IT'S TIME TO COME HOME-----####&%**^^+++!!!

After a month of absolutely beautiful weather, 2,600 miles on the trike, and loads of fun with the GWRRA folks here in the Florida panhandle, it's time to return to the frozen tundra.  BUMMER!!

We plan to depart on Wednesday morning from Panama City Beach and our first stop will be in Altoona, AL where a Roadsmith dealer is going to check out the rear brakes on the trike, so without any foul weather, we should roll into Waukon late Thursday or early Friday.

A lot of the fun and the neat rides we went on were thanks to the folks in the GWRRA Chapter here in Panama City.  They are the perfect example of "southern hospitality", especially Chapter Directors Dick and Jenny Smith and Assistant Chapter Directors John and Joan Rutledge.  They took us on some neat rides and to some fantastic restaurants plus even some DQ's!

One of the latest rides we went on with the chapter members was to a town here in the panhandle called Wewahitchka that is known world wide for the production of Tupelo honey.  We stopped there and purchased some from a producer and then continued on to the town of Port St. Joe where we had lunch  at a Mexican restaurant.  Yes, I actually ate some Mexican food and sipped one of their famous drinks.  I'm still breathing fire!!  Here's a couple of photos  of our journey.

OUR "HONEY" STOP

PURCHASING THE PRODUCT

Julie and I made our "annual" excursion to St. George Island by passing through Indian Pass, Apalachicola (the oyster capital of the world), and East Point.  A stretch of the highway (98) goes through Tyndal Air Base where we were buzzed by some jet fighters!  Here's a couple of photos and videos of that trip.  Florida didn't mess around when they built bridges!

SOME LOCAL RESIDENTS OF INDIAN PASS

INDIAN PASS IS A POPULAR FISHING SPOT
BUT THE ONLY CATCH WE SAW WAS A STING RAY!

RESTAURANT THAT SERVES THE BEST KEY LIME PIE

I will be sending out the invites to the PMS gathering on the 15th when I get back.  If anyone knows Darrel's (from Decorah) address, let me know.  I'd like to send him an invitation.

EARLY WNR RIDE & FLORIDA RIDE

Some Wednesday Night Riders cured some pms (parked motorcycle syndrome) by sneaking in some riding last week.  Apparently they were able to get in about 100 miles.  By the looks of the upcoming weather, they may be able to get out again!  However, since they no longer have p m s, the drinks are on them at the PMS meeting on March 15th.  Here they are--

Julie and I were also get in another ride yesterday.  We traveled about 200 miles on the trike venturing to Ft. Walton and the Armament Museum located there.  We wanted to get a photo of the "new" trike with the B-17 Flying Fortress located there.   We also rode by the "Outpost", a famous Florida biker bar.  Here's some photos and videos of that trip.

OUR FIRST STOP

SOME OF YOU WILL SEE THIS PHOTO AGAIN LATER ON

Here's a couple of videos I took.  Keep in mind this was my first try for videos on the "new trike".

THE OUTPOST

SOME FLORIDA RIDING

Yes, I waited until it looked like you guys were going to get some good weather coming before I posted anything about our riding here in Florida.  We've put on a little over 1,000 miles on the "new" trike since the first of February, since the weather down here has been fantastic.  I'll tell you about a couple of our interesting adventures and hopefully next time post some more photos.

On the first Saturday morning here, three of us set out for Ft. Walton Beach to attend a GWRRA chapter meeting there.  We had to leave Panama City Beach at 6 AM.  It was still some darkness and the temperature was only about 40 degrees.  On the way I passed a golf driving range where I saw a guy in shorts and a tee shirt hitting golf balls.  I said to myself, "Hey, another guy from Iowa!"

The other day Julie and I went on a ride and stopped in the small town of Red Bay (about the size of Harpers Ferry) at a roadside cafe called "Rabbit Creek Cafe".  We walked into the front door and were greeted by the owner/waiter/cook who was a spitting image of Donald Trump!

On Saturday we went on a ride up to Marianna with the local GWRRA group and met with an Alabama chapter at a restaurant called the Oaks where they have a buffet of homemade food.  They still have not convinced me to try their grits down here!

Last Sunday we were out riding and stopped at a recreational park here in PCB.  As it turned out I had to jump start a pickup for a couple who had a pair of pet Iguanas!  More about that at the PMS meeting on March 15th.

Tonight (depending on whether it's going to rain) we plan to ride to Dothan, AL, to attend another GWRRA chapter meeting.

We have two longer rides coming up sometime before the month is over.  We want to go back to St. George Island for one and also to Ft. Pickens for another.  I'll try to post some photos and maybe a video of those trips.

In the meantime remember to keep March 15th open, and hopefully with the good weather coming, some of you may even shake off the winter rust and get in some Iowa riding.  Watch out for the sand!

Here's a photo of the "Rabbit Creek Cafe" run by Donald Trump in his spare time.

"Democrat" Julie got chased out!!