A Party, a bike ride, a visit, two football games, a carving, and a movie! Whew!

Once again "The Palm Tree Bikers" break out. Its time to break out the food and games and git down to business. We met at Jim and Judy's winter abode, set up the chairs, made the rounds and braved the chill! Did I say chill? I hope all our northern readers understand that I write this with "tongue in cheek!" Well, it is cold for us. As long as we were in the sun we were fine. Here's a photo report on our party. Check to see if you can pick out any faces you recognize and forgive them for their overflowing plates!

 

Jim said Grace. Jim is standing straight behind Judy in the center of the photo.

 

Jim did a great job fending off the members as long as he could.

 

 Larry (on the right) AKA the "Activity Director," set up the Bean Bag toss and Ladder Golf and rounded up the "usual suspects" to let the games begin!

Ahhh, poetry in motion.

 The ladies played with class and politeness. No arguing or anger was displayed.

However, Lynn (on the left in the photo below) nearly took out yours truly with a near miss right between my legs.

Thanks to still being somewhat "quick-on-my-feet," I dodged a golf ball in the .........!

Lesson learned!.....

Don't stand behind the "ladder!"

 

 

As the sun dropped closer to the horizon the trees silently eclipsed the sun and the temperature ebbed lower, we began to play musical chairs to catch the waning warmth.

 

While some just "toughed it out!"

 

 We are quite confident that "Big Buz, Pete and Jack solved many of the daily issues of retirees "snowbirding" in Florida.

 

In short order, we slowly (at first) headed for the warmth of everyone's nearby campers. Pat and I headed to Bill and Angela's camper to kick-back for a few minutes.

 

As for the bike ride. Our group was headed to the Van Fleet Trail this week. You may recall that's the trail that I like to refer to as "the trail you have to pedal both ways, all the way!" The trail is nearly perfectly flat. As you ride out (north) it appears you're going up a slight grade. You tell yourself you'll be able to take it easier on the return. Nope! You pedal just as much as you did on the way out.

The Van Fleet can sometimes impress you with Florida wildlife but the trail is shrouded by trees so there is little open area to observe eagles or other animals who might be in the area. I will say the trail is a nice change because, as it is so straight, you can burn up the trail getting an awesome workout, or simple amble along at your own pace not having to follow a leader.

So the "rebels" from New England, Bill, Angela and I headed to the "wilderness." Fort Wilderness that is.

If we're still "loved" by the group perhaps someone will send me a photo or two of their ride!

 

And, didn't we have two great football games to watch? At the two-minute mark of the Seahawks and Green Bay's game I was satisfied Green Bay had the game locked up.... so I took Lilly our for a walk.

You all know what happened, I returned about 10 minutes later and noticed they were still playing!!!

I caught sight of the 22 to 22 score and couldn't believe what I saw... and then the Seahawks scored and it was over. I normally don't follow that much football. In fact I only intended to watch the Patriots being that we're from New England. As we now all know that game had quite a turn of events to say the least. But they were fun to watch.

 

We were expecting some visitors this week and my schedule at work was very quiet so I asked for a few days off for a change. This Tuesday, our cousin Angela, her husband Bob and our Aunt Ruth and her friend Ann, visited with Pat and I and Angela and Bill for lunch and a pleasant afternoon of sharing some great memories. You'll notice I said, "our Aunt Ruth (on the right)..."

 

That's correct. Pat and I can both call Aunt Ruth our Aunt. You see my mother's sister (Ruth) married Pat's uncle Leo (Pat's Mom, Connie's brother). Yes, back in our childhood days families lived closer together. Pat and I shared many childhood family parties and for some of our early years yours truly didn't quite grasp the unique relationship Pat and I enjoyed.

Needless to say, Aunt Ruth is very special to us and we are truly thankful for Ruth's daughter and her husband for a wonderfully fun-filled afternoon.

 

 

 The time off also gave me the time to finish my latest carving.

"The Pocket Smith & Wesson 460 XVR."

Don't fret, I didn't know what it is either. My Coordinator, Brad,  will be retiring from Disney in a few months so I came up with a most (I think) unique retirement gift for a gun-lover. At first we talked about making a "life-sized" carving of this pistol but I let my imagination direct me toward a much different rendition of this very special firearm. This pistol fires what equals a rifle round. The actual pistol is 15" long and takes two hands to control this beast. My idea was to "cut-this-brute-down-to-size!"

I tried to stay close to the size ratio of 1/4" = 1".

Cool huh?

 

Fortunately, I'll be able to keep this a surprise from Brad, he typically doesn't read my Blogs.

(So don't tell him!)

If you care to get an idea of how big this thing really is click on this link: S&W 460XVR

 

"The guys" headed out to see "American Sniper" yesterday. Buzz, Darlene, Bill, Angela, Pat and I made an afternoon of it. We met at Flippers for lunch then the ladies headed out to check out some stores and "The guys" headed to the movie. All three of us are veterans. We were fortunate not to see action but we found it easy to understand what it means to care for your "brother in arms."

Yes, it was worth seeing.

A Bike Ride and Foot Loose

I knew I'd get to ride sooner or later. I may actually be getting back into the "groove!" We enjoyed the company of more than a few new riders. We made reservations for twenty-two at the Celebration Towne Tavern. Our group was much larger than that but a number of them didn't stay for lunch.
We chose to split up into two groups so Pete headed out with the fast group and Jim lead the sightseers through the eastern neighborhood of Celebration.

It was decided that both groups would head for our first pit-stop at the Celebration Hospital. That worked well for everyone but yours truly. I made the (normally) brief call to make reservations only to be put on hold for (what seemed to be) forever. There I sat on my bike as the last rider turned the corner at the end of the street. Reservations finally made, I figured I'd catch up to them in quick order.... right! Three weeks not riding sets one back more than a little. With more than the usual huffing and puffing I managed to catch up. But, by that time, Pete's group was well on their way so I missed out on catching their pictures on the trail. I heard later that a couple of our riders took spills but everyone is OK.

Using my new camera meant taking more pictures. So lets have some fun captioning some of the "paparazzi!"

Jim to Judy, "I bet I can ride my bike with my hands in my pockets longer than you."

 

 Pete says, "Joan and I left the cruise early for this?"

 

 John says, "I do NOT have my helmet on backwards.......now!"

 

Jim mumbles, mmmmm I always get stuck with the sightseers!"

 

Jim to Pete, "Come on, lets at least flip a coin for the groups!"

 

Judy (in the red and white jacket) says, "Saddle up, helmets on, we're movin' out, ride single file, follow all stop lights, you know the drill!"

Dave says, "Just keep moving." Now lets check all the smiling faces....

 Angela says, "Oh gosh, I don't want to be in the blog!"

 Marti blew past me on her "Muppet" bike with big white wall tires and a clothes pinned baseball card clacking over the spokes!

 

Bill says, "What the.........."

 Ed, I said wave, not block your face!

 Gee, what a happy group.

Of course they're happy... next stop is lunch.

 Notice? The quietest we've been all week.

 

 This one's for you Alice!

 Meanwhile over at the "kids table!"

 

Before I close, Judy and I were talking and she filled me in on the Lake Magic "Welcome Home" party last week. She remarked about how Jack is really opening up and enjoying himself with our group. Judy mentioned the music was playing and everyone was getting lively when Jack approached her and asked her to dance.

Well, Judy was speechless.

This is so unlike Jack.

Judy's a good sport and they both hit floor

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Jack and Judy lit up the floor.

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 Way to go Jack and Judy!

 

Now that's the way to end a story!

What's It Like to Ride!

I've missed three bike rides but I've logged a lot of miles... driving that is! Although, I admit I'd like to be hitting the trails with all the "Palm Tree Bikers," I'm having a lot of fun taking cars here and there along with a few really great people. I've become quite used to the routine at my new role working at Disney. The only thing is, I tend to work "as needed." When we're busy I'll be busy. However, lately I've been filling in as the regulars enjoy their scheduled days off. Hence, I'm getting more than the average hours a CT (seasonal Cast Member) gets, but they are scattered throughout the week. Every once in awhile I manage to work an entire week if needed. No complaints here. (The problem is that my schedule messes up Pat's scheduling!) The work is unique and very special. All that means is that I need to rely on my (unofficial) "gum shoes" to send me the "skinny" on the rides. This week, Judy and Judy (their names have been changed to protect the innocent) for the latest photo journal. (I'd like to thank Judy and Judy for their photos and their courage to face glaring stares and under the breath comments over the course of their task and above all, to get the picture!)

This week our riders headed to the "wilderness." Fort Wilderness, that is. You'll notice that the photos center around the noon lunch! My "reporters" have yet to master the photo technique of riding and "shooting" at the same time. Or, the "sleuth" approach to getting candid photos while on the trail.
Hopefully, yours truly will be on the upcoming ride and be able to train our young "gum shoes" in the art of "getting the photo at all costs!" (Judy and Judy be sure to remember your body armor and full face helmets as this is a requirement of your training program!)

However, I will say that this photo of the eager riders indicates a clear disregard for the Captain's safety spiel! Bill, being an "old salt" sailor is more than likely addressing deck/dock procedures that may not be up to Naval standards! (Note: I didn't think Bill was a Boatswain's Mate in the Navy!)

In spite of our rider's "war of words," they all managed to arrive at the Wave in good order!

Missing out on the Wave's Ruben sandwich is not taken lightly by this writer. I will be scanning the photos for everything and anything out of the ordinary in an attempt to right any wrongs as a result of my absence. Hmmm, lets see, good posture, positive activity, aha, HATS on at the Wave! Darn, one of them has his back to me, I'm unable to make a positive ID. The other has the HAT down and over the face. Darn, no positive ID for this one as well. I'll move on to the other table.....

 

 No hats, good! Pensive and making conversation, good. Aha! three riders with inappropriate shirts! Wait, I don't recognize them. Perhaps, they are new to our group. Well, in that case I'll make an exception.

 

Next! Wait, there's something strangely familiar about this photo! I'll have to study this group a little more with the help of Photoshop. They appear to be enjoying their meal and conversation. Wait! Look, lower right, that's, that's a Ruben! There's nothing wrong with this table. I'll move on

 

This table must be acting up. There is a Manager attending to an issue! What did they do at this table?

I see Steve is back perhaps he confused the waiter with his drink order. Water or Tea or soda.

What, he wants both, water and a drink!

 

 I notice another new couple. How dare they take on new riders

without me!!!! Wait, there's the new "take charge" guy hiding his face.... Jack! I heard he gave the receptionist a grumpy time asking for our reservation! I'll be conferencing with "Betty" to find out just who the trouble makers were.

Aha! That's why the Manager. Jack is "covering up" so as not to be recognized. I bet he gave himself away... he's the only one who enjoys eating healthy at the Wave!

 

I believe there are two new riders seated to the right. That appears to be Bill and Angela! I heard they recently arrived from the frozen north and needed the bike ride to prove to their kids and Grandkids they can still ride with the best...(I think the real reason is because their Daughter Dawn is seriously getting into shape and Mom and Dad are going to challenge Dawn to a 26 mile bicycle Marathon when they return home.)

 

 

I knew it, that is Bill and Angela! Don't worry Dawn, they are eating healthy! That is NOT a Ruben in front of Dad! Angela is much more clever. She knows that her bright red Mickey sweater blots out everything on her dish in front of her!

 

Ya know what? I just realized the "real" trouble makers are MIA! How dare they go on a cruise! I will deal with them on their return. I need someone who can give them a good "dressing down."

Hmmmm, let's see........Bill, got a moment?

 

Well, "Blog Friends," in spite of my "observations," it would appear the day was a success..........

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without me!

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Judy, take notes please. We will be addressing the "PTB Indoctrination Program" for new riders over the next week!

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I'm going to spoil it by showing up for the next ride...

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hopefully!