Bike Rides Missed!

Thanks to Jim P. we have a couple photos of our last ride to share. Yours truly has been tied up with either work or HOA meetings that just happen to be scheduled on Mondays. Our community is switching our TV/Internet/phone provider so they naturally have to take a Monday to tell us all about the changes for the new year.

Our riders headed out to the Van Fleet Trail for our weekly ride. The Van Fleet Trail fills the need for those riders who "feel the need for speed" and those who wish to observe the wildlife that makes this heavily wooded trail a haven for nature lovers. The comments we received from our riders were about the gopher tortoises, birds, gators and an occasional snake taking advantage of the warm pavement. Most of our riders enjoy simply getting to see these animals in their natural habitat. The gopher tortoises are quite unique. They do not seek water, instead they burrow deep into the soil and that's their home. http://www.defenders.org/gopher-tortoise/basic-facts

 

Our group headed to Kagan's Crossing for lunch at "I Love NY Pizza."

  

Although, some of our riders opted for something different.... As Jim says, "What a Calzone!"

(Good thing we didn't have to ride our bikes back to our cars!)

 

Yes, I've missed two bike rides and most definetly I miss our lunches....er, social time together!

 

 Speaking of lunch! Here's something you don't get to see down here, Marshmallow Fluff!

Bill and Angela gave us this tub of "Fluff" at our visit with them last August. Yes, we still have some "Fluff" left in it. If you haven't tried this with peanut butter you're in for a treat. Yeah, it's basically pure sugar and it's like eating melted marshmallows. It doen't need refrigeration and lasts... well, probably for ever! Yummy!

We're not sure if it's local to New England because this is one of Bill's staple food items and believe us, he's looked for it everywhere they travel!

 

Pat's been enjoying playing cards with friends at Encore Lake Magic. She managed to drag me to Bingo the other night. Nope, neither of us took any $$$$$ home!

 

It seems that all of a sudden Florida is finally getting a taste of cooler weather. The temps are hitting below 50' in the mornings.

Go ahead and make fun of us all you "northerners!" We get to thaw out once the sun gets higher in the sky! We're still only adding a sweater to our outer gear!

 

But, we also get to watch our electric meter spin like a top when our heat pumps kick in! UGH!

Neighbors Revisited a Bike Ride and a visit to Disney Springs

Lots of things going on lately. Then, one day we get an email from a young lady whom for eighteen years we watched go from a little girl to a beautiful young woman heading out on the journey of her life. Caitlin, along with her longtime beau, Clay and her four legged friend, Lucy, will be traversing the USA in their personally designed camper. Completing college, the three companions were making their way back home to MA via Florida to get all their plans in order and hoped to visit us for a few days. Pat and I were extremely excited to host them and reconnect with Caitlin, her Mom and Dad as we made our plans for their visit. We kept in-touch with Caitlin's Mom and Dad throughout the "kids" visit.

Caitlin and Clay are on a mission. They managed to land a job that gave them mobility and a chance to do something a person would normally have to wait for retirement to do... see the U.S.A. With (tongue in cheek) Pat and I planned to show them the "World" in our own way,  Disney World that is. The last time Caitlin was here she was a little girl. Clay has never been to Disney World. It's an understatement to say they had a fast paced visit. It was more like a blur.

We treated them to "Flippers" pizza to get their visit started out on the right foot! Then, one day this showed up... It appears that Caitlin's Mom and Dad sent us this so we'd eat some healthy snacks. Good timing Janet! This "Care Package" lasted their entire visit.

 

Lucy was somewhat tentative at first. Lilly had to let her know who the boss is. With the help of the "dog whisperer," Caitlin, she "introduced" Lilly to Lucy (the way dogs greet each other with a sniff).

 

With introductions out-of-the-way and a few beers, we got down to making plans.

First, it was off to Disney's Animal Kingdom Lodge. From there we headed to Disney's Animal Kingdom. Caitlin and Clay were literally in another world. They also were lucky to have just about all of the park to themselves. Wait times were 10 minutes. First the official photo in front of the Tree of Life.

It's Tough to Be a Bug was our first stop.

Then the Festival of the Lion King.

We actually walked right into the Kilimanjaro Safari. 

 

The "King" in his usual position!

 

Yep, that's a Hippo looking back at ya!



 

Huge!

 

The Mere Cat look out was on duty. There happened to be a hawk in the area.



 

Sometimes don't ya think this fellow might just be the real king of the Jungle?



 

Clay's pretty good at selfies!

 

Walking through Asia they caught sight of Expedition Everest... with a 10 minute wait... they couldn't resist. They managed to get front row seats! Yours truly sat this one out. It would be great if I can learn how to load the short video of their ride!!!

 

The next day they took on the Star Wars Storm Troopers as Disney's Hollywood Studios, hiked to EPCOT and made it to "Soarin' Around The World" as well as Illuminations, Reflections of Earth. Their youth was working for them. From there the hearty duo made their way to Disney Springs to top off the night.

 

Caitlin and Clay were great guests and we made good use of their brief stay. Before heading out we paused for one last selfie!



 

We didn't forget you Erin (Caitlin's sister)! We're thinking of you as well.

 

I've missed two recent bike rides but thanks to our RITs (Reporters in Training), we have some photos to show.

 Jim says the ride was a "blurr!" Hmmm, this can't be riders speeding by.

(Probably, more like, "oops, dropped the camera!)

 

Our hearty riders look fit and ready for the ride ahead.



 

Of course, our lunch makes for a fitting way to end our rides.

(Hey, Judy! Judy! Look over here! .... Oh well.)

 

Jack's Alice flew down from New England to visit for a few days to enjoy a little warmer temps. She took in our bike ride (above) and got to enjoy getting to see many of our Lake Magic "Snowbird" friends.

 Jack, Alice, Pat and I made an afternoon trek for lunch followed by a ride to check out Disney Springs. Jack and Alice were pleasantly surprised to see all the completed construction and new additions to Disney Springs. Yes, we had our sample of Ghirardelli chocolate!

 

The "little car that could" caught our attention. The Amphicars were fun to watch as these 1955 vintage classics make there way in and out of the water.

 

 

They just don't seem all that sea-worthy in the water! 

 Fulton's is undergoing a major refurbishment.

Now here's a great photo for Christmas Card!

We had a great time walking around the Market Place and the Landing.

 

We ended our walk with a "blast!"

 

 

 

Wow! A second ride in as many weeks!

We're slowly getting our bicycle legs back. Most of our riders admittedly had a great summer but our legs lost a little tone due to our bikes sitting in the garage. We're deliberately starting out with a slow pace and easy riding venues. Celebration fits the bill! (Of course, dining at the Celebration Towne Tavern doesn't hurt our reason for riding in Celebration.)

Our group gathered for our pre-ride roll call before we head out.

 Move'm out!

 

...although, one of our riders had to make a quick turn-around to check that his vehicle is locked....Larry!

 

First stop, Celebration Hospital! No problems, it's our usual first pit stop.

(It also gives us an excuse to rub sore muscles early in the ride without anyone thinking we can't hack it!)

 

Here's a creative way to promote Breast Cancer Awareness month. 

You have to admit the pink flamingos are truly fitting for this eye catching display.

 

On with our ride. Let's give you a few photos of our group from the front as they approach.

 (Mind you two riders happened into our group and  wanted desperately to be part of our photos! That's the fellow in the dark blue tee-shirt on the right and the rider behind him.)

Jack on the right in orange, Pete followed by Steve and (photo bomber who snuck into our group) in the dark blue! 

Judy, Jim and Joan

Joan, Mary Ellen, Dave and Larry

Mary Ellen and Dave

 

 And of course, bringing up the rear is none other than our (ever-so-reserved) Larry!

 

Here's a few photos of our individual riders approaching our second pit stop.

Above, first Pete, then Steve.

 



 Judy

 

Jim

Judy

Joan

Mary Ellen

 Larry

 

 Dave

 

 

We must pay close attention to Jack. If we allow him to take the lead, it's "head down and peddle!" He blew right past me so I waited to "catch" him at our rest stop.

 

 With a little chatter, sips of water and a moment to recapture Larry's "topsy-turvy" butt plant in the grass a couple of miles back. More on that later in our blog!

At one of the ponds we caught sight of this gator catching some rays! He must be at least 20' long!

(Note: The author has a tendency to "embellish" things.) 

 At last, the journey's end... all 10+/- miles. (Depending on who's odometer/GPS/IPhone or guess, you accept!) In any case, it's time for lunch.

Above, Judy (standing) is my only (photography) competitor on this ride. Take my flash you scene stealer! Then, she has the audacity to hand me her camera to take a photo of the group! If I see that photo on Facebook I'm calling the copyright lawyers!

 

 Finally, everyone's looking at the (my) camera..."Hold it, I think you're going to like this picture!

 

 

...and now (as Paul Harvey used to say)... here's "the rest of the story!"

I don't remember the entire story of how Larry ended up on his backside in the grass early in our ride. I think the story goes like this... Larry got a call on his phone. Wisely, he decided it would be a good idea to stop and check out who the caller is... so he wouldn't fall or cause an accident. Sooooo, he eased his bike off the sidewalk and onto the grass. (Very wise on his part.) But, if you've never walked on St. Augustine grass be aware, it's thick, course and typically very deep. Larry hit the soft grass and his wheels stopped! He rolled onto the grass in slow motion and thankfully, even his pride didn't get hurt!

 

Now, I've heard at one time, Larry had a nickname. The person offering this moniker will remain anonymous to protect the innocent.

 

Do you think "ButterBall" might stick!

 

But here's what Larry's fall really looked like....

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...and that's all I'm going to say about that!