Heading West at the end of August

Over our summer months at the Jersey Shore, we've been finalizing our plans for this Fall's RV travels.  First some altitude acclimation with our camping in Wyoming to include Yellowstone and the Tetons.  Then a 3 day back pack trip in the Wind River area at altitudes over 8,000ft.

Next on to Colorado for the mountain air, then Utah and some under the rim biking by Moab and down to Bryce and Zion for more great scenery and adventures.

Can't wait to get RVing!

We biked in the 5 Boro Bike Ride!

Could we still bike 40 miles through the streets of New York City?  Yes we can!

Sunday, May 5th, we woke up to rain, fog, and 53 degrees.  We had hoped that the forecast would change, but oh well.... It was our destiny along with our friends, Nan & Dave (who talked us into this adventure) to join the other 32,000 plus bikers in the rain.

From Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, we took the special ferry across to Manhattan.  Then we followed the other bikers to the start line.  At 9:30 our bike tour began.  Through Central Park, up to the Bronx, across to Queens, down through Brooklyn.

And then the climb and bike across the Verrazano Bridge
(The longest suspension bridge in the Americas).

Swooping down the bridge's approach ramp, we arrived in Staten Island where we picked up our medals and enjoyed the music and got some great eats from the food trucks.  

But we weren't quite finished.  We then biked to the Staten Island Ferry for the free ride back to the southern tip of Manhattan.  Next we biked up the Hudson River cycleway to catch the ferry back to Jersey City where our RV and a nice hot shower awaited us.

47 miles of biking...…….not bad for a bunch of elderly RVers.

And...there's more....

The next morning we woke up to blue sky and sunshine, so we had to get back on our bikes.  We cycled along the Hudson past views of the Statue of Liberty & Ellis Island.  A nice morning of biking before we needed to pack up and head home with our motorhome.

Folly Beach to visit friends

Heading home after our winter in Florida, but first a stop to see our friends, Lauri & David.  They've rented a house right on the bay in Folly Beach.  We planned to drive down the 100 yard dirt drive to the house, but low branches stopped this plan.  Fortunately we were able to pull along side the drive without ending up in the marsh.  A great stop, and what a nice place to spend the winter with great bay views, and walks on the beach across the road.



During our short visit, we went out for a great seafood dinner at Bowens Island Restaurant.  Had planned to just get some drinks and oysters while watching the sun set; but our outdoor table was perfect to enjoy the evening onset, so we stayed for an authentic fish dinner.

We also checked out the oldest tree east of the Mississippi, the Angel Oak.  Wow...…………
The age is estimated at almost 500 years old.

The oldest city in America....St. Augustine

We pulled into Anastasia State Park and took a primo campsite, #94.  Super deep, heavily shaded, and level -- always a pleasure to be level.  Having camped here a couple of times earlier, we knew our way around.

We biked into historic St. Augustine, after first waiting on the Lion drawbridge for a large sailboat to pass underneath.  We enjoyed the walks around the old town as well as the fresh seafood, especially fresh caught shrimp.  This year we were in town for the annual Celtic Music & Heritage Festival; so we checked it out.  Could Morey outdistance the Stone Throwers?
-- Also listened to some Celtic music and had some Irish beer and some kind of Irish meat pastry.

We also biked to St. Augustine Beach and the local farmers market.  All in all, a nice week in sunny and warm Florida.

Beach Scene.(again)... Gamble Rogers SRA

Never having camped here at Gamble Rogers, Morey got lucky 11 months ago, when he was able to book 8 days at this beach park.  We're right on the Atlantic with views of the waves, the beach, and all of the birds and sea creatures.  With the town of Flagler Beach just north of us, we made use of the over 18 mile bike trail that parallels A1A, checking out the towns and restaurants along the way.

 

We stopped one day at the center of Flagler Beach, at the Funky Pelican.  We had a great lunch; in fact we liked it so much that we went back for another great seafood meal.







Ruthie wanted to check out the Bulow Plantation ruins, one of the few sugar mill plantations in Florida.  Established in 1836, it unfortunately didn't survive the second Seminole War.  We were able to bike along a very country road to check out the ruins.  Very impressive, even today.

We'll definitely be back to Gamble Rogers!

Boing...Boing...A Little Spring Hopping ....

After Disney, we took a little relaxation with a few days at Alexander Springs in the Ocala National Forest in central Florida.  Morey took the opportunity, since there were no RV hookups, to get out his solar panels and check out the photon action.  Nice sunny days, so lots of photons!

We did some biking, hiking, kayaking and checking out the scuba guys who were diving into the natural spring underground caverns.  Enough of this relaxation....

Walt Disney World.......

💓💓💓 Yes, Morey loves Disney.  So we invited our kids, Michael & Jess, and our grandkid, Jordan, to join us.  It's been at least 25 times at the Park, but one more only makes it better!  We kicked off our five days of camping at Fort Wilderness with Chip & Dale and a Marshmallow S'more cookout. 
And of course, Morey stepped on one, and was picking up rocks on his shoes for the next 3 days.




First full day, we boated over to the Magic Kingdom from the campground.  We discovered we had chosen a very busy time as it was Presidents Day weekend.  Fortunately our Fast Passes shortened many of our lines.  We got Michael back on Splash Mountain...
(almost got Jordan to join us) but  Jordan did get on many other rides including his favorite, the Magic Carpet.  So much fun!

Stayed for the evening fireworks and show.  A Wow!


We continued our Park hopping with a day at Animal Kingdom and a day at Hollywood Studios.  Morey loved getting back on the Alien Spin with the LGMs (Little Green Men).

Jordan trained to become a Jedi.  

Having walked over 25 miles during our visit, we were a little tired but very happy.  Great times to be together and share these fun experiences.

In addition to all of the Park hopping, we also went to Chef Mickey's for a fabulous brunch at the Contemporary Hotel.  We then planned to ride the monorail, but it was "paused", so we took a ride another day. 
This over 40 year old monorail is still a futuristic mode of transportation.


Disney continues to be a great place to enjoy!