leo3wheel

Glad I'm not in Buffalo, NY!

Mapped out a cage trip starting and ending in Seattle in 2015. Trip includes 11 NP's in Washington, Idaho, Montana, Alberta and British Columbia. Have picked motels, but need to call to make our reservations.

Happy Veterans Day! Thanks to all who serve!

In spite of these things, retirement is great!

You can join Venturers ride-in being planned. Sure one of the Venturers here can take you as a guest. Tale of Two Shores - Duluth, MN - July 21-23, 2015 This ride-in is at the same time as the International.

Larry, Yes, those two always get rowdy after visiting the local bar.

Thanks Don! Looks Great!

Sorry to hear this Jeff! Best wishes for a speedy recovery!

Will drop ours off tomorrow for same treatment! Thanks!

No, believe our '09 RSV trike will outlast me. Wife can bury me sitting on it.

Happy Birthday Bob!

Saw this interesting MSN article. Thought someone may be interested. http://www.msn.com/en-us/travel/article ... ar-BB7n68c Five favorite fall drives in the Midwest Chicago Tribune Robert Duffer10 hrs ago © Kevin Horan/Getty Images A grain barge travels on the Mississippi River on a fall day near Hannibal, Missouri. Kevin Horan/Getty Images Though it's time to roll out the crock pots, wool socks and hoodies, there's time enough to enjoy the autumn splendor before construction season falls into winter. Midwestern forests make for great scenic driving on uncrowded roads undulating through bluffs and dells, past single-light small towns and alongside rivers of all sizes. While destinations like Door County, Wis., Starved Rock State Park, and the other Michigan shore remain popular, we came up with a list of a five favorite drives worth the destination. In most cases, until teleportation becomes possible, you'll have to flee Chicagoland construction zones via Interstate to get to our favorites. NORTH: WISCONSIN RIVER TRAIL Wisconsin Route 60 west of Madison winds along the north bank of the Wisconsin River through gently rolling hills, wooded areas and interesting towns such as Spring Green. You also will find apple orchards and organic farms selling locally grown food along the way. Route 60 ends at Prairie du Chien on the Mississippi River, about 100 miles from downtown Madison. Recommended route from Chicago Interstate 90 west to Wisconsin Route 60 west to Prairie du Chien (267 miles or 5 hours). From Prairie du Chien you can go north 60 miles to La Crosse on Wisconsin Route 35 and enjoy scenic views of the Mississippi River and plenty of non-chain restaurants that offer local favorites. For variety, you can do the return trip to Prairie du Chien on the Iowa side of the Mississippi on Iowa Highway 26. Recommended route back to Chicago Wisconsin Route 35 south to U.S. 18 east to U.S. 61 south to U.S. 20 east to Galena, then to I-90 at Rockford. - Rick Popely, Tribune Autos contributor WEST: GREAT RIVER ROAD AT MISSISSIPPI PALISADES STATE PARK Starting in Galena, Illinois' Great River Road hugs the Mississippi River south for 550 miles of bluffs and river side stops that rouse the ghost of Mark Twain. Head south on Illinois Route 84 through Savanna, in an area around the Palisades where eagles soar and the lazy road winds around the lazy river under bluffs and by river waysides. Drive up to the State Park for some great views across the Mississippi River into Iowa and of the bouquet of tree tops. We recommend following Rte. 84 south to Moline, where Interstate 88 meets Interstate 80. Recommended route from Chicago Chicago to Galena via Interstate 90 West to U.S. 20 (164 miles or 3 hours); Galena to Moline via Illinois Route 84 south (71 miles or 90 minutes); return to Chicago via Interstate 80 (164 miles) or 88 (155 miles). - Robert Duffer, Tribune Autos editor SOUTH: SHAWNEE HILLS WINE TRAIL Recommending a wine trail bunched with small wineries may not be advisable for a great Midwestern drive but we expect you'll opt for safety over sauvignon. Virtually any stretch of road in the Shawnee National Forest at the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers in the southern tip of Illinois provides dense deciduous forests on bluffs overlooking lakes, rivers and valleys lined with grape vines. Smack dab in the middle of this geological treasure is the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail south of Carbondale. Consider picking it up off the Great River Road (Illinois Route 3) along the Mississippi then head east on Town Creek Road over the Big Muddy River to Route 127 to the start of the trail. Undulating, unpopulated and virtually unmarked leaf-strewn two-lane roads will take you through a dozen wineries in towns small enough to not need a stoplight. While the roads are wonderful, the attractions are better, including opportunities to stretch out at places like the Little Grand Canyon, Jackson Falls and other natural treasures that will make you forget whatever nonsense has been spewed about the Midwest's boring topography. The route will eventually take you to Interstate 57 but you likely won't be in a rush. Recommended loop from Chicago to Cobden Interstate 57 south to Illinois Route 149 west to Illinois Route 127 south to pick up the proper trail (5.5 hours or 350 miles). On the return, if you have time and are not overdriven, consider taking U.S. 51 north all the way past Bloomington and cut over to Rte. 178 to drive through Matthiessen State Park and Starved Rock State Park, which are about 90 miles from Chicago and worth it on their own for a day trip. Matthiessen is a bit more removed and has nice roads and great hikes to explore the dells. - Robert Duffer, Autos editor h/t Destiny Gdalman SOUTHEAST: PARKE COUNTY, IND. COVERED BRIDGES Maybe not quite Bridges of Madison County, but Indiana's Parke County offers a beautiful fall drive to see 31 covered bridges of all shapes and sizes. Begin at the visitor's center in Rockville, Indiana - about an hour west of Indianapolis on U.S. 36 (Rockville Road). From there, maps guide you through curvy tree-covered roads and stretches between harvest fields. Time it from October 10-19 to attend the Covered Bridge Festival and its seasonal food, arts, and crafts. The inn at Turkey Run State Park is a good resting place for dinner...or the night. Go north on U.S. 41 for continued scenery and access to Interstate 74. Put on a jacket, flip down the top, and enjoy fall to its fullest. Recommended route from Chicago Interstate 94 east exit U.S. 41 south to U.S. 36 (161 miles or 3 hours). - Casey Williams, Tribune Autos contributor EAST: GILMORE CAR MUSEUM Admittedly, much of this drive around the southern tip of Lake Michigan is about the destination, but it offers plenty of opportunity to check out the "other" side of the lake, before lake effect snow blankets the region.Reaching Hickory Corners in Michigan is a pleasant journey once you've departed I-94 in favor of quieter roads beyond Kalamazoo.The two-lane road twists and turns through forested areas sprinkled with year-round and summer homes and occasional convenience stores. You can see Gull Lake from time to time. The area still has a rugged, old-fashioned, vacation feel to it, as do the expansive barns on the 90-acre campus of the Gilmore Car Museum. Between Detroit and Chicago and built on automotive history, the Gilmore Car Museum is home to 115 years of automotive history and traveling exhibits. There's a Spooktacular auto event planned at Gilmore on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 4-7 p.m. Recommended route from Chicago Interstate 94 east to exit 80, Sprinkle Rd toward Cork St., north to Michigan Route 43 north. - Jenny King, Tribune Autos contributor For an afternoon jaunt closer to Chicago, check out Volo Auto Museum in northwestern Volo, Ill., for Hollywood and military car collections and family-friendly displays. The area teems with pumpkin patches and corn mazes, if you want to get an autumnal twofer. BONUS CONSIDERATION For the heartier drivers, facebook follower James Haller suggests the Lake Michigan Circle Tour. This 900-mile loop follows state highways that ring Lake Michigan through Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin and western Michigan. A car ferry between Ludington, Mich., and Manitowic, Wisc, which is south of Green Bay, can cut the distance in half. Going that way, south from Wisconsin, will end the trip on Chicago's Lake Shore Drive. There's a calendar of events to consider stops on a weekend-long getaway.

Praying for a speedy and complete recovery!

Scary! Prayers sent for a speedy and complete recovery!

Bob, You'll love Hawaii! Happy Anniversary! Have a great time!

This is for the campers in our group.

Yes, that's you leading the pack Gary! That was a fun trip! Thanks again!

Not trying to deceive... It was the end of October 2011.

Nice place Joe!

White Mountains are our roots. Enjoy!

Joe, Will you be jumping off the bridge? LOL! Looks like a great time!

Very nice Dave! Thanks for sharing!

Gary, Glad you're back in the saddle. Wishing you a speedy recovery!

Places visited on this trip: Royal Gorge Bishop Castle Garden of the Gods Pikes Peak Black Canyon of Gunnison NP Canyonlands NP Arches NP Capital Reef NP Antelope Canyon Navajo Tribal Park Sunset Crater Volcano Oak Creek Canyon Sedona Meteor Crater Salt River Canyon Saguaro NP Joshua Tree NP Sequoia NP Kings Canyon NP Yosemite NP Death Valley NP Valley of Fire SP Zion NP Rocky Mountain NP