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4 minute(s) of a 731 minute read
10-9-2019
The rest of the weekend was great. My wife's ultimate team didn't do so well; but they had fun and faced some stiff competition. We took off Sunday afternoon for Winona, opting for the back roads out of town to pick up 61 south along the Mississippi. Pretty much the only other drama for the rest of the route occurred as soon as we got out of the city. Traveling along a winding country road, we were cutoff by a driver pulling out in front of us. As one does, I was light on the brakes and allowed myself to get close to the car in front of me to express my displeasure with his etiquette. Karma bit him in the ass, and nearly me too when his headgasket(s) went as he attempted to accelerate. Instantly we were enveloped in white smoke so thick that we couldn't see our own hood. Not sure how quick he was coming to a stop, and not sure if anyone was coming up behind me, I feathered the brakes as moderately as I could to try to remain in what I imagined the safe zone to be. It was complete white-out at 45 miles an hour for what felt like 5 seconds. I expected a crunch, but thankfully none came.
The rest of the drive was absolutely beautiful. We passed through a handful of small riverside towns and wound up and down along the bluffs and river banks. We stopped in Winona for a somewhat treacherous hike up to to the top of the bluffs at Bluffside Park.
Nothing special, just a different view
Sunday's route
We continued down 14 to LaCrosse, where we would spend the night riverside at the Radisson. We had hoped to stop at an upscale local restaurant; but by the time we were ready for dinner the rain had arrived and many other options were closed on Sundays. Mildly disappointing but we made the most of it.
Not bad for not being washed in weeks
We spent better part of the day walking around LaCrosse, hiking near Grandad Bluff, and riding on the LaCrosse Queen river boat. On the way out of town I made sure to pass by the worlds largest six-pack as my wife had never seen it. Her reaction would have done the "bored girlfriends in cars" thread proud.
Pictures don't really do the view justice
My attempt at nature photography
I've seen plenty of disassembled swing bridges, but never one operational. Cool!
Selfie with the Z AND the worlds largest six pack.
The ride home was made by way of backroads. I can't stand the local interstates; and much of the Southern Wisconsin county highways are perfect for relaxed cruising. It might take longer, but it's a completely stress free drive and it doesn't feel like an inconvenience at all. We made it home shortly after dark relatively unscathed.
Final stretch
Trip by the numbers:
728 miles in 3.5 days
$91 spent on fuel
17.9 mpg average
19.1mpg best tank (Holy crap! this is on E85!)
$30 spent on repairs
Pretty reasonable for a 30 year old 'sports' car.
A little drama, but no worse for wear. Thanks for reading!