We had a really hot summer but both Pat and I worked through it and managed to get quite a lot accomplished. With all of our "snowbird" friends up north except for those who kept us up to date on Facebook we kinda withdrew into our own little world and explored new ways to find air conditioning as we dragged our feet in the blistering sun and brutal heat indexes. Most of the days the heat index was bouncing above 100'. All in all we faired better than we thought and are now basking in the 70' and 80' temps.
To catch up, we've been taking advantage of taking care of Buzz and Darlene's golf cart and got to enjoy evening rides with Lilly. (Speaking of Lilly, she's got lots to write about.)
Where to begin. Let's start with what's going on behind our house!
Many of you remember DownTown Disney is being turned topsy-turvy! Here are a few changes...
This is to be "The Landing." It's on the water on Pleasure Island where most of the night clubs where. Notice the huge deck.
Looking toward the new water-walk that goes from where Cap'n Jacks was to The Legos Store.
There's also the new parking garage that will be opening in a month or so... then they start on another parking garage (the same size) and the bus terminal. There are many more additions that I'll leave for you to explore when you visit. But, take note, the weekends are packed so parking is brutal.
We had our first "Unofficial" bike ride. Jim, Jack and I headed to Celebration and trekked over twelve miles.
I think we look pretty good considering it is our first ride!
I must say, we look pretty fit for our first ride! However, I need to add that Jack's been riding all summer back home, Jim was content just "cruzin'" along at a slow and steady pace. And me? Well I was doing pretty good early in the summer but for some reason just got lazy.
Soooooooo, here's what we were really thinking when we took the above photos.....
First, Jack......
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Jim,
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And, lastly, me.....
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We didn't visit the parks all that much. It was too hot, and too crowded. We couldn't believe how many were in the parks in that heat.
The Food and Wine Festival opened up a Craft Beer center where the Odyssey Restaurant was.
But by far the biggest shock was to find out that our favorite band, "Off Kilter" ended its run in September. They now have a show of ax throwing and wood chopping. You guessed it, it ain't the same!
At last, a few more riders for our 1st "Official" Palm Tree Bikers Bike ride.
We headed to Fort Wilderness and we seemed just a little out of sorts. We lallygagged and never did seem to find our "rythym."
To start out with, Pete had an issue with a cable (I think) on his bike. In typical "guy fashion" it took four guys to oversee and get their hands on the problem! We never did find out if the problem was fixed, but Judy, Joan and I enjoyed the drama!
But of course we had the obligatory photo!
By the way, our friends, Servers and Hosts, Brian, Mel, and of course Betty all said hi and are eagerly awaiting our visits to the Wave.
In the above photo, the Jupiter size sun spot is at 5:00.
(The red glow is merely a reflection off the eyepiece.)
(I must say this, NEVER look directly at the sun without the aid of a properly fitted solar filter.
I used a Solar filter on the telescope. The filter I use allows 1/1000th of 1% of the sun's light to pass through.)
Here is a better view of the sunspot enlarged.
Here is more information on solar filters:
If you want to see a really awesome photo of this sun spot, check this out...
Before I close I'd like to add an update on Lilly. Lilly needed surgery on her right rear knee to correct Petalla luxation.
She is doing very well and we're trying to keep her from jumping on the furniture. (That is the few pieces she's allow on.)
She's a real trouper. I have to slow her down when we walk and Pat and I are "jump proofing" the chairs she's used to sitting on with us.
Here's Lilly recuperating. You can see the incision on her rear leg.
We have to admit, it was pretty tough watching her that first night home.
We've noticed something funny about Lilly since her surgery. You know how some times a major event in you life can alter your personality? Well, we think there's just something a little different about her...
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Pat and I just know we'll be paying for this!
