Vacation/2013

[Steve83]

Sounds wonderful! Don't sunburn too much - you'll match your bike!

 

[mwbill37841]

:thanks: good trip,thanks for sharing.

 

[paddy.shadow]

April 19 friday, We woke and packed up and went to west Boynton beach to Flackowitz Deli as featured on Diners Driveinns and dives.
We had a great breakfast, and as chance would have it, it was two for for one day.

 

[paddy.shadow]

missed a point, when I came out in the morning, I was horrified to find a small puddle of oil under the Aspy, turns out I neglected to properly tighten the drain plug....non-issue. Also I discovered that the 83 Aspy really does not like BP fuel. easily overcome by selecting Sunoco stations. I know some will argue that there isn't much difference, But I noticed a sluggishness and a sputter, I thought I was going to have to pull plugs, until I filled with other than BP.

 

[dan filipi]

missed a point, when I came out in the morning, I was horrified to find a small puddle of oil under the Aspy, turns out I neglected to properly tighten the drain plug....non-issue. Also I discovered that the 83 Aspy really does not like BP fuel. easily overcome by selecting Sunoco stations. I know some will argue that there isn't much difference, But I noticed a sluggishness and a sputter, I thought I was going to have to pull plugs, until I filled with other than BP.

Hmm that's wild.

Obviously nothing written in stone for these bikes.

 

[paddy.shadow]

After Breakfast, we turned south on US-1 against all advisories, we went straight through Miami. Now US-1 is not exactly a dream road for curves and such, it is a nice route to witness the american experience! One block is pawn shops and bars on the windows, cross an intersection and it's Aston Martin dealerships ,Ferrari's, Rolls Royces, etc.. We kept an eagle eye for Dollar Tree stores to purchase drinks,snacks, sunburn relief ointment, and other sundries. We rode Us-1 all the way to Key West on Friday. Once you leave the mainland, 1 is a mostly 2 lane road, with occasional places to pass. One of the first things we both noticed was the iridescence blue color of the ocean on both sides of the road. Now we know why people paint their pools that color, because that is truly what the south seas water is! Key Largo, Isla Morada, Marathon, Deer Key, and all the minor keys Until Key west. As luck would have it, as soon as we found the southern end of US-1, we made a slight left turn into the Days Inn/ Waffle House parking lot, where we had reservations for Friday night.Long awaited fruity umbrella drink!

 

[paddy.shadow]

Now, if you think Key West is a beach mellow kinda place, you are mistaken! It is very busy, kinda like Bourbon Street on Mardi Gras! Which isn't quite what we were looking for. What we wanted and planned for was more low key. Which is why we went north to Marathon Key on Saturday.

 

[joedrum]

cool ....that is a great time ...everyone should go there at least once

 

[paddy.shadow]

Saturday found us on Marathon Key at Salty's, a restaurant, bar,seafood, billiard hall, biker, no windows or doors, Small boat charter, kinda dive!

 

[paddy.shadow]

Then we found our next stop, The tropical cottages on marathon key, No telephone, we had our own little patio, kitchenette. Hammocks, a Tiki Bar! And a Publix nearly across the road, far enough away to be quiet, but close enough for economical dining!

 

[AApple]

Sounds like a awesome trip, Paddy!! You and Mama need to get out in the sun a little more, tho.....that burn looks painful!!!

 

[Ansimp]

I see that you guys are making the most of that Florida sun :blush:

 

[Omega Man]

What a way to travel!

~o~

 

[mwbill37841]

opcorn: opcorn: :wave: :clapping:

 

[Jungo]

Thanks for share and welcome to the Sunshine State.

 

[mcgovern61]

Nice trip!! Thanks for sharing! :thanks:

 

[paddy.shadow]

Two days on Marathon Key and we pointed the Aspy north on US-1 again for a bittersweet slow drive leaving the Keys. On Deer Key, we had the good fortune to actually see a Key Deer, they are only slightly smaller than the white tails found here in PA. Once on the mainland and near Homestead, we found a country road, 192 0r 129,I don't recall which, and headed north west through a lot of farms, tomatoes, potted palms, citrus groves etc. it was very interesting. When we arrived at the casino we turned left and headed west bound on fl, 46, also known as alligator alley! Again, not a twisty road, and no elevation changes, but LOTS to look at! My bride was getting quite excited if slowed down at all!

 

[paddy.shadow]

Shoot, I skipped a whole bit about going to the sea turtle rescue and hospital on Marathon Key, we took a half hour tour that was informative and interesting, then we got to see the turtles currently waiting to be released, and some that can not due to different health reasons.

 

[paddy.shadow]

Riding the everglades and the big Cyprus swamp was definitely interesting! as drew closer to Naples we ran into our first bit of fowl weather, we could see the rain coming all day and had managed to dodge around it for the most part, but mother nature finally succeeded in getting us a bit wet. As you fellas are aware, on a fully dressed Goldwing, if you keep your speed up a little bit you don't get very wet.....but the guy in the rented RV in front of us that repeatedly slowed to 40 or less every time the rain increased insured that we got a thorough drenching! At Naples we had to get on I-75 for about an hour to meet time constraints and get us to Port Charlotte at a reasonable hour to meet up with some friends. Howie and Marcia are from near where we live and re-located to FLA about a year ago and welcomed us into their home!

 

[paddy.shadow]

Monday we left Port Charlotte and pointed the Aspy north east on rte 17 which meanders up through the interior portin of Florida towards Orlando, lot's of cattle and horse ranches, more citrus groves and the like, we found, should say we smelled this great BBQ place called Smokey Joes

I had the brisket, and the Mrs. got the pulled pork! real southern bbq at it finest with authentic sides and real brewed sweet tea!
The plan at this point was to ride to her aunt and uncle's place near Palatka...which we intended to do, but like the best laid plans of mice and men, I missed a turn connecting us to 27 from 17, and the next we 4 miles from Disney, (no offense to any one that lives around there, god bless you) But we spent the next 4.5 hours trying to get out of the giant strip mall that is Orlando! When I finally found rte. 27 again, it was twilight and the gps said we were still 2.5 hours away, so upon discussion and mutual agreement about not wanting to be riding around the forests of central FLA in the dark, we chose to find a reasonably priced motel and spend the night in Orlando. Welll......we found a cheap place alright, and this is one time that we got what we paid for, The Red Carpet Inn on rte. 50 in Orlando....whew, suffice it to say I didn't sleep due to the large amount of "traffic" in and about this place, lots of evidence of careless smokers also that we found more of by the dawns light the following morning

We survived just fine, had breakfast at Perkin's and made our way back to Sanford to board the Amtrak autotrain north bound, more later.