Great Turn Out!

[Paula(Butch2025)]

We had a great turn out for our Fall Color Ryde - 10 Spyders, 6 motorcycles all in all 21 people! Not bad for a day that started out foggy and only 35 degrees! We knew RTGene was joining us, the North Branch Boys (Terry, who works with Butch, Robert & Bill) asked to join us, I also got a message from IowaSpyderLove saying they were coming back up to join us this weekend, then on Friday morning I got a message from BigArm Larry that he was coming too! All of these besides our usual crew!

Our ride started out with a photo stop in the town of Mora at their fairgrounds by the giant Dala Horse (very Scandinavian town!) at which time we discovered we had already lost RTGene! 50 miles later in Sandstone there he was waiting for us at the gas station with his escort, Brad, from Caswell's! Why this did not surprise me and all you either, I just don't know!

We they headed up on Hwy 23 - Veteran's Memorial Highway through some beautiful scenery and big sweeping curves and hills to a great lookout at the top of the hill. We sort of took over the parking area and of course attracted a lot of attention even from the HD crowd too.

From there we cruised downhill to the town of Fond du Lac and the entrance to Jay Cooke State Park, which is the closest thing to the Dragon you'll get here in Minnesota. As Seth was tell the North Branch Boys on the sport bikes, there are some pretty technical turns, down to 15 mph on this stretch of Hwy 210, so take it seriously, but have fun! Seth pulled over to give everyone else a 5 minute headstart before he zipped up thru the park. Of course he caught up to everyone before we even go to the end of the park! We stopped by the St. Louis River Bridge for another photo op, then headed into the town of Carlton for lunch at the Cozy Cafe. Good thing Les called ahead to let them know we were all coming in - they had tables pulled together and all set up for us, well 15 of us, we had to add another table.

After lunch we headed west on Hwy 210 thru McGregor then turned south on 65 back to Mora. We had a little miss cue on a turn and Les had to chase down a few strays, so Kaye lead us down a nice back road to meet up with them on 65. Everyone gathered back a Caswell's for a pot-luck supper and lots of good conversation. It was a great day filled with lots of good people and memories.

To see photos from the trip check out the album titled Fall Color Ryde 2011. -- Paula

 

[SpyderAnn01]

Paula, the trouble with Gene is that we keep finding him! Loved the pictures it really looks like you all had a great time.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Or does he find us?:dontknow: Actually Ann, Gene was pretty well behaved on this trip...not sure he can go back to the Cozy Cafe in Carlton, MN though! I think he even made a new friend or two, he claims he didn't and Butch told him, "That's ok, if you don't make any friends you can't loose them!"
--Paula

 

[SpyderAnn01]

I don't think Virginia will let him come home if he hasn't made any friends!

 

[Vyperyder]

You guys must be having a long summer over there.
Not much color in them thar trees......except green of course.
Thought there would have been a lot more color change by now.
Hope the weather stays warm for you guys and that winter is not too heavy or long.
Living in a temperate climate I just can't get my head around living in 6 feet of snow for 3 or more months a year.
I can't remember the last time I even saw snow...except from 40000ft out the window of a 747 over the Himalayas
cheers and good luck with the weather
Pete

OOh ooh ooh I remember
I arrived in NY in 2000 and they had a 3ft dump of snow the day before. It was butt cold and I swore I'd never go back there in winter again!!! :roflblack:

 

[SpyderAnn01]

You guys must be having a long summer over there.
Not much color in them thar trees......except green of course.
Thought there would have been a lot more color change by now.
Hope the weather stays warm for you guys and that winter is not too heavy or long.
Living in a temperate climate I just can't get my head around living in 6 feet of snow for 3 or more months a year.
I can't remember the last time I even saw snow...except from 40000ft out the window of a 747 over the Himalayas
cheers and good luck with the weather
Pete

OOh ooh ooh I remember
I arrived in NY in 2000 and they had a 3ft dump of snow the day before. It was butt cold and I swore I'd never go back there in winter again!!! :roflblack:

Thanks for reminding us of winter!

 

[Vyperyder]

Yur velcum hyea:hyea:

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

You guys must be having a long summer over there.
Not much color in them thar trees......except green of course.
Thought there would have been a lot more color change by now.
Hope the weather stays warm for you guys and that winter is not too heavy or long.
Living in a temperate climate I just can't get my head around living in 6 feet of snow for 3 or more months a year.
I can't remember the last time I even saw snow...except from 40000ft out the window of a 747 over the Himalayas
cheers and good luck with the weather
Pete

OOh ooh ooh I remember
I arrived in NY in 2000 and they had a 3ft dump of snow the day before. It was butt cold and I swore I'd never go back there in winter again!!! :roflblack:

We also thought there would've been more color, but as things go the colors are predicted to peak in about 2 weeks. We only had a few brilliant spots of color amongst all the pretty green. Then as soon as the leaves drop the snow will come!!! :gaah:
--Paula

 

[ARtraveler]

Nice write up about the trip, great pictures on the album you posted also.

 

[RTGENE]

Someone cried Wolf and they were gone.

Dear Butch and Paula

Every thing happens for a reason-----

Save the date for a ride in northern Minnesota for the fall colors.

I enjoyed the ride thru the wilderness with the smell of burning fire wood in each of the cabins we passed.
It really was a Norman Rockwell moment for me with a picture of folks staying warm.

The second time I got left behind was when I mentioned that something was wrong and I could only go 45mph.

All alone on the road I had not seen a house nor a car in an hour. I thought it safe to pull over and take a picture of THE tree that turned colors.


Smile time ----it was a great ride and we all appreciate your efforts to make it even better.

 

[Paula(Butch2025)]

Gene, we didn't leave you behind you just didn't follow when we took off...I truly was concerned and was ready to send Butch back to look for you, when to my great relief you pulled into Caswell's!!!

I think you did get a nice photo of that ONE tree...but you must've missed the other pretty red one on our way into Carlton for lunch (it was on the right side of the road). I heard that they are predicting peak color viewing this weekend...want to come on back to see them?

Thanks for coming...you are always a great source of entertainment for all of us. See you in Cuba!

--Paula