We're Baaaaaack!

The gang is slowly returning to their Winter refuge. One by one they burned up the highways and byways to nest once again amongst the palm trees, fire ants, snakes, and tiny wind blown sticker buds that can blow out a bicycle tire! Ah, but its all worth it! We'll be free from the cold, snow and ice we spent much of our lives dealing with.

After a brief reunion eight members of the "Palm Tree Bikers" headed out for their first weekly bike ride. Our caravan of five headed for Fort Wilderness campground. The "loops" of this picturesque campground provides the opportunity to check out what can easily be called the most eclectic gathering of RVs anywhere. The shear variety of RVs is matched by the creativity of the people that own them.

As usual, we enter the campground via the rear entrance. This day however, proved to be somewhat different! A shiny new pair of entry/exit gates were in place. The sign politely states that parking has become a premium and only registered guests and guests with restaurant reservations are allowed. Our five vehicles dutifully turned around and headed into the main entrance. With that stumbling block out of our way, we unpacked our bikes, helmeted up and road off undaunted by the interruption.

This slight "speed-bump" managed to get us "buzzing" about things and we took a tad longer at the Ranger Office getting our selves together.

Our intrepid leader, Pete, headed out on his new bike. It was so quiet it took us several minutes to realize he left! Playing catch up is always fun. Dodging buses, horses and golf carts gets our blood  pumping!

Into the rental units we headed. We took in all the "left over" Halloween displays from the night before and our leader trudged on as he started to go around the same loop again. Our "Gadget Guru" Steve's GPS failed to pick up a satellite and for a minute we were "lost!" The trained eyes of Jim averted any redundancy in our ride and we quickly regained our heading and composure.

Thankfully, we were quickly distracted by the abundant Halloween artifacts that some sites were dotted with....

This site is familiar to any one who has headed to the beach in the 100 loop. There is so many things in this site you cannot notice the 53' trailer the the guy needs to haul it all.

Our rides always include a stop for lunch. The call was heralded for our usual when we bike Fort Wilderness Campground... Reuben, Reuben, Reuben! There was no discussion. We headed to the "Wave" at the Contemporary Resort, met up with "Betty" our gracious and fun loving Hostess and started off the '10-'11 bike season with some great conversation and food. For the record, there were six Reuben sandwiches, one chicken sandwich and one Bisson Burger ordered.

With hunger appeased a welcome boat ride back to our bikes gave us some much needed digesting time. Our ride back to our vehicles went without a hitch. We didn't get lost or loose anyone... and Steve still couldn't pick up a GPS satellite! (At least Steve's new bike didn't have any issues!)

...and then there were none!

We said our farewells and watched as Darlene and Buzz made their way out of our campground "home" for the winter of '09-'10. As they edged out of sight Pat and I took one last look around the sparse campground.
For the  record, Darlene and Buzz were the last "official" members of our group to leave the park. Pat and I had already moved to another spot outside the campground. We dropped in to see Buzz and Darlene off and check our mail.
Most rigs you see have been left on-site for the long hot summer. The campground is eerily quiet. The only golf carts you see are the workers and a few year-round residents. The last to leave can take a moment to bask in the sights and sounds of our friends and fellow campers "in ou minds." All the things we did, places we went and people we did it all with are memories and hopefully... we'll all get to do it again in a few months.
We too headed north. We planned a three-day drive with a two-night stop-over in Amish country in PA.
What we didn't plan on is 51' temps and rain! UGH!

We had forgotten what it was like wearing "long pants"... AAAAHHHHHHGGGGGGG!!!!

WELCOME BACK TO REALITY!

Trails end!

Well, we wanted to represent our bicycle group with class, dignity and lots of memories with one more lunch at one of our "regular" trails end lunch establishments. Our intrepid group now has a name and (thanks to a couple of our riders) classy Tee-shirts coming in the Fall of 2010. The “Palm Tree Bikers” will be more than ready for the trails of central Florida this up-coming “snow-bird” season.

In fitting tribute to our hearty group of riders, the remaining four members thought it most fitting to “represent” our fellow members by visiting one of our favorite restaurants, “The Wave” at Disney’s Contemporary Resort and bid farewell to our wonderful and gracious hostess, Betty as well as their servers, manager and staff. Betty escorted Buzz and Darlene, Pat and I to a table where one of our favorite and familiar waitresses, Lisa made us feel right at home and bid greetings to all of our group members.

You can bet that “The Wave’s” hit of the menu was on two of our plates, the Classic Reuben.

Lisa cheerfully took our picture with our exuberant hostess and enjoyed a final lunch with all of our absent riding companions sitting with us in spirit.

After lunch it happened that another familiar face, Rich the Manager was talking with Betty and each of us in turn bid farewell with promises to return (and call ahead when our group climbs to over forty members). Rich, Betty and Lisa all sent their greetings to all of our riders and have come to enjoy our visits as much as we enjoy their friendship and great food. We send kudos to the Managers and Staff of “The Wave" from the riders of “The Palm Tree Bikers.”

We will all miss their great food, outstanding service and friendly interaction with each and everyone of us and their guests.

We’re planning our “Bucket List” of places we just had to visit before we leave for home. We made it to the “Flower Power” “Davy Jones” concert in EPCOT

and plan to see “Chubby Checker” this coming Friday. In between, we have a few more favorite restaurants and sights to take in.

We’ll finish our “Blog of the South” once we settle in up north.

A "Miracle" of a story!

Last Saturday (April 10), Debbie, had a terrible auto accident driving home from work just after 5:00p.m. (Debbie, is our neice and oldest daughter of Angela and Bill.) We now believe that she fell asleep and drove off the road into a tree. She was rushed to a local North Shore hospital where she was diagnosed with a serious enough injury to her aorta that she was med-flighted to Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston. After further scans doctors performed open heart surgery on Debbie to find out that her aorta was actually  severed. You read correctly. Her doctors, all of us (and anyone we tell this story to) cannot believe she could receive such truma to her aorta and survive. Af first it was thought that she had a tear to her aorta. The doctors explained to the family that her aorta was in fact severed but clotted in such a manner that she did not "bleed out", which would have resulted in death within seconds.  Her injuries include six broken ribs, a hairline crack in her ankle and many bruises.  As far as her family, doctors and friends are concerned, this can only be described as a true miracle. Debbie must've had an angel sitting on her shoulder.

After surgery, Debbie was in the ICU for several days and heavily sedated. Bill and Angela left for home the next day cutting their stay short. Debbie was in good company. Her sister and brother, Dawn and Bill, Debbies daughters, Ashley and Taylor and her husband were by her side.

Prayers made the difference. Offerings for prayers came from everyone far and wide. Darlene contacted her prayer group in Indiana and another couple in a prayer group in Oregon. All of Bill and Angela's friends here at the park offered their prayers as well.

The "miracle" continues. Debbie, with assistance, was able to sit up and talk with her family a couple of days ago. Please keep Debbie in your hearts and prayers as she progresses in her recovery.

Winding down... kinda!

Finally, spring is in the air. Temps are hitting the mid 80's, the sun is higher in the sky and many of our friends are heading north. Our bicycle group is clinging together inspite of the exodus. Our group planned a Monday ride before most of the members headed for home. Neither sleet, nor rain, nor whatever was going to halt our last "official" ride. However, a heavy downpour did managed to stop us on our mission this day... but not our bike ride lunch! 

We enjoyed a wonderful lunch at the "Winter Garden Pizza Company" along with many laughs, memories and expectations for next year.

A few days later our "party of six" headed for the new store at DownTown Disney, "RideMakerz".

The remote control toy car store was a treat for adults as well as the kids.

You pick the body, chassis, wheels and tires and then you can go crazy putting your own "details" on the car.

They provide "work benches" and even a few "technicians" to get your car road-ready.

But, they have a couple of real "eye-catchers" for every car lover....

Recently, we celebrated another one of our "party of six" member's Birthday. Darlene got to plan "her day" so we headed to Disney's "Cast Connection" for some shopping and lunch at "The Earl of Sandwich".

The day was perfect to enjoy being outside. After Darlene "hunted" for some Tee-Shirts and a (to die for) warm-toasted sandwich we made our way for a treat... or two!

Darlene's "Birthday button" and face clearly demonstrates the elegance of the Wetzel Pretzel's "Sinful Cinnamon" pretzel she just had to have!

But, we saved the best for last. Later in the evening, our "party of six" celebrated our youngest member's special day with...

With knife in hand, Darlene performed the honor...

After some laughs and Birthday wishes we did the next best thing.........

we ate it!!!!!!! (Well, not all of it, honestly!)

It ain't da tree... it's "De Vine!"

Walking around in "Africa" we stumbled upon the  most unique "vine" as we traversed the scorching streets of Harambe. (Actually, it was a beautiful 70ish degrees but jammed with "Spring Breakers" while walking in Disney's Animal Kindgom!) But, back to the "vine." Here's what it looks like.....

Why, it's none other than "DeVine!"

I introduced you to her a few blog posts back. This time we all got to see her as she "weaved" herself around her "tree friends" and our hearts!

Angela got "up close and personal."

Darlene got up close and tried to feed her!

If you are unable to see "DeVine" here is a better picture...

and if you still are having trouble picking "her" out, look again....

Pretty cool huh?

Now on to Disney's Hollywood Studios where Bill got his "15 minutes of fame" on Hollywood Blvd.

Bill took part in the "filming" of a trivia game on the Blvd. He was one of three contestents. The other two were children... do you think Bill was going to win!

Well, he did finish 3rd! It was a trick question of course!

Here, "Tululla Fruity" is pinning Bill's award on his shirt. Then, she got into this thing about Bill being so "cute" and everything fell apart!

The "players" had all they could do to keep her away from Bill! (Alright, this photo is all part of the show. Gotta keep Bill from letting his head get too big.)

We watched the "Block Party Bash," drew "Scrooge McDuck," and Buzz and Darlene waited in line for sixty-five minutes to ride "Toy Story Midway" and it was enough for the day.

Gentlemen (and Lady) Start Your Engines

We found out that WDW annual pass holders qualify for a free ride at "The Petty Experience" and that's all we needed to hear. We packed up (Gnorm too) and headed for the track. Buzz, Angela and Bill were "all fired up" to take their turn in line to suit up, strap in and experience the 140+ MPH ride around the 1 mile track.
Ah, what a fine looking crew:

Each in turn waited for their transformation into the epitome of the NASCAR persona!

In case you can't tell who they are, that's Bill on the left, Angela and Buzz! Oh Buzz did try to smile for the picture... his helmet "squeezed" his cheeks into a "frown!"

After Gnorm made for a "lively" commotion in the pit, our intrepid riders headed for their race car on the track.

First, Buzz twisted himself into the passengers seat......

Then, Angela...(eat your heart out Cody!)

Oh, and just for the record, that's Derek driving Angela's car.

I'll include this photo of Angela..... and Derek! I think they were talking about what to "touch" and "not touch." I think this was the moment that Derek was explaining what to pull in case of an emergency. I thought I heard him say, "No, don't pull that now!" I'll let Angela explain!

And just about that time, Angela mumbled something about cute and then Oh S.....t, as they roared off!
 

And last but not least, Bill...

Their three laps around the track seemed to fly by, but at least we have one picture of each of them as they sped by.

First Buzz......

Then Angela.......

Actually, I have to confess, I didn't pan too well as Angela flew by so I settled for a photo as she returned to the pit!

And then of course, Bill.......

It turned out to be a fine day for all, even the "spectators!"

....and that was our day at the track! Don't forget to check out Gnorm's day at the track as well.