This pristine, long and beautiful 18 hole course was both kind yet unforgiving for our foursome.
Each of us "donated" a ball or two on more than a few occasions.
We were thankful for the golf carts; this course not only plays long, it is long!
You may notice the center sand trap as a "familiar face."
You may have seen it on TV on one of the PGA Pro-Tours.
As the afternoon sun dipped behind the never-ending array of Magnolia trees a few of the "locals" began searching for something to munch on.
In the above photo two of the six or so deer we observed, walked within feet of us and our golf cart. As the daylight ebbed so did our stamina, but seeing Mother Nature in all its beauty was both refreshing and rewarding.
The 18th hole just about says it all when it comes to the elegant beauty of the course and the day....
As the sun set the blooming Magnolia's made for a colorful send-off and finish to an awesome afternoon.
That same afternoon, we greeted Bill and Angela as they completed their journey south and set up in Lake Magic. After our round of golf we met up with them at Buzz and Darlene's camper. They made the trip down in great shape and the surgery Bill had on his shoulder is healing extremely well. He and Angela are touting new Raleigh bicycles. Now that's another story. You see, the bikes rode in the camper, on their bed until each stop-over and they were hustled to the kitchen. The story goes, Bill couldn't get the cover on the bikes on the bike carrier on the back of the camper so the bikes got special treatment until their first bike ride.
Sunday was our second "Palm Tree Biker" party. Jim and Judy hosted a grand fiesta in their spacious grassy site.
Several tables stocked with goodies and lots of chatter (along with a great day) made for a terrific afternoon.
Many party goers took advantage of a couple of familiar games.
And, after all the food, fun and games.... we all headed to the Club House for Sunday night Ice Cream!
Guilt ridden, after all we ate, there were thirty bike riders who met at the club house on Monday morning... in the rain, for a serious session of bike riding to work off all we ate the day before!
On the way to Fort Wilderness rain began to take a toll on our spirits. But, we were determined and we lined up to begin our weekly venture.
Editor's note: Bill and Angela protected their new bikes from the elements for 1500 miles plus and the first time the bikes head for the trail they are pounded with rain! Go figure!
Fort Wilderness creates a dilemma for us. It's our riding venue that requires us to select one or another restaurants for our lunch.
This day it was between "The Wave" and the "Floridian Restaurant." Before starting out the group set out to make our decision. It was 29 to 1 for "The Wave." Between driving to Fort Wilderness and lining up to ride there was "mutiny" among the rank and file. Twelve riders opted for the Floridian and the rest to the Wave, and so we split up.
Here lined up are the "rouges gallery" of riders on "the list!"
NOTE: the faces have been changed to protect the innocent!
In mildly subdued confusion, we began our trek to the boats and lunch.
Twenty one of us "circled the wagons" at the Wave. But, we had to take a boat ride to get there.
And, depending on how you look at it, it was either good luck or bad luck for Kathy...
Kathy was "bombarded" from above by a passing bird! Her right hand took the "full blast" and the spots on the right leg of her pants are "collateral damage!" She survived in great spirits and all hands rushed to her protection with tissues, hankies and (I thought) I saw Larry ready to offer his PTB shirt!
After an outstanding lunch at both our choices of eateries, we met up with the full complement of our riders at the dock for our return trip.
(If you look close at the above photo see if you can find our rider who made it into the photo two times.)
To keep with the "split" motif of the day, like two ships passing in the night we headed out on the high seas in one direction and the rest went the other way..
...and that's kinda how the day went for "The Palm Tree Bikers!"
But the best was yet to come. We shocked er surprised Bill and Angela when their Grand daughter, Ashley walked up to their camper just before sunset. They didn't know that Ashley quietly planned a ten day visit here in central Florida! Pat and Darlene "stealthfully" headed out to the airport to pick up Ashley while Bill and Angela and yours truly headed to the DownTown Disney Casting building to check something out.
Mission accomplished!
