The "Masters," Social and Bike Ride

Whew, we have a few things to talk about in this post. Darlene and Buzz and Pat and I made it to "The Festival of the Masters" at DownTown Disney. This year we made every effort to be there for the opening day. Cooler temps made for a not so congested walk for us and we got to take our time to check out all the artists and their work.

Nearly 150 white tents were strewn about the West side. The eclectic compilation of artwork satisfied just about every ones pallet.

However, we were there for one thing, the sidewalk chalk artists. Attending the first day of this great event taught us that the sidewalk artists also begin their art design on that day. To see their art in its intended presentation one will need to return the next day or the final day on Sunday. So, I did just that and the results were more than worth the effort.

I would not like the job of pressure washing these magnificent creations away on Sunday night!

Besides we were too busy thinking about our 2011-12 Palm Tree Bikers Social Sunday afternoon.

Our two hours together flew by. We enjoyed some great conversation, talked about waiting for the rest of our members yet to arrive for the season and plans to come.

Then, before you knew it, someone stood up to (stretch or something) and everyone followed to leave!

I think they were impatiently anticipating our West Orange ride the next day. (Or, the lunch at the Winter Garden Pizza Factory.)

With Pete sidelined by his shoulder operation, our group pondered over our leader position. However, Joan and Judy were quick to take the helm and press ahead, Joan had the "list!"

There was no turning back, the ladies took charge and without a quibble directed us to our vehicles.

Like scolded children we quietly and quickly got into our cars. It just so happened I got away first. Everyone lined up behind me and I headed for Avalon Rd. Then, we noticed Jim turned left up 27. With such a deliberate action against the group, we knew Jim was going to lead us today!

We had some new members to boot, Larry and Laura with their new "Cruiser" bikes will ride in elegant style.

Joe and Jane joined us for their first ride of the season. We also welcomed "Just" Jack back for his first ride but we also got to welcome his friend Alice for her very first ever ride.

We were all excited to welcome Darlene back from her hiatus to ride with us as well.

Left to right, Judy, Alice, Larry, Jack and Buzz.

Our ten+ mile ride calls for a "pit stop" at the three mile marker and the Kilarney Station at the five mile marker. The Kilarney Station has a super stop with restroom facilities and a great bike store, along with a few rocking chairs for the "needy."

At last we can all sit down and brag whine talk about how great we did on the trail.

Going around the table clockwise: Alice, Jack, Larry, Laura, Pat, Buzz, Darlene, (joining us for lunch), Bob and Kay, then Judy, Jim, Joan and Steve. (Pete was there in spirit, he was stuck home waiting between 11 and 1 for a guy to pick up a medical device he needed for his shoulder. Grrrrrrr!)

Alice was a great sport, and she was in grand voice when we asked her to sing the "Palm Tree Bikers" theme song, "I'm back in the saddle again."

Alice flew back home the next day, I hope it wasn't something we said!

The "Half Marathon" Ride!

Our ride was rained out last week but we more than made up for it this week. Hi everyone! we rode our second "official" bike ride today. Eight of us made our way around the pristine town of Celebration sans our "Leader," Pete. Last Wednesday, Pete underwent surgery to his right shoulder. He's doing very well but his bike will be under cover for some weeks to come. You know he's "chomping at the bit" to ride.
Yours truly (with reluctance) took the lead position. (Actually, Jim was my back-up.) As usual we gathered for our "pre-ride" briefing....

Left to right, Buzz, Jane, Joe, Judy, Jim, Maryellen and Dave.

We set our cruise control at 8 to 10 m.p.h. and headed out.

Our first stop was the Hospital. (That's our usual first pit stop. Not for any medical services.)

Now that we've "stretched" our legs on this leg of the trip we can press on.

You can always count on lots of conversation during stops (and while riding) with this group.

As we head out from the Hospital you can feel the "seriousness of purpose" take hold and the pace quickened...to 10 and 12 m.p.h. But, no one complained. (At least I couldn't hear it from the lead position.)

Although, I notice that no one is paying attention to me taking the picture! Hmmm, is this a hint?

Anyway, onward to the best part of the ride, the winding, wooded ride over the "boardwalk."

When on this stretch of the ride, you enter thickly wooded area basically untouched by "residential creep."

Sorry, not any wildlife to report as our tires bumped over the wooden plank walk/bike way. However we did encounter many beautiful birds, a hawk and this surprise as we passed a clump of bushes by a pond...

This fine specimen literally stopped us in our tracks. As I past him I asked our brave riders to get closer for a photo, but he bolted into the water. I thought I could hear some protests in the background about getting closer to him. At least he posed long enough for another photo op...

We trudged onward and began to make our way back....... for lunch. (What did you expect?)
I guess I can't fault Pete if he gets turned around on a ride anymore. I only took us three miles out of the way!
Yep, our 10 mile bike ride turned out to be 13.4 miles... a "Half Marathon" as Judy said.

All was going well, I just missed the right turn that I was looking for. Jim, my navigator, never gave it a thought. He was in the zone... the ride zone! Jim was lost in the ride and running in a trance and loving it. We only had to see the same scenery for a half a mile before we were on track once again.

I have to give credit to all our riders today, they rode along at a good pace and except for the brief rain we rode through, I didn't hear any complaints. (I think that's because lunch made things all better.)
The "Market Place" suited every one's taste buds. The most popular plate was the "Veggie Burger."

As you can see a few more Palm Tree Bikers members made it to lunch.

Pete, Joan, Darlene and Pat met up with us for a terrific lunch after a terrific ride!

Now its time for Ben-Gay and a nap!

The "Palm Tree Bikers" are back!

Our eager but tiny group of "early (snow) birds" headed for Fort Wilderness. I believe our leader, Pete felt it best to kick off the 2011-12 season with a lunch at "The Wave" for our... NO, I'm not going to say it! No way, I'm not going to say it! Pete and Joan, Judy and Jim, Steve and Pat and I met up in the Fort Wilderness parking lot to dust off the cob-webs from our bikes and stretch our legs.

Dressed in our "uniform", except for the "rebels," we headed out.

As usual we headed to our "pit stop" in preparation for our first ride.

It might have been the cooler temps or our first time venturing out but Pete led us at a blistering 5-7mph tour of the campground. Actually, the pace made for a pleasant ride and great observing of some of the Halloween decked out campsites.

...this is ONE site! The campers picked a huge corner lot and unloaded their 14 plastic storage bins from the back of their car and voila! The couple said they love doing it and have a great time meeting all the people dropping by to see it.

We made our usual stop at the "Trading Post."

Pete kept mumbling something about a "golf cart parade." He had the Manager calling the "hot line" and the Corporate Office to find out about the parade! He managed to get the cashier to go on the web to find out about it in case the Manager couldn't. Once that crisis was handled to Pete's satisfaction we hit the road... after we were escorted out of the Trading Post!

We weaved through the campground as we made our way to the boat dock for lunch. Nope, I'm NOT going to say it! Our bike ride belied the stiff wind that awaited us on the boat ride, but our "ever the delightful" boat Captain, Daryle (not) entertained us and got us to our destination at the Contemporary Resort and "The Wave." Nope, I'm not going to say it!!!

At the top of the ramp leading into the restaurant, our friend and super hostess, Betty caught sight of us and had to come out from behind the desk to greet all of us. Betty met us with hugs and lots of laughs.

First off, Betty felt she needed to remove her name tag and equalize our party by partnering with Steve for lunch!

Betty wanted to make sure I got into the photo.

Of course, Betty also wanted her fellow Hostess, Mel to get into the photo as well!

We'd all have to agree, The Wave has become a special and favorite lunch stop for all of us. We have a great deal of fun with the staff. Just about all of the staff know of the "biker" group and they look forward to serving us. Lunch was excellent.

We hit the dock and made sure we boarded the other boat. (Not Daryle's.) Due to our "relaxed" ride before lunch, we picked up the pace... 8 to 10 mph! We completed just over 10 miles and we were all thankful we went the distance. Except for Steve who made a "bee-line" to EPCOT for a food tasting at the "Food and Wine Festival," I think there might have been more than a couple "naps" in order.

By the way, after lunch Steve was still trying to find a GPS satellite.

Reuben!

Ahhhhhhh, that's better!



Wagon's ho!

Time to pack up the "wagons," punch in the GPS coordinates for Lake Magic and head south! Several "snowbirds" have already started "nesting" at Lake Magic. We've also heard from several of our Palm Tree Bikers that mid October is their planned arrival.
We've visited a few of our regular haunts and got to take care of some minor house chores before we get into the hustle-bustle when all of you return. Pat and I got a super welcome from our super Hostess, Betty, at the Wave and she asked when all of our Palm Tree Bikers will be returning. Yes, the Ruben was excellent!

We headed for Animal Kingdom and took in a show...

The Festival of the Lion King is always a good take.

Then we did something we always talked about with Buzz (of Darlene and Buzz), to go to the big Gun Show they have down here.

Talk about firearm "overload." We couldn't believe how big this show is. Florida has a huge gun show just about every month. This show was held at the Central Florida Fairgrounds located in the Pine Hills section of Orlando, just about 25 miles from Lake Magic. Pat and I attended several Florida Winnebago Rallies there so we were very familiar with the location and set-up. This show filled the entire huge pavilion building another good sized building and the fairgrounds road between them. Amazing!

Never having attended one of these shows it turned out to be really fascinating. People were carrying guns every where. People bring their guns in to either trade or sell. Before someone carrying a gun could enter a building the FL Highway Patrol checked for a firearm and ammo. The people were allowed to enter after the firearm was "secured" with a wire tie through the barrel or cylinder.We saw more than a few guys walking around with their rifles on their shoulder with "for sale" signs on them. If any attendees were carrying a gun case, the vendors would approach them and inquire about a trade or sale. Even if your not a gun enthusiast there was a lot to see and a great mix of people, men and women and Dads with their kids. Some of the collectible firearms were really fine examples of workmanship.

But, this is what we left with....

a photo of this....

My back was hurting me just looking at this thing!

I also made it a point to get back to woodcarving this year. Between relocating, settling in and working, last year is a blur. All I did was put my carving kit on a shelve and there it sat. I used the excuse that I was used to carving outside the motorhome so I didn't have to deal with dust and chips. Well, after "surfing" Woodcarving Illustrated I put together a vacuum system that allows me to carve with minimal dust.

A silent vacuum system...

The Blower is fastened to the stool and the lapboard sets on my lap. I carve directly over the opening and voila, no dust. Its configured so that I can secure the lapboard to the legs on one side of the stool making is easily portable. Now I don't have an excuse.

You guys gotta get down here so we can get back into the swing of things because this is how were getting down here....

We're here... where are you?

Well? Where are you guys? Lake Magic Resort is a "ghost town," even the parks are quiet. Now all we need is our friends to show up!

We headed out of PA Dutch last Sunday and planned a three or four day trip, right! We drove 600 miles that day. Our second day was just under 400 miles. We drove right into the 90' temps and that's where they've been since our return. You guys aren't here so what else is there to do but go out to eat. Miller's Ale House for a starter. A day or so later, Earl of Sandwich. Yeah, we're catching up.

The worst thing to contend with upon our return was the waiting... for Brighthouse to turn our TV and Internet back on from the summer shut-down. Three months is the least amount of time you can shut it off and they mean it. Do any of you have any idea of how difficult it is to go without (not only the TV) but the Internet? Talk about withdrawals!! I think those were the longest three days of my life!

We hit the Winter Garden Pizza Company for a lunch. (Do you all remember that place?) Well, lets see if you notice anything different...

Figure it out?

From there we took a "cruise"...

Here's another hint...

Nope, its not "It's a Small World!"

Pat and I had a unique opportunity to see the "Dream with Mickey" Cinderella's Castle show from an entirely different vantage point...

No, not behind bars in jail! Who said that? I want his/her name!

How about this...

Figure it out yet?

That's Pat hidden behind the object in the center of the photo.

Our host for this experience is Paul to the right of the photo.

We've been taking care of some "housekeeping" that we've put off but its just not the same around here without our "Snowbird" friends. But, we'll manage!

If you guys aren't in any hurry to get down here I'm just going to keep rubbing it in until you all give in and pack up your campers to head south....

.

.

.

.

.

.

Here's looking at you kid!

.

.

.

.

.

.

.....these are a few of our favorite things.

Its time to leave Amish Country. We visited with our Amish friends, Abner and Becky and their two wonderful daughters. We shared lots of memories, dessert and even a pizza. We frequented the shops and tasted lots of samples. And so we leave with thoughts refreshed of ... a few of our favorite things..... 

A Kitchen Kettle "Hatfield" hot dog!

...a lot of rain!

...a few "locals!"

...the view from our window.

...great shops.

...Amish farms.

...the Amish ingenuity.

...Amish rope sausage... yummy!

...watching Deb make fudge. (Just poured hot chocolate fudge on the right waiting to cool for "folding" into a loaf.)

...yummy!

...a younger "Deb" in a nostalgic photo.

...Kitchen Kettle entertainment. The banjo player has been there for many years.

...Jam and Jelly.

...and samples.

...and a lot of serenity.