Sigh!

Did I miss something? Where's everybody gone? Wait! Jack is still here! Ugh, but he's leaving next week. We thought we'd have one more bike ride. That didn't happen. Now all we can do is work, sleep, eat and get hotter! Can you believe just how fast this season flew by? Topping it off our laptop needed to be "cleaned." That was the most difficult four days not having a laptop that I can remember. How many times each day do you just want to "hop" on the "net" and search for something? Now I've got to play "catch up!"

Our last ride was to Fort Wilderness, but first we had to take care of some unfinished business.
A couple of weeks ago we awarded "Big" Buz with the "The Palm Tree Bikers Certificate of Honor."
Buz was gracious enough to let us take his photo of him with his award.

Congratulations "Big" Buz!

( Can you see the excitement?)

 

The following week we took the time to honor Pete and Joan for all their efforts this year...

 

We'd like to thank everyone for your help, support and riding companionship!

 

 

One of our faithful riders was unable to ride this week due to, well, Kathy can show you....

Fortunately it was just a strain. Take care we have more years of riding to go.

 

 

 

Off we went, a "fast" group and a "slow" group. Right! It seemed we always met each other at our stops.

 

Then Pete wanted to revisit the "sprinkler head from H_ _ _!" Remember last year while stopping at the Trading Post, Pete got off his bike and fell onto the sprinkler head? He ended up with a black and blue the size of a giant grapefruit. You'll be happy to know that he's all better and the sprinkler head has been replaced... and it's even taller!

Now let's start planning for next year.... without any injuries!
 

Of course we love to eat out... so after our Reuben at "The Wave," "Big" Buz thought it would be great if we went to "The Oak Wood BBQ" that evening! Are you kidding? Nope, and here's proof.......

We were all shocked to see who was going to down a plate full of ribs! It's none other than that famous fitness fanatic and marathon runner, Judy!
(In spite of Judy's attempt to bribe me not to attach her photo to this Blog, Judy "cleaned the plate.")
I'm sure her daughters will never find out that Judy is a "closet BBQ lover".... as long as they don't read our Blog

Now that Judy's secret is out, Judy will pay for her indulgence...

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That's what you get when you try to outsmart the "blogger!"

 

 

Each day Lake Magic is beginning to look like a "ghost town."

 

Darlene and Buzz and Pat and I wanted to take in one last trek to one of the parks. We headed to Hollywood studios.

We enjoyed our favorite "landscapers."

Darlene had a visit from the bands "Manager."

 

We voted on more than a few "American Idol Experience" contestants.

Had target practice (more than once) at "Toy Story Midway."

Enjoyed "Fantasmic."

 

And Buzz added another hat to his collection.

 

Over the next couple of days we quietly watched (helped a little) as Buzz and Darlene made their fifth-wheel ready for the road.

 

Do you all remember what I said a  year or so ago after everyone headed for home?

 

 

We feel like the Finding Nemo blow fish as he led them to freedom and the ocean in their plastic baggies and he said........"Now what!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Manny's," a Bike Ride, Golfing with the gators!

Each week a few more "snowbirds" head north. So we thought we'd get together for a bite. One last visit to "Manny's Chop House." Yummy!

Thanks to Jim we have a memento of our gathering... albeit one extremely loud experience!

 

After dinner, thanks to "Big Buz" (who just happened by) we have a photo of our group. The next day, Jim and Marti headed out followed by Bill and Angela the next day.

 

 

Parting is always bitter sweet. The season seems so brief.

As Bill, Angela and "Maggie" turn the corner within each of us there's always that silent pause for reflection. At one time or another, we all have to head home.

 

But, we've got lots of memories to relive...

 

But,  we still have a few of us yet to leave. It's Monday and another bike ride. Due to the amount of Spring Break visitors we thought it best to change our biking venue from Fort Wilderness to Celebration. Eighteen of us headed out for a ride but our start didn't go very well for John.

Getting on his bike, John missed a peddle and fell. He took a terrible fall landing mainly on the side of his left elbow. He had a few nasty looking scrapes but was OK.

At lunch John was in great spirits and wondered what all the fuss about him was.

Thankfully, John enjoyed the ride and lunch.

 

Pete led us on another "round about" Celebration. I swear just before each ride in Celebration, Pete studies the map of Celebration!

 

In the photo below of our routine first "pit stop" at the Celebration Hospital, you can see the progress of the new building going up on the hospital property.

 

 

We learned that the flower laced Celebration entrance display had an unexpected repair. The story goes like this; someone "launched" their car over and through the flower display, right through the cement block "Celebration" sign and over the wall taking out some of the retention wall on the other side ending up in the pond!

You just gotta love the drivers in Florida (and/or tourists)!

 

We all got to enjoy another ten mile ride and lunch at the Town Tavern.

 

 

And speaking of Pete (front right) and Joan (front left) we would like to present then with

"The 2012-2013 Palm Tree Bikers Certificate of Honor" at our next ride.

Both Pete and Joan deserve this award for all they do for us.

Taking the lead, Pete has done an outstanding job quietly providing us with direction and tempo.

Pete's taken a lot of "jabs" as we take our turns picking on him with his choices but in the end he always provides us with a fun and enjoyable ride.

Joan, our "tail-ender" is recognized for her tenacious approach to keep our count on the sign-up sheet and who's going where to eat! Joan enjoys riding "at the rear." Her great spirit is welcome to the riders who enjoy a slower ride.

Congratulations Pete and Joan for a job well done!

 

Finally, "Big" Buz and "Little" Buzz have been itchin' to get yours truly to a "real" golf course.

This week, four of us headed north to Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort.  http://clerbrook.com/

 "Big" Buz, Rick, "Little" Buzz and I enjoyed  this rustic course on a beautiful day. Playing "best ball" we went one over par and lost a number of golf balls doing so. The course is laced with water hazards with more than their share of 'gators and dense woods you wouldn't put your arm in to retrieve a ball.

Above "Big" Buz is retrieving my ball and stopped to check out the gator in the drainage tube.

Here's a better look.....

Funny how these critters seem to be "dead" but they're always watching you!

 

Ah the fun of living among so many predators!