January 30, 2010 - What? No Rain?

The original plan for today was to ride to Sarasota to visit Yoder's Restaurant and the Ringling Museum. However, the weather report caused that plan to be abandoned. Instead, eleven of us gathered under threatening skies for breakfast in Plant City. After enjoying the usual camaraderie over toast, eggs and coffee, most headed home, while five of us (Boyd, J.T., Debbie, Scott and I) decided to take advantage of the still dry roads to get in in a few miles on the motorcycles.

As the radar map showed the northern skies laden with extensive, heavy rain storms, we turned our ride south towards Old Hopewell, Keysville, Welcome, and Jameson Road (Kent, was that you who passed by as we crossed the South Prong of the Alifia River?). As we turned south on CR-39, Scott left the group to head home. The rest of the group rode on to Picnic, Balm, Grange Hall and Fort Lonesome where we stopped for a short break.

We were soon on the road again, heading over to Bethlehem, Bradley Junction, Agricola, Green Bay, then Mulberry. Boyd and I decided to stop at Dee's Fish Place in Mulberry while J.T. and Debbie decided to head home to beat the rain.

Dee's is a small, old fashioned lunch room on the corner of Babcock and 1st Avenue with friendly service and good food and, yes Lloyd, Wi Fi. Although they claim to be the home of the world's best 14 oz. hamburger, Boyd and I both opted for the special of the day - catfish nuggets with homemade potato chips. Both were excellent and plentiful. The chips were reminiscent of those served at Mojo's but a little better, I think.

After a leisurely lunch, Boyd and I headed back to Lakeland. I arrived home about 1:30 p.m., still dry, having covered about 120 miles since leaving that morning. Not a bad ride considering the projected rain storms.

Route

See you again next Saturday.

Jan. 2, 2010 - Dade Battlefield

Today, Boyd, J.T., Robert and I braved the 39 degree morning temperatures to take a ride back into history. After a morning ride which, as Robert claimed, ran us around our elbow to get to our, ahh, backside, we arrived at the Dade Battlefield Historic Park State in Bushnell, FL.

On December 23, 1835, 108 American soldiers, led by Major Francis Dade, marched out from from Fort Brooke (in what is now Tampa) to reinforce the garrison at Fort King (present day Ocala). On the sixth day of their march, the detachment was attacked by a band of Seminole Indians under the command of Chief Alligator. Only three soldiers survived the attack. So began the Second Seminole War. The war lasted seven years and resulted in almost all Seminoles being rounded up and sent to Oklahoma.


The Dade Battlefield Park site on the exact site of this battle. Each year for the past 29 years, on the first weekend after December 28, the park hosts a reenactment of the event. There are also numerous displays of historical artifacts of the period and lectures, as well as both military and Indian encampments open for public view.

All-in-all, it was an enjoyable and educational visit. I took quite a few photographs to document the event, but discarded most of the after seeing those taken by Boyd. Mine were taken with a "point and shoot" camera which is obvious when compared to Boyd's. Anyway, I hope you enjoy our efforts.

Check out Boyd's photos here.

Click here for Gunny's photos.

Also, be sure to check out J.T.'s blog.