Double Brrrrrrrr!!!

This is Florida? Our bike ride today was even colder than last week. We didn't budge much above the 40's and when you add to our peddling into the wind plus a 15 to 20 mph wind ,our wind chills were down in the high 20's. We looked a whole lot heavier than normal thanks to our multiple clothing layers, thermal undies, and whatever else we could put on to seal out the cold.

Our first stop at the Fort Wilderness Trading Post made us appreciate the modern convenience of indoor heating. Jim took the opportunity to "hunt" for a special BBQ apron. Actually, it's more like he was warming his hands. Just before we entered the building, he mentioned that he thought his hands were white! I think he's got something going with this "frostbite" issue.

The cold morning meant that a number of our riders chose to forgo the ride for a warm camper. Pete was our leader and did an admirable job by the way. He even treated us to a "mud and snow" trek over hill and dale when he cut across the campfire area of the tent section to the paved section. He did stop to let us "slip on" our all terrain tires!

Here, Judy and Joan were still showing the "frozen face" thing after coming in from the cold bike ride!

We didn't dare chance the icy cold boat ride over to the "Wave." Instead we rode out to the Fort Wilderness Lodge for a stop and headed back to the "Trails End" for our lunch.

Today is Buzz' birthday and our Server, Donnell did a bang-up-job getting the entire "Trails End" complement of guests and Cast Members to give a salute to Buzz' special day. The "Wilderness-Smor's" didn't stand a chance. There's something about chocolate that both Buzz (and his dog, Winston) can't resist! Last year Buzz and Darlene didn't get to eat many of the several bags of Giradelli's chocolate thanks to Winston emptying the fridge of the sweets!

Our cold but fun bike ride went to just over eleven miles. We didn't chat very much in an attempt to keep as much of our heat on the inside as we could.

Pete can also lay claim to being told he was right today! Joan counted ten of us for lunch and Pete proudly announced there were eleven of us. With a quick "finger count" Pete won out and Joan graciously accepted the correction... at least that seemed to be the end of it! Come to think of it, I didn't notice Pete's bike on the back of the truck when they left Fort Wilderness!

Something those of us from up North take for granted is the glory of our Fall foliage. Here in Florida the "Fall foliage" is far more subtle. Here it is mid-December, the recent winds have downed many of the leaves that have ended their life cycle. Those leaves that remain, struggle to retain their usefulness and offer us a reminder of their claim to fame in the form of color.

If you look carefully at the photo below you can, at least, take note that a seasonal change is in order.

Till next time!