ANOTHER FLORIDA UPDATE

 When the weather finally broke for the better, we were able to rack up some miles on the trike.  As of today, we have put somewhat over 1600 miles so far.

We have been able to connect with the motorcycle groups from Ft. Walton, FL, and Dothan, AL, by attending their monthly get-togethers.  We were on two rides with the Dothan group (the wiregrass u crew).  Our first ride, called their Sweet Heart Ride, was to a home cooked buffet at a restaurant called Red's School House in Grady, AL.

Here's some photos from that adventure.

A GOOD TURNOUT

OUR ENTERTAINMENT
THE GUY WAVING IS THEIR RIDE LEADER
DON'T EXPECT THAT FROM ME!

TWO SWEETHEARTS FROM IOWA

Our second ride with them was just this last Saturday.  They took us to Big Jim's Oyster Bar on Lake Seminole.  We don't eat oysters, but the shrimp po' boys were delicious!

THE GAL ON THE TRIKE BEHIND US GOT THIS SHOT

ONLY 6 BIKES AND TWO CARS ON THIS RUN

THE PO' BOYS FILLED US RIGHT UP

THE GUY WITH THE BLUE WING IS THEIR GROUP RIDE LEADER

HE AND I DO A LOT OF TALKING ABOUT GROUP RIDES

JULIE WITH THE TRIKE

THE TWO "SUPPORT VEHICLES"

WE REACH OUR DESTINATION

LOT'S OF FISHING ON LAKE SEMINOLE

I have adventured out on my own for several rides.  

Remember the guy in Florida who was hanging up Trump banners on his house, and was going to have to pay huge fines for doing it?  Well, the banner is still up and no one is making him pay any fines.  I rode by there the other day.

WE TOOK A RIDE OVER TO PORT ST. JOE
THEY ARE STILL BUILDING BIG SHIPS THERE

PHOTOS OF CYPRIS STUMPS THAT MAKE GREAT BASS FISHING

I got turned around (got my ass lost) the other day, and ended up at a familiar spot, the "highest point" in Florida!  A nice little park is situated there.

CAN'T SEE ANY MOUNTAINS!

SLINGSHOTS ARE PRETTY POPULAR RENTALS DOWN HERE
ARE RICHARD AND MELODYE LOOKING TO UPGRADE TO A SIX SEATER?!

SHUFFLEBOARD IS PRETTY POULAR HERE AT THE CONDO
DON'T PLAY THESE PEOPLE FOR MONEY!

OUR CONDO BUILDING

A SPECTACLAR SUNSET OVER THE GULF OF AMERICA!

ARE WE REALLY IN FLORIDA?!

 As you may have heard by now, winter was not nice to the south, and Panama City Beach was no exception.  We received about 4 inches here and in some areas just north of us in Florida and Alabama received over 8 inches, all new records.  It may not get warm enough today to melt away the snow, so it will probably turn to ice.  As you may well know, the natives in these areas have no idea how to drive in winter weather, so a day in the condo is the plan.  The only saving grace, is that temps this coming weekend are supposed to be in the 60's.

Compare the photos I sent you last time with the ones I'm sending today, and you'll see what I'm talking about!  It's amazing that right now we have more snow here than you have back there in Iowa!

The trike and pickup during the snow fall

VIEW FROM OUR FRONT DOOR

MORE PARKING LOT PHOTOS FROM LAST NIGHT

SNOWFALL LOOKING OUT THE BACK BALCONY 

MORE EVENING SNOW FALL

NO ONE IN THE HOT TUBS NOW

THE PARKING LOT IS A SKATING RINK

STEAM ROLLING OFF THE HOT TUB

FOOTPRINTS IN THE SNOW

MORE TRACKS

THAT'S NOT WHITE SAND.  IT'S SNOW!

UPDATE FROM FLORIDA

 I have received a number of requests to see how it's going for us in Florida, so I thought it might be easier to inform everyone on the blog.

First of all our trip down here was a little challenging at times.  We waited at home for a couple of hours before leaving on the 29th for the fog to lessen.  It was pretty soupy until we got to Oelwein, and then a few spots in Missouri along the way.  We stopped at Sikeston, MO, for the first night and then on to Defuniak Springs, Florida, and finally to Panama City Beach on the 31st.

When we first arrived, the weather was pleasant, but cool.  I was able to get in a 150 mile ride on Jan. 2nd.  However, since then, the weather has been very cool for this area along with a lot of rain and wind.  For almost a week now, the high temps were in the 40's, and I have not ridden since.  It looks like it's going to be in the 50's today, so I plan on a ride.  Needless to say, the natives are really "pissing and moaning" about the cold, but I also remind them that it's currently below zero in Iowa.  They said it would be crazy to live there!  The outdoor pool here is heated, so we are able to use it most every day.  The real challenge comes when it's time to get out!

We did attend a get-together with the motorcycle group from Ft. Walton last Thursday evening.  They are a group that's affliliated with Eagle Wings Motorcycle Association.  They only had 7 members show up, so I'm a little concerned about this group.  Hopefully we will be able to go on some rides with them.

On Saturday morning, I ventured over to Pensacola for their monthly meeting.  They are also members of the Eagle Wings Association.  Since I am also a member, I was able to participate in their activities and hopefully be able to join them on some rides. This is a very active group.  They have several charities that they support and generally have a couple of RTE's (Rides To Eat) each month.  You have to be a member of Eagle Wings to be able to go on rides with both of these groups.

Tonight we are heading up to Dothan, Alabama, the peanut capital of the world, for a get-together with a group that's similar to our Wednesday Night Riders.  They call themselves the Wiregrass U Crew.  Like us, they have no affliliation with any particular association, but some of the members belong to Eagle Wings like I do.  They have both 2 wheelers, 3 wheelers, and 4 wheelers of all kinds on their rides like we do.  They always have a RTE called a "Sweetheart Ride" near Valentines Day that we participate with them.

None of these groups ride as often as we do and don't have anywhere near the members that they had when we first started coming to  their meetings.  This is why I am extremely proud of our group.  We seemed to be growing in numbers and I was introduced to a fellow at the hospital Christmas party that wants to join us in the spring.

Hopefully the cold weather is coming to an end, and we will be able to get more riding in.  If we have any interesting adventures, I'll post them.  In the meantime, stay warm!

Here's some photos from our condo unit.

GULF OF MEXICO FROM OUR BALCONY

A LONELY TRIKE!

VIEWS FROM OUR FRONT DOOR

CHRISTMAS CARDS

 Apparently we were too darn lazy to gather and send out Christmas cards to everyone like we have in the past.  So, in lieu of taking the time, like we should have, I will use the blog to wish all of our Wednesday Night Riders, their family and friends, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Joyous New Year!

We plan to be heading back to Florida on Sunday, the 29th.  We usually get in a lot of riding with several groups in the area.  It's always fun for me to follow instead of lead for a while.  If we have some interesting experiences while we're down there, I'll try to post them here.  If not, see you in the spring!

He's on his way!

NOT BAD AT ALL

 Four intrepid Wednesday night riders showed up at Casey's Friday afternoon for what probably looks to be the last ride of the season.  With the temp right at 50, but sunny skies offering warmer conditions, the ride was on.  Chuckles and Jim showed up on bikes, while Terry and Bob huddled up on three-wheelers.

IF IT'S AT LEAST 50 AND NOT RAINING, I'M RIDING!

TERRY ALL BUNDLED UP

ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?!

YEP, LET'S GO!

With Bob in the lead, we departed Casey's at 1 o'clock, passed through Waukon on HWY 9, and made our way up to Lansing.  So far, so good, for the sun did offer more warmth.  Checking the outside temp on the Wing showed a "balmy" 55 degrees.

After rolling through Lansing, we turned north onto HWY 26 heading to Brownsville.  Knowing that we may have to ride through some shady areas, I still wanted to take this route.  I was hoping that the migratory birds might be in the reserve on the Mississippi River south of Brownsville.  We were not disappointed.  There were hundreds of white birds resting in the calm waters of the reserve.  Making up most of the species were swans and pelicans.  If anyone wants to see this spectacle of nature, now is the time to go!

After our bird viewing, we entered Brownsville and continued our ride on CR 3 heading for Caledonia.  Most of CR 3 was in the sun, and the smooth blacktop made for a great ride into Caledonia.  There we stopped at Kwik Trip, so Jim could fill his Wing with airplane fuel and the rest of us could imbibe in warm drinks.  Chuckles snapped a couple of photos here.

ZIP UP, BOB!

TERRY PARKED IN THE SHADE!

After warming up at Kwik Trip, we took HWY 76 out of town and then stayed on HWY 44 on into Spring Grove. We turned onto Division Avenue (CR A-16) and headed south towards Dorchester.  A-16 becomes Dorchester Drive after entering Iowa.  We enjoyed a smooth, "warm" ride down the hill into Dorchester.  After rolling through the suburbs of Dorchester, we came to HWY 76 and followed it south into Waukon.  Bob had 98 miles on the Wing at home.  Was it cool? (kind of!)  Was it worth it?  (definitely!).

Unless there is a dramatic change in the weather, the next time we ride together may be the Spring of 2025.  Also, the annual PMS get-together looks to be on April 16th, so set aside the date.

As for now here's wishing all Wednesday Night Riders, their families and friends a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving!

ANOTHER POSSIBLE FRIDAY RIDE

 If the temp is above 50 with sunny skies and low wind at 1 o'clock on Friday afternoon, I will go on a ride from Casey's.  Anyone who doesn't shiver easily can ride along!

DEE AND ME/VETERANS' DAY

 On a cool but pleasant fall afternoon, only Dee and Bob decided it was a good time to get in another ride.  With Dee on her W (Kawasaki) and Bob on the Gold Wing trike, the duo departed Casey's at noon on Friday with the plan to stay in the sun as much as possible.  The temp was right at 55 degrees and the sky was sunny.

We cruised up HWY 9 to Lansing, then HWY 26 up to just south of New Albin before we turned onto Iowa River Drive and we followed it all along the river over to HWY 76.  Once reaching 76 we took a short jog north and jumped onto Bear Creek Drive.  While transversing Bear Creek, I was amazed by the amount of corn still in the field.  However, there was a lot of combines, trucks, and wagons in the fields.

Bear Creek took us over to Locust Road and we turned north on it until arriving at HWY 44 just west of Spring Grove.  We rode on into Spring Grove for some warm drinks at Kwik Trip.

TIME FOR SOME WARM DRINKS!

After our break, we backtracked a short distance on HWY 44 and turned north on CR 4.  We breezed through Blackhammer and Yucatan and arrived just outside of Houston on HWY 76.  We then took curvy 76 on into Caledonia.  By this time, a check on the bike's outside temp showed 60 degrees.  After negotiating the hills and curves on 76, we made our way through Caledonia (not stopping at the "Ruptured Rooster"),  and then stayed on HWY 44 heading back towards Spring Grove.  Before reaching Spring Grove, we turned onto CR 17, and "roller coastered" our way back to HWY 76 just north of Eitzen.

We continued south on 76, noting the amount of tar on the shoulder and in the ditches around the bridges.  Apparently there is still more work to do on a section of road that I didn't think needed any repair, because we were stopped and had to follow a pilot car for several miles.  All the while we were following the pilot car, the vehicles ahead of us were kicking up some type of dust from the highway.  Hopefully the dust was harmless, because we did breathe in a fair amount of it before we got out of the construction area.  We spent the rest of the time on 76 back to Waukon, where I headed home and Dee motored on to her abode.  I had 135 miles on the trike when I got home, and Dee probably had about 150 by the time she arrived.  Dee and I can always reflect on this ride when we are looking out the window this winter and see the snow blowing sideways.

Apparently Jim and Cathy also went for a cruise for lunch, coffee, and horseradish cheese!  Not my "cup of tea" or should I say coffee.

If there is another day like this in the upcoming days, another ride might be instore.

VETERANS' DAY

Here's a salute to all veterans on their special day of recognition.  I want to especially honor the vets that are part of our Wednesday Night Riders group.  So special salutes to Terry, Bob Z, Richard, Bernell, and Carl.  GOD BLESS AND THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE!!