Sad "so-longs" and (finally) our (truly) last bike ride!

We bid farewell to our good friends Buzz and Darlene last week. This week we say so-long to Jack, and then as the Sonny & Cher song goes, "I got you Babe" as Pat and I (and Lilly) prep for a summer waiting for everyone to return!

Yep, hooked-up. Slides in. Landing gear up.

Next, a parting photo (or two).

 

Winston is on board!

Buzz, Dave and Lilly

 

Jack dropped by to say so-long.

 

No more procrastinating!

 

See you in the Fall Darlene and Buzz!

 

 

And at last... Jack and I head out for the "Last, Last, Last, Last Unofficial bike ride" of the 2013-14 "snowbird" season!

The day started with warm colors of the sun rise... and the high temperatures that followed! Luckily, Jack and I planned an early start to beat the heat.

 

Jack and I headed out at 7:30 a.m. We returned to Celebration (finally) for one last  ride.

 We blew by the Celebration Hospital and made our way to the Medical Center further down the road.

 

An "official" photo stop!

(Yikes! Remind me to never take a photo with the camera below the waist!)

Our next stop was a 'gator photo op! Jack held my feet for this one so we can get a really great close-up!

 

 This guy was small, about four feet long. He couldn't care less that we were moving around him.

 The below photo is the actual photo of the "close-up" above. You didn't think I'd be that brave did you?

 A photo in the jungle!

 In the back ground is the center of Celebration.

 Oh, and just one more 'gator..."The eyes have it!"

Well folks, there you have it. Our ride was completed by 10:30 a.m. We enjoyed a brunch at the Market Street Café.

 And, contrary to what you might think, I did not spin my front wheel to increase the mileage!

We were both glad we started out early this a.m. The temp hit 94' this afternoon.

Yesterday Jack noticed the ever so still Encore Lake Magic when this mini heat wave crept in yesterday... there was nary a sole walking about the campground!

Ah, the signs of the season... no one around!

 



 

 

Jack will be heading north Wednesday. We'll enjoy a lunch and then a ride to the airport.
I guess I'll just have to make-up stuff over the summer!

Pat and I wish everyone a safe, happy and enjoyable summer.

Still.... another bike ride!

Yes, another bike ride. Jack and I had the "Last, last, last unofficial" bike ride of the 2013-14 season.
A 15.5 mile ride to boot! We took the short drive to Celebration for a couple of reasons. We wanted some fish for lunch and check out the lightening damage to one of the new apartment buildings, its that simple. Fortunately, the long ride was made much more comfortable by the cloud cover we were afforded. (To boot, Jack rode with me in my car and he left his sunglasses in his truck.) We were buffeted by some wind so we limited our long stretch along Celebration Blvd. and weaved in and out of the many streets of the community.

Below is what is left of the (nearly) year old apartment complex after a lightening strike.

 

Then it was time for an "official" photo....

 

A funny thing happened on our route. We can state unequivocally that the residents of Celebration do indeed have trash barrels! 

 

After our ride "Little" Buzz met us for lunch at the Celebration Town Tavern.

Steve was getting ready to head north and this week coming we'll saying so-long to Darlene and Buzz and then Jack.

 

Yes folks, another winter season has blown by!

Darlene, Buzz and Pat and I celebrated with an ice cream. (Believe it or not, it wasn't at "Twistee Treat" either!

Instead, we took in a movie, ("Draft Day") and we did a couple of "last" events.

We had lunch at "Flippers" and after the movie we enjoyed.....

...you guessed it, an "Abracadabra Ice Cream." Most of you know what all the "smoke" is all about but for those of you who have not yet experienced a nitrogen mixed ice cream you're in for a unique experience.

Jack and I hope to take in one more ride before he heads home, so stay tuned.

 

We've heard from several friends and everyone is beginning to settle in for the summer months. Jim and Judy spent several weeks in Colorado skiing with their family and are now thawing out at home.

Pete and Joan made it home safely and are settling in on their porch...rocking and.... napping!

Duane and Kathy headed out last week and soon to follow were "Big Buz, Judy and Rick and Kathy.

Encore Lake Magic is becoming eerily quiet...except for the work going on at several new, "exclusive" rental sites the management is preparing. (You'll hear more about them along with Photos to come after they are completed.)

Gotta go! "lilly" wants the computer!

Eggs, bike ride, the Moon and a goodbye!

Whoa, suddenly with lots of friends heading home we're pushing to get in a few last memories.

For example, after we were greeted by "Richard" at the front doors of the Grand Floridian, we headed inside to check out a few Easter eggs and relax to some afternoon music.

(Oh, if you don't know Richard, you really should drop in and say hi to him. He's been greeting guests at the Grand Floridian for over twenty years. It's also said that he's had the honor of carrying the train of more than 3,000 bride's gowns at as many weddings. Richard may well be the oldest working Disney Cast Member. I bet Jim and Judy can tell us just how old Richard is!)

 

Once inside we were treated to some incredible hand-made Easter Eggs, all made with edible materials. (There's more info at the bottom of the photos.)

 

 

 

Tasty (I mean) beautiful aren't they?

 

Then we staked out our seats and listened to the piano player and then the orchestra...

 

After a brief walk-about, we headed for home.

 

Now it's time for our "Last, last unofficial" 2013-14 bike ride!

 The morning coolness gave way to the "muggies" and hotter temps.

Under the steady gaze of the young gator on the other side of the canal, we saddled up.

 

With the help of a sitting visitor we have this great photo of the nine of us...all in our tees!

The humidity made for some difficult peddling and four of our riders returned to the town center.

But, no one missed lunch! In fact, Darlene, Judy and Pat joined us for lunch.



 

The Astronomical event of the week was the "Blood Moon." With the Earth between the Sun and the Moon most of the southern states were treated to an early morning eclipse as the Earth's shadow covered the moon. The entire event began just before 2:00 a.m. and ended after 4:00a.m. The red is actually the color of the Earth's shadow.

This photo was taken at 2:25a.m.The camera was on a tripod. Because the camera was not tracking the Earth's movement will make the image appear out of focus. The moon and stars appear to be moving quite fast. If you look at the star below the moon, you'll notice is appears "elongated," the movement is actually due to the rotation of the Earth. If you try to photograph the moon you'll need a shutter speed of at least 1/125th of a second. Mars is much further to the right.

 

But, the morning celestial event was followed by the departure of Angela and Bill.

The morning meant something special for Darlene. She was determined to view the "Blood Moon" and see Angela and Bill off.

Darlene made Buzz her "alarm clock" and made sure together they would be present to witness both special events.

Darlene and Buzz learned that an eclipse can take over two hours. Like troupers they managed to take in the entire event. And, to our surprise, while Pat and I were making ready to see Bill and Angela off... the "buggy" rolled up with Buzz at the wheel and Darlene in the right seat with slits for eyes.

 

The four of us said our "so-longs till next time" and couldn't believe another "snowbird" season is coming to a close.

 And so, Bill, Angela and "Maggie" headed into the sun...rise!