Our Blog continues!

Yes, in spite of the heat, (and all of you deserting us) the "beat goes on!"

I'd like to welcome two new "Blog Friends" to our list. Jane and Dennis winter here and work at Disney's ESPN Wide World of Sports. They're also interested in joining us for a few of our bike rides next year! Welcome aboard Jane and Dennis! Be aware that once you are on our "Blog Friends" List you run the risk of finding yourselves (whether you want to or not) part of our Blog... literally!

With a little begging and pleading my case I managed to secure an "ER" (Early Release) to ensure Pat and I got to see the very last show and entertainer of the "Flower Power" Concert series at EPCOT.  Peter Noone and Herman's Hermits put on an outstanding show!

Peter and Herman's Hermits kept us moving in our seats and clamoring for more. He sang all the favorites and had us laughing between songs. Thanks to my Managers, Kevin and Jeremy, Pat and I had a great evening and topped it off with Sweet Almond Pretzels in "Norway" and another fantastic "Illuminations: Reflections of Earth" fireworks display.

SEE WHAT YOU'RE ALL MISSING!

Low and behold we had another day off! Animal Kingdom was the Park of the day. Naturally, a good walk-about and the "Festival of the Lion King" made for a great spot to get out of the heat.

Now, you all know that I'm keeping my eyes peeled for any suspect critter that crosses our path. So, wouldn't you know it, while watching the monkeys climbing in their habitat, I spied this critter making its way toward us in the mote around the Animal Kingdom monkey habitat!!

Fear not "bravehearts!" After checking the "Florida Backyard Snakes" website and conferring with Daniel (the site owner) I was able to confirm that this little guy is a non-venomous Florida Banded Watersnake.

I'm kinda getting into this "critter discovery" thing!

You guys haven't been gone so long that you forget what a Hot-Air Balloon is right? Well, the other morning while taking out the trash I was greeted with a rush of high pressure gas very close by and looked just across the pond in front of our house and this is what I saw.....

The pilot was doing some rather fine "contour" flying over the trees and our houses. We talked back and forth and they dropped some of their pamphlets. Now that was pretty cool!

Today just so happens to be my last day off before my last five days to work! What do you think we did?

Of course, we went out for lunch! Well Jack, ("Just Jack" that is) we just had to try......

Yep,  you guessed it....

The food was very good. (Jack, sitting outside in 95' just didn't seem like fun!) We didn't try any of their specialty drinks or dishes. We went for the Burger and fried chicken Sliders! They were tasty and more than we needed to eat. Oh, and by the way, Sweet Tomatoes (right next door) just opened as well! YUM!

Don't worry, we'll leave plenty of food for all of you!

This will make you think twice about leaving us again!

Are you ready?.....
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 I'm sure you all know what this is......do I have to say it??????
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Alright.... "Reuben, Reuben, Reuben!"



...................... and it was delicious!!!

Oh, and Betty says "hi" to all of you!

Anybody there?

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Hello................Hellooooooo.................Helloooooooo!
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Is there an echo in here? HEY! Where are you guys?????
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Hmmmm, lets look over here....

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Maybe over here...

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Maybe here....

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Here???



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Darn, how 'bout here....

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Man, we've gotta go somewhere there's people we know!

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We know this guy from "Off Kilter"...

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Oh, and most everyone knows this guy from the Monkeys!

Whew! For a minute there we thought we were all alone down here!

Puppies left alone!

No, this isn't a story about "puppies!" Although, after watching everyone head for home recently Pat and I have a good idea of what it feels like. A few days ago we said farewell to Bill and Angela and later that morning we escorted Buzz and Darlene North on 27 as they too headed for home! Another good analogy of our morning on that day is to picture the last scene (after the credits) of "Finding Nemo." The scene where all of the Dentist Office Aquarium fish made their "escape." They're floating on the water in the bay, finally free! As they flounder aimlessly in their "plastic baggies" the Blow fish says.... "now what!"

All our close friends, Palm Tree Biker friends and so many other "Snowbird" friends are either home or on their way. I guess the only thing we can do is visit all of our usual lunch Oasis' to refresh our memories of all those great gatherings.

At least I do have one caveat to pass along. The morning they were to leave, I heard that Bill and Angela couldn't get their Chey (GMC) truck started! A call to Buzz (and Darlene) for some assistance made Buzz extremely proud. Buzz bolted from his fifth wheel, cape on and fired up his FORD to rescue a CHEVY (GMC)! Yes Blog Friends, you read it correctly. Buzz is in his glory! Bill's Chevy (GMC) needed to take a hit of battery "juice" from a FORD to get it started. Buzz triumphantly jumped into the seat of his truck and both he and his King Ranch road just a little higher off the road that morning!

I guess a "picture (or two) is worth a thousand words!"





We heard that Buzz and Darlene made it home in good order the next day. Bill and Angela will be stopping along the way and should be home in just over a week.

I've been working and Pat's organizing as we prepare to head north ourselves. But, for now we're like a couple of puppies waiting for their "masters" (read, friends) to return...