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M5 In Modena...(17 pics, 56k warning)

4K views 26 replies 17 participants last post by  schnelleM5 
#1 · (Edited)
Modena, Wisconsin USA, that is :hihi:






The 4th of July, 2005. With excellent weather all weekend and several extended trips planned for later on this month I was not about to squander a golden opportunity to go driving, and so with my family in tow we undertook yet another Quixotic journey through the Bluff Country of Southeastern Minnesota. This time, however, I probed further afield, into Western Wisconsin, where the roads around the tiny hamlet of Modena looked promising on the topographic maps.


On a narrow road covered with a dense canopy and dappled sunlight. Lots of 2nd and 3rd gear corners. We saw a fawn-baby deer feeding by the roadside, and followed it as it galloped somewhat leisurely 50 feet or so up the road before it darted off into a small clearing. It paused, turned around to observe us with curiosity before diappearing into the trees.



Yet another gem of a road. An occasional short burst into 4th gear on the straights followed by tight, off camber and occasional hairpin corners.



Wabasha, Minnesota. A quaint and historic town on the Mississippi River. Antiques shop for the Mrs., located within the old City Hall building, erected in 1894. We then had a nice lunch in the Ante-Bellum, Historic Anderson House a few steps down the street, while watching the Mississippi meander by from our table.



After lunch, we crossed the Mississippi on this bridge and headed over to Western Wisconsin. Pleasure craft heading up-river against a fairly strong current here.



A wonderful, open stretch amongst the cornfields and gently rolling hills of Modena Township, Wisconsin.



Not a single Prancing Horse of the automotive variety in sight around Modena, but plenty of equine beasts grazing the pastures showing a passing interest in our beast from Dingolfing.



Bayerische Motoren Werke im Modena...there is something quite poetic about it all.



We turned off onto another small road which rose out of the valley and into the heavily wooded coulee. Note relection of an old barn adjacent to the road.



View of the straight, initial section of this road leading up to a sharp left hander in the distance.



The same road, panned out. A serene pasture below and to the right.



A nice hairpin curve about half a mile up the road.






View up the road from the hairpin curve.



Beautiful and fairly rare Octagonal Barn built in 1917(Note date over door-frame and cistern atop barn for watering the livestock). Picture taken just prior to heading back across the Mississippi to Minnesota.



Back in Wabasha, Minnesota, we stopped for great home-made ice cream and a last pic by the Mississippi before heading back home.



A fitting conclusion to our July 4th adventure...only a few miles from our home. The paint looks old and weathered, and I have driven by this farm many times before, but strangely I had never noticed the paint scheme until today. Home before dark to prepare our fireworks :cool:


Thanks for reading.


:cheers:
 
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#2 ·
schnelleM5 said:
Modena, Wisconsin USA, that is :hihi:
yet another Quixotic journey through the Bluff Country of Southeastern Minnesota. :cheers:
Al

Great photos and an even a better story to go with it. :cool:

Yes, putting Modena in the subject had me looking, but I wasn’t disappointed. In fact, after your great story I just had to search my map programs to find your neighborhood and Modena. Living in Germany the last 10 years, I have lost my perspective of the US.

As an after thought, I had visions of doing the German thing and putting your warning triangle out each time you stopped to make those detailed pictures of your M approaching and/or departing those great curves. hmmm

Ken
 
#3 ·
Your photo reports are always excellent Al - thanks for posting and long may they continue. You are lucky to have such quiet country roads to enjoy :)
 
#4 ·
Al ,

That is one beautiful car on a beautiful road leading to a beautiful place shown on beautiful pictures. M5 in Modena is indeed poetic.

Must have been a great drive. Thanks for posting!

Ever been to Modena in Italy?

Best Regs,

David
 
#6 ·
Once again, another fantastic adventure in your M5, great pics Al, thanks for sharing. :thumbsup:
 
#7 ·
Ken: Danke. While we are certainly blessed with some great driving roads Stateside, I envy your access to the Autobahn. When are you planning to return to the States?


Ashok: Thanks. I actually think you have access to some of the most wonderful roads in England, those small B roads that are featured in EVO, Top Gear, CAR, Motorsport, ClassicCar, etc., as well as productions such as the Victory By Design series with Alain de Cadenet are very similar in their inspiration, I think.


David: Thanks for your effusive compliments! :) It was indeed a great drive. We have unfortunately not been to Italy, but my wife has been clamoring to visit Tuscany and the Venetto, so I think we will be making a trip to Italy in the not too distant future.


Gustav: Thanks. My apologies regarding the title of the thread, but I could not think of a more meaningful title :hihi:


Tony: Thanks for your kind words. Are you planning on keeping your e39 M5 when your e60 arrives?


:cheers:
 
#8 ·
schnelleM5 said:
Ken:When are you planning to return to the States?

David: But my wife has been clamoring to visit Tuscany and the Venetto, so I think we will be making a trip to Italy in the not too distant future.
:cheers:
Al
while I would be happy to stay longer, wife is starting to make plans for our return in a year or two ??????
Regarding Tuscany and Italy, keep me in the loop, got experience there too. :wroom:

Ken
 
#10 ·
An M5 in Modena...........makes me want to go drive a Ferrari!!

Beautiful day, great scenery, great road. One question: Did you actually get a chance to attack that road, because it looks like you stopped every 1/4 mi to take pictures?
 
#11 ·
schnelleM5 said:
Tony: Thanks for your kind words. Are you planning on keeping your e39 M5 when your e60 arrives?
Al, the E39 has earned a place in my heart so she definitely stays. Besides I have only just turned 10,000 miles so she is barely run and I could not break up the LeMans twins so soon. The E60 will be a while, a week with an M3 (SMG II) took care of that so until they can deliver me one with a clutch, the new beast will have to wait.

Regards,
Tony
 
#13 · (Edited)
Ken: I'll definitely drop you a line when we start making plans for Italy. Thanks.


yc: Thanks for the kind words :)


Dino: Yes, we attacked that road and many others. :M5launch: What I usually do on these drives is to first pick out challenging and interesting secondary/tertiary roads using a topo map(avoiding as much as possible the more heavily used major roads), then scout the roads driving at a fairly leisurely pace, making note of road surface, visibility of the approach/exit to corners, traffic conditions, etc. I then either double back or in some cases repeat the loop driving more aggressively, but never recklessly.

A mighty fine stable of thoroughbred machinery you have there, by the way :M5thumbs:


Tony: I am glad you are keeping your e39. Although I am not passionate about the aesthetics of the e60 M5, its staggering performance envelope cannot be overlooked, and I would be proud to have one in my garage as well.


M5Brazil: Thank you for the compliments. Perhaps you already know this, but I just realized that there is another member of our board with the handle: M5Brasil.


:cheers:
 
#15 ·
schnelleM5 said:
Dino: Yes, we attacked that road and many others. :M5launch: What I usually do on these drives is to first pick out challenging and interesting secondary/tertiary roads using a topo map(avoiding as much as possible the more heavily used major roads), then scout the roads driving at a fairly leisurely pace, making note of road surface, visibility of the approach/exit to corners, traffic conditions, etc. I then either double back or in some cases repeat the loop driving more aggressively, but never recklessly.

A mighty fine stable of thoroughbred machinery you have there, by the way :M5thumbs:
I'm glad to hear that that road didn't go to waste. That road looked like it was begging to be spanked! Did you drop off the wife, sprogs and clobber before you had a go? I would have had to drop my CBBSPC (Carbon Based Biological Speed Control Device) at the hotel before having a bit of fun.

I love MN in the summer. Its alot better than AZ right now......112 today....and that business about "its a dry heat".........112 is 112........its HOT!

Enjoy that great car!!!!
 
#17 ·
Beamer_usa: Thanks, I appreciate it :)


Dino: My family actually enjoy coming along on all the drives. I think they have full confidence in my judgement and abilities, and other than fatigue at the end of the day, are unaffected by the G-Forces generated. My wife may not be a hard-core driving enthusiast, but she enjoys the beautiful scenery/roads/adventures, and being an integral part of our drives, and in fact she snapped all of the action pics. My son...future M5 driver :flag:

Bummer about the heat :sad1: Stay cool :cool:


Skip: Good to hear from you. Hope you are having a great Summer :wroom:


:cheers:
 
#18 ·
Al,

Those photos are fantastic. Both you and Lydia have wonderful looking shots in there, and the series beautifully captures your family's latest trip.

I'm glad to see you enjoying the Beast more then ever.

- Justin
 
#20 ·
Justin: Thanks :) Hope your Summer is going well. Have you been out to NYC lately? ;)


diabolical1: Thank you! You are much too generous in your praise :eek:


:cheers:
 
#22 ·
Carrera2RS: Thanks, and :cheers:
 
#23 ·
Al,
OK I finally got to see you and Lydia's wonderful post/pics. I knew I was going to be away (at a track event natch :D ) and would have access to a high speed connection to enjoy your story. So happy to see you all made across the Mississippi and found some tasty roads and sights over on this side of the river bank. Look forward to your next trip and post.
Take care!
Anita
 
#25 ·
Anita: Thanks. :)


MPRESIV: Thank you. :cheers:
 
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