I was really missing my sister and her family so we decided to ride up to Dyersville in North East Iowa with an out of the way detour to Galena, IL and Dubuque, IA. We got on the road and made our way to Galena, IL. We arrived there around 1pm and of course stopped at the Harley Dealership. We missed the turn and ended up turning around in a gas station parking lot. There were a group of Harley riders relaxing behind the gas station and they were laughing because Dan kept saying...where is the Harley Dealer...I'd say right over there...he said...I'm going to ride down this hill here to get over there. Looks like a good short cut. I yelped...nooooooooooooo...and all the guys behind the station busted out laughing.(I know...where is my sense of adventure, huh?) Well we did go back to the road and drove around to the dealership. Nice place, very tiny. After hanging out at the HD Shop we jumped back on the bike and road to tourist central in downtown Galena. If you don't get there early you have a difficult time finding a place to park. We finally found one and left ZP all alone while we got some lunch and walked around this historic town. Everyone was all curious about this bright red Ferrari. I really could have cared less. I did think it would be funny though to jump in it and take off since I was wearing a Jack Daniel's doo-rag and biker clothes. I think Galena would be a great place for a biker only weekend. It reminds me a little of Deadwood...historic and plenty of bars.
We spent about 2 hours or so in Galena and decided to get back on the road toward my Sister's place in Dyersville. We made a stop in East Dubuque, IL and Dan told me it just wasn't the same there. All the party places and strip clubs were gone. LOL Good information, huh? Funny. We road down by the river and hung out there for a while watching the the boats and the people fishing. Thought of LadyR as we were sitting there. DBQ is her hometown as many of you know.
After about a 1/2 hour or so we were back on the road heading to Dyersville. We hung out with my sister and her family that night. I had totally forgot that the Fireman's Convention was in Dyersville and lucky for my sister and the family it was right across from their house. We sat and watched the firemen that had already set up camp, ride around on their vintage fire trucks and party. From what my sister told my mom it was one noisy event all week long and I'm sure they are glad they have left. I think it might have rivaled a motorcycle rally.
Monday Dan wanted to journey through his families past so we road through Colesburg were we got a pix of the ever famous Willies Restaurant and the home of the Willies Whopper. We road by Dan's grandparent's farm(the Maiers), took pictures of corn, and found the school house that Dan's father went to school at. We were lucky that the gentleman that had the old school house on his farm was outside so we were able to walk around and look at it up close. It's pretty run down but it's amazing that it's still there since it was built in 1862. Dan was behind the school and I was walking around looking at the pretty purple flowers that were growing all over the pasture when I heard a noise. I looked over and there were cows coming at me. I started yelling at Dan...Cows...Cows...let's go there are Cows coming. We got out of the gate just in time. I know they wouldn't have down anything to us but there were quite a few. And being more of a city girl then a country girl...I didn't want to find out what they would do.
Monday was really an awesome weather day. It was fun riding through North East Iowa. We stopped in Oelwein for lunch. Dan road out to where he had dj'd back in the day at KOEL and then we road out to Hazelton to the cemetery that Dan's Gram and Grampa Werner are buried. His folks will be buried there too someday, hopefully not anytime soon!
We had a great weekend riding and hanging with my sister, Tim, and Sydney. We saw amazing things along the way. North East Iowa and Galena are very beautiful places to visit. There are rolling hills, bluffs, and the Mississippi River. There is definitely a lot to do up North. Hope that you all can visit sometime! If it works out we might even ride up and show you around!
I've created a slideshow of the trip. The cute little girl is my niece Sydney!
Showing posts with label Dyersville. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dyersville. Show all posts
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
The J & P Cycle Open House and Much More!
Last weekend was the 30th Annual Open House at J & P Cycles in Anamosa, IA. I wasn't sure what to expect since this was my first open house I'd attended there. Friday morning Dan and I rolled out of Des Moines at about 11:30. Even though the heat index was in the upper 90's it wasn't too bad when you were moving down the road at 80 mph. Traffic was pretty tight on Interstate 80 heading east and we had two near misses, once with a Toyota car and once with a big ol' semi. Dan is one awesome pilot of our ZP...he held his own as we rumbled along the shoulder trying to get Mr. Toyota's attention so he wouldn't kill us. After we got by that I was crossing myself and saying Hail Marys like they were going outta style. Geesh...dumb ass didn't even look. We backed off from the semi when I noticed his turn signal go on as we were just beginning to go around him. I gave him a friendly little wave when he finally got back over and we were able to get past. We stopped in Williamsburg to regroup and I suggested that we head on off on Highway 151 through the Amana Colonies. It was a much better trip after that because there wasn't a lot of traffic.
We stopped off at J & P Cycles on our way to my sister and her families place in Dyersville. There wasn't much going on there besides people setting up for the big weekend. It was estimated that there were going to be about 20,000 people in attendance. WOW! I took a few photos of things I thought were cool.
We got to Margo, Tim, and Sydney's place about 45 minutes later and hung out with them for the evening. My niece is 15 months old now and cute as a bug. I should have taken a pix of her so you could see but I know you'll take my word for it. I'm not bias at all! HA!
Saturday we were up and headed out to the J & P Open House. Glad we got there early because it ended up being very hot and there were sooooo many people. It was great though. John and Jill Parham really appreciate their customers. There was free food, free soda, and free water. They were even walking around greeting their guests. It was a real family affair and surprisingly there was no alcohol that I could see. I met the guys from Throttler Magazine and they were super cool...again...no pix. WOW! lol I met Rick Fairless and Michele Smith. I told Michele how much I missed her on American Thunder. She told me that she could have stayed on but not as the host. I can see why she left. She really did make that show. And I do have to say...that biker chick is a Hottie. She was dressed so freaking awesome! It was funny watching men get their picture taken with her. It reminded me of my experience with Billy Lane and not being able to talk. I just had to laugh. Michele has a website http://www.michelesmith.tv/ which I'm sure the guys will all like. I told her about my blog and she wrote down the addy. Don't know if she'll look at it but I'll believe she has already! lol
Rick Fairless was as cool as he always is. I got his autograph a few years back at the Easyrider Bike Show in Kansas City. I told Rick about my blog and he told me to send him a link to it. Cool! Rick is having a huge bike show and parts expo in Dallas at the Dallas Market Center on April 10 - 11, 2010. If you are interested in attending the event visit http://www.rickfairlessbikeshow.com/ or call 952-746-7786. The Strokers Dallas website is http://www.strokersdallas.com/. I took a photo of my favorite Fairless creation. It's the Janis bike...love Janis Joplin. Peace Baby!
We stopped off at J & P Cycles on our way to my sister and her families place in Dyersville. There wasn't much going on there besides people setting up for the big weekend. It was estimated that there were going to be about 20,000 people in attendance. WOW! I took a few photos of things I thought were cool.
We got to Margo, Tim, and Sydney's place about 45 minutes later and hung out with them for the evening. My niece is 15 months old now and cute as a bug. I should have taken a pix of her so you could see but I know you'll take my word for it. I'm not bias at all! HA!
Saturday we were up and headed out to the J & P Open House. Glad we got there early because it ended up being very hot and there were sooooo many people. It was great though. John and Jill Parham really appreciate their customers. There was free food, free soda, and free water. They were even walking around greeting their guests. It was a real family affair and surprisingly there was no alcohol that I could see. I met the guys from Throttler Magazine and they were super cool...again...no pix. WOW! lol I met Rick Fairless and Michele Smith. I told Michele how much I missed her on American Thunder. She told me that she could have stayed on but not as the host. I can see why she left. She really did make that show. And I do have to say...that biker chick is a Hottie. She was dressed so freaking awesome! It was funny watching men get their picture taken with her. It reminded me of my experience with Billy Lane and not being able to talk. I just had to laugh. Michele has a website http://www.michelesmith.tv/ which I'm sure the guys will all like. I told her about my blog and she wrote down the addy. Don't know if she'll look at it but I'll believe she has already! lol
Rick Fairless was as cool as he always is. I got his autograph a few years back at the Easyrider Bike Show in Kansas City. I told Rick about my blog and he told me to send him a link to it. Cool! Rick is having a huge bike show and parts expo in Dallas at the Dallas Market Center on April 10 - 11, 2010. If you are interested in attending the event visit http://www.rickfairlessbikeshow.com/ or call 952-746-7786. The Strokers Dallas website is http://www.strokersdallas.com/. I took a photo of my favorite Fairless creation. It's the Janis bike...love Janis Joplin. Peace Baby!
We went inside of J & P a few times to cool off and on one venture into the store I was greeted by the Motorcycle Monster. The look on my face is priceless...I'm being jabbed in the head by one of his spikes and he's also telling Dan that I'm pretty cute and then tells me to ditch Dan and hook up with him later. Too funny!
I've made a slide show of the other photos that Dan and I took of our adventures at J & P Cycles. We watched a stunt show where the guy was doing stunts on a sportster. Amazing. There are a couple pictures of Jason Britton the stunt rider in the slideshow too. The Daytona Harley Davidson Drill team was there and did some incredible drills on their big old baggers. WOW! Visit http://www.daytonaharleydavidsondrillteam.com/ if you would like to learn more about them. And the rest of the photos are bikes, bikes and more bikes.
We headed back to Dyersville for lunch and then loaded up The Ketels' family Suburban and headed over to Lake Delhi to stay at Tim's parent's cabin. It was lots of fun. Drank a lot of margaritas and I finally got to sit by a bonfire! I was soooooooo excited. I got a pix of my sister and Dan both enjoying beers.
Sunday morning came quick and we headed back to Dyersville and packed ZP for the trip home. We decided to take Highway 20 back and stopped in Cedar Falls to see my folks at a car show they were attending. There just happened to be some motorcycles there to be judged too so I got some more motorcycle photos for you to enjoy. LOL! 
What a great weekend we had! J & P put on a great Thank You for their customers, I got to see my family, and I got to ride almost 400 miles on ZP! Who could ask for more? :)
Happy Riding! xo
IHG
Monday, May 05, 2008
Cages(Cars, Trucks, anything on 4 wheels) LOOK FOR US!!!
Well...today is my sister's birthday so Margo, Sydney, and I went to Groovy Grounds, downtown Dyersville, for lunch. Sydney was an excellent little peanut and it was a very enjoyable lunch for the 3 of us. Margo decided she needed to go to Fareway for a few groceries. After our trip to the grocery store we were waiting at the stop sign for traffic to clear so that we could turn right. I had said to Margo that there was a motorcycle coming down the road so she should wait. We sat at the stop sign waiting for the motorcycle and the other cars to pass. Well obviously the person that was across the street waiting did not see the motorcycle and pulled out in front of him. My sister and I were both yelling Oh My God...Oh My God because we knew what was going to happen next. The motorcycle, which ended up actually being a Honda Scooter, hit the front quarter panel of the car that pulled in its path. In all this time of being a motorcycle enthusiast I have never seen an accident actually occur between a car and a motorcycle. Thank goodness there were other people there to help out. I was very shaken but tried to help this other woman calm the man, that was obviously very hurt. I pray he will be OK because he was not wearing a helmet and there was obvious trauma to his head. I'm hoping it looked worse then what it really is.
It's so important, that as motorcycle riders, we try to get the word out about cages looking for us and our fellow riders. The person that caused this accident stated that they did not see the motor scooter, that they were looking for cars. People do not see us. People do not take the time to look for us if they are not one of us.
I have no idea who this gentleman was that was hurt today but he will be in my prayers for sure. I don't wear my helmet a lot of the time but today really changed my mind. Wow...I'm still shaking. I sure hope he is OK.
Have a great week and if you are out riding, watch for them damn cages!!!!
IHG
It's so important, that as motorcycle riders, we try to get the word out about cages looking for us and our fellow riders. The person that caused this accident stated that they did not see the motor scooter, that they were looking for cars. People do not see us. People do not take the time to look for us if they are not one of us.
I have no idea who this gentleman was that was hurt today but he will be in my prayers for sure. I don't wear my helmet a lot of the time but today really changed my mind. Wow...I'm still shaking. I sure hope he is OK.
Have a great week and if you are out riding, watch for them damn cages!!!!
IHG
Saturday, May 03, 2008
Is this Heaven? No it's Dyersville...
Actually when you drive/ride along the country roads on your way to Dyersville you feel like you are in heaven. I'm blogging tonight in Dyersville, IA at my sister and brother in law's house. I made the trip up to visit because I was missing my new niece and it's also my sister's birthday on Monday.(Happy Cinco de Margo!) It's pretty wild that a year ago her and I were partying and this weekend I watched my niece while her and Tim went on a date! Sydney and I had fun and she loved the song I made up for her to keep her from crying.
So what's up with this weather? It's been cold and rainy and less then desirable for long motorcycle trips. I actually believe it's been like this for many motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the USA. They actually had a blizzard in North Dakota. Everyone might need their parkas this year when they travel to Sturgis.
So I was mentioned on a Honda Blog as being one of the author's 100 Favorite Motorcycle blogs! I'm truly honored. Even if you are a Harley Lover check out this site http://www.honda-cb750.org/blog/ . We need to all stick together no matter what type of bike we decide to ride. We all have the same passion for 2 wheels and the wind in our hair and the feeling that it gives us each time we set out on the next journey. I was watching a motorcycle show one afternoon on the Speed channel and they were showing these sport bike trick riders and then they would talk to the people in the crowd to get their comments. There was this ODB who only road Harleys but who said that we all enjoy the same thing and should embrace each other and accept each other even if we don't ride the same bikes. It warmed my heart.
Final note for the evening...I guess since I stopped following the life of Billy Lane I had no idea that the Choppers Inc shop in Melbourne closed. I just read it on a new blog I discovered. http://www.mikeodom.name/ You can read more about Billy and what's going on with his life if you are interested. It's really too bad that a guy that had it all, lost it all because of something so stupid.
Well it's 11:30 0n a Saturday night and this chicks tired! Kinda sad huh? LOL
XO - IHG
So what's up with this weather? It's been cold and rainy and less then desirable for long motorcycle trips. I actually believe it's been like this for many motorcycle enthusiasts throughout the USA. They actually had a blizzard in North Dakota. Everyone might need their parkas this year when they travel to Sturgis.
So I was mentioned on a Honda Blog as being one of the author's 100 Favorite Motorcycle blogs! I'm truly honored. Even if you are a Harley Lover check out this site http://www.honda-cb750.org/blog/ . We need to all stick together no matter what type of bike we decide to ride. We all have the same passion for 2 wheels and the wind in our hair and the feeling that it gives us each time we set out on the next journey. I was watching a motorcycle show one afternoon on the Speed channel and they were showing these sport bike trick riders and then they would talk to the people in the crowd to get their comments. There was this ODB who only road Harleys but who said that we all enjoy the same thing and should embrace each other and accept each other even if we don't ride the same bikes. It warmed my heart.
Final note for the evening...I guess since I stopped following the life of Billy Lane I had no idea that the Choppers Inc shop in Melbourne closed. I just read it on a new blog I discovered. http://www.mikeodom.name/ You can read more about Billy and what's going on with his life if you are interested. It's really too bad that a guy that had it all, lost it all because of something so stupid.
Well it's 11:30 0n a Saturday night and this chicks tired! Kinda sad huh? LOL
XO - IHG
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Random Stuff
It's January 12th, 2008. Have you broken your resolutions yet? My biggest resolution besides getting back to the gym is to treat everyone with respect and kindness. I don't think it's fair to judge someone until you get to know them...at that point you can decide if you want them in your life or would rather not go there with them. I've met some really awesome people through the years by living that way. I have such a variety of friends that I'm never bored! LOL
We spent Christmas Day in Dyersville with my sister and her husband and the families. Since we live in South/Central Iowa we usually have warmer weather then Northeast Iowa. Wow did they get the snow this year. I took a couple pictures of some cool snow drifts in front of my sister's place. It's snow art!
Dyersville doesn't just have the Field of Dreams. It also has the Basilica and this amazing shrine to Mary and Jesus just randomly on the end of a street. Tim, Margo, Dan, and I went driving around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. I took a picture of the Shrine. It's very beautiful. If you drive around on the country roads in this part of NE Iowa you will see these Shrines on the edge of the road. It kind of makes the saying "Is this Heaven? No it's Iowa!" really make you feel like you are in God's Country. People knock Iowa all the time but honestly it's a great state. I will admit that there is a lot of corn during the summer and empty sad looking fields in the winter but the borders on the East and West sides of the state are amazing. Rolling hills and breathtaking views. And a great place to ride your motorcycle!
Last weekend we had some pretty nice weather for January. It got up in the 40's so Dan just couldn't stop himself. He was on the Zippy Pickle in a flash and took her for a scoot. I was a little jealous because I was going to go run an errand but I figured I'd let him have his time and enjoy the moment. I can only imagine the feeling of being on the open road alone with just your thoughts and the wind in your face. It must be amazing for sure! Someday it will be me and I won't have to ride b#$@h anymore.
Hope you are all having a great New Year and that you are enjoying each and every moment. One really cool thing...I've been nominated for a Blogger Award by the Biker Chick that writes Biker Chick News! I've put a link so that you can all check out her great blog! Thanks again to everyone that follows my blog! I've met some great people because of it and have read some great blogs that they've created. I think it's great how close knit the biker community is. I feel most at peace when I'm with a group of bikers. I always try to be myself and bikers take you for who you are. Have a fabulous weekend!!!
:) IHG
We spent Christmas Day in Dyersville with my sister and her husband and the families. Since we live in South/Central Iowa we usually have warmer weather then Northeast Iowa. Wow did they get the snow this year. I took a couple pictures of some cool snow drifts in front of my sister's place. It's snow art!
Dyersville doesn't just have the Field of Dreams. It also has the Basilica and this amazing shrine to Mary and Jesus just randomly on the end of a street. Tim, Margo, Dan, and I went driving around looking at Christmas lights on Christmas Eve. I took a picture of the Shrine. It's very beautiful. If you drive around on the country roads in this part of NE Iowa you will see these Shrines on the edge of the road. It kind of makes the saying "Is this Heaven? No it's Iowa!" really make you feel like you are in God's Country. People knock Iowa all the time but honestly it's a great state. I will admit that there is a lot of corn during the summer and empty sad looking fields in the winter but the borders on the East and West sides of the state are amazing. Rolling hills and breathtaking views. And a great place to ride your motorcycle!
Last weekend we had some pretty nice weather for January. It got up in the 40's so Dan just couldn't stop himself. He was on the Zippy Pickle in a flash and took her for a scoot. I was a little jealous because I was going to go run an errand but I figured I'd let him have his time and enjoy the moment. I can only imagine the feeling of being on the open road alone with just your thoughts and the wind in your face. It must be amazing for sure! Someday it will be me and I won't have to ride b#$@h anymore.
Hope you are all having a great New Year and that you are enjoying each and every moment. One really cool thing...I've been nominated for a Blogger Award by the Biker Chick that writes Biker Chick News! I've put a link so that you can all check out her great blog! Thanks again to everyone that follows my blog! I've met some great people because of it and have read some great blogs that they've created. I think it's great how close knit the biker community is. I feel most at peace when I'm with a group of bikers. I always try to be myself and bikers take you for who you are. Have a fabulous weekend!!!
:) IHG
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