Home for the Holidays

BIW is parked at a storage facility near the Tampa airport, while we enjoy being with our family and friends.  Had the pleasure (really) of taking Spirit Airlines on a nonstop flight from Tampa to Atlantic City.  Only a two hour flight and then only 45 minutes from the time we disembarked the plane until we came back to our cold house.  Back to NC and then the Islands in January.







It's been a good Fall trip.  From following the leaf color changes down the Blue Ridge Parkway, to Jordan's third birthday, then a drive to Florida....a surprise meeting at Walt Disney World, then the trips grand finale camping around the Sarasota area.

Myakka River State Park

Only 30 minutes from Sarasota, but feels like a long distance away.  Myakka reminds us of the Everglades, swampy, alligators everywhere, and many varieties of birds loving this tropical area.  We took a swamp boat to check out the area.  Our guide mentioned that there are 500 to 1,000 gators living along the banks of the Lake Myakka; definitely not a place to go swimming!





We also did some great biking, including daily trips to the concessionaire where WiFi and ice cream are available.  Also walked the tree top canopy walk, the largest one in the US.




And finally got some good use out of our new binoculars and telephoto camera lens to check out all of the birds.

This is a pretty neat place.
Also liked our campsite at Palmetto Ridge, a very modern campground; even full hookups, along with terrific showers. Not that we don't like the rustic, but sometimes it's kind of nice to back into a perfectly level gravel site and just "hook up."

It's a Circus out there !

Started our day, first at the Ringling Circus Museum, where we viewed this incredible scale circus model. Created by Howard Tibbals over a 40 year span, there are over 15,000 characters including people, animals, and all of the circus "trimmings".  Yes, these photos are of a model!

Need to mention that John Ringling and his brothers who grew up in Iowa, got into the circus business and eventually it became               "The Greatest Show on Earth".  From this and other dealings, Ringling became one of the wealthiest men of his era.  Had five homes plus his beloved custom built Pullman train car for when he traveled.

Next, we toured the rest of the circus museum where the 200+ year history is depicted, some of the great performers and performances, and the physical structures and vehicles.  Set up for a one day show, a circus tent larger than 3 football fields, support tents for staff and animals,  and the logistics to make this all happen so that the 15,000 attendees can enjoy the SHOW!

Then we took a 45 minute lead docent tour of the Ringling Art Museum, featuring John Ringling's private collection which he donated to the State of Florida.  The Baroque art from the 17th century fills the galleries in a beautiful building designed for his collection.

And finally, a tour of Ringling's Sarasota residence, Ca'D'Zan; a very gilded home built in the 1920s.  Used both as his winter retreat, but also the sales office for him selling land along the bay and Long Boat Key.



After today's adventure  Morey (being a rocket scientist) is considering being shot out of a canon. Should he?

A Tom Collins......?

Why would this post feature a mixed drink...a Tom Collins?  First, who even, has ever heard of a Tom Collins?  Well..............Our second visit to Casey Key Fish Market, and after biking over 25 miles and it WAS afternoon, decided to order a "fancy" drink.  There were Mai Tais, Daquiris, Margaritas...and out of Morey's mouth came, "I'd like a Tom Collins."  Talk about some old cobwebs in the noggin being cleared.

This capped our week here at Oscar Scherer State Park and the Sarasota area.  Nice campground, right on the South Creek that we kayaked; even has a small swimming lake where you "can swim with the alligators."  Also the 11 mile biking trail, The Legacy; which keeps all of us bikers off of US41, the Tamiami Trail.  And some great beaches to explore on Casey Key and Siesta Key.

Back to the Tom Collins...actually two of them, while Ruthie downed a Mai Tai and a Casey Key Rum Runner.  Was it after the two drinks that we decided that Florida isn't a bad place to visit?  Nice beaches, good seafood, and lots of FLAT biking.  Let's see how we feel when we sober up.

On this thought, we checked out Turtle Beach Campground, right on the Gulf on Siesta Key.  Only 40 sites; but looks like a future return place!

Mickey's secret request

We arrived at Walt Disney World, set up BIW at Fort Wilderness, and went immediately to see "The Mouse".  Turns out Mickey had a special request for us......Could he travel in our RV?  Guess Mickey could use a break from all of the activity at WDW.  Of course, we couldn't refuse, so we said sure...and set a date for next year.

Story #2:  We arrived at Walt Disney World, set up BIW and waited for the surprise dinner meeting with Shane & Anna at the Trails End restaurant.  And of course, their parents too....  Yes, they were surprised, and we were all in for days of Disney Fun.

The following morning we went to the Magic Kingdom, and introduced Shane & Anna to Splash Mountain, our favorite ride.
 ZIPIDY DOO DAH... Then lunch at THE CASTLE, where Morey and Shane got to spend time with Jasmine, our favorite Disney princess.

By the end of the first day, we had covered the MK, and it was time for the fireworks and then.....the Electric Light Pageant where out in the lagoon the music booms and the lights move with the music.  Can you believe this is one of the oldest happenings at WDW.  We first saw it in 1971 when we came to Disney in the Grand Opening year.  Still the same great show.



Next day we headed over to Sea World, saw the dolphin show and then Shamu and his buddy Killer Wales. Also got to pet the sting rays.
 Another nice day.

Ended our visit with EPCOT.  Arrived there with the Food and Drink event in full swing...which we relished (pun intended).  Many park rides including TestTrack, and a throw back to the NY Worlds Fair in 1963 (which Morey remembers) with the Energy dinosaur ride.  Made sure to let the grand kids know that these dinosaurs are all vegetarians.

WDW is quite special.  In fact, Morey decided to get up and sing about the wonders of Disney World.....Now that's entertainment!

8 Flags have flown over Fernandina Beach

Guess, this part of our country on the Florida-Georgia border kept changing owners; and every owner had their own flag.  Pirates also had lots of fun here during the lawless days.  In the week we were here, only saw one flag, no pirates, but did enjoy our time.

Downtown Fernandina Beach boasts the oldest Hotel and oldest Saloon in Florida.  We checked out the newer restaurants; with some some great dishes including Shrimp Po'Boys and even Cuban sandwiches (which we were really hungry for after watching the movie Chef, that we rented from RedBox).  Eating out is good.

We camped at Fort Clinch State Park where a pre-civil war fortress is less than a mile from the campground.  Checked out the Fort, walked the beaches, and watched the sunsets over the bay.

Also biked south down Amelia Island, checking out all of the golf resorts and finishing at the fishing bridge heading toward Little Talbot Island.  We started along a nature bike path with occasional alligators, then onto a paved biking path, and finishing at a DQ for a blizzard.  Surprise.  Along the way, a couple of walkers said, "Hey, the Citrus Team," as we passed them by.  Checking out our shirts, we see why!

Arrived in Florida

We're camped here at Fort Clinch State Park on Amelia Island.  We like it here, our 4th visit.  All the comforts of home including electricity!  Even hooked up an outside speaker so we can listen to 60s music while hanging outside.

Looking forward to biking to Fernandina Beach Old Town and lunching on Shrimp PoBoys and Shrimp n Grits.

BIW visits Aberdeen

We pulled into Aberdeen to visit Michael, Jess, & Jordan!  Slid right into our dedicated parking spot and spent the next four days in fun activities.

First we said Hi ! to our NC family.  Then we prepared for Jordan's 3rd birthday, then the big day with a train and pony rides, and then choosing and carving a Halloween pumpkin.  All FUN stuff !!!

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Smoky Mountains National Park

We arrived in the Smoky Mountains and the rains stopped.....blue sky and fluffy clouds!  Fall color in full glory and the creeks and streams overflowing as they crashed down the waterfalls...all just perfect for our 5 days of adventure.









For most of this time, we camped at Cades Cove.  Not the prettiest campground, but convenient to the "loop" which we biked twice; checking out he homesteads of the locals from the 1800s, and hiking some awesome trails.  We even had a park ranger demo how to react to a bear encounter!

Car traffic on the loop was a little ugly as the car tourers made the obligatory stops along the way, but we cycled through the traffic and enjoyed the history and the beautiful Autumn days.  A hike to Abrams Falls was our highlight for this segment.

For our final night we moved to Elkmont Campground; nicer sites with the river in view.  And another 6+ mile hike along Little RIver and Cucumber Gap.  Only 7 miles from Gatlinburg, but we did only a drive through, as no RV parking.  Next time, we'll have to stop in town and purchase a genuine Cherokee tomahawk, now made in China.  (When I was a kid visiting, they were made in Japan....how the world changes)