Memorial Weekend Ride To Rodchester MN

[tulip]

Thanks to everyone for making our first outing with the group so much fun. James and I had a great day, and look forward to the next time we can get out with you all again.  Thanks to Pat for leading us today. We got less than 5 blocks away from home when the skies opened on us, so close but yet so far haha.
Nicki and James

[Chappy]

When we hit Waseca, there were many folks on the beach and on the water as we entered town.  There was a big thundercloud forming just SW of town.  We scooted through trying to make sure we didn't get wet.  We got a couple miles west of town and the temperature dropped 10 or 15 degrees.  We had to stop and put on jackets.

We spent very little time at my daughters house because it looked like rain.  I didn't have anything warm with me so we stopped at Walmart in Mankato and bought two sweatshirts for $10 total.   When we were just coming up to 394 on 169 we hit rain.  It was pretty light and we were going to stop for gas near Brookdale so we didn't stop to put on rain pants (already had our jackets on).  About two miles from our stop it started raining pretty hard.  Our pants got wet.  After the gas stop it pretty much stopped and we drove out of the wet area on 694 headed home.  We got home about 6:10 with about 305 miles total.

All in all it was a nice day of riding.  Thanks Pat for leading.  I kind of like riding the back of the group once in a while.

[RANGER & GW]

Here are some pictures from today and last sunday on Ole's preride.
http://twincitieseast444.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3189
Enjoy and Thanks again Pat.

[JIMBO]

Ranger & GW; Great pictures, Thanks 

[wolfraider]

Thanks for the great pics, Ranger! It looks you guys and gals had a great time. I'll ride down there today in the morning to see it.

[Pat Calkins "Corn Dog"]

Thanks to all who came along to honor our veterans that passed, serving their country.  My flag flies proudly at my house today.

With the help of some fine people, the ride was, what I consider, a success.  Thanks to Steve, for his help up front with me.  Thanks to Jimbo for his job at tail gunner (thanks Cliff, for swaping bikes so Jimbo could come along). 

Wish that all could have been there.  The weather was good.  I made it home before any drops fell.  Today is even a better day, maybe I'll get out today somewhere too. 

Thanks for putting up with my poem readings.  It was indeed a struggle to get through them without tearing up.  I think of all those proud veterans that gave the ultimate cost and it makes me so proud.  It is sad, but at the same time makes us all thankful for what they gave for us to live like we do.  We do what we do because of the many that gave their all. 

God bless the fallen and their families. 

[wolfraider]

I rode down there today. What a beautiful memorial park! Thanks for pointing it out, Pat.

[RANGER & GW]

Pat what you as our Vet's Rep Honors all the fallen and those who still serve and are still alive. We did another pre ride and stopped at the memorial in Little Falls, I have posted those in my gallery. If you can use them I would be honored. Here is the link, sorry it took so long, had some trouble with the gallery.
http://twincitieseast444.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3177

Rich

[Pat Calkins "Corn Dog"]

Rich,

Please send me the link.  Thanks. 

[RANGER & GW]

http://twincitieseast444.com/gallery/main.php?g2_itemId=3177
I did it two time just in case the first one didn't work. Besure to go to the end from this point as the Little Falls Memorial is there from today.

Rich

[Lucky]

Hi Rich & Glenda;
Great pics thanks. What a ride thanks to all that could make it and John I know you were there in spirit, get better my friend. Thanks for the ride Pat and the poem it was good and appropriate. I stopped home to get the mail that has been pilling up and headed out in 15 minuets and that was all I needed to stay dry. Wet roads and a little tire spray but that was all. Take care all and see you next time. I sure am glad they didn't serve drinks at the restaurant I didn't think of that, it could have been spendy. good thing were dry riders.
Later

[Pat Calkins "Corn Dog"]

Thanks Rich, I posted what I thought was an appropriate photo of the Little Falls memorial and the Rochester memorial, on a separate page on the vets site.  When I get some more from other sources, I will pick through them too. 

[Alan]

Thanks for buying the pop Sunday, Lucky - very much appreciated on a warm day!

And thanks again to Pat and all our vets; we're proud to ride with you all, and you should be very proud of your service!

[Flom]

Pat, thanks for planning a terrific ride that really honored the reason for Memorial Day. And thanks to everyone who was there, in person or in spirit, for making this Memorial weekend a truly memorable one for me.  This was my first Memorial Weekend ride with the Clu… chapter, and I had a great time.  I knew when I joined that this chapter is a great bunch of people, I‘m even more proud of the chapter after talking with several other friends, neighbors and colleagues at work about what they did over the weekend, none of which involved honoring the vets. 
The rain caught me the last 5 minutes before I got home (5 minutes of rain… hours of cleaning the bike  ).  The rain came down hard, and it got a bit slick where I was.  I’m glad to see that no one has reported going horizontal on the forum yet. 

[Munchkin & Slim]

Chapter 444

Thank you for the great day I had on Sunday the memorial was outstanding I was very moved.  I am so proud to be a part of such a great group of people and all the Vet's we have I am proud to call each and everyone of you my friend.   

Thank you Lucky for beverage you always seem to surprise us all the time, our little class clown.  I don't think we will ride Saturday that seems like to long of a ride for me and if it is windy I don't think I can do it.  I will be thinking of all of you and if you need help call us and we will come with the truck and help out.   

See you soon
Munchkin and stiffy