What was 8 months in the making all came together Saturday morning as 27 couples made their way to our house in Watertown for the Annual Tourin' Hawgs Mystery Ride. Twenty-seven couples, but 31 motorcycles! It is always great to see women involved in the sport of riding and this year four joined in! Rita, Belinda, Jessica and Melissa all rode their own motorcycles. Remember I mentioned the theme was "Party Like A Rock Star?" Headbands werepassed out to everyone the coincided with the theme.This year because of the large group it was decided by our Road Captains (Bill & Rita) and Road Guards (Marc & Chris, Dan & Beth) that we would have two separate groups. After a quick meeting of biker etiquette and a prayer we were on our way. The skies looked rather nasty most of the day and the weather forecast called for thunderstorms with some being rather strong! Each mile into the ride was another mile without rain! The word "Rock" played throughout the weekend as we rode to Rockton for a rest stop then onto Rockford (lunch at Kegel Harley-Davidson). After lunch we rode along the FLOODED Rock River later passing Castle Rock State Park on our way Rock Falls.
We stopped at a Liquor Store as is customary prior to checking into the Hotel for the night. Since ALL costs were prepaid (meals and lodging) when we got to Country Inn & Suites in Rock Falls within 15 minutes all 27 couples were headed for their rooms! After setting up the after dinner entertainment (powerpoint collaboration of the previous years Mystery Rides to Rock Music and Karaoke) Cathy and I joined the other couples for drinks and socializing in the pool and hot tub.
We later met across the parking lot at Candlelight Restaurant where we had a choice of Chicken George (yummy), steak and fish. Dinner included a salad with hot garlic bread-stick, potato, coffee, soda and finally cheese cake. The meal was fantastic, but the service was poor since we had been seated for 70 minutes without our orders even being taken.
Afterwards the 7-year collaboration of past Mystery Ride photos were shown with many laughs and remembrances. As for the Karaoke, I guess our guests were not intoxicated enough to allow their inhibitions to lessen and sing to the crowd! Those that did, we thank you!
By the way, not once did we get a drop of rain on the windshields of our bikes Saturday! Sunday morning greeted us with clear sunny skies and temperatures in the mid 70's. Rock Falls was host to the last huge gathering of DC-3 (The Last One) planes since World War II. In fact we heard all weekend that John Travolta (who possibly owns a DC-3) was not only in Rock Falls but stayed at the Country Inn & Suites! We didn't bump into him, but Cathy will be writing a letter from the Tourin' Hawgs to the Leader of the Wild Hogs to see who the real "posers" are!Many of us rode over to the small airport and were greeted by over 30 DC-3 planes! It was truly amazing! Three of the DC-3's later took to the air and flew in formation around Rock Falls. Our timing could not have been better!
We had to say good-bye to Rock Falls, the DC-3's and wherever John may have been hiding to make our way to the final stop of our Music Tour, where else.....Woodstock (Illinois that is). St John's Lutheran Church agreed back in February to host a fundraiser lunch for us. f you have never eaten at a Lutheran Church before, take it from us the ladies can whip up some outstanding desserts, salads and the men grilled some of the best tasting brats and burgers! Thanks again to St. John's for opening their doors and hearts to a bunch of bikers! I had previously asked Pastor Larson to leave a donation basket out (even though we paid $8 per person for lunch). As we left the church it appeared as though there was over $200 in the basket! Thanks to the Tourin' Hawgs for opening their hearts to our "out-of-town" guest church.
Group #2 after lunch and some of Group #1 went to Woodstock Harley-Davidson while the remaining riders in Group #1 headed back to Watertown. In all, about 340 miles were traveled. Of the 27 couples, 8 were new to the Touring Hawgs lifestyle. If seemed as though everyone had a great time and are already looking towards next year's ride! Please keep in touch! Thanks again for all the patience with wrong turns and abiding by a set schedule.
More photos will be posted in the coming days. Again any word that is highlighted,click on it as it will take you to a link on the Internet. To the "newbies", Pat & Kim, Todd & Connie, Jeff & Melissa, Joe & Bonnie, Dan & Theresa, Brian & Barb, Mike & Lisa, Russ & Jessica hope you enjoyed yourselves and will become members of the Tourin' Hawgs!
