What's next??????

My Retirement Ride Across America is history. My ride to Key West is also something in the past. What next?

Well just back from Key West and the air vent in the bathroom died. After some twenty years of good hard service the fan motor died. After several trips to Lowe's and Home Depot I decided to take my wife's advise and Google search the vendor. Low an behold I found the correct motor and fan to replace the one that died. I am just now waiting for it to be delivered from Amazon.

Up next is the storm door out front and replacing the rotten wood trim around it. Door is off and ready for trash pick up and the wood trim removed and replace this time with PVC white trim. I am thinking no more rotten wood out there. Still have to get nail set to sink the nails and cover them with caulk. Then when wife is available off to Lowe's for a replacement storm door of the correct color.

Putting the garden to bed for the season has been started and the yard will have to be policed and ornaments and solar lights taken in. Tarp to cover all the wooden furniture wife bought and painted this year. Just waiting for the snow.

Speaking of snow, I have gotten the snow blower out and it is already for the snow season. I like to play in the snow early in the morning so my neighbors can get out to work or home from work (remember I am retired). 

Well enough for now. Hope to hear from you with your thoughts for motorcycle rides in the future.

TTFN

Resting for now with my friend.

Days 8, 9, 10 Key West

The ride home!

Woke up Wednesday morning all rip roaring and ready to go.......

Well mostly all of us, well not all of us but some of us. The other was -

Sorry for the late night but we gotta go!

We finally woke our third member. He was not real happy about having to get  up but he did celebrate a birthday last night!

We had to change our plans for today's ride since it takes some 3 1/2 hours to ride back to the mainland. It is 132 miles of two lane highway and at 45 to 55 mph it is a slow go. BTW, passing lanes are few and far between. It was a nice ride though up the US 1 road through many different Keys. The guys hope to win the lottery and purchase a Key that is on the market. Estimated value is $16,5000,000. You see why the played the lottery. That is the only way to get it. The forecast said chance of rain today at different times. We did encounter a rain storm on the left side of the roadway and sprinkles on the right side. The middle where we rode was just a sprinkling. So we did not get wet or have to don our rain gear. We stopped to refresh/relieve ourselves at a gas station still in the Keys. The pictures below show what the Keys are made of. It tuns out the Keys are the top of a coral reef. The top soil is only 18 to 24 inches deep. Then you hit salt water and the coral reef material. Here they use coral boulders just like large limestone boulders back home.

Compare to the size of the bike and you see how large this one is. 

Twas a good feeling finally getting on dry land and out of the Keys. I was using the GPS to get us out of the Keys and back to I95 but it wanted to use the Florida Turnpike to get us North. That was ok in Miami Dade County because they take pictures of your license plate and bill you at home to get their toll money. However in other less sophisticated counties they have toll booths which are a pain. Just imagine running at 80 mph and then having to stop to pay a toll. Really slows you down. It is also more expensive than the toll by plate earlier. At the first toll booth I asked the lady how to get to US 95? It was the next exit and go 2.5 miles to I95. I followed her directions and we were on I95 without those darn toll and able to go 80 mph.

After leaving at around 8:30 am we arrived in Daytona at 6:30 pm. This was one of those long days on the highway. Unfortunately my rear end could only take about 60 - 70 miles before it was screaming for a break. It seemed none of my riding buddies minded at all. We stopped about every hour for gas or a Butt Break.

Arriving in Daytona just across the street from the International Speedway again at a Best Western, they had a room all ready for us. The first one on the right and it had we discovered with much joy, three beds. No doubling up for the other guys tonight. We slept like rocks. In fact we got all our stuff into the room. I went to a place called the Ale House next door and had a wonderful OssoBoco. This was a marinated pork shank with mashed potatoes and broccoli. The meal was excellence. That means I will have to try making this at home soon. The guys went to the Winghouse across the street for some food. I returned to the room and showered. This too was a wonderful shower, the best on the trip. I went to bed and the guys came back and they each layed on their beds and before you knew it they were snoring away in dreamland. Poor tired boys!

Thursday up at 6:00 am and breakfast. Packed the bikes and we were off. Stopped at a rest stop in some state, I don't remember which to see this.

The locals were eating all the leftover food stuffs 

 Arrived in Lumberton NC around 6:30 pm at the Best Western. The front desk clerk there, Crystal, was just a great person. She was fun and didn't have an issue putting up with our banter all while checking in. Nephew said to her, can you tell we spent all day on motorcycles and had no one to talk to all day. She was great. The room was nice and comfortable. Breakfast the next day was tasty also. Better than in Key West Best Western where you had to nuke everything. I believe I made mention of that before. We ventured across the street to a buffet and hibachi grill called "Shogun". The buffet was hugh and the food was not only hot but really, really good. We didn't even get a chance to hit the hibachi grill side of the place. I went back to the room to turn in and the boys went to Walmart for some warmer clothes.
\
I had told them several times it could be cold on the way home but they thought they would wait and see. Well purchasing clothing from Walmart made the next days ride easier but they were still going to be cold.

Woke up early and got us all down to breakfast and low and behold Crystal was there. She did a turn. Breakfast was good and we felt anxious to get on the road for our final day of riding. We stopped for a Butt Break somewhere in Virginia to see this old car sitting in the lot across from us. It is a 1966 Mercury Monteray convertible. My first brand new car was a 1966 Mercury Monteray two door.

Back on the road again we were getting closer and closer to home. First Virginia, then West Virginia and finally Pennsylvania. We were all glad to cross the boarder into our home state. At Chambersburg, Pa and at US 30 nephew left our group to head on over to TMI area were he lives. Brother and I continued on to Carlisle on I81. Got off an exit early due to sign stating traffic issue by Walmart exit. Stopped to assist brother getting all his and nephews gear into his house. Then a quick stop at the Wine & Spirits shoppe for some Tequila, some margarita mix and some of our favorite wine and home we go. Wife was watching out the window for me and I arrived to a hero's welcome. Bless her heart. The cat also was glad to see me. After unloading the trailer and bike we ate supper that was held for me. The just enjoying being home with my best friend and lover and her cat. This was the end to a perfect trip and an adventure none of us will ever forget.

Key West is amazing. The place is crazy and the establishment allows you to be crazy and mostly naked if you desire, you can drink in the streets if you stay within a certain area of Duval Street and behave yourself.

Next year anyone????????????????????????????

Day 7 Key West

Last day in Key West

It is the last day here and things are starting to run together since I am writing this a day or so after the fact.
Last entry had both La Trattoria and Bo's on the same page and they were done on different days. So if you will bear with me I will try to finish covering our time here as correctly as possible.

Today is Tuesday,  Last Day here. We all  slept in today. The guys were out late. I didn't go out for dinner or festivities down at the other end of Duval Street. I blogged some and researched routes home since we decided to change lay overs due to it taking so long to get back to the main land from here. It takes up to 3 1/2 hours to travel the 132 miles. So we are planning on going back to Daytona Beach for our first night of the return trip. I have canceled original reservations for Georgia and made some for Daytona Beach Best Western. This will be around 418 miles or so.

Then the next day we are looking to ride to Fayetteeville, NC from Daytona Florida. Looks like 483 miles at first but the reservations I made are  actually in Lumberton NC so will come up a little shy of 483 miles.

Then  on our last day back to Carlisle and home.This will be about 502 miles. Using I 95 and at Richmond going west on I 64 to I 81.

Today we were up late and ate breakfast. We putzed around some. Nephew put new mirrors on his bike after purchasing the necessary wrenches. Brother went back to the Butterfly Conservancy to get a video and do some filming and picture taking. Nephew and I walked down Duval street. Doing some shopping along the way. Looking in all the shops, bars, restaurants and all other establishments. It was hot and humid. The temp was 85 but humidity was way high. Brother joined us and we had several shops that were required to stop at. Mostly souvenirs and presents were purchased. Had to stop at Margaretaville for some t-shirts. The clerk was so nice she even gave me beads to wear. She also told brother that she took care of his dad, meaning me and I got what I wanted. We had a good laugh over that.  We past a bakery and I just had to go in to see what they had special. I purchased a wonderful pear danish that melted in your mouth and was just wonderful.

Back at the hotel we were trying to cool off and gather our thoughts. We decided that since we didn't have lunch today that a Cuban restaurant was in order. There is one highly rated just blocks from the hotel. I called to order a Paella for three for 5:00 pm.

So we will  wait around and go to experience a real authentic Paella. I will be back to let you know how it was.

Day 6 Key West

Just another day in paradise!

That is what the locals call it.

Got up late and had breakfast. Nephew made an appointment for noon time so he would be off on his own. Brother and I decided we had better do laundry.  Getting close to running out of clean essentials. So I found laundry across the street. Found three washers and three dryers, just right. Returned to room to report our good luck. Brother and I got change and went for a little hike across the street to do the laundry. There are three guys and three loads. See me working away.

After laundry took a walk down to the Southern most point in the United States. This site was two blocks from our hotel. We are 90 miles from Havana and 137 miles from the closest WalMart. Everyone down here thinks that is something special. They like the laid back atmosphere of the keys.

Once we all got back together a ride on the trolley got us to Bo's restaurant. This is just down the street from yesterdays Pepe's restaurant. Brother wanted to eat here due to the name and it is a seafood shack.

Brother in front of name sake place

A little ambiance along the side of the building.

View of the other side

Inside

more inside

The cleanup committee at work

closer - after this shot my camera died.

Returned to the hotel. The guys wanted to go to the pool. I wanted to dry off and cool down after all the heat and humidity. I laid down for a little nap while they swam. When awake I brought down drinks for them and we discussed what to do this evening. We decided to walk down Duval to find a place to eat. Eventually we decided on  La Trattaoria, this was a wonderful Italian restaurant. Table clothes and all. We each ordered something different and each dish was wonderful. I had Gnocchi with peas, cheese and ham in a light cream sauce. It was wonderfully seasoned and served hot. Prior to  this we were brought bread plates with balsamic vinegar, olive oil and minced garlic for dipping the delicious pieces of bread into. All agreed that this dinner was one of the best on the trip so far.

I left the guys down Duval street and returned to the hotel to rest for the night.

TTFN

Day 5 Key West

Out fifth day on our on going experience!

Heard the door shut and looked at the clock. It was 7:40 or so. Rolled over and slept till 8:30. Got up and the guys were back from breakfast complaining about the cold breakfast they had. It seems everything is cold and you have to nuke it to make it editable. I stated that I was disappointing in that Best Western isn't usually so bad, that is why I choose to stay with them instead of Choice Hotel system.

Went downstairs and sure enough the sausage gravy was cold, the biscuits were cold, the hard boiled eggs were cold and the waffles were wrapped and in a refrigerator. Now being a cook myself it was not hard to put a plate of biscuit and sausage gravy together and heat it in the microwave. I did and it was tasty. But I am sure disappointed that the breakfast was so poor. I will most assuredly enter  comments about this on the survey I get every time I stay at a Best Western property.

I wanted to find out about renting bicycles and ventured out on my own since I had seen a rental place on my way back to the hotel last night. I found  it and  get the rates.

Typical Key West house

Everybody has a stand or other businness.

Neighborhood in Key West

 I walked up to towards the ocean beach and past by a booth for  the City View Trolley Tours. Seems that you can purchase a ticket and ride around on the guided tour that covers the interesting parts of Key West for $21 and it is good for two days. I thought that was something I wanted to do. I would  tell the guys about that.  I walked  out to the ocean beach. The beach is about 30 yards long because they do not have any waves to renew the beach. The city trucks in all the sand on Key West beaches. There are no waves due to the shallowness of the water. There is a coral reef that protects Key West so no waves reach it except in a hurricane.

Back to the hotel and we decide to check out the bicycles and Trolley. My brother and I each purchase a ticket but nephew doesn't since he has place to go clothes shopping. Something about a hole in his shorts. We visited the store front for the Butterfly Conservancy. This is one interesting place. Brother and nephew decide to  go into  the Conservancy to view the butterflys. I need to go back to the hotel for my morning meds, I forgot to take them this morning. When I returned to the Butterfly Conservancy I was standing around waiting on the guys to come out. They did not so I asked the lady at admissions if they were still in there. She said I could go in to find them and gave me a free pass.

Once inside I new what was taking so long for them to come out. The butterflies were beautiful. See the pictures below.

Front of building

Stuff on the wall for sale

Brother taking pictures inside Conservatory

Flamingos eating

Butterfly food

Look close for big butterfly/moth

One of my new friends

 I was wearing an orange t-shirt and butter flies kept landing on me and just sitting there. Care takers had to  rescue me from the butterflies before leaving.

More butterfly food

Some kind of bird who lives inside with the butterflys

Butterflys eating 

Just some flora

Self explainitory

Bird who lives with butterflys

Now after viewing the above still shots you might be tired of butterflies but here are two videos I shot inside.

Seems there  is  some difficulty with my original video.

Try this URL

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NSiR3XzhPNQ&feature=youtu.be

 Took Trolley around to Pepe' for lunch. This is the oldest continuing restaurant/bar to operate on the island.

Me in front of oldest continuing restaurant in Key West

Guys out front of Pepe's

The bar outside

Great meal

 I had a medley oysters, a martini and a spinach salad for lunch.

Jimmy Buffets place. The real margaritaville.

US 1 has to end somewhere. It is a block from our hotel.

There was a parade Sunday evening called the Zombie Parade. You dress up like a Zombie and ride you bicycle, which could/should be decorated too. Ride from one end of Duval street to the other end, about 1.2 miles. This is in the evening around 7:30 pm. The police ride through the route cutting off traffic so the bicyclist have a freeway to themselves keeping them safe from cars but not each other. There were several collisions among the 350 riders.
Here is a video to give you the flavor of the Zombie ride.s


Below are some pictures after the parade.

Getting body painted

After body painting

Having great issues with the video. Will attempt to get it working if possible.




TTFN

Day 4 - to Key West

From Sanford Florida to Key West

After a restful night (at least for me) morning came right on time. For my riding com-padres it might have been early but they trooped on and had breakfast before I could  get myself downstairs to eat.

Then repacking the trailer,  but first unlocking it from the light pole and attaching in to the Goldwing. Driving around front to make it easier to get stuff to it. The luggage rack was loaded and brought downstairs. Luggage and other odds and ends packed and we are ready to go. Booting up the old GPS to guide us across from Sanford to US 95 was like easy. Enduring the ride with the directions were not as wonderful. GPS took us on GA 528 which is a toll road having stops every so often to pay tolls. I had to pay for three axles each of four times prior to getting off this very nicely paved but extremely slow road. WOW! Never again will I venture onto a toll road in Florida nor will my riding associates.

After hitting US 95 again the GPS wanted us to go down the Florida Turnpike. After our experience earlier in the day with GA 528 not one of us wanted anything to do with the Florida Turnpike. So down US 95 it was. We made good time and were really racking up the miles. Then US 95 stops and US 1 is the road to use from there on out. We were dumped into some city traffic and it was exceedingly slow. All the time on US 95 the GPS is continually recalculating a path for us back to the Florida Turnpike. Finally I just had to give in. We turned to go down the Florida Turnpike. It seems if you do not have an Easy Pass they take a picture of your plate (license plate that is) and bill you. Well I sure hope it works cause I really don't want to see a large fine in the mail next week. Anyway the turnpike allowed us to go quickly until it too ran out. Back to US 1. From Key Largo to Key West is about 115 miles or so. The road is two lanes and if someone slow gets in front of your you crawl along. If not you can at least go 60 mph safely. The drive took about two hours.

Finally in Key West and driving on Roosevelt Boulevard (which is all torn up and really difficult to navigate on a motorcycle) the GPS said to turn on Simonton Street and go to the hotel. I missed the entrance on the first pass by but found it when I went around the block. No signs out front to say this was the Best Western in Key West. Time was after 8:00 pm, we had been on the road 11 hours.

Once in the drive it was time to register, then time to park the bikes and have a beer before doing anything else. Afterwards portaging the luggage to our room was a hot and sweetie task. But the rewards are great. We could take off our shoes and sit in the air conditioning leisurely drinking a beer. All  the while taking turns showering and getting the sweet and road dust washed off. That felt great.

Out of the hotel and looking for someplace to eat. We headed down to Duval Street. Which was just one block down. Walking on this famous street in Key West was really neat. We would come to lean tomorrow that the most entertaining part of Duval Street is at the other end. It is only 1.2 miles long so that couldn't be too bad could  it? After a few blocks we stumble onto a Five Guys place. For those who do not know, this is a hamburger joint. I got a hamburger with all the trimmings and fries. I was not overly impressed with the food but it was clean and hot. I would much more enjoyed a Fudruckers or something like that. Don't get me wrong the place was OK but only OK.

Walking back to the hotel by myself because the guys were interested in staying out for a while seeing what kind of mischief they could see. I went to bed immediately and slept like  a stone from the very long intensive day.

TTFN

Day 3 - Daytona Beach Biketoberfest 2013

Daytona bike show

Woke up this morning with all of us in the room and waking up after  a long day yesterday.
My brother said that the floor by his bed was wet. Last night I noticed the ceiling in the shower had water dripping from above. I suggested the hotel had a plumbing issue. Brother said he would tell the front desk. He and nephew went downstairs. I was playing with my computer this morning and while sitting here I heard something like a plop in the bathroom. I went in to see a square of ceiling fell into the bath tube. I went  downstairs to tell the front desk of the new issue. They already had us lined up to move to another room.

After eating a  good breakfast (once again you have to have a full  stomach to ride well in the morning) we moved all our gear down the hall to a different room. Setup our stuff in the new room and made ready to head off to the Daytona International Race track. Turned  on the GPS and had the address entered in. Drove about 37 miles to the track. Low and behold there was a bike show venue there. Entered and parked. Man were there a lot of bikes there. Many more bikes than I have seen at a show before.

Sign Welcoming bikers

Some non-bikes on display

Pretty Yellow Goldwing

 We walked around the extensive area of bike items for sale. Pretty impressive was the only thing I can say. Of course we all  bought plenty of t-shirts so we could show off the fact we were to Daytona Biketoberfest in 2013. It is impressive because it is a long way to go for the show. Around 1000 miles from Carlisle and when you ride your favorite big bike the entire way, you are saying something about your dedication to the motorcycle.

Three intrepid riders 

The tunnel that all infield viewers had to go through under the track.

Waiting for the tour around the Daytona Track. 

Grandstand

This is what spectators look like after 300 miles of a 400 mile race.

Most recent winner of Daytona 500

Once the tour was over we decided to gas up and find someplace to eat. There was a gas station across the street from the track. After filling up we went across the street to a place called "Lime". Seems it is something like Chipotle's. I have never been in Chipotle's so was not impressed with this place either.

Ran up I95 to the Harley Davidson place north of Daytona Beach. This place was huge.We walked around. At Kuryakyn's tent nephew ran into the rear view mirrors he was trying to keep himself from purchasing. He was weak and bought the mirrors anyway.

Now you know why he wanted these mirrors. Well I don't know why but he does and  that is all  that counts.

Walked through Harley Davidson show room and was impressed with how they have the market cornered for HD machines and apparel.

Thought it was time to return to  Sanford and the hotel. Had  enough for  one day I did.
Purchased some beer and a sandwich for myself again and that was my evening meal. That burrito at Lime was enough to last me all  day and  then some.

Ate, Blogged, drank beer and showered. It is time for bed and tomorrow we are off for Key West.

TTFN