The 5th annual Guns & Hoses Ride was a bit soggy at the start but a good day for those who stuck it out. Chuck McNally put together a great program and ride. New member James Ward of the Postville PD and I attended. We met at my house and rode in heavy fog up to Osage. It was cool and very damp. On arrival Our Saviors Lutheran Church we got warmed up by a good breakfast and lots of coffee. The only cost was a free will donation for the Church. At just after 9:00 am there was a program and the presentation of a wreath and well as the four fives. At this point we usually would have got the ride started but with threatening bad weather most stayed put and waited out a pretty good storm. The coffee was good and we met and chatted with a great bunch of people.
The ride finally began at 11:00 on wet roads and in a little light mist to Cresco. The real excitement was provided by meeting trucks and a blast of crud and rain water from the road. By the time we got to Decorah the roads were dry and the sun was out. It was beautiful from there on out. The group dispersed a bit at Decorah. A group of us broke off and went the long way through Lansing. We checked out the scenic over look park and their new war memorial. What an amazing view from up there.
We then crossed over Lansing's metal grate bridge and then down the Wisconsin side to Prairie Du Chien. After a 1/2 price lunch buffet for all the riders at the casino and a bit more socializing we all headed our own way.
I plan to be back next year and I hope we can be well represented. There were several Minnesota Blue Knights there and I hope next year we can show off our colors maybe riding with and getting to know some of the other Blue Knights.
