Great Lakes Blat in September

[xromad]

I posted this in the Great Lakes Forum, but will repost here.

 

I will be posting more details as I get a chance to scout the area.

 

My wife and I are planning a weekend blat. Fall is coming fast and there won't be many warm weekends left.

 

Dates: Sep 15-16 or Sep 22-23 (if you are interested, please indicate your preferred date)

 

Who: I expect to primarily draw from Minnesota, Wisconsin, and northern Illinois. But, all are welcome.

 

Location: The Southeast Corner of Minnesota (Between Hastings and the Iowa border) is truely beautiful. It has often been compared to the Rhine River in Germany. A map showing the indicated area: http://tinyurl.com/3cmye2. There are also a number of very nice drives in the area that would be fun to explore. Some on the Wisconsin side, some on the Minnesota side.

 

Hotel: Not sure yet, but probably in Winona. My wife and I intend to drive down there this coming weekend to see what the area looks like.

 

http://www.visitwinona.com/

 

Must be a club member. For those who are not memebers, $20 annual dues will be payable when you arrive. This membership primarily covers the cost of insurance.

 

Cost: You pay your own way.

 

Format: This will be a USA7s club sanctioned event. However, we want to keep everything as low-key as possible, maximum fun, minimum formality. The intent is to arrive either Friday evening, or Saturday Morning (I will be there Friday evening). Saturday morning everyone will meet at a local place for Breakfast. At breakfast we can do Introductions and make plans for the day. In the evening we could meet for dinner and drinks at a local place. Sunday morning we would do a similar schedule, breakfast and morning fun. However, we would like to do a pot-luck picknick on Sunday afternoon. After the picknick everyone can relax, say goodbyes and make their way home.

 

Again, if you are interested, please post your preferred dates.

 

Brent

StalkerV6 #20

Minneapolis, MN

 

Please feel free to PM me if you want my phone number.

[drew...]

Brent, checking schedules - definitely want to be there for this blat!

[drew...]

Brent - can you give me Wheels and Wings details?

[xromad]

Brent - can you give me Wheels and Wings details?

 

Here is the Wheels and Wings info:

 

http://www.motorbooks.com/Store/CustomPage_7274.ncm

 

I'm sure the group will be getting together to to over there on Saturday Morning.

 

We usually gather at Phil's house and then drive over together.

 

Brent

[xromad]

Brent, checking schedules - definitely want to be there for this blat!

 

Drew, it would be fantastic if you could join us for the blat in Sep.

 

Brent

[roll a 7]

As a native born Winonan and Caterham owner I am compelled to comment on your GL Blat plan.

 

First, you should know that the Winona area suffered a "100 year" rainstorm this past weekend. Nearby Witoka received 17" in twentyfour hours and two residents were killed when a road collapsed. Some of the area roads and bridges are closed or washed out. This may include highway 61, the beautiful Hiawatha Valley drive from Red Wing to La Crosse, WI. Even Bob Dylan may have trouble revisiting highway 61 now.

 

If you determine that a visit is feasible I offer the following travel tips. As a place to stay the B&B called the Alexander Mansion would offer the most charm and a fence to protect your precious 7s @ night. Another B&B on west Broadway might finish second. The local motels offer little to no charm and no protection for your cars, in my opinion. At this time there do not seem to be any hotels in the downtown area, and you should not much care.

 

The locals like to eat walleye pike and I'd recommend it. If there is a really good restaurant in Winona these days I don't know the name. About 40 miles up the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi in Pepin,WI is the renowned Harborview Cafe which is a destination restaurant for a wide radius of diners that care about how their food actually tastes. Also, it is a scenic drive along the river.

 

There are many roads on both sides of the river that will offer good drives to the top of the bluffs. Unfortunately, they are not very long, but still fun!! Above Winona the Garvin Heights road and lookout are worth seeing. Grand-dads Bluff above LaCrosse is also a worthy drive and view point. Travelling up one side of the Mississippi and down the other would probably make for the most interesting trip. Trempeleau, WI would be included in such a route.

 

Regrettably, my 7 and I are trapped in CA for a while longer and will not likely be in attendance. Have a great time without us in a very beautiful part of the USA!!!

[roll a 7]

More: I have been reliably informed that good grub may be had @ Signatures @ the Bridges Golf Course, not far out of town on a formerly fun road to drive, pre washout. Nice views of Pleasant Valley and safe car parking for 7s. Beware of errant golf carts & balls!

 

Also, the food @ the Minnesota Maritime Art Museum is said to be tasty. The Museum recently displayed Winona's only Monet original and is also worth a visit.

 

In terms of getting around the town, nothing is more than about 10 minutes away. Truly a town!! Population around 25,000.

 

Specific inquiries may also be fielded, if there are any...

[xromad]

Thanks! :flag:

 

Great information!

 

My wife and I will take a big map and run down to check things out this weekend. Part of my looking around over the next couple of weekends will be to estimate what condition things will be in about a month from now.

 

If those towns are too hard hit, we can always shift our destination either upstream or away from the river and there will still be lots of beautiful roads in "Alphabet Land". (Inside joke, Wisconsin rural roads are all named with letters, A, B, C, etc....)

 

Brent

StalkerV6 #20

[xromad]

Ok, we did our first scouting run today. Sat, 25 Aug 07.

 

Wow. We had a blast!

 

I'll bring up the flooded areas first, since they are of greatest concern. We only went down as far as Winona before we crossed over to the Wisconsin side and headed back north so I can't report on anything further south. I don't want to belittle the plight of the people who's homes were destroyed. There really are fairly large sections where the floods ravaged the countryside. However, We were able to drive around the area quite well and most businesses were both open and thriving. Even 1/4 mile out of the flooded area and you can't tell that anything ever happened. 90% of what we drove through, around Winona, showed little or no damage. I'm not concerned. In fact we got a kick out of the Frat parties that were going on at Winona State and we also got a kick out of watching the Football team getting ready for something (not sure what, but they were all goofing off, standing outside some building).

 

The sections were the damage occured were lined with cars, thousands of people helping clean up and helping get everyone back on their feet. I'd bet that the hotels are packed for the next few weekends. But, I'm sure that we would be able to have a weekend blat there with no trouble. Especailly if we aim for the later date.

 

Here's the facts:

* We drove the truck. We were expecting a long day and potentially bad roads.

* Even in the truck we had a wonderful time driving around the back roads on both sides of the border (Minnesota and Wisconsin).

* One of the real challenges with the seven will be getting half way down a new road (not the ones I've already scouted) and suddenly finding it turn into dirt. Makes for a nice little maze game. Turn around and find an alternate route....try again.... :-)

* We found several very nice driving loops on the Minnesota side.

* We found several more nice driving loops on the Wisconsin side.

* The roads that we explored would be enough to last at least a whole day if we take our time and stop at scenic areas, take photos, etc.

* The roads that are on the map and look excellent would be at least enough for two or three days.

* We found several very nice looking local resturants along the way. Only ate at one.

* We left the camera at the house.... DRAT! Sorry, no photos.

* We enjoyed Winona.

* We enjoyed Pepin.

* We enjoyed Red Wing. Would make an excellent alternative location if hotels in Winona are still full.

* Drove around Wabasha looking for Slipperys Bar (from the movie "Grumpy old Men"). Looking at a map now, I realize why we didn't find it. We were looking in the wrong area.

 

I'm thinking that we should firm up the date. No one has come forward with alternate suggestions. So, let's aim for the later date mentioned in my post. (Sep 22-23) It gives the people down there a maximum amount of time to recover (and hotels to free up). Hopefully, It also pushes us towards the beginning of the fall colors.

 

We can hold the following weekend (Sep 29-30) as backup in case of rain.

 

So far I've had three couples say they are interested, but no firm commitments. So, hopefully with the above information, more can chime in.

 

I'll check on group rates at hotels and firm up locations as soon as I have a better feel for how many will come play.

 

Brent

StalkerV6 #20

 

[xromad]

Going to scout more roads tomorrow. I'll be taking the motorcycle and the camera this time.

[xromad]

Well, it was a fantastic day exploring roads.

 

Here is the general area where I was scouting:

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=wabasha,+mn&ie=UTF8&ll=44.357242,-92.013245&spn=1.272536,2.367554&z=9&iwloc=addr&om=1

 

Basically I explored 20 miles either side of the river from Hastings to Winona. I put just barely under 400miles on the bike today. All I can say is WOW! I was trying to cover a lot of ground so I didn't stop to take a lot of photos. I could have wore the camera out if I had taken a picture of every wonderful sight along the way.

 

Here are some photos.

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12233&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12236&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12238&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12240&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12242&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12244&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12250&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12252&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12256&g2_serialNumber=1

 

http://www471.pair.com/stalkerv/gallery2/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=12258&g2_serialNumber=1

 

Tuesday I will start looking for a hotel and breakfast place for the initial meeting. I can't wait to get my Sevin out on these roads.:hurray:

 

Brent

 

[slngsht]

looks like some nice driving roads, and NOT ONE SINGLE CAR in any of your shots. I don't believe that's possible on the east coast.

 

So many blats, so little time

[roll a 7]

Winona county is around 40-50,000 people, with well over half in Winona. I'd be very surprised if any of the counties between Hastings and Winona have more residents. The Wisconsin side of the Mississippi is considerably less inhabited. Low population density=few motorists on the road.

 

There is one local hazard you should know about: Rounding a bend to find a tractor/farm implement moving along @ 3 MPH. Sometimes in your lane. Beware!!

 

Also, deer commonly bound across the roads into your path; and remember that the word "Deer" can be singular OR plural when its rural. The corn which they pilfer from the local farmers makes them grow healthy and large.

 

If I lived anywhere nearby I'd make this blat for sure. A really beautiful part of America and not very expensive to see.

 

[Mandurath]

Looks very nice, the farm implements is similar to our problem, riding the bike and coming around a corner where an Amish buggy is clopping along.

[xromad]

Yea, there was one loop on the Wisconsin side where I rode for about 45 minutes, in that time I passed 1 tractor (3 mph) and two scooters (20mph). It was almost spooky and quite religious at times...

 

Oh, and for the first time ever in my life. I hit a bird while riding the bike! Darned thing just swerved right into my face shield, SMACK!. It knocked my head back pretty good, I'd have probably wiped out if I wasn't wearing the helmet. Man, I'm glad I always ride with full protective gear.

 

Brent

[drew...]

Another great road is 16 between Preston MN and LaCrosse WI. The area around Lanesboro is really nice in both directions. I have ridden/driven this road a number of times in the Caterham and on the bike. Janet and I are in for either of the two later weekends in September!

 

Brent - can you PM me meeting details for Wheels and Wings? We would like to join your group and arrive together if possible.

 

drew...

[xromad]

We have three confirmed for a Blat on the weekend of the 22nd. There are also two additional that are between 10% and 50% chance.

 

So, in light of this, and the fact that all confirmed are in the Twin Cities area. We are going to forego any type of Hotel/Motel and just meet at a breakfast place.

 

What: Saturday Blat :thumbs:

Where: Hastings to Winona and back (and all the fun roads inbetween).....Twice if we have to.... :crazy:

Meeting: Liberty's Resturant in Redwing http://www.libertysonline.com/breakfast.html :seeya:

Start Time: 8:00am hungry and ready to eat (and warm up) then Blat :surprised:

Stop Time: Whenever we decide to go home.... :reddevil:

Maps: I will provide maps at breakfast Saturday morning. :willy:

 

Thoughts:

Probably best to bring something warm, mornings are starting to chill down. :shocked:

We are planning a stop mid day in Nelson for Chese and Wine. http://nelsoncheese.com/index.htm :cheers:

Lunch and Dinner TBD

I will be bringing my trailer and a fair amount of tools so that we can retrieve a broken car if necessary. :smash:

 

Questions? :bigears:

[xromad]

Wow, I can't believe how quickly this day is coming! BUMP!

[xromad]

Woo Hoo, Friday at last!

 

I look forward to seeing everyone tomorrow morning.

 

Al Navarro was kind enough to send some club items along for those who show up.

 

Resturant opens at 8:00. I'll probably be there around 7:30. I'm trailering the car down so that we can have a rescue vehicle in the area if necessary.

 

I have 3 confirmed (including myself), But, I do want everyone to know that others are welcome.

 

See you there!

 

Brent

 

[slngsht]

Good luck. Good to see everyone getting out and enjoying the nice weather. Great time of the year