GOF—The Journey

We had such a fabulous time at this year’s GOF Central in Lacrosse WI. The event, thanks to the MN Chapter and Committee, from start to finish was a smashing success. But let’s not forget Ralph Waldo Emerson’s quote, “it’s not always the destination but also the journey,” and do I have a wonderful tale to tell…

Four Chicagoland MGs started out a day early on Sunday for a leisurely back roads route to avoid Monday rush hour. We stopped in Beloit overnight. Starting fresh the next morning, we continued to meetup with 4 other MGs for a total of 8 which was headed by Sharon and Jeff Powell. The Powell’s created an outstanding route up through Southwestern Wisconsin’s Driftless Area coursing incredible backroads with vistas abound!

1st stop—Beloit, WI

I personally was thrilled when we crossed the Mississippi to Minnesota at Prairie du Chien (to avoid construction on the mountainous bluffed flanked river highway) because as child growing up visiting relatives in the small Italian farm town of Genoa, I would look across the river and wonder… what lies on the other side? The response “Minnesota” was so mysterious to me.


Void of any mechanical issues, our group arrived at the Radisson Hotel pleasantly positioned on the banks of the Mighty Mississippi!



There were several side events planned for participants which included a narrated River Paddleboat ride complete with a Super Moon, siting of a bald eagle and a brilliantly engineered swing bridge.

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