed towards home, taking the entire weekend to get there. We headed back up through Louisville and then took HWY 62, a wonderful winding twisty tree covered road. Amazing, after the rain, the weather is much cooler. We heard that Iowa was having a record low as well.
We stopped at a wonderful restaurant that overlooked the Ohio River... lunch with an amazing view.
My new friend!
We went through Indiana, back into western edge of Kentucky and were ready to start looking for a motel... only to find none available for miles. We found out that Kentucky has a town named Sturgis, and Little Sturgis was beginning for the weekend. Bikers were everywhere and the nearest motel available was about 100 miles away, in Benton Illinois. We finally arrived about 9:30 p.m. thankful to have a place to rest.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Thursday, July 16th, 2009 Goldrush Kentucky
This is the last day of Goldrush. Everyone was having such a great time checking out the scenery. Some members were going to the Convention center and doing things there. Some of us decided to do more riding. We had heard about a castle in the near by area, so were on the hunt for it. We found it. It is an amazing castle. Apparently you can stay in it over night for a handsome price.We decided to continue to ride and ended up at Frankfort, the capitol of Kentucky, and of course had to have "Kentucky Fried Chicken".... we had grilled ;)
We found this horse farm, where they mow the fields so the blue grass can come in. Some amazing farms here.
We had a great time and by the time we got back we were all ready to sit and cool off in the shade. We went to Sams for supper, then back to rest at the camp grounds.
We had a great time and by the time we got back we were all ready to sit and cool off in the shade. We went to Sams for supper, then back to rest at the camp grounds.Rick and Patti's son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter arrived and camped with them, then were all going back to their house for a few days.
We had rain during the night so will let the campers dry a bit Friday a.m. before tearing down and slowly heading back to Iowa.
more to come....
Wednesday, July 15th Goldrush in Kentucky
Wednesday, we decided to go check out the Kentucky Horse park, just down the road from the campgrounds. Man of War was buried there, there was a Thoroughbred museum and a working horse farm. You could spend hours there. 2010, Lexington will hold the World Equine Fair, first time in the United States.
We took off for a ride and found some really nice roads, up and down hills covered with a canopy of trees. We saw some beautiful areas of Kentucky.
.
There were many farms with horses and either the white or black wooden fences surrounding the farms. We stopped to get a drink of water at a gas station and the raindrops started, so we returned to the campgrounds. The rain caught up and we holed up in the campers for awhile. The shower didn't last long and we soon were all out at the picnic table in the shade. We went to supper at SAMS, a truckstop restaurant with really good food. They also serve a local favorite, Kentucky Browns... a large plate of 1/2 sandwich of turkey, covered with bacon, cheese, onion and more.
We took off for a ride and found some really nice roads, up and down hills covered with a canopy of trees. We saw some beautiful areas of Kentucky.
.
There were many farms with horses and either the white or black wooden fences surrounding the farms. We stopped to get a drink of water at a gas station and the raindrops started, so we returned to the campgrounds. The rain caught up and we holed up in the campers for awhile. The shower didn't last long and we soon were all out at the picnic table in the shade. We went to supper at SAMS, a truckstop restaurant with really good food. They also serve a local favorite, Kentucky Browns... a large plate of 1/2 sandwich of turkey, covered with bacon, cheese, onion and more. Congratulations to Rick for winning a trophy at the Bike show.
Pam and Bob had left early to go on down to see family since they were so close.
We had a relaxing evening at the campgrounds and enjoyed visiting with others.
A couple of vendors from the convention center, had heard about our "giant" campers and came out to see our Bunkhouse. We had the 8 X 10 add-a-room set up with the camper and they were amazed to find out that we had a king size bed and air conditioner. They were from Alabama and said they had started the first GWTA chapter in Alabama. We enjoyed their visit.
While doing laundry, we visited with a couple from Canada that were vacationing and wanting to see horses. We also visited with a gentleman from Denmark that was traveling. He loved the motorcycles and said the people in the United States were so friendly, helpful and interesting.
Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 Goldrush in Kentucky
Tuesday a.m. was the Living Logo, some members went to do this. 
We decided to go check out the country side.
We went to the Daniel Boone National forest to ride. Beautiful hilly, winding, twisty roads, with lots of history in the area.
We decided to go check out the country side.We had breakfast and then decided to go for a ride. We headed out of town, with some U-turn practice out of the way :) We did find that at least in the area we rode, they do not really have gravel roads in Kentucky... some are very narrow and are tree covered, a lush canopy of trees overhead.
We went to the Daniel Boone National forest to ride. Beautiful hilly, winding, twisty roads, with lots of history in the area.We passed tobacco fields, in various stages of growth. There were places in the trees where a green vine had invaded the area and totally covered everything in the area. Jon said it had been brought over from Europe 
as a ground cover but got out of control and can actually kill the trees and bushes that it covers.
as a ground cover but got out of control and can actually kill the trees and bushes that it covers. We passed a building that had been used as a hospital during the Cival War. There was a fort that you could go see and so much more but ran out of time. We headed back to campgrounds to cool off, as the temperatures remained in the upper 80's with high humidity.
We enjoyed the coolness of the shade at our campsites.
There was so much to see and do at the convention center and to ride in the country side and see.
We visited with others in the campground and one of the GWTA members put together a group of us, about 25 GWTA members that were also camping there at the campgrounds, and we did a light parade for the campground. Other people that were camping sat in lawn chairs near their campers and along the road, and we covered the entire campground. Everyone seemed to have a great time.
Monday July 13th, Goldrush in Lexington, Kentucky
Everyone was up early and went to breakfast and then the Convention center. It was great to have CB's and between other GWTA members, help locate the Center. We parked in a parking ramp near the center. Registration went smoothly and we had a little time to visit before going in. Iowa sat together. Chapter H, Friendship Riders of Iowa, had 10 members present at opening ceremonies. We received the schedule of events and found that next Year, Goldrush returns to Billings, Montana.
Congratulations to our Region C Family of the Year, Doug and Michelle Sullivan and daughter-
for being selected as the 2009 National Family of the Year.
At opening ceremonies, Region C donated over $1,000.00 for Helping Hands.
We went and checked out the Vendors and the guys all drooled over the chrome and lights.
There was even the opportunity to do some crab racing, with some of the proceeds going to Helping Hands.
We decided to do a short ride back to the campgrounds.
The horse farms are amazing with either white or black painted wooden fences surrounding the farms and horses. The fields are mowed so the blue grass can grow. The horses are treated like Royalty... It was beautiful.
We went to the Man o War Harley Tailgate party... Good BBQ and saw the Bowwow girls perform in the parking lot.
There was a light parade and ice cream stop afterwards. Some members attended the ride.
Congratulations to our Region C Family of the Year, Doug and Michelle Sullivan and daughter-
for being selected as the 2009 National Family of the Year.
At opening ceremonies, Region C donated over $1,000.00 for Helping Hands.
We went and checked out the Vendors and the guys all drooled over the chrome and lights.
There was even the opportunity to do some crab racing, with some of the proceeds going to Helping Hands.
We decided to do a short ride back to the campgrounds.
The horse farms are amazing with either white or black painted wooden fences surrounding the farms and horses. The fields are mowed so the blue grass can grow. The horses are treated like Royalty... It was beautiful.
We went to the Man o War Harley Tailgate party... Good BBQ and saw the Bowwow girls perform in the parking lot.
There was a light parade and ice cream stop afterwards. Some members attended the ride.
Goldrush Lexington Kentucky
Sunday, we were up bright and early and off again. We heard from Pam and Bob and they had arrived safely at a town ahead of us and were leaving later than we were.
We were amazed to see so many working oil stations pumping oil in both Illinois and Indiana. We had the time change as we arrived in Indiana. Cell phones changed but the GPS on the 1800's did not.
We were surprised at the change in scenery as we went south in Indiana towards Louisville Kentucky... We were on some very winding, hilly, twisty roads. Would have been much more fun to ride not pulling the campers.
Not likely to find ice in the tunnel when it is 88 degrees with 98 % humidity!
We arrived safely at the Kentucky Horse Park Campground and set up camp. It was a very shady nice campground. We were just setting the finishing touches, when Pam and Bob and friends arrived. We ordered Pizza and had it delivered to our campers and had a picnic, cooling off and relaxing. Tomorrow was a big day! Rick and Patti arrived and set up across the drive from us.
Goldrush 2009 Lexington Kentucky
Goldrush was a great time. It was held in Lexington Kentucky from July 13 to the 16th.
Chapter H, Friendship Riders of Iowa had 10 members present at Opening Ceremonies.
We left early Saturday a.m., July 11th and traveled with Bill and Dee, Jon and Rosalee ( and their Hitchhiker... as far as Knoxville!) It was a very warm day as the day progressed. We skirted through St Louis and landed in Carlyle, Illinois the first night.
Chapter H, Friendship Riders of Iowa had 10 members present at Opening Ceremonies.
We left early Saturday a.m., July 11th and traveled with Bill and Dee, Jon and Rosalee ( and their Hitchhiker... as far as Knoxville!) It was a very warm day as the day progressed. We skirted through St Louis and landed in Carlyle, Illinois the first night.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Picture of the Guys
OK, in the June post with the pictures.... The picture of the backs of Dennis, Jon, Steve and Bill looking out at the lake....
Don't you just wonder what the four guys are up to?
Mrs Welaxn :)
Don't you just wonder what the four guys are up to?
Mrs Welaxn :)
Members travel - Great Friends
Our group loves to travel, many go to see children and family. Or just take a long weekend or a long ride to go out to eat!
Jan and Jerry go to Colorado and to see that beautiful grandbaby girl.
Don and LaVone are used to traveling but have had to put a hold on things for now until she is feeling and doing much better.
Bill and Dee, recent retirees, go to Missouri to see their kids and recently took a trip to New York to Americade rally, via their "train." Ask Bill about New York :) They returned in time to join us, go to Door County in Wisconsin and go to Region C in Chippewa Falls.
We have a wonderful group that support each other, visit, laugh and have a great time. Truly great friends!
Jan and Jerry go to Colorado and to see that beautiful grandbaby girl.
Don and LaVone are used to traveling but have had to put a hold on things for now until she is feeling and doing much better.
Bill and Dee, recent retirees, go to Missouri to see their kids and recently took a trip to New York to Americade rally, via their "train." Ask Bill about New York :) They returned in time to join us, go to Door County in Wisconsin and go to Region C in Chippewa Falls.
We have a wonderful group that support each other, visit, laugh and have a great time. Truly great friends!
July supper rides
Our first ride in July was to Winterset to the Mexican Restaurant.
We celebrated all members birthdays with a cake, courtesy of Dee.
Many of our members will be going to Goldrush this year in Lexington Kentucky. Dates are July 13 to 16th. We will arrive by Sunday before and ride the area and return the end of the week. We look forward to seeing friends and making new ones as always. There is always a lot to see and do at Goldrush.
Supper rides
July 13th Sports Page in Indianola
July 20th Family Table in Osceola
July 27th Hickory Park in Ames
We celebrated all members birthdays with a cake, courtesy of Dee.
Many of our members will be going to Goldrush this year in Lexington Kentucky. Dates are July 13 to 16th. We will arrive by Sunday before and ride the area and return the end of the week. We look forward to seeing friends and making new ones as always. There is always a lot to see and do at Goldrush.
Supper rides
July 13th Sports Page in Indianola
July 20th Family Table in Osceola
July 27th Hickory Park in Ames
July is busy as well
Hope everyone had a Happy 4th of July... We thank all the veterans and those serving our country for the many sacrifices they make and have made for our Freedoms. Everyone celebrated in their own way. We took a trip up to NW Iowa, SW Minnesota for the 4th of July Weekend. On our way up we saw in Sac City, the World's Largest Popcorn Ball... 900 pounds of popcorn! http://www.roadsideamerica.com/tip/9264
We stayed in Pipestone Minnesota, known for the stone that Native Americans considered sacred and used for making ceremonial pipes.
We stayed in Beresford South Dakota and watched Fireworks from our motel room window with a perfect view.
We send a special get well wish to one of our "Two Kids" and hope that she is recovering quickly so she can get this all over, put on her dancing shoes and be able to ride again. We miss you, LaVone.
We stayed in Pipestone Minnesota, known for the stone that Native Americans considered sacred and used for making ceremonial pipes.
We stayed in Beresford South Dakota and watched Fireworks from our motel room window with a perfect view.
We send a special get well wish to one of our "Two Kids" and hope that she is recovering quickly so she can get this all over, put on her dancing shoes and be able to ride again. We miss you, LaVone.
June was a busy month
Several members vacationed early before Region C Rally that was held in Chippewa Falls Wisconsin from June 12 to 14th, 2009.
We rode up and camped in a campground less than 1/2 mile from Lake Michigan. It was cool and rainy the first few days, but we saw many cool sites and rode up into Door County.
It was really windy and cool and decided not to take the Ferry to the island that day.
We did get to have some Very Fresh Fish at an ice Cream store, imagine that!
While we were gone we got the news that a friend and fellow GWTA rider was killed in a motorcycle accident. Bob Anderson loved to talk and was always there to visit with at Colorama and other events in other states. He will be missed. We send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his wife.
We arrived at Chippewa Falls for the GWTA Tail Gate party... There was a good show of members from different chapters and states. Chapter H had 12 members present. Great showing. We camped and rode some of the great rides.
We checked out the Ice Age National Trail... lakes left from a glacier ...
The food was good at Region C. We got to visit with some of our friends and made new ones.
We played "Dirty Bingo" and came home with some "prizes." They had many items for auction.
There was plenty to do and see. Next year Region C will be held in Spearfish, South Dakota.
Happy Father's Day to all the dads and grandfathers.
June supper rides, held on Monday nights were
Roadside Inn in Martensdale
Georgios in Colfax
PJ's in Panora-hottest day of the year so far
Rumor Mill in St Charles.
We have had some good supper rides and enjoy the friendship of all.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Route 66 World's largest Rocker
We went to SE Missouri and camped at a KOA at Stanton Missouri. We found some amazing roads to ride, near Pitousi.. We had one that was 2 miles long with 97 curves, Rosalee counted!!
We also found a quaint gas station, restaurant that had seating for people in an old Railroad cabboose. It looked like you walked back in time to an old General store. Pretty cool.
We did ride on Route 66 and found the World's largest rocking chair. Amazing. It is in the Guiness book.
It is 42 feet, 4 inches tall
Weighs 27, 500 pounds
is 20 feet across!
There was a gift shop at the same location.You can click on pictures to enlarge and view closer.
Monday night supper rides
Monday night supper rides have started.. our first one was to Adel to the Italian villages. We had a good ride to it. Since Bill and Dee have retired, we have the option of someone different leading the rides if they choose. We also went to Benchwarmers in Ankeny.. no rain this time. We also got to watch Shawn Johnson on Dancing with the Stars.
We did a city/country ride to Los Tres Amigos.in Waukee. Ben and Sherrill met us there, as well as Jan.
Connie and i rode the Operation First Reponse Charity ride. PJ Sesker was really glad to see us. It was very chilly and windy so there were maybe a dozen bikes and several classic cars and trucks. The ride ended at the parking lot near Stoney Creek. Food was provided and a concert by Jason Brown, followed by an auction. It was a good day even though it was chilly.
We went to the Roadside Inn on June 1st, via 4 wheels because of the rain. We had a good time, as always.
June 8th is Smokey Row in Pleasantville. Several of us are going to go to Wisconsin early and ride and then end up at Chippewa Falls for Region C.
June 15th, we will ride to Georgio's in Colfax.
You can find a more complete list on the Iowa GWTA web site.
We did a city/country ride to Los Tres Amigos.in Waukee. Ben and Sherrill met us there, as well as Jan.
Connie and i rode the Operation First Reponse Charity ride. PJ Sesker was really glad to see us. It was very chilly and windy so there were maybe a dozen bikes and several classic cars and trucks. The ride ended at the parking lot near Stoney Creek. Food was provided and a concert by Jason Brown, followed by an auction. It was a good day even though it was chilly.
We went to the Roadside Inn on June 1st, via 4 wheels because of the rain. We had a good time, as always.
June 8th is Smokey Row in Pleasantville. Several of us are going to go to Wisconsin early and ride and then end up at Chippewa Falls for Region C.
June 15th, we will ride to Georgio's in Colfax.
You can find a more complete list on the Iowa GWTA web site.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Happy May Day 1st Supper ride on Monday
Happy May Day
My wife was asking this one: Does anyone remember the days as a kid when you took a small May basket, one that was made of construction paper or a paper cup and pipe cleaner handles, filled with violets and cookies or candy in it, sneaked up to a friends door, knocked on it and ran so they wouldn't see who left it? At least this was done in our small town on May 1st, May day. I don't think kids these days know anything about May baskets. My favorite was the snickerdoodle cookies.... they didn't make it to my friends house :) Maybe that dates us.....
Our first Chapter H supper ride starts Monday, May 4th. We meet in Johnston, Iowa, just north of Interstate 80, at the Wynnsong theater parking lot, and leave at 6:30 p.m. We will be going to Adel's Italian Villages after a nice ride. Weather sounds like it will be in upper 60's lower 70's until the sun goes down.
Connie and I took off on a quick weekend trip last Friday, destination.. Harrison, Arkansas (sunshine and warm temperatures and lots of green trees and flowers in bloom) to surprise Bill, Dee, Jon and Rosalee. We connected with them and had a nice evening meal on Saturday, breakfast together and headed back on Sunday. We heard horror stories about large storms and huge amounts of rain in Iowa and all around us but we kept dry all the way home. 1100 miles... It was a great trip!
See you Monday night...
Ride safe!
Steve
My wife was asking this one: Does anyone remember the days as a kid when you took a small May basket, one that was made of construction paper or a paper cup and pipe cleaner handles, filled with violets and cookies or candy in it, sneaked up to a friends door, knocked on it and ran so they wouldn't see who left it? At least this was done in our small town on May 1st, May day. I don't think kids these days know anything about May baskets. My favorite was the snickerdoodle cookies.... they didn't make it to my friends house :) Maybe that dates us.....
Our first Chapter H supper ride starts Monday, May 4th. We meet in Johnston, Iowa, just north of Interstate 80, at the Wynnsong theater parking lot, and leave at 6:30 p.m. We will be going to Adel's Italian Villages after a nice ride. Weather sounds like it will be in upper 60's lower 70's until the sun goes down.
Connie and I took off on a quick weekend trip last Friday, destination.. Harrison, Arkansas (sunshine and warm temperatures and lots of green trees and flowers in bloom) to surprise Bill, Dee, Jon and Rosalee. We connected with them and had a nice evening meal on Saturday, breakfast together and headed back on Sunday. We heard horror stories about large storms and huge amounts of rain in Iowa and all around us but we kept dry all the way home. 1100 miles... It was a great trip!
See you Monday night...
Ride safe!
Steve
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
May 16th Operation First Response Charity Ride
Schedule of events:
9:00am- 10:30am Registration 10:30am Drivers meeting
11:00am Cruise starts 12:00am- 3:00pm Car Show, auction & Concert
EMAIL: operationheroescruise@yahoo.com
_____________________________________________________________
Operation Heroes Cruise 2009 Registration and Release of Liability
Pre registration until May 1 - $15.00 After May 1 - $20.00
Mail to :Heroes Cruise 7102 Dakota Dr. West Des Moines, Ia. 50266
Make checks payable to: Operation Heroes Cruise
NAME_______________________________________________________
ADRESS_____________________________________________________
CITY __________________________ STATE___________ ZIP_______
PHONE_________________________
VEHICLE MAKE_______________ MODEL___________ YEAR_____
Release of Liability: In consideration of the acceptance of the right to participate, entrants and their guests, by the execution of this entry form release and discharge Operation First Response, the Rollin Relics Car Club, and anyone connected with the management and presentation of Operation Heroes Cruise of and from any and all known damages, injuries, losses, judgments and/or claims for any cause whatsoever that may be suffered to their person and/or property.
Signature of Participant_________________________ Date___________
Thanks to our Sponsors: Stoney Creek Inn & Buffalo Wild Wings
OPERATION
HEROES CRUISE
Presented by Stoney Creek Inn
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2009
WHERE: Starting at the Iowa Capital Building
( East 9th & Finkbine St. Des Moines, Iowa)
Ending at Stoney Creek Inn, Johnston, Ia.
WHAT: A fundraising cruise thru Des Moines, past scenic
sites ending in a car /bike show, auction & barbeque
with a concert by country music star Jason Brown
WHY: Many of our wounded HEROES need financial
assistance after returning home. Operation First
Response offers that support & help! WHO: Tom Ladd (Rollin Relics Car Club) 515-224-9147
P.J. Sesker-Green (Operation First Response) 515-986-5211
Dick Larsen (Rollin Relics Car Club) 515-957-8901
9:00am- 10:30am Registration 10:30am Drivers meeting
11:00am Cruise starts 12:00am- 3:00pm Car Show, auction & Concert
EMAIL: operationheroescruise@yahoo.com
_____________________________________________________________
Operation Heroes Cruise 2009 Registration and Release of Liability
Pre registration until May 1 - $15.00 After May 1 - $20.00
Mail to :Heroes Cruise 7102 Dakota Dr. West Des Moines, Ia. 50266
Make checks payable to: Operation Heroes Cruise
NAME_______________________________________________________
ADRESS_____________________________________________________
CITY __________________________ STATE___________ ZIP_______
PHONE_________________________
VEHICLE MAKE_______________ MODEL___________ YEAR_____
Release of Liability: In consideration of the acceptance of the right to participate, entrants and their guests, by the execution of this entry form release and discharge Operation First Response, the Rollin Relics Car Club, and anyone connected with the management and presentation of Operation Heroes Cruise of and from any and all known damages, injuries, losses, judgments and/or claims for any cause whatsoever that may be suffered to their person and/or property.
Signature of Participant_________________________ Date___________
Thanks to our Sponsors: Stoney Creek Inn & Buffalo Wild Wings
OPERATION
HEROES CRUISE
Presented by Stoney Creek Inn
WHEN: Saturday, May 16, 2009
WHERE: Starting at the Iowa Capital Building
( East 9th & Finkbine St. Des Moines, Iowa)
Ending at Stoney Creek Inn, Johnston, Ia.
WHAT: A fundraising cruise thru Des Moines, past scenic
sites ending in a car /bike show, auction & barbeque
with a concert by country music star Jason Brown
WHY: Many of our wounded HEROES need financial
assistance after returning home. Operation First
Response offers that support & help! WHO: Tom Ladd (Rollin Relics Car Club) 515-224-9147
P.J. Sesker-Green (Operation First Response) 515-986-5211
Dick Larsen (Rollin Relics Car Club) 515-957-8901
April Chapter H meeting
Our April Chapter H meeting was held at Felix and Oscar's on Westtown Pkway and 50th. They are so attentive and really appreciate us being there. 2 couples rode to the meeting on their cycles.
After having a very filling meal, we had a short meeting. We had 18 members present. Some of our members are already traveling and enjoying the spring weather (Bill and Dee) :).
Our wallet ride schedules and member directory were handed out to all members. If you would like more please contact Steve Patton.
We discussed where we would have our fall meetings and it was decided to have them at the back meeting room at Felix and Oscar's in West Des Moines. They were very receptive and excited to have us come for monthly meetings in the fall, starting October 10th.
Monday night supper rides officially start Monday, May 4th leaving Wynnsong theater at 6:30 p.m.
Several members plan to attend Region C and to go to Goldrush. Some are leaving early and doing some riding before or after the events. Please check the Iowa site for more details on rides and events in our area.
Everyone ride safe, be safe and enjoy the wonderful riding season ahead.
Steve Patton,
Chapter H Director
After having a very filling meal, we had a short meeting. We had 18 members present. Some of our members are already traveling and enjoying the spring weather (Bill and Dee) :).
Our wallet ride schedules and member directory were handed out to all members. If you would like more please contact Steve Patton.
We discussed where we would have our fall meetings and it was decided to have them at the back meeting room at Felix and Oscar's in West Des Moines. They were very receptive and excited to have us come for monthly meetings in the fall, starting October 10th.
Monday night supper rides officially start Monday, May 4th leaving Wynnsong theater at 6:30 p.m.
Several members plan to attend Region C and to go to Goldrush. Some are leaving early and doing some riding before or after the events. Please check the Iowa site for more details on rides and events in our area.
Everyone ride safe, be safe and enjoy the wonderful riding season ahead.
Steve Patton,
Chapter H Director
Monday, April 13, 2009
Finally get to ride!
Saturday, April 11th, was a great day and we decided to go for a long ride (about 350 miles or so). We went through Winterset, and waved at Jon and Rosalee as we passed their house as they were preparing their camper for a trip south in the next week or so.
We traveled down through St Charles and had lunch at the Welcome Center just off the interstate at Lamoni. They have added on to the center and now have a Maid Rite. It now has Amish style decor including seating that looks like buggy seats and hand made tables. You can see the rings of the wood in each piece.
http://www.traveliowa.com/attractiondetails.aspx?destid=11
We were unable to go check out the Nine Eagles State Park due to road construction and closure.
Watch out as you are riding on the county roads, as the farmers are in the fields and there is mud and rock in the road now.
Just north of Promise City, we saw 2 separate herds of buffalo. It is so cool to watch them graze on the grass that is beginning to green. They are such huge animals.
We rode through the (Town) of Confidence. Not a lot there. It has a nice little park...No gas station though.
We went to Lake Rathbuns' Honey Creek Resort to check it out. It is a very nice place facing the lake. You can reserve rooms, and some of the landscaping is still being completed. There are several "cabins" already up but not completed. They look quite fancy with most having a satelite dish off the roof. There are several more to be built. There were some people out playing golf on the golf course there.
http://honeycreekresort.com/
We went through Moravia past Sundown Lake. More new homes are being built here, Unionville, Drakesville, north of Bloomfield, through Ottumwa, near Eddyville we saw the Elk Farm, Elk meat for sale, then through Oskaloosa, Pella, and Monroe.
In Prairie City, near the Caseys, is a large statue of a Buffalo and info about the
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. http://www.tallgrass.org/
I am not sure we would want to ride motorcycles through the Reserve. We have taken the car through it and it is quite an amazing place if you have not visited there.
We made it back just in time for our Chapter H meeting.
There is so much to see and do in our own state.
We traveled down through St Charles and had lunch at the Welcome Center just off the interstate at Lamoni. They have added on to the center and now have a Maid Rite. It now has Amish style decor including seating that looks like buggy seats and hand made tables. You can see the rings of the wood in each piece.
http://www.traveliowa.com/attractiondetails.aspx?destid=11
We were unable to go check out the Nine Eagles State Park due to road construction and closure.
Watch out as you are riding on the county roads, as the farmers are in the fields and there is mud and rock in the road now.
Just north of Promise City, we saw 2 separate herds of buffalo. It is so cool to watch them graze on the grass that is beginning to green. They are such huge animals.
We rode through the (Town) of Confidence. Not a lot there. It has a nice little park...No gas station though.
We went to Lake Rathbuns' Honey Creek Resort to check it out. It is a very nice place facing the lake. You can reserve rooms, and some of the landscaping is still being completed. There are several "cabins" already up but not completed. They look quite fancy with most having a satelite dish off the roof. There are several more to be built. There were some people out playing golf on the golf course there.
http://honeycreekresort.com/
We went through Moravia past Sundown Lake. More new homes are being built here, Unionville, Drakesville, north of Bloomfield, through Ottumwa, near Eddyville we saw the Elk Farm, Elk meat for sale, then through Oskaloosa, Pella, and Monroe.
In Prairie City, near the Caseys, is a large statue of a Buffalo and info about the
Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge. http://www.tallgrass.org/
I am not sure we would want to ride motorcycles through the Reserve. We have taken the car through it and it is quite an amazing place if you have not visited there.
We made it back just in time for our Chapter H meeting.
There is so much to see and do in our own state.
Saturday, April 4, 2009
Chapter H April meeting
Our April meeting for GWTA Chapter H, Friendship Riders of Iowa is Saturday, April 11th at 6:30 p.m. at Okoboji Grill in Johnston. If anyone has something they want to discuss please let us know. We will have individual pocket directories listing names and phone numbers for our members, available for those that want them and hopefully the ride schedule as well. Think about where we want to have our fall meetings, since this will be our last meeting before ride season starts.
Monday night supper rides officially start Monday, May 4th, 6:30 p.m. leaving from the Wynnsong Theater parking lot, in Johnston, Iowa.
To see what is going on for rides and events, please check out the Iowa GWTA site at
http://www.iowagwta.com/
You can see pictures of the Region C Quilt that you can buy raffle tickets for as well.
If you are planning on attending Region C and Goldrush, if you register soon, you can save some money.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Ride safe and be safe
Steve
Monday night supper rides officially start Monday, May 4th, 6:30 p.m. leaving from the Wynnsong Theater parking lot, in Johnston, Iowa.
To see what is going on for rides and events, please check out the Iowa GWTA site at
http://www.iowagwta.com/
You can see pictures of the Region C Quilt that you can buy raffle tickets for as well.
If you are planning on attending Region C and Goldrush, if you register soon, you can save some money.
We look forward to seeing you at the meeting.
Ride safe and be safe
Steve
Spring is here?
Well, Spring is officially here and we have snow and blizzard warnings for here in Iowa for Sunday. I suppose the robins need to get some snow on their feathers before Spring officially arrives. We have done some riding but it seems less with all the rain and crazy weather.
Make sure that you have your protective gear as you ride and watch out for the potholes out in the roads. Many are being repaired but there are still several cracks and holes in the roads. Also watch out for the sand that has been applied due to the icy snowy roads. We have found many intersections that still have sand in them.
We are making plans for our many weekend rides and for vacations. There is so much even in our state to see that you could have great rides just on the weekend.
We have been to the Rumor Mill and the Pizza's are very good. They were very busy the night we were there and that is good for them. We heard that Breitbachs restaurant hopes to be open in June. We really enjoy the food there when in the area.
Make sure that you have your protective gear as you ride and watch out for the potholes out in the roads. Many are being repaired but there are still several cracks and holes in the roads. Also watch out for the sand that has been applied due to the icy snowy roads. We have found many intersections that still have sand in them.
We are making plans for our many weekend rides and for vacations. There is so much even in our state to see that you could have great rides just on the weekend.
We have been to the Rumor Mill and the Pizza's are very good. They were very busy the night we were there and that is good for them. We heard that Breitbachs restaurant hopes to be open in June. We really enjoy the food there when in the area.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Our First Impromptu Ride
Some of our Chapter members got together tonight, Monday March 16th and went on our first Impromptu ride. The weather was warm, in the 70's and windy, imagine that!? And we heard it was in the 50's this weekend in Southern Texas, Jon and Rosalee?
It feels so good to be out on the bikes, riding in the warm sunshine on dry pavement, enjoying the view, fresh air... so WELAXN!!!
We met at our usual time, 6:30 p.m. at the Wynnsong Theater parking lot in Johnston and Bill took us on a scenic ride. You will have to see his motorcycle! We arrived at the Italian Villages in Adel and had supper. Dee met us there. The La Villa sandwich is pretty good!
We had a safe ride home and ready to go again soon. Love this riding weather.
Be safe
Steve
It feels so good to be out on the bikes, riding in the warm sunshine on dry pavement, enjoying the view, fresh air... so WELAXN!!!
We met at our usual time, 6:30 p.m. at the Wynnsong Theater parking lot in Johnston and Bill took us on a scenic ride. You will have to see his motorcycle! We arrived at the Italian Villages in Adel and had supper. Dee met us there. The La Villa sandwich is pretty good!
We had a safe ride home and ready to go again soon. Love this riding weather.
Be safe
Steve
Our March Chapter Meeting
Chapter H meeting night.
As with a lot of our motorcycle events, trips and now meetings, you had better be prepared for the unexpected. Which we all are and we know how to have a good time no matter what.
Our March 14th meeting night at Okoboji Bar & Grill started off that way,
with a small snafu. Our reserved meeting room mistakenly got reserved for a wedding party. Who are we to mess with soon to be newly weds?
So Connie grabbed a phone book to look for potential restaurants and Donna Pittman got on the phone and we ended up at the Felix & Oscar’s on Westtown Pkwy and 50th in West DesMoines. On such short notice they did a great job!! We had a private area, and nice waitress and plenty of good food and wonderful conversation. We had a great turnout, 18 members in all.
We have the 2008 ride schedule set up. All the restaurants are good and now all we need is the perfect weather for Monday nights and we are in business.
We may have to have an alternating road captain this year, it seems like our Mr. Dependable Bill has officially acquired the retired title with the sale of the meat locker in Winterset, so Bill and Dee may miss a few Monday night rides due to traveling to unknown destinations. Best to both of you! You both deserve the freedom. So we may have a different road captain
from time to time, but somehow we will manage to work it out, and it should provide for some joking and ribbing along the way.
JD
As with a lot of our motorcycle events, trips and now meetings, you had better be prepared for the unexpected. Which we all are and we know how to have a good time no matter what.
Our March 14th meeting night at Okoboji Bar & Grill started off that way,
with a small snafu. Our reserved meeting room mistakenly got reserved for a wedding party. Who are we to mess with soon to be newly weds?
So Connie grabbed a phone book to look for potential restaurants and Donna Pittman got on the phone and we ended up at the Felix & Oscar’s on Westtown Pkwy and 50th in West DesMoines. On such short notice they did a great job!! We had a private area, and nice waitress and plenty of good food and wonderful conversation. We had a great turnout, 18 members in all.
We have the 2008 ride schedule set up. All the restaurants are good and now all we need is the perfect weather for Monday nights and we are in business.
We may have to have an alternating road captain this year, it seems like our Mr. Dependable Bill has officially acquired the retired title with the sale of the meat locker in Winterset, so Bill and Dee may miss a few Monday night rides due to traveling to unknown destinations. Best to both of you! You both deserve the freedom. So we may have a different road captain
from time to time, but somehow we will manage to work it out, and it should provide for some joking and ribbing along the way.
JD
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Have you heard the latest RUMOR???
NO Rumor.... The Rumor Mill is open in St. Charles, Iowa. This restaurant had a fire a couple of years ago at Christmas time and is just now opening. It has the Best Pizza cooked in a cast iron skillet! It stays hot all the way to the last bite!
We first found this restaurant on a Charity ride a couple of years ago and really enjoy the ride there and the pizza and sandwiches.
Maybe this will be one of our supper ride destinations!
We first found this restaurant on a Charity ride a couple of years ago and really enjoy the ride there and the pizza and sandwiches.
Maybe this will be one of our supper ride destinations!
Chapter H meeting this Saturday, March 14th
GWTA Friendship Riders of Iowa, Chapter H is having our March meeting, this Saturday, March 14th, at Okoboji Grill in Johnston. Be there about 6:30 p.m. Will eat first and then have our meeting. We should have our supper rides figured out by then. If you have anything you would like to discuss, please get to Steve before Saturday.
As weather warms up, we may have impromptu rides in April but actually riding season will be every Monday night, leaving at 6:30 p.m. from Wynnsong theater parking lot, starting May 4th.
If you have pictures or a story about a ride or trip, please email to us to put on the blog.
See you Saturday
Steve
As weather warms up, we may have impromptu rides in April but actually riding season will be every Monday night, leaving at 6:30 p.m. from Wynnsong theater parking lot, starting May 4th.
If you have pictures or a story about a ride or trip, please email to us to put on the blog.
See you Saturday
Steve
Guess what we found?
Some of our members were checking their cameras and guess what was found? A couple of cool pictures from the Chapter H Christmas Party in December 2008. Check these out!
We already have our 2009 Christmas party planned for Saturday, December 5 at Okoboji Grill in Johnston. More details will be planned in the fall.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
New additions to the DeGann family
Congratulations to the 3 new additions to Jerry and Jan's family. They now have 3 new puppies to occupy their time and give them joy! Just ask Jerry, he can show you pictures!
Operation First Response Charity Ride
Operation First Response is a charity that our chapter has donated to for the past two years.
There is a Charity ride scheduled May 16 for Operation First Response.
A Heroes Cruise
It starts at the Iowa State Capital Building (East 9th and Finkbine St, Des Moines, Iowa) and ends at Camp Dodge.
It is a fundraising cruise through Des Moines past scenic sites ending in a car/bike show & barbeque with a concert by Jason Brown, country music star!
Many of our wounded Heroes need financial assistance after returning home. Operation First Response tries to offer support and help!
PJ Sesker-Green (Operation First Response) 515-986-5211
More details to come
There is a Charity ride scheduled May 16 for Operation First Response.
A Heroes Cruise
It starts at the Iowa State Capital Building (East 9th and Finkbine St, Des Moines, Iowa) and ends at Camp Dodge.
It is a fundraising cruise through Des Moines past scenic sites ending in a car/bike show & barbeque with a concert by Jason Brown, country music star!
Many of our wounded Heroes need financial assistance after returning home. Operation First Response tries to offer support and help!
PJ Sesker-Green (Operation First Response) 515-986-5211
More details to come
Our Chapter's Family of the Year 2009
Rick and Patti Harvey are Chapter H Friendship Riders of Iowa's Family of the Year.
They have been involved in many parts of GWTA, including past State Directors, attending chapter, State, Regional and National events.
March 7th is the State meeting where they will represent our chapter, go through an interview process, where the State Family of the Year will be selected from all of the Iowa Chapters.
Congratulations Rick and Patti!
http://www.iowagwta.com/ChapterHFamilyOfTheYear.html
They have been involved in many parts of GWTA, including past State Directors, attending chapter, State, Regional and National events.
March 7th is the State meeting where they will represent our chapter, go through an interview process, where the State Family of the Year will be selected from all of the Iowa Chapters.
Congratulations Rick and Patti!
http://www.iowagwta.com/ChapterHFamilyOfTheYear.html
Sunday, February 15, 2009
February 14, 2009 Chapter H meeting
Friendship Riders of Iowa had their February meeting yesterday, Saturday, February 14th at 6:30 p.m. at Okoboji Grille in Johnston. Some of our members are in the warm south as Snow Birds or vacationing (the wise ones! :))
Since it was Valentine's Day, a long stem rose was given to each of the women in our Chapter!
Dennis and Donna Pittman, baked all day long and brought some yummy Valentine Cupcakes. Pam and Bob brought homemade Valentine Candy! The men received a special "gift!" of candy!
After having our meal, PJ Sesker and husband arrived and we donated 8 Fleece Quilts and Dee Kirkpatrick knitted 8 pairs of slippers. All were donated to our couragious wounded soldiers that will receive these through PJ and Operation First Response. We gave PJ a rose for Valentine's Day and our appreciation for all that she does for our soldiers.
There will be a special Operation First Response Charity ride in May. She said there were changes in the flyer that was currently out and updates would come soon.
We reviewed our list of restaurants for Chapter rides and will receive the list at our next meeting, March 14th, 2009.
We talked about Kansas City Spring Fling in Kansas City and will get more information on it. Some found information that it is April 18th but we thought it had been moved to later in the month due to the cooler weather lately at that time of year. Some like to camp and will be looking at camping options.
We decided to have our Chapter H Christmas Party at Okoboji Grill in Johnston on Saturday, December 5th starting about 4 pm with our meal a little later. More to come on this later.
Our supper rides will be Monday nights starting the first Monday in May, May 4th. Stay tuned for more details!
Everyone stay safe if you go out to ride. Watch the roads and watch the other drivers!
Steve
Since it was Valentine's Day, a long stem rose was given to each of the women in our Chapter!
Dennis and Donna Pittman, baked all day long and brought some yummy Valentine Cupcakes. Pam and Bob brought homemade Valentine Candy! The men received a special "gift!" of candy!
After having our meal, PJ Sesker and husband arrived and we donated 8 Fleece Quilts and Dee Kirkpatrick knitted 8 pairs of slippers. All were donated to our couragious wounded soldiers that will receive these through PJ and Operation First Response. We gave PJ a rose for Valentine's Day and our appreciation for all that she does for our soldiers.
There will be a special Operation First Response Charity ride in May. She said there were changes in the flyer that was currently out and updates would come soon.
We reviewed our list of restaurants for Chapter rides and will receive the list at our next meeting, March 14th, 2009.
We talked about Kansas City Spring Fling in Kansas City and will get more information on it. Some found information that it is April 18th but we thought it had been moved to later in the month due to the cooler weather lately at that time of year. Some like to camp and will be looking at camping options.
We decided to have our Chapter H Christmas Party at Okoboji Grill in Johnston on Saturday, December 5th starting about 4 pm with our meal a little later. More to come on this later.
Our supper rides will be Monday nights starting the first Monday in May, May 4th. Stay tuned for more details!
Everyone stay safe if you go out to ride. Watch the roads and watch the other drivers!
Steve
Happy Valentine's Day to everyone!
I know this is a day late but Happy Valentine's Day to everyone. This snow storm tried to dampen everyone's spirits but we had a great Day!
Sunday, January 18, 2009
30 degrees is a heatwave?
It is the middle of January and it feels as though we have been in a deep freeze. Seems strange to feel that 30 degrees above zero is a heat wave!
Just realized that I hadn't mentioned our officers in the chapter. A big thank you to each one and to every member in our chapter that make it such an enjoyable group!
Our officers remain the same with the following exceptions.
Bill Kirkpatrick is now our ride captain.
Jerry DeGann is receiving emails and distributing them to help out the CD.
Our blog is our newsletter and other information is distrbuted by inter-chapter emails and phone calls.
Chapter H regular meeting will be held Saturday,
February 14th, (yes, Valentine's Day) at 6:30 p.m. at Okoboji Grille in Johnston, (near Wynnsong Theaters.)
For more GWTA events, please check out Iowa’s State Web site at: www.iowagwta.com
Everyone be healthy and be safe.
Just realized that I hadn't mentioned our officers in the chapter. A big thank you to each one and to every member in our chapter that make it such an enjoyable group!
Our officers remain the same with the following exceptions.
Bill Kirkpatrick is now our ride captain.
Jerry DeGann is receiving emails and distributing them to help out the CD.
Our blog is our newsletter and other information is distrbuted by inter-chapter emails and phone calls.
Chapter H regular meeting will be held Saturday,
February 14th, (yes, Valentine's Day) at 6:30 p.m. at Okoboji Grille in Johnston, (near Wynnsong Theaters.)
For more GWTA events, please check out Iowa’s State Web site at: www.iowagwta.com
Everyone be healthy and be safe.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
January 2009 Chapter H Meeting
Friendship Riders of Iowa had their January meeting at Okoboji Grille in Johnston on Saturday, January 10th at 6:30 p.m. We had 11 members present at the meeting. At the beginning of the meeting, we called Jon and Rosalee, who are wintering (and riding) in south Texas and they were complaining of rain..poor babies!
We had met earlier in the day to work on Blankets for Operation First Response, and some of the members were not able to make it to the meeting later.
We will work on choosing restaurants for our Monday night supper rides for 2009, at our next meeting, on February 14th at Okoboji Grille in Johnston, at 6:30 p.m.
We will present the blankets that we finished and the slippers that Dee made, to PJ Sesker for Operation First Response http://www.operationfirstresponse.org
at the February Meeting.
We updated information on our Chapter Directory and will try to have them available to anyone that wants one.
Anyone interested in camping and going to Kansas City Spring Fling the end of April, please contact Patti Harvey so she can get camp sites reserved.
Looking for warm weather so we can ride! After just receiving about 8 inches of new snow and forecasting more snow and blizzard conditions on Monday, we are more than ready for riding season to begin soon!
Everyone be safe and see you soon
Steve
We had met earlier in the day to work on Blankets for Operation First Response, and some of the members were not able to make it to the meeting later.
We will work on choosing restaurants for our Monday night supper rides for 2009, at our next meeting, on February 14th at Okoboji Grille in Johnston, at 6:30 p.m.
We will present the blankets that we finished and the slippers that Dee made, to PJ Sesker for Operation First Response http://www.operationfirstresponse.org
at the February Meeting.
We updated information on our Chapter Directory and will try to have them available to anyone that wants one.
Anyone interested in camping and going to Kansas City Spring Fling the end of April, please contact Patti Harvey so she can get camp sites reserved.
Looking for warm weather so we can ride! After just receiving about 8 inches of new snow and forecasting more snow and blizzard conditions on Monday, we are more than ready for riding season to begin soon!
Everyone be safe and see you soon
Steve
Chapter H club house meeting January 10, 2009
Chapter H members got together at the Chapter H club house and worked on blankets to donate to Operation First Response. We had snacks, friendship and fun. Even the guys contributed on the blankets. We plan to present them to PJ Sesker at our February 14th meeting at Okoboji Grill in Johnston, Iowa.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Happy New Year 2009
Wishing everyone a very Happy New Year, a year of good health, happiness, wealth, love, family and friends. And lots of safe riding!
With the snow and ice, we have not gotten to ride. Hoping the weather is better soon.
Some of our members are snow birds or have gone south to visit their families during the holidays. After hearing our temps compared to where they were visiting, second thoughts about returning to Iowa were formed. Welcome to Iowa!!
A reminder of our meeting on Saturday, January 10th at 6:30 p.m. at Okoboji Grille. For those that want to work on the project for Operation First Response, we are meeting at the club house at about 1:00 p.m. Saturday. If you wish to bring snacks that is fine and then when finished, will go to the meeting afterwards.
We look forward to seeing everyone.
Be careful walking and driving out there.
Steve
With the snow and ice, we have not gotten to ride. Hoping the weather is better soon.
Some of our members are snow birds or have gone south to visit their families during the holidays. After hearing our temps compared to where they were visiting, second thoughts about returning to Iowa were formed. Welcome to Iowa!!
A reminder of our meeting on Saturday, January 10th at 6:30 p.m. at Okoboji Grille. For those that want to work on the project for Operation First Response, we are meeting at the club house at about 1:00 p.m. Saturday. If you wish to bring snacks that is fine and then when finished, will go to the meeting afterwards.
We look forward to seeing everyone.
Be careful walking and driving out there.
Steve
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