January 2011 On The Road To Warmer Weather

As much as it hurt us, this is the weather we were leaving in Kentucky for someplace South offering warmer weather.  Our first overnight was at Maxwell AFB Famcamp at Montgomery, Al.  We spent two nights here and enjoyed our stay very much.  Great walking trails, FHU, close to Exchange shopping, quiet and secure. 

Did have an issue with a brake adjuster coming loose and flopping around inside the wheel on the RV causing us to locate a repair facility for the fix.  Prattville RV and Auto repair did the job, quickly and professionally.  We were in and out within two hours, minus about $285. 

Leaving Maxwell Thursday we travelled about 200 miles to beautiful Lake Seminole, Ga located a few miles south of Bainbridge, Ga.  This is a COE campground located on the waters edge at the very south end of the lake.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

By Kentucky standards this is a huge body of water, somewhere in the area of 16,000 acres of water impounded.  A large COE lake in Ky is typically in the 5000-6000 acre range and fluctuates wildly from winter to summer pool. 

 

 

 

 

 

All this peace and quiet, some of the best bass fishing in the country, for $10 a night(with the Senior Pass).   Only thing missing is our boat and motorcycle…Yep, I could live here.

Off To South Florida We Go

 

I am a little slow in my updates since this is January and our bike ride took place in early November 2010, but, who cares….

 

 

 

 

 

The plan was to load the bike in the enclosed trailer and trailer it to Panama City, Florida, which is what we did.  Leaving Kentucky Roz and I made it to Montgomery, Alabama where we overnighted at Maxwell AFB.  The next day we were on the road again arriving in Panama City around noon or so and then at our destination of Tyndall AFB shortly thereafter.

We finished the day prowling around the Base Exchange and hit the Commissary for a few essentials then back to our room in the Lodge.  Had a nice relaxing evening getting the bike packed and ready for departure in the morning.

Morning arrived in glorious fashion, about 45 degrees and beautiful Florida sunshine.  The temps were forecast to rise to about 70 or so during the day. 

We jumped on the Honda and departed the Base headed down Hwy 98 Southbound, wind in our face and warming temperatures.  The miles just melted away and we were soon 100 miles down the road.  After about 200 or so we stopped for fuel and a snack break at some roadside convenience store, then down the road again.

Around 4 PM or so we arrived in Orlando and found a nice Quality Inn Motel across the street from Disney World, and checked in for the night.  Lot of dinning opportunities in the area, so we chose a Cracker Barrel, just across the parking lot.

Next morning, another beautiful sunrise, back on the bike and down the road we went.  We were loving this ride.

Our route took us down the center of Florida via U.S. 27, little traffic and great roads.  After a comfortable ride of about 300 miles or so we arrived at our destination of Fl Lauderdale, and the home of Roz’ sister, Ellen.  Now for a few days of “down time.”

 

 

 

 

 

We spent a week with Ellen, touring around our old stomping grounds toward Homestead and the Keys.  In our earlier lives we had lived in the Homestead area for several years.  Things certainly do not remain the same, but it was good seeing the area again.

After a very enjoyable visit it was time to reload the Honda and head back toward Panama City. 

Made it to the Ocala area for the evening for the overnight and early the next morning back on the road again through the beautiful countryside surrounding Ocala.  Great seeing this area on the bike.

Arrived back at Tyndall in mid afternoon in time for a little “kick back” time.  Spent the next couple of days doing mostly nothing, then, loaded the bike back in the trailer for our trip back to Kentucky. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We considered overnighting at a Corps Park we had stayed in the past, rolling the bike out and throwing down our mattress and sleeping bags in the trailer, but then,  we were passing near Maxwell AFB again  and the thought of spending the night in their Lodging won out.  We have camped in the trailer and did enjoy it.  We have outfitted it out with most of the basic necessities, stove, refrigerator, PORTI POTTI, ..and decided we can handle this lifestyle taking the bike along with us.  Anyway, I digress.

Arrived back at our home in Kentucky the next afternoon and were very happy with the outcome of this trip…Thought it may have been a bit ambitious initially with the bike, but looking back we ask ourselves,  When Can We Do This Again?  .

Till Next Time, May the wind always be at your bike, and never a crosswind.