NEWS FROM IOWA
Reprinted from Iowa Chapter “L” Newsletter
Written by Chuck and Sue Mincks
Chapter L gave a big welcome to AGWA VP Joe Lopez, who arrived in our area on Friday, August 27, on his way from Long Island, New York, to California. Joe had contacted me a couple months ago and stated that he would be coming this way in August and would like to stop and meet the newly formed IA Chapter "L" on his way through. Arrangements were made and the rest is now history.
Joe arrived with a big grin on his face and it was immediately apparent why he sounded so friendly in his emails--he really is. Joe spent the night before in Chicago with some other AGWA friends and then headed our way the next morning. He said he ran a "lap" on both sides of the Mississippi, near Clinton, prior to arriving here about 5:00 pm. Joe rolled in on a K1200 BMW touring bike, with a "Uni-go," mono-wheel trailer. It is a very unique looking bike and trailer package. He has owned three Goldwings in the past, and his wife has a Wing trike now. Joe says he is having a "fling" with his BMW for now, but will most likely return to a Wing in the future.
After introductions, and a quick clean up, we joined others from the chapter at Granite City for supper. The food was good, but turned out to not be the best place for roundtable discussion. Tom and Mary Smith were gracious enough to loan us their front room for awhile so Joe could present his philosophy on bike riding and being a member of AGWA. He then answered questions for several people until it was time to turn in for the night. We were pleased with the turn out and wish to thank everyone who could make it for being there. I would also like to thank Tom & Mary one more time for their hosting our group on such short notice.
It has always been critically important to me to be able to get the message across to others that I am not trying to entice anyone into choosing between GWRRA and AGWA. Sue and I have chosen to belong to both, and feel that we have made good friends and lasting relationships in both organizations. I do not speak for anyone else--for myself alone. We plan to attend activities for both, and hopefully gain from one what we cannot gain from the other in the form of organized activities and rides. Joe spoke about that, and agreed with some of us who really like the idea of a democratically run chapter in which everyone gets to vote on its leadership. That is one of the true strengths of AGWA--it is small enough there are no districts or regions to tell you how and by whom you must run your chapter.
While here, Joe made it clear that he feels we should elect an AGWA State Director for Iowa. He said that it is necessary for us to do so in order to get a vote on national issues at their annual meetings. Because we are an officially recognized Chapter, we can do so. I told Joe I thought, as the Asst. Area Rep, we should wait for Gary to return so he can play an active part, as our Area Rep, in the process. We will also be forwarding this information to the other known AGWA members in Iowa so that they can participate if they choose to do so.
On Saturday, when it was supposed to be sunny and nice, we woke up to a cloudy overcast. Sue and I, accompanied by Joe, cycled down to the I-380 rest stop where we met some more members of Chapter L for a breakfast ride to the Colony Inn in Main Amana. Joe was impressed with their unique type of pancake syrup (molasses flavored) that he left with a bottle of his own. A few more were able to visit and ask questions, but was more socializing than the night before. We came out to different weather than predicted. Instead of clearing skies, it was lightly raining and misting--slowly picking up in intensity. After a couple group pictures with Joe, most left to beat the rain home. Sue & I accompanied Joe to I-80 and saw him off for his next leg to the Sturgis area. He said he planned on seeing Mt Rushmore and the Crazy Horse monument the next day, before heading toward Colorado. I sure felt envious and wanted to keep heading west myself. Believe it or not, I actually started out, but somehow ended up getting instructions for pulling into--yep', you guessed it--Tanger Outlet Mall.
Sue and I waited out the rain for a bit while looking to replace some glassware and flatware that took a beating since our wedding in '93. I escaped without too much damage--might even still be able to buy some more "chrome" at the Davis Rally.
On Sunday, Sue and I tried one more time to "tweak" the route we will be hosting for your Chapter "L" ride on Sunday, Sept 19. We think you will really enjoy it if you like curves, hills, trees and rivers. While we are stuck with some inevitably, we have tried to hit the least amount of straight roads as possible (therefore, not in Benton County--sorry, Dan). The breakfast location will be announced in the near future. We'll be riding generally north, toward Decorah, where we will have lunch at "Mabe's," around 12:30. Then east to Lansing, some nice roads through NE Iowa palisades and state parks, down to two possible rest stops/observation areas at the Pike's Peak state park and the Guttenberg Lock and Dam. Then back across from Guttenberg on county blacktops to Marion. Today, it took us from 9:00 until 5:15 when we pulled back into our driveway. That is dependent on how much time people want to spend at Mabe's and the other two rest stops. Anyone not wanting to go that far or stay that long, can easily hop back onto nearby HWY 13 and return to the CR area in good time. I will plan to get a group consensus at the next monthly meeting on where you would prefer to stop the most, and how much time you are willing to spend there. If you cannot be at the next monthly meeting, and plan to go on the ride, please let me know your desires so I can weigh them with the rest.
All in all, I think it has been a productive weekend for IA Chap "L." Sue and I have enjoyed your company and look forward to "leaning into some turns" with you soon. Everyone please be safe and we'll see you at the Davis Rally, if not before. Please give us a call if you get a hankerin' for ice cream....
Sue and I were preparing to pack for the Davis Rally on the evening of Thursday, Sep 9th, when we were both in the kitchen at home and saw some drops of blood on the floor. Out of habit, we both checked our own hands to see which one of us had nicked ourselves without knowing it. Upon inspection, we found nothing. As the "dogs" continued to pace around we saw more blood and figured out it was coming from one of them. It took awhile, but we finally found a 1" cut on the inside of one of Mattie's (middle child) ears. No matter what we did, we could not get it to stop bleeding. Therefore, we ended up going to the vet, and having Mattie "knocked out" on drugs to get her to stay still enough for stitches. She woke up slowly and was too groggy to stand (90+ lbs), so we left her overnight to "recover." At that time we were not sure how she would be in the morning, so unsure of if/when we would be able to leave for New Hampton. As luck would have it, she was back to her old self by morning and able to come home early. Our nephew, T.J., kept an eye on all three "kids" and the house for us while we were gone. Still not sure what she cut herself on. Not the way we had hoped the weekend would start.
Sue ran into Julie Stauffer at Hy-Vee Friday morning, so we ended up joining the Stauffer's for our drive up to New Hampton. Sounded like Bob was putting the finishing touches on their bike about the same time I was with ours. Sue and I had a great time at the Rally. Once again we stayed with her aunt & uncle, due to scarcity of motel rooms, but we spent a fair amount of time at the Rally on Friday. All I know is it was a good thing I did not overspend at Tanger Mall....
On behalf of Chapter L, I would like to thank Rick and Donna Wierck for hosting an awesome ride on Saturday. We left the Southgate Inn at about 1030, and took a winding route north and east into southern Minnesota (ya', you betcha') and the town of Lanesboro. Near there we had lunch at "The Barn" restaurant, which was situated on the Root River bicycle trail and a nearby golf course. From there we continued east to Winona on the Mississippi River. There is a magnificent overlook there from which we could see for miles up and down the river. Many beautiful bluffs, hills and lots of greenery to behold. The rest of the ride was pretty much a "figure 8" leading back to Lanesboro, where we stopped for ice cream, and then the return to New Hampton. Lanesboro was a pretty town, with lots of interesting shops. Would not be surprised to hear some of us return to shop and look around a little closer sometime in the near future. Throughout the ride we followed numerous river valleys, hills and fun curvy roads. At one point, Bob could be overheard saying "...we should go back and do that one again at 70 mph!!" Truer words were never spoken. This was one of the best one-day trips, in the Midwest, I have been on yet. Great job of picking out the route Rick and Donna!
We returned to New Hampton and the Rally just in time Saturday to spend a few more hard-earned dollars. About dark, many of us went downtown to watch the Parade of Lights. There were probably about 200 bikes in the group--not sure how it compared to the past, but was fun to watch the many styles and decorating schemes. Afterward we went to the Southgate and joined the usual "circle of chairs." The only thing missing was the campfire. After a few glasses of wine (medicinal purposes) and some bad jokes, most of us were yawning way too early and made our way to bed. It was a nice, relaxing way to wind down a great day.
I believe everyone made it home on Sunday without incident. Please let me know if other-wise. Sue and I did not leave until early afternoon, as we had a lunch invitation from our hosts. I want to thank everyone for the fun weekend that Sue and I were able to enjoy with some of the best friends around. We both look forward eagerly to more riding and fun times with the Chapter L group. Hope to see you soon.