Little Harbor - April 24, 2010

Okay, I'm running out of superlatives.  It was another great day of motorcycling here in central Florida.

The day started with ten Blue Knights and friends gathering in downtown Plant City for our usual pre-ride breakfast at Snellgroves.  One of the great features of the breakfast is that it allows friends to join us for a little camaraderie even though they may not be able to participate in a day long ride.  So it was that the ten dwindled to four as we prepared to depart for today's ride to Little Harbor in Ruskin.

Click here for today's route.

Early in the ride we passed the remains of a huge alligator on the side of Virgil Hall Road.  The tail and head had been removed, but what was left was still in excess of four feet.  Unfortunately, I did not think to stop for a photograph.  Shortly thereafter, we made out first stop at the Jameson Road bridge over the South Prong of the Alifia River.  This bucolic area is always a favorite stop for me.

Unfortunately, we are not the only one who like to stop here.  Note the graffiti all over the pavement and guard rails.

After a few minutes of enjoying the peace and quiet of the location, we were suddenly encourage to be on our way by a couple of nearby blasts form an unseen shotgun.

We next headed down to Fort Lonsome then west to Grange Hall Road.  Working our way  south via the back roads, we soon came to Bunker Hill and SR-62.  After working our way back north on CR-579, we cut west across some very interesting roads to arrive at our second brief for gasoline at US-41 and Cockroach Bay Road (Boyd's VMax was very thirsty).

We turned west again to get a few pictures of Cockroach Bay.

We next headed for lunch destination via Gulf City and W. Shell Point Road.  Arriving at the Resort and Club at Little Harbor, we headed for the Sunset Grill which has both inside and patio dining.  We chose a shaded spot on the patio.

The food was excellent and the bills averaged about $15 per person.  The views from the east side of Tampa Bay were beautiful.

Looking northwest across Tampa Bay you can just make out the City of Tampa rising above the boat in the foreground.

Lloyd & Boyd discuss the relevance of the sign.

Lunch and sightseeing over, we headed back towards Plant City, stopping at Medard Park to check out the campground and make plans for an overnight in May.  Our final stop of the day was at Parksdale's for the last weekend of the strawberry shortcake season.

It was another great ride with great friends under a beautiful Florida sky.  I want to thank Lloyd for the Little Harbor destination.  The past two rides have been to destinations suggested by other members with me designing the routes.  In each case it has worked out extremely well.  I will continue the procedure in the future.  So, be thinking about a destination that you would like and be prepared to offer it when asked.

Next week I will be out of state and, therefore unable to ride with the group.  See you all on the 2nd Saturday in May.

Gunny

April 17, 2010 - Angler's Resort, Dunnellon, FL

Six chapter members met in Plant City at 8:00 a.m. for our usual pre-ride breakfast. Although Bill and Eddie were unable to ride today, we were pleased to have their company at breakfast. Once the food was gone and the stories told, Lloyd, Kent, Robert and I prepared for the ride to Dunnellon and the Angler's Resort, a destination suggested by Kent, and it was an excellent one.

The route took us north to Zephyrhills, San Antonio then on to Jessamine.  After a quick detour to check out Clay Hill Rd., we headed for our first stop at Spring Lake Rd. and Cortez Blvd.  After a short break, we continued north via the back roads until we picked up US-41 south of Floral City.  From there it was a 30 mile run north through the Florida countryside and several small towns, including Floral City, Inverness, Hernando and Citrus Springs.

Immediately after crossing the Withlacoochee  River in Dunnellon, we came upon the Angler's Resort.  The Resort includes a motel, boat rentals, fishing guides, air boat tours, and our destination, the Blue Gator Tiki Bar & Restaurant.

 Okay, the dumpster doesn't help the shot but it was one of the few semi-level spots in the parking lot.

 Kent & Robert check those important messages.

 

The Blue Gator has open air dining on a wooden deck built on the north bank of the Withlacoochee River.

 Robert, Lloyd & Kent settle in for lunch.

 Angler's Resort's boat docks.

 Outdoor fireplace at the Blue Gator.

After lunch we turned back south, taking US-41 into Floral City.  Turning east on CR-48, we made our way over to Istachatta Rd. for a tour through rustic Florida.  Reaching Lake Lindsey Rd., we turned east to US-301 for the run back to Plant City.

It was a great ride (207 miles for me, portal to portal) in great weather (81 degrees for the ride home) with great friends.  What more could you ask for?  Thanks, Kent, for the suggestion.

See you next time.

Ride with Pride and remember, "Not all who wander are lost."

Gunny

April 10, 2010 - Back Roads to Sebring

Newcomers Darlene, Danny, Kim and Tallie joined the usual cast of characters for breakfast at Snellgroves on a beautiful Central Florida morning.  By 9:00 a.m., the group, minus Bill and Carl, were on the road heading towards Sebring via a few select back roads.  The route (click here) took us through Hopewell, Nichols, Pebbledale, Barcola, Agricola, and Bradley Junction. We then turned south to Baird, Fort Green, passing west of Wachula then on to Zolfo Springs where we had our first rest stop at the BP station.  After a short break, we cut over to the Florida Cracker Trail.  After a side trip south on Sweetwater Rd., we headed for Crewsville than on to Sebring for a stop at Annie's for lunch.

Unfortunately, there was not a soul around the restaurant despite the sign that they opened at noon.  The group decided to divert to the Wild Turkey Tavern in Avon Park instead.

 

Robert makes his grand entrance.

Danny & Kim await their lunch.

As usual, the place was extremely busy, the atmosphere unique and the food excellent. 

After lunch, we all decided to head for our respective homes by the most expeditious route.  I arrived back in Lakeland about 3:30 p.m., having covered about 190 miles of Florida highway under clear and sunny skies.

Join us soon for another motorcycle adventure.

Gunny

April 3, 2010 - Lake County, Champions and Mary's

Six good friends and motorcycle enthusiasts met in Plant City, Florida for a day of cycling and camaraderie.  The day started with the usual breakfast at Snellgroves where the general conversation soon led to full fledged, blood-spilling sarcasm, much to the enjoyment of all.  After binding our wounds and quelling the laughter, five of us prepared to start the morning ride.  Unfortunately, Robert had to leave the group to go to work.

After some discussion, Bill, J.T., Boyd, Lloyd and I tuned north towards he hills and curves of Polk and Lake Counties.  The route took us through Galloway, Kathleen and Socrum, across Rockridge and Green Pond Roads.  

The group stopped at the one-lane bridge on Rockridge at Green Pond.

 That boat is too big for this creek!

 Looks like someone missed the bridge.  Wonder how long before they were found?

Locals fish for Butter Catfish.

 

 Sometimes timing is everything.

It was then up to Bay Lake and Sloan's Ridge.  We cut back on SR-50 to Mascotte where we again turned northeast, taking the back roads to Howey-in-the-Hills.  There, we took Number 2 Road to Yalaha and back to SR-19 - as Bill so delicately said, "Going around our ass to get to our elbow."  From there we ran on into Eustis for a stop at Champions Powersports.

After gawking at a lot of nice, new bikes and some gear, we decided to head for lunch.  That decision took us to Mary's Kountry Kitchen on CR-448.  

While this small restaurant is, technically, in Tavares, it is very near to Lake Jem, and the food is very near to perfect.  I had the Meat Lovers Skillet - layers of hash browns, crumbled bacon, sausage and diced ham, all smothered in sausage gravy and topped with two eggs.  Man, it was really good and the biscuit that came with it jsut melted in my mouth.  Bill had Tomato Bisque soup and a BLT "like momma used to make."  Boyd had some New England Clam Chowder, Lloyd the biscuits and gravy, and J.T. a tuna fish something or other.  All was excellent.  The only disappointment was the homemade apple, blueberry and cherry pies.  They were still to hot to cut.  Bummer.

Back on the road again, we headed around to Astatula to pick up CR-561 for the ride home.  Along with 561, Green Pond and Rockridge made for a great trip home.  Apologies to J.T. who became lost in traffic along the way.

It was a glorious ride in beautiful low 80's temps and clear skies.  Be sure to join us soon.

Gunny