On the Road with Dave and Pat: Activities are picking up!

It's beginning to look a lot like.... the "Snowbirds" are returning! Encore Lake Magic empty camp sites are fewer and fewer. And that means another Monday bike ride. Jim took the lead and headed us on our (what we thought to be) routine ride around Celebration. We headed to our first pit stop at the Hospital. (That's just in case our first trek was too much for the (yet to be) seasoned riders.

But Jim had other plans! He headed back in the direction we started! Then, he took us into the seldom charted (ridden) back roads of the East Celebration. The change in course offered us a "lazy" and enjoyable cruise to gaze on some of the most beautiful properties in Celebration.

Although, at the intersection below, our neat and orderly cadence fell apart! Jim went left and those who "follow the rear tire of the rider in front of them" went "helter skelter."

We regrouped and were ready to press on.

Our back-street meandering ate up the morning but not the miles. Some of our riders returned to base when we neared the center of town, while the "rough-riders" wanted to press on.

With a few (mis-guided) directions from yours truly, we managed to reach the ten mile goal we strive for.

Once again, we return to the Celebration Town Tavern for lunch and frivolity!

Sometimes I have to be a tad more persistent to get everyone in the picture....

OK so it took two photos to get everyone.

If you didn't catch the strange person sitting at the left corner of the table two pictures above, here's a better look....

Why its none other than the usually quiet and reserved Joepy! (pronounced U.P.)

What is it about the Canadians and their attraction to Maple leaves!

It must be the "Captain" in Jim... he seems to like the "head" of the table!

There's always one late arrival!

Pat had the chance to visit The Animal Kingdom with some guests the other day.

They were in for something really special. The "local" residents were eager to "Meet and Greet" their guests.....

This giraffe took a lot of interest in Pat's party...

For a second they thought he was going to join their safari trek!

(Thanks to Pat for these awesome photos.)

Kings Ridge Clubhouse was the site for the KR Car Club and their annual "Harvest Market" (flea market).

This Falcon is Pat's favorite car.

Thanks to the "Harvest Market" we can fit both of our cars in the garage! Finally!

Another bike ride... off to the West Orange Trail.

I took advantage of a late start at work and met up with our group and participated for most of the ride.

Hmmm, look closely at Jim on the right. He's happy to be back to work at Disney. But, he found out he'll be statused in the Magic Kingdom! He just realized that being the new guy... he might be closing for most of his shifts! Can you say.....closing around 3:00 in the morning!!!

At my turn-around I say so-long to the "tail-enders" as they made their way to the Killarny Station.

Sorry I missed the last rider because my camera is slowing down. Time for a new camera! Our blogs are taking a toll on it!

I'm happy to say that with the clearing of our garage, my carving bench is once again ready to go. I've been (im)patiently waiting to begin the piece I've been thinking about all summer.

I hope to do Clint Eastwood justice. As many of you may agree, his "spaghetti westerns" have become icons. I've selected a pose of him from "A Fistful of Dollars."