Thermometer pegging 70 and clear blue skies – a perfect south Florida day to ride. Pearl and I headed out this morning toward the beach. No sign of the alien vehicle from last week. That one’s going to be chalked up to “resides in the hard drive to talk about when I’m 100″ so I can confuse the heck out of people. Some things are better left a mystery anyway…

A1A headed north was closed at Sunrise and the police were re-directing traffic back to US1. I headed north on US1 and took the next major road north back to the coast and headed South to see what was going on.

On the drive back south, Pearl and I stopped for a bit to soak up some sun and surf just north of Ft. Lauderdale.

We had some wind gusts last weekend that also produced 5-7 foot swells. It looks like all that weather pushed a lot of sand into the road. Can you imagine what it looks like after a hurricane?  The crews were working hard to get things back to normal.

I’ve lived in the Ft. Lauderdale area for 3 ½ years now and have never explored some of the neighborhoods along the ubiquitous canals that give the area its personality. Like a deformed giant with hundreds of fingers on each hand – canals everywhere you look. And not just any old canal either – these canals harbor some really big boats.

While most of us have a back yard with grass, a patio or deck; maybe a pool – how about this instead?

Ok, so I admit I’m partial to sailboats.

It was fun to ride in these neighborhoods and imagine what it’s like to be rich. But then again, I have Pearl and my freedom – all the riches I need.

You know the old fisherman’s tale about the big one that got away. No fish, no picture, no proof?

Pearl and I headed out for a short ride along the coast on A1A last Sunday morning. The ride was supposed to be just long enough to shake off the last of the work week stress and still leave enough time to get everything done on my to-do list. I packed the Nikon, a bottle of water, my wallet, phone and a hat into the new tank bag and we took off.

Pearl and I are cruising along A1A between Dania and Ft. Lauderdale beach. This stretch is not much to look at – store fronts and the airport until you get to Las Olas and head east to the beach again. Wait… What the f*? I see this vehicle headed south (of course I was headed north) that looked like something out of a 50’s sci-fi movie. The thing looked like ancient Siamese twin station wagons coated all over with silver paint. And not just paint, but every kind of silver automotive part you could imagine attached in various artistic sculptural ways. It had a column of about 6 different mirrors on the driver’s side and some kind of revolving antennae on top. There is no way I can adequately describe this vehicle. Only a picture would tell the story. So I made a U-turn at the next available intersection and went in search of the mystery vehicle.

After about 10 miles, I decided I had missed the opportunity and headed east back toward the beach and then back north to ride my original route along Ft. Lauderdale beach. And there it is again! I had to turn around again and finally caught up with it. I slung the Nikon around my neck at the next red light and prepared to capture the “sighting”. We finally ended up side by side at a red light and I poised the camera only to realize that I had no battery juice and no spare. And so the big one got away. Maybe I’ll see it again this weekend and you can bet I’ll have a fully charged battery this time!

So we find open spots in motorcycle parking in front of the old town hall, just down the street from Sloppy Joe’s. It’s mostly mopeds, a few motorcycles and we’d parked there before. This works. Stow our gear and head over to Hog’s Breath for a cold one, a bit of lunch and a lot of entertainment. This was supposed to be a day trip, so we head back to the bikes after lunch. G: “what the h*ll, why’s my mirror cocked like this?” Me: “Did you bump it on the way out?” G: “No, and take a look at your seat and gas tank – someone went between our bikes with something sharp.” Me: “My sexy seat – it’s ruined. That kind of tear means I’ll have to get it re-covered. Damn, I’ve only had it a few months. And that gouge in the gas tank goes down to the metal.” We’re still trying to figure out why someone would go between the bikes – especially since they were on the end of the row. Couldn’t walk around? Probably some drunken fool with no sense.

After that shock we go to fire up the bikes and Iron Pony refuses to start. This is not funny – AAA coverage is only 100 miles, we’re 180 miles from home and G has a flight back to NC tomorrow morning. Guess again. Sure glad we asked our pet sitter to check in on the dogs for us since we would get home late. Seriously though, road coverage for the bikes was the best investment we made this year. Whether with AAA or some other company, get it – it’s paid for itself two times over so far.

Waiting for the tow truck to arrive, we evaluate our options. Can we tow it all the way home? Probably not since the towing company is local. Can G ride bitch all the way home? Really? Does the tow company have a secure lot we can leave the bike overnight? We’ll have to get a rental car. Do I ride my bike home alone in the dark or leave both bikes and drive together in the rental car?

When the tow truck arrives, we make arrangements to leave both bikes in their storage area. Here’s where you gotta love the kindness of strangers. They let us leave the bikes overnight free of charge. Plus they gave us a phone number to call so someone could unlock the gate when we brought my bike back after getting the rental car and the next day when we returned with the trailer.

And G actually does ride bitch on my bike for the first time ever to get the rental car.  You know, you see a lot of weird stuff in Key West, but I think this was over the top for a lot of people – it’s not every day you see a guy riding behind a woman on a motorcycle – we sure got a lot of second looks. So glad we decided not to do that all the way home!

Rental car secured and Pearl tucked up next to Iron Pony in the lot, we (finally) head home.

One of my most sacred beliefs is that everything happens for a reason and this was no different. It just took another 24 hours to understand why…

We’re two months into an 800 mile, three state separation. The “Great Recession”  strikes again. Layoffs and RIF’s have touched most everyone we know – then it was personal. Twelve weeks without a job. Only viable option was the offer in NC. Too bad we live in Florida. I stick with my FL job and my husband charts a new course in NC. Not ideal, but the bills are paid.

G-man was home this past weekend so we planned some serious snuggle time and with a favorable weather forecast on the horizon, logging some miles on the bikes – finally. Spent Friday on stuff that needed to get done and some relaxing beach time. The weekend is starting out just right…

Checked over the bikes Saturday morning – tire pressure, fluids, you know the drill – pack the rain gear just in case. Water, first aid kit, snacks. A quick stop at the corner gas station, out on the road – the first adrenaline rush after a (too long) dry spell exhilarates.  East for about 5 miles, south on Route 27 to 997 – lusty siren song of Key West beckons. This day was more about the ride; longed for and requisite asphalt therapy. Destination: joy. Down Krome Avenue into Homestead. Cross over to Card Sound Road – over the bridge and into the upper keys. Key Largo, Islamorada, Marathon, 7 Mile Bridge, past No Name Key and the Key Deer Habitat. Baby’s Coffee – almost there – the miles click off as stress and fears evaporate. Azure sky, puffy white clouds, water all around – shades of turquoise, green, blue, teal – sparkling and dancing in the bright sunlight. Sea spray tickling the nose, clearing the sinuses – pungent salt on wind parched lips – skin tightening under abundant sunshine.  Calling out to play – to live – to feel. How to capture this sensual experience in a digital file? For now words fill the void. Stay in the now – because now is perfect. Future – not so much…

Another South Florida scorcher today. Saturday was molten too, so we decided to get wet and play in the kayak rather than on the bikes. We waved to workers on a cruise ship and fellow sailors on yachts, cigarette boats, a freighter, a tug, a very large sailboat, and a couple of other brave kayakers. It’s amazing how small you become next to a freighter. After about 2 miles of paddling, we rounded the jetty and were out on the ocean. We paddled toward shore and beached the kayak while we enjoyed a snack and swim in the clear surf. Kayak in surf is a lot more fun than kayak in boat wakes. We got home in plenty of time to get some household chores done, but that afternoon nap was oh so glorious .

Got to love South Florida – 6 am and it’s already 85 degrees. In a vain attempt to get ahead of the heat, we fired up the bikes for an 8 am start. A quick stop for gas and Hubs, Darling Daughter and I were on the road to Homestead and our favorite place for late breakfast, the Farmer’s Market Restaurant. Early morning rides are like cops hiding with pointed radar guns – it’s all good until the sirens wail. Oblivious to the goings-on outside, we ate contentedly inside the air conditioning while the day’s heat made camp for the day. I always forget how hot black leather seats get on a summer day!

Once past the “oh my God it’s hot”  butt sizzle, we rode west about 15 minutes and pulled in to Robert is Here market. Since 1960, this little market has been a Florida icon. I snapped these pictures back in March so the produce is a bit different now. Mangoes and lychies have upstaged citrus and heirloom tomatoes. No matter when you visit (they close in August – smart, really smart), there’s always fresh fruit to try, tourists to smile at and antique tractors and cars to ooh and ahh over. Did you catch the walker? An antique dozing in an antique. Yeah – I could spend retirement like that.

Between the heat and the wind whisking away all our sweat, it’s really easy to get dehydrated when riding in hot weather. Of course, that also gives us a good reason to stop at all the biker hang-outs and socialize. We stopped at the gas station at Krome Avenue and 41. Truck and biker stop, there’s always someone to talk to. I even had someone ask if I would sell Pearl today. Never! Pearl is my baby – I will keep her forever. And I agree, she is a beauty.

One more stop on the way home.  Everglades Holiday Park is another one of those biker hang-outs. We like to stop there for ice cream bars. This is one of those old Florida parks with loads of tourist charm. You can camp, launch your boat, take an airboat ride, see an alligator show, eat ice cream or alligator bites, and just have a good time. There was  talk a few months ago about the county turning this into one of their upscale parks. The community had their say about it and this park is still pure old Florida. It would be a shame to change it.

What a great weekend. Play is good – make more time for it. Life’s too short to work all the time. How did you play this weekend?

My last post was prophetic. Some days it’s too hot to ride – but we ride anyway.

Thunderstorms looming, the mercury fast approaching 95°F, but longing for a ride away from city traffic, we decided to ride down to Islamorada. It’s only about 200 miles round trip, but provides enough long stretches without traffic lights to clear the head. Our route took us south on US27 and then down 997-Krome Avenue to Homestead. From there, we took Card Sound Road toward Key Largo.

Before crossing the bridge over to the keys, there’s a toll booth, a tiny fishing village, and a larger than life restaurant – Alabama Jack’s. We had passed this place many times on our trips down to Key West, but never stopped. Today was the day.

I spotted this beauty in the parking lot but the picture doesn’t do it justice – too bright and no room between the cars on either side to get a good angle. The stars and stripes reminded me to pause for a few moments and send out a silent thank you to all the men and women who have made my freedom possible. Because of their sacrifice I was out enjoying the day.

‘Bama Jack’s reminds me of another fishing village restaurant we enjoy visiting that I wrote about a while back. Bikes and cars out front, boats at the dock, a live band playing, and a host of characters – no fishing village bar is complete without the resident dancer or canine friends.

A plate of steamed shrimp and a half-gallon of iced tea later we head south toward Islamorada. The heavy traffic going north should have been a clue – Card Sound is one of those back roads that mostly locals use. When we got to the gas station at the intersection of Card Sound and US1 we saw that half of Miami were in the keys for the long weekend and headed home. Instead of going on to Islamorada and getting caught in that mess coming back north, we decided to just head home the way we came and stop at the bridge to take some pics.

These next shots were taken with my little digi while riding across the bridge.

I just point and shoot, never knowing how the pictures will turn out. See those storm clouds in the east? Yep – we’re headed straight for them. Even so, the darkening sky and cooler temperatures were a pleasant change from the scorching heat earlier.

We made it back to Krome Avenue before stopping to put on the rain gear. Passing the bank I noticed that the 96 degree temp I saw on the way down had already cooled to 86. Then we had steady rain the rest of the way home. Between a snapped power pole, debris in the streets, and flooded roads, it was obvious that we had dodged the worst of the storm. My biker angel was watching out for us yet again.

Soggy and cold but finally home, we sloshed into the house. Nothing that snuggly PJ’s and a glass of Merlot can’t cure…

Just for fun we checked weather-dot-com to see where the storm was moving. The temperature was 68 degrees and we were still in a severe thunderstorm warning with winds gusting up to 60 mph and pea sized hail out there. Now I know my biker angel was working overtime today.

At least the riding life is never boring and there’s always a story to tell.

Last weekend Pearl had her first trip on a trailer. (We don’t count the time she had a completely flat tire and couldn’t make it home on her own two wheels.) Sullen after driving the short distance up onto the trailer, her mood brightened a little when she learned that we were headed north to pick up my daughter and Moto at college. “Ah well… I guess I can be a passenger for once,” she sighed as I tightened the straps.

I was going to be driving this trip anyway to move my daughter’s stuff back home for the summer. At first my daughter was going to follow me on Moto. Then I asked if we could make a mother-daughter weekend of it – do some riding together and visit family at the same time. I would bring Pearl on the trailer, we could go riding together, and then bring both bikes home on the trailer. In the end, it was serendipity that we had the trailer because the volume of my daughter’s stuff had increased and the small refrigerator we took to college in the SUV would no longer fit inside on the way back.

With all of my daughter’s belongings finally moved from dorm to SUV and Pearl, Moto, and the mini fridge secured to the trailer, we headed to my mom’s house. I did feel a bit like the Clampetts tooling down the highway. Some of the second looks we got though, made up for it. I guess some people were surprised to see mother and daughter in the SUV pulling the motorcycles.  But that was just the start of the swivel heads.

Silly girls that we are, we decided to wear our matching pink T-shirts from her Sorority Mother-Daughter weekend. We also happened to have the same gloves, so we wore those too and took off for our day ride on Saturday morning. Just a couple of girls out having fun.

My Mom lives in central Florida and we headed north taking back roads to visit my brother in Inverness. About 10 miles into the ride, I noticed that my daughter was starting to hang back a bit and then pulled off into a parking lot. I swung around to go back to her. At first she thought she was out of gas, but there was still gas in the tank and she hadn’t switched to reserve. She started looking around the bike and found a wire that had come loose. We plugged it back in and the bike started right up and ran beautifully the rest of the trip. After spending the afternoon with my brother, sister-in-law and new nephew, we headed south by a different route to visit my sister in Lakeland.

All of South Florida where we live is flat and straight and I knew that northern Florida was quite different with geography more like Georgia. So I was surprised by the rolling hills and curvy roads in central Florida along our route to Lakeland. My daughter remarked later that it was the first time she had been riding on hills and curves. The scenery was beautiful and the riding  much more fun than the straight shot we usually get. After a short visit with my sister, we headed back to my mom’s.

All along the way we got a lot of waves, smiles and thumbs-up. We were sitting at a traffic light when the door of the van next to us opened up with a young girl beaming ear to ear who just wanted to say hi. When we stopped at the grocery store on the way back to my mom’s house, the clerk asked us if we in some sort of club. With a straight face, my daughter told her that we were starting a motorcycle gang. I’m sure we looked quite menacing in our matching pink T-shirts.

Pearl and Moto were happy to spend the night in the garage and go out for a short ride the next morning. I took my daughter in a big circle around some of the area where I grew up, but usually don’t travel in the car. It made me think about how much more we experience on the bike.

Finally, we had to head back and load the bikes on the trailer. After watching my daughter drive Moto up onto the trailer, my mom suggested that she should consider loading transfer trucks for her summer job. With both bikes secure, we checked the straps once more and headed home. It was a fun weekend and we’re looking forward to more adventures this summer. We may even do another weekend when she goes back to college in August.

Me, Pearl and hubby spent Easter Sunday exploring familiar and not so familiar areas along US41 in the Florida Everglades.

Pearl

It was a relaxing, stress-free day. We cruised, ate, and enjoyed the sun on our skin and the wind in our faces. We stopped when we wanted, explored places we’d never been, and spent the day on our own terms. Total trip was about 250 miles.

Everyone needs a good breakfast, so our first stop was the Miccosukee Indian Village Restaurant. Tummies full, we headed west on US41 to Chokaloskee. A quick stop at the gas station before heading south on county road 29, and we found ourselves in the parking  lot of JT’s Island Grill. This place was for sale a couple of years ago and I really wanted to buy it… Too bad the stars didn’t line up. The new owner has done a great job and we enjoyed browsing.

On the way out, we stopped at the marina to chum around with the pelicans.

From there we stopped at the Everglades National Park station at Everglades City. Did you know that the Everglades really starts in Central Florida? And that there is an Everglades Trail?(www.evergladestrail.com).

From there we we headed back to US41 and turned west to go to one of our favorite hang-outs – Stans’ Idle Hour in Goodland. Goodland is a tiny fishing village and Stan’s is always fun – from steamed shrimp to cold beer to music and dancing. People watching there is always spectacular.

What can you make from a palm frond?

After leaving Goodland, we headed east toward home and made a couple more stops. First stop was the Kirby Storter boardwalk in the Big Cypress National Preserve. The boardwalk is about a mile round trip. We walked all the way to the end and were rewarded with an alligator sighting.

Gator and tracks

The last stop on the way home was the Big Cypress Gallery to marvel at the incredible black and white photography of Clyde Butcher. Mr Butcher uses a large format camera to capture breathtaking everglades landscape photos. You can check out his work at www.clydebutcher.com, but you really need to see it in person to get the full effect.

From there, we headed home, stopping just long enough to capture the last photo of the day. The trees in this picture are melaleuca. These trees are a pest in the Florida Everglades – virtually choking out all other vegetation. Some say it was greedy developers who first brought them in because they drink up so much water. But no matter their origin, they are a significant threat to the Everglades.

End of the ride.

It was a glorious day – and I even discovered THE solution for helmet hair while at Stan’s; but that the next post. Stay tuned…

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