"Eye Candy!" Part 1 of 3

I don't have to write very much for this post! Just enjoy..........

 

 

There's more on the above Vette in Part 3 of 3.

 

 

All you car lovers out there, do you know who this is?

(I'll tell you who he is at the bottom of this post.)

 

 

This "Hemi" is the product of the young man photographed above.

 

That's enough for this post. I'll let your hearts stop racing for the time being.

Stay tuned for "Car Masters" Weekend Part 2 of 3.

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 His name is, Chip Foose!

 

You can learn all about him at:  www.chipfoose.com/

 

 

 

 

 

Around and About

"Andrea" seamed to straddle central Florida this week. She left us wet with teaming bands of rain off and on for two-plus days and a fair amount of tornado watches and warnings. There were a few power outages but we faired well.


Earlier this week, Pat was working, I decided to head out on my own.

I took a little run around Encore Lake Magic this week. Lot's of empty spaces and some campers waiting for their owners.

Duane and Kathy's fifth-wheel is taking it in stride!

 

While Pete and Joan's trailer continues to monitor the weather. (Notice the anemometer on the roof.)

 

...and, Jack's trailer and truck are prepared for whatever comes...

 

All is well folks.  Hmmmm, an empty campground, no one to go out to eat with. Pat's at work, I'll just have to tough it out and go to.....

.....where else?

 

Pat and I headed out to the Auburndale flea-market. Their big days are Saturday and Sunday. We went Friday! Actually, it was better that we went on Friday. Not many shoppers and even though most of the vendors were not there we didn't have to wade through bay after bay of the same things!

We left empty handed.

But, we did get to see a few of their show-stoppers.....

Gee, for a fee you can even feed them!

 

 

 

Now that I work during the week and Pat works weekends. I now get a lot more carving time in!

 

Here's my latest woodcarvings...

 

"Studious Stitch"

 

"The Black Stallion"

 

"Winnie the Pooh"

You can check them out at: http://oneofakindwoodcarvings.blogspot.com/

 

 

 Gee, with Pat working I might as well make good use of my time....

 

 

I'll keep this Blog post short and sweet.

 

 

I'm heading out to practice for my next "gig!"

 

 

Between carving and work I get to practice in the band... and its time for practice....

 

 

 

 

Later "dudes!"

 

 

 

 

OK, did I miss spring?

I know that after a person retires, time zips by... but this is crazy! It seems like just yesterday we were having lunch after our bike rides or doing something with a group of friends. Some of you know I transferred to another role at Disney. Well, its been quite a "ride" literally. I've been putting in more hours and it looks like it can get pretty busy through out the year. However, the role is somewhat overwhelming trying to learn all the "ins and outs" of Disney World property and the central Florida area; but its also most enjoyable and more than a little unique. The role's title says it all, Executive Transportation Host.

The new role is certainly keeping me busy and Pat is getting busier as the ESPN summer sports events gear up. I work through the weekdays and Pat works weekends! Fortunately, my new role will not alter our plans to head north this summer.

It seems like just yesterday we were saying so-long to all of you. I think the last couple to leave was Angie and Rico.

We lost a fellow DisneyQuest Cast Member a couple of weeks ago. Muriel and Art began with us in late 2007. We were all part of the "A-Team." (It sounds cool, but I think the person who gave us that name was thinking it's the "Aged-Team!") About five months ago Art was having severe stomach pains. Sadly, it turned out to be a large tumor. The doctors had a difficult time identifying the exact type of cancer he had. He had surgery but when another inoperable tumor developed all they could do was keep him comfortable. He passed away last week. Muriel and Art purchased a mobile home in Kissimmee a few years ago and just this year they moved into a double wide in the same park. They recently sold everything up north and moved down hear this past spring. Muriel will be staying down here and will continue on as a Cast Member. Art and Muriel both have a very strong faith and it carried both of them through this sad time of their lives. Their family will visit often and Muriel's Disney family will continue to be a big part of her life and Art's memory.

Soon after you all left, Pat and I talked John and Grace into joining us for a day at EPCOT.

We were all taken by surprise as a dolphin zipped by us in the "Living Seas" Aquarium. (Here's a fun fact for you. The "Living Seas" Aquarium is large enough to fit "Spaceship Earth" inside it and drive a Disney bus around it!)

 

We were rained out but we managed to see several shows and enjoy a great day together.

Glass flowers

 

Pat remembered hearing about the (over) 10,000 roses that adorned the Basilica of the National Shrine of Mary, Queen of the Universe for Mother's Day.

 

And finally, we got to take our (new to us) Winnebago Access Premier out for a weekend. We fired up the Triton V10 and headed to Daytona. We camped in the Daytona KOA across the street from the huge flea market just off I95.

... and we forgot lots of stuff! Coffee, and lots of little creature comfort things that we carried in our Journey! But we survived. We visited with Don and Anne who lives in Palm Coast. Anne was up north with a new Grandson and Don was headed up there later in the week.

All went well in spite of the fact that we now have to get used to a 55 gallon gas tank instead of a 95 gallon fuel tank! We started out with a few miles on the coach but it appears we used up 27 gallons of gas in 200 miles. We're learning that our mileage may well be less with the gas engine in lieu of the fuel sipping Cummins of our Journey but we wanted to downsize and so we did. I guess one consolation is that gas is cheaper than diesel! Everything worked well and I'm sure we'll get accustomed to tighter quarters. One big difference is driving this thing. Oh not the handling, its the driving quarters! We feel like we're sitting in a VW Beatle compared to our Journey Class A front end!

 

I'll leave you with this little cutie. This guy parked himself next to a young female in our pond across the street. It's mating season and he was doing his best to court one of our pond's residents. Funny, he's not been around lately..... must've been a one night stand!

He was over 6'.

 

We wish everyone a safe and fun-filled summer.

 

 

 

 

Sigh!

Did I miss something? Where's everybody gone? Wait! Jack is still here! Ugh, but he's leaving next week. We thought we'd have one more bike ride. That didn't happen. Now all we can do is work, sleep, eat and get hotter! Can you believe just how fast this season flew by? Topping it off our laptop needed to be "cleaned." That was the most difficult four days not having a laptop that I can remember. How many times each day do you just want to "hop" on the "net" and search for something? Now I've got to play "catch up!"

Our last ride was to Fort Wilderness, but first we had to take care of some unfinished business.
A couple of weeks ago we awarded "Big" Buz with the "The Palm Tree Bikers Certificate of Honor."
Buz was gracious enough to let us take his photo of him with his award.

Congratulations "Big" Buz!

( Can you see the excitement?)

 

The following week we took the time to honor Pete and Joan for all their efforts this year...

 

We'd like to thank everyone for your help, support and riding companionship!

 

 

One of our faithful riders was unable to ride this week due to, well, Kathy can show you....

Fortunately it was just a strain. Take care we have more years of riding to go.

 

 

 

Off we went, a "fast" group and a "slow" group. Right! It seemed we always met each other at our stops.

 

Then Pete wanted to revisit the "sprinkler head from H_ _ _!" Remember last year while stopping at the Trading Post, Pete got off his bike and fell onto the sprinkler head? He ended up with a black and blue the size of a giant grapefruit. You'll be happy to know that he's all better and the sprinkler head has been replaced... and it's even taller!

Now let's start planning for next year.... without any injuries!
 

Of course we love to eat out... so after our Reuben at "The Wave," "Big" Buz thought it would be great if we went to "The Oak Wood BBQ" that evening! Are you kidding? Nope, and here's proof.......

We were all shocked to see who was going to down a plate full of ribs! It's none other than that famous fitness fanatic and marathon runner, Judy!
(In spite of Judy's attempt to bribe me not to attach her photo to this Blog, Judy "cleaned the plate.")
I'm sure her daughters will never find out that Judy is a "closet BBQ lover".... as long as they don't read our Blog

Now that Judy's secret is out, Judy will pay for her indulgence...

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That's what you get when you try to outsmart the "blogger!"

 

 

Each day Lake Magic is beginning to look like a "ghost town."

 

Darlene and Buzz and Pat and I wanted to take in one last trek to one of the parks. We headed to Hollywood studios.

We enjoyed our favorite "landscapers."

Darlene had a visit from the bands "Manager."

 

We voted on more than a few "American Idol Experience" contestants.

Had target practice (more than once) at "Toy Story Midway."

Enjoyed "Fantasmic."

 

And Buzz added another hat to his collection.

 

Over the next couple of days we quietly watched (helped a little) as Buzz and Darlene made their fifth-wheel ready for the road.

 

Do you all remember what I said a  year or so ago after everyone headed for home?

 

 

We feel like the Finding Nemo blow fish as he led them to freedom and the ocean in their plastic baggies and he said........"Now what!"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

"Manny's," a Bike Ride, Golfing with the gators!

Each week a few more "snowbirds" head north. So we thought we'd get together for a bite. One last visit to "Manny's Chop House." Yummy!

Thanks to Jim we have a memento of our gathering... albeit one extremely loud experience!

 

After dinner, thanks to "Big Buz" (who just happened by) we have a photo of our group. The next day, Jim and Marti headed out followed by Bill and Angela the next day.

 

 

Parting is always bitter sweet. The season seems so brief.

As Bill, Angela and "Maggie" turn the corner within each of us there's always that silent pause for reflection. At one time or another, we all have to head home.

 

But, we've got lots of memories to relive...

 

But,  we still have a few of us yet to leave. It's Monday and another bike ride. Due to the amount of Spring Break visitors we thought it best to change our biking venue from Fort Wilderness to Celebration. Eighteen of us headed out for a ride but our start didn't go very well for John.

Getting on his bike, John missed a peddle and fell. He took a terrible fall landing mainly on the side of his left elbow. He had a few nasty looking scrapes but was OK.

At lunch John was in great spirits and wondered what all the fuss about him was.

Thankfully, John enjoyed the ride and lunch.

 

Pete led us on another "round about" Celebration. I swear just before each ride in Celebration, Pete studies the map of Celebration!

 

In the photo below of our routine first "pit stop" at the Celebration Hospital, you can see the progress of the new building going up on the hospital property.

 

 

We learned that the flower laced Celebration entrance display had an unexpected repair. The story goes like this; someone "launched" their car over and through the flower display, right through the cement block "Celebration" sign and over the wall taking out some of the retention wall on the other side ending up in the pond!

You just gotta love the drivers in Florida (and/or tourists)!

 

We all got to enjoy another ten mile ride and lunch at the Town Tavern.

 

 

And speaking of Pete (front right) and Joan (front left) we would like to present then with

"The 2012-2013 Palm Tree Bikers Certificate of Honor" at our next ride.

Both Pete and Joan deserve this award for all they do for us.

Taking the lead, Pete has done an outstanding job quietly providing us with direction and tempo.

Pete's taken a lot of "jabs" as we take our turns picking on him with his choices but in the end he always provides us with a fun and enjoyable ride.

Joan, our "tail-ender" is recognized for her tenacious approach to keep our count on the sign-up sheet and who's going where to eat! Joan enjoys riding "at the rear." Her great spirit is welcome to the riders who enjoy a slower ride.

Congratulations Pete and Joan for a job well done!

 

Finally, "Big" Buz and "Little" Buzz have been itchin' to get yours truly to a "real" golf course.

This week, four of us headed north to Clerbrook Golf & RV Resort.  http://clerbrook.com/

 "Big" Buz, Rick, "Little" Buzz and I enjoyed  this rustic course on a beautiful day. Playing "best ball" we went one over par and lost a number of golf balls doing so. The course is laced with water hazards with more than their share of 'gators and dense woods you wouldn't put your arm in to retrieve a ball.

Above "Big" Buz is retrieving my ball and stopped to check out the gator in the drainage tube.

Here's a better look.....

Funny how these critters seem to be "dead" but they're always watching you!

 

Ah the fun of living among so many predators!