A Few Lessons Learned!

With all of the "snowbirds" now nesting here in Florida our winter activities have picked up. Our members returned from their cruise, some are working, some are showing their guests/family members around but we're still sticking to our Monday bike ride schedule. Today, eighteen of us headed north to Winter Garden and the West Orange Trail. A few of our members were "under the weather" and we hope they'll get back to normal for our ride next week. I know Bill is working doing all he can to keep our Social Security checks coming in.

We headed out in a cloud covered sky and we were met with cool air as we left the parking lot in Winter Garden. Fortunately, within a couple of miles the clouds were clearing and the sun did its thing to make for a comfortable ride. We seemed much more scattered than normal today. The "speedsters" hit the road and never looked back until our first stop at three miles.

Our new riders, Bob and Dorothy joined us and Bob learned to remember the air pump. He road the five miles to the Kilarney Station with his rear tire nearly flat. It made for a slow sluggish ride for him. Although, he literally "burned up" the five mile return.
Our stop seamed a little more like a rest-stop this week.....

See.....  everyone hit the benches....

We learned just how much "hot air" Ray can dish out...

Funny, he said his bike felt lighter thanks to all that hot air.

Buzz learned to take his helmet out of the truck before he rides.

Well, it's time to head back... "Wagons-Ho!"

Some of our riders added to their trip with a side trip to Lake Apopka. They must have felt like celebrities, Chanel 9 TV News was there... but not for them!

This will give you an idea of how serious we take our riding....

We "circled the wagons" for chow at the Winter Garden Pizza Company.

Oh, before I forget, Pete returned from the cruise with quite a unique memento.

Can you guess what it is? Nope, no tan, not the glasses, give up!

It's the hat! It's a Cuban Castro hat. He was pretty proud of it. No, he didn't bring back any Cuban cigars.

We had another great time having lunch and lots of laughs, er choking! Ray noticed I had a couple of pepperoncinis on my salad and one of them liked to "kill" me. I bit into it the pepper and all the juice flooded down my throat. We all had a good laugh. I promise to always cut them before I bite into one! ) Lesson learned!

After that, we settled into a peaceful meal. 

(Editor's note: This picture is two pictures "stitched" together. Sorry, Kathy, you're right in the "seam" so you're kind of blurry. Hey, whatever it takes to get the picture, right!)

With "dogie" bags in hand and full bellies we made a bee-line to our cars to get home and nap.

I've got to leave you with one of the really great pleasures of being down here, the animals that you can see up-close-and personal....

Our American Symbol drinking at the retention pond in front of our house. Watching this magnificent bird drink and fly off was an awesome way to end a terrific day.