Fall Motorcycling In the Driftless

Virgil and Peter Taking A Break.

Recently, my buddy Virgil and I rode our bikes to Winona to see the exhibits at the Minnesota Maritime Art Museum.  We made the trip a two-day ride so that we could take time to go through the portion of the Driftless Region that lies in Wisconsin.

The Driftless Region spans portions of four states, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois. The Driftless, unlike much of the land in these states that was bulldozed flat by glaciers,  it is an area of rolling hills, forested river valleys, and bluffs. The Mississippi River cuts through the Driftless with imposing bluffs and cliffs on both sides of the river. In addition, because the countryside is so rolling, farming is difficult and the number of people using the roads is low.  It is a beautiful, quiet place to ride a bicycle or motorcycle.

We met my brother-in-law Peter in the small town of Nelson that overlooks the Mississippi. Nelson is one of a string of small river towns that follow the river all the way to the Gulf of Mexico.  Peter lives in the area and rides in the valleys frequently. If anyone can give us a guided tour, its him.

I had planned on taking loads of pictures but the ride was so lovely that I gave up the idea and just enjoyed the seeping curves and views. Sometimes being in the moment is what’s needed, no agendas, tasks, etc.

I have to trust that I’ll return again for the photography.

 

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