A couple of bike rides and a little magic

The "Palm Tree Bikers" split in two this past week. We didn't "break up" we simply realized the group was getting very large so we split up and one group headed to the Van Fleet Trail and the other group set out for a meandering, sightseeing tour of Fort Wilderness.
Thanks to Judy and Steve we have a couple of photos of the Van Fleet Trail riders to show you.
First off, Steve "hunted" down a couple of the "locals."

I've been told that Steve made his way through the "jungle" to stand over this gator!

Immediately after the gator heard the shutter "click" he turned and gave Steve a "warning" hissssss and snap! No one was fast enough to get the gator making its way back to his knoll with a piece of Steve's riding shorts in its mouth!

After that experience Steve thought it best to photo a critter that wasn't quite as quick on its feet....

Ahhhhhhh, that's better.

 

After their trek on the "flattest bike trail in the world" it was time to sit and give thanks that Steve wasn't lunch! Instead they went to lunch!

Luckily, Steve is always prepared. He had another pair of shorts with him!

They circled their wagons at Miller's Ale House and maybe that's how all these "tall tales" get started!

In the mean time, a dozen of us left the parking lot of the Fort Wilderness Campground for some sightseeing.

There were lots of campers and rigs to take in. Kathy says its like a huge RV show.

There were some empty sites but by and large many people hit the parks. Fort Wilderness, unusually quiet made for an enjoyably slow pace ride.

We welcomed (Jack's) Alice to our ride and she had an awesome time.

 

Jack was a super host and gave Alice an in depth guided tour as we wound our way through the maze of loops. I can still hear Jack, "Whoa, Stop, No, left, watch the kid, Look out," you know how it went! Alice took all this in grace and style.

 

After a fine lunch, what else is there time for but a photo op....

Both our groups enjoyed an incredible day of riding, lunch and friendship.

 

Now we had some business to tend to. We've got to use up some Disney perks!

 

February 13 is the deadline! The deadline for all Disney Cast Members to use up their 2012 Celebration tickets, free photo and Popcorn and Soda coupons! Six of us piled into Bill and Angela's truck and were on a mission. First stop, PhotoPass. The park was packed and we had all we could do to get a photo with out other people in it. From there we checked out the New Fantasyland. Darlene guided us to the Haunted Mansion for our "Dooms buggy" view of the haunted world.

At last, let's find the nearest Popcorn and Soda Cart! Yummy! Our group handed the server a fist full of coupons, we needed munchies! that quieted us down for...... about..... ten minutes! What's next?

The "Electric Light Parade!"

We haven't seen this parade for some time and it seems some of the floats are different. Overall, the show was super.

The final float is a long American flag...

 

It was time for "Wishes."

 

And,

Oh yeah, the new Castle show, "Create the Magic."

Through the Magic of Disney, Tinkerbell flew about the Castle sprinkling "Pixie Dust" bringing an eclectic sample of the Classic Disney movies to life. The Castle was bathed in HighDef color and all your favorite Disney Movie Characters. It's a show worth seeing.

 

We hunkered down amidst the other 50 or 60 thousand people waiting for the show in front of the Castle. Each of us took our "shots" at the guests trying to invade our space. Darlene and another guest were side by side in wheelchairs and we had all we could do to keep the "standees" from moving into the 3'X3' space we struggled to clear so they could see the show. Angela took on a 6' x 5' guy and got him to retreat to the rear. Pat took on some Asian guy behind yours truly. The guy had some sort of gigantic camera and he kept bumping my back with the thing. He knew she meant business... he left! After the show the mass of humanity in unison began doing the "Penguin" walk to the exits. One guy drove his stroller into my right ankle three times. I didn't mind the first two times but the third time got to me. When I tried to turn and say something the stroller caught my sneaker and nearly knocked me down. Luckily Pat and Darlene were close and stopped my fall.

Another short story: "The Lost Blankie" About two weeks ago you may recall we spent an evening at EPCOT. When leaving from the park that night we scurried Darlene and the wheelchair to the parking lot. We forgot the blue blanket that we gave Darlene to sit on for the evening in the wheelchair. Darlene was devastated. The next day we called "Lost and Found." Nothing! A couple days later, still nothing. When entering the Magic Kingdom we pass by the "Lost and Found" and Pat
thought she'd try once more! Pat couldn't remember if the blanket had a stitched border on it. I was called in to check it out........ voila, it was the blanket!

Ahhhh, just another day in the parks! Oh, by the way the new show is excellent!