Hot, Damn Hot

I am having scooter withdrawal, so off I go. I wanted to make another run at going to Montgomery, AL, this would be my fourth attempt, but museum schedules, my nieces schedule and other stuff got in the way. So, back to the Jac.

July 22

I left about 10 to meet Deb at Poppi's Too over the bridge for brunch. Made my way out of St. Pete riding south in town and getting on the Skyway Bridge at the last on ramp. It was beautiful crossing the bridge but my camera work failed me. I'm out of practice. I did not carry the camera around my neck to Greece and that was a mistake. I found that with out the camera readily accessible around my neck I missed many a shot. One, because I just didn't think about it without it hanging around my neck and second, it was too much trouble and took to long to pull the phone out of my pocket, pull my gloves off , open up photo and shot. 

Anyway, it was a great ride. I pulled into Poppi's right at 10:30 and Deb and the big van were already there. 

I opted for lunch and she had breakfast. Both were good dinner food. We gossiped about about Vicki and our future plans. She and Dash (the airstream) are moving to north central Florida next month. Her month here went quickly 

Making my way through downtown St. Pete.

Chopped steak

.

We parted ways and I headed west to Avon Park and the jacaranda hotel. The roads to the Jac are long and straight. I didn't even do any touring to get there. Some very light rain as I came into town. The turned into localized down pours once I was in my room.

Just a cool 98

Through powerpoll alley on FL62

Downtown Avon Park

Downtown from the balcony at the Jac

It's always great to be recognized when we come to the Jac. Ellen and Tamira where working and they caught me up on all the gossip including calling "the law" to come out the crazy people Celiste had told me about

I walked across the the street as required by "Bill law" to 18 East for a drink. At 6 the place, which is small, was full but snagged the only open table for two. A lemon martini, fried calamari, and I was done. I like this place but I think I am not coming on weekends anymore as it packed and loud. 

18 East across the road

I thought the rain was done

Inside 18 East

A few months ago a large hailstorm
came through and busted out a lot of windows.
They are still repairing that in of the hall in the Jac

I walked down to the little store run by a Haitian and got a whole bottle of wine for a dollar more that a glass at 18 East, a small back of chips, and a lottery ticket. Then it started to rain again, so by the time I was back at the Jac I had had my shower for the day.

July 23

Up early as usual. Made coffee. I bring my own as the free coffee is horrible. Finished the last ten minute of James May in Italy, episode 3.

At 8 I saddled up and headed for Kissimmee were Sara, the new cheerleading couch for Freedom High School, and her cheerleaders are having a car wash. The ride was pleasant and even after entering Kissimmee the ride was good as there was very little stopping. As long as I am moving the scooter a/c works great.

I love seeing citrus being planted as opposed to the picture below where
they are pushing them down and building houses.

As I pulled into the shopping center I was overwhelmed with cheerleaders wanting me to get a car wash, and since that is what I rode 2 hours for, I obliged them. Not sure how many cheerleaders were there, I think in the 20 to 30 range and they were all fired up. They washed a few cars but there focus visibly changed when the football players showed. The football coach said every player that had a car better show at the car wash.

Coach Sara and her mom

I stayed about an hour and then headed back to the Jac. Another pleasant ride. The heat has really not been a factor yet. 

Coming up I saw police and part of the southbound lanes coned off at a church. I figured funeral. On the way back they were still there so I pulled in to check it out. It was a food bank giving boxes away. There were probably six or more sheriff's directing the long line of cars. They said they would run out with 550 cars with one box per car. There was a special spot for first responders. I don't know what they got extra if anything. 

Long line of cars

bags by Disney

Stopped in Frost Proof at the Frost Bite and got a chilly hot dog and a water. Somehow I resisted the need for ice cream.

Dinner found me back at 18 East for martinis. A nice conversation at the bar with a gentleman that works with water rights for farmers and developers. He is not happy at all with the developers. He moved here 40 years ago from Miami to beat the crowds. We both agreed after talking about south Florida and the Keys stuff changes.

July 24

I walked around some, went to the Dutch Dinner for breakfast and to pickup some grits for Tamira at the front desk.

Of I went about 10 to meet Deb and Vicki at the marina restaurant in Palmetto. Another straight ride with nothing exciting except when I got close to town and ran into traffic I was racing a Ferrari and keeping up...thanks to the lights. However, soon he got an opening, or made and opening and was out of site.

Lunch was great out on the deck. I nice cold something with alcohol would have been grand but I avoided that.

The ride over the bridge home was great. Seating at the light at 9th St an 4Th Ave the thermometer on the scooter hit 100. It did not seem that hot to me and I fortunately I did not set there long and before I knew it I was rolling into the air conditioned garage.