NAR Mini-Vacation, Oct 26

NAR Mini-Vacation, Oct 26 - 29, 2006

Because we missed both the Peterson's Key West run AND Bike-toberfest this year, Marilee and I decided to take a little Mini-Vacation to make up for it.

We started out on Thursday, Oct 26 me meeting Marilee at around 10:30 am. We stopped for breakfast at a little German place around the corner from her house for a wonderful breakfast. On to the bank from there for a quick deposit and on the road. We turnpiked it to Southern Blvd where we headed west on our way to Winter Haven. Following 441 we cruised up around the lake and into Okeechobee. Hooking up with rte 98 we headed northwest toward rte 27 in Sebring. We were expecting cooler weather and were pretty well overdressed for this ride. The ride was leisurely and enjoyable with lots to see along the way.

We spent the night with Marilee's friends Jay and Ann who were fantastic hosts. A huge back porch overlooking one of the many lakes in Winter Haven made for a great place to sit with coffee in the morning. On the road again Friday morning after a late breakfast (remember, No Agenda), we headed north again towards Mount Dora.

This was probably the worst part of the trip. I let the GPS talk me into taking 27 to I-4. We had to ride nearly 20 miles on I-4 and it sucked. Windy, lots of traffic, YUK! We didn't make that mistake again.

Staying at the Lake Side Inn in Mount Dora, we took some time to cruise through town after a short afternoon nap (I insisted). Found the local winery and stopped in for some very tasty samples of wine made right there in the store. They were closing down the streets for a weekend Craft Fair, so we walked over to Pisces Rising for a very expensive meal. Marilee ordered the week old fish which didn't sit well with her the rest of the night. We did head out for a ride around the lake, though. After a nightcap and Marilee entertaining the folks in the Lake Side Inn lounge with her Ballroom Dancing we hit the sack. There was a very fine, very cold sprinkle. Marilee said it POURED overnight. I didn't hear a thing, she was up all night (remember the fish). Breakfast found us over at main dining room which was PACKED (Craft Fair, wall to wall people). They stuck us over in the lounge ding room which worked out great. We were the only two there and got personal service and the best Eggs Benedict I have ever tasted. Back to the bikes we realized how much it had rained when Marilee touched her seat and a flood came out. We made a temporary seat cover so her ass wouldn't be soaked by the time we got to Fort Myers.

The 175 mile ride to Fort Myers took us back through Winter Haven on the BACK roads this time. Down 27 and then 17 we only saw 10 or 15 cars the whole ride south. We met up with Stu and Cha Cha and the Ft Lauderdale HOG chapter for dinner at Blixz. Another great meal.

Breakfast at Cracker Barrel, we headed back east on rte 80. Stu had never been that way and was pleasantly surprised by the nice leisurely pace. We stopped at the southern edge of the lake between Clewiston and South Bay when we met up with Randy & Vicky. It was good seeing them. Back home and on to Bonefish Creek for a late lunch via 441 had us back at 2:30 or 3.

Great Ride, Great Freinds. I'd do this one again in a Heartbeat!