Today was a short 175 mile ride up a busy, busy interstate I-39 to Monona Wisconsin. At times there was nothing but big trucks as far as the eye could see.
But it was a beautiful sunny day, and I found a nice Fazoli's to have lunch at. Mmmm, breadsticks !!
I got into Monona WI just around noon. Monona is just south east of Madison Wisconsin. I am leaving my truck and motorcycle at a good friend of a friend's house. His name is Jim M.
Jim is best buddies with Mark, and Mark's brother Slo Jon is one of my best motorcycle pals. Jim has a beautiful, big home, with lots of parking and storage space. Slo Jon has been up here for a month visiting and helping to fix up the place, but he just went back to Florida last week.
If all goes well, I'll see Jon in about three weeks and we'll head out to Sturgis on our motorcycles with another friend, Ace from Connecticut.
Jim has a lot of neat yard art !
Jim was not home when I got in. I felt a little weird, because I don't really know Jim, and here I am unloading a truck, motorcycle, and bicycle in his garage and yard.
I had to completely set up my touring bicycle. All the bags and flags and monkeys and bears were taken off the bike while traveling. I also did a little bike maintenance, like oiling the chain, that I should've done before I left Tallahassee!
Here is the truck and the BMW Motorcycle, all stored away until I get back in a few weeks.
Jim got home around four or five. John had left this note for him so we had plenty of beer in the refrigerator! Wisconsin is known for their outstanding brews.
I had a great time hanging out with Jim. We talked about all kinds of things. Jim and Jon's brother Mark had moved down to Florida in the mid-1980s, and lived in Jon's greenhouse with a visquene roof. I am sure I met him back then. Those were some good old days !
Monona is a beautiful town. We sat around and visited with Jim's neighbors, petted his cat Melba, and had a great time. But tomorrow I'm off on the bicycle, headed towards Iowa – yippee!