Here Be Mermaids

Rode out to Bayport again today, haven't been in quite a while. On CR 476, just west of Nobleton, there's the back 2/3rds of a dinosaur by the road. No idea what that story is, tales of failed roadside attractions come to mind.

Was very surprised to see the improvements put in, nice restrooms, improved parking, walk areas to see the views, really well done! West on what's left of SR50 where it terminates into US19 at Weeki Wachee, about 7 miles past the road ends at the gulf in this really nice park. Always see a lot of bikers at the restaurant there at the turn to Pine Island, very popular spot.

Today I decided to go into the Weeki Wachee attraction. $13 to a good cause, it is the last of the old-school tourist spots for sure! The park does show it's age, but the folks that work there really rever the old place. The short ride on the river - narrated by a lady that had been there many years, the attendants at the show, the persons in the gift shop, all were very nice. The Mermaids in the show - how cool to be keeping that tradition alive. Go Mermaids, go. The turtles in the spring really seemed to be getting into the show as well, the mermaids could be seen gently shooing them out of their swim paths as the show progressed. Sad that the water level is steadily dropping, 3 feet in 6 years, that doesn't speak well for the condition of the Florida Aquifer.

All in all, a nice afternoon diversion, if you go, park hours were kind of short, 10a-3pm this early in the season, so time it accordingly. Say hi to the mermaids when you go!

Bayport & Weeki Wachee

Sunday Afternoon Favorite ride

Whenever I find the weekend slipping away...and not enough riding done...if there's 2 hours to be had, here's my favorite spots...

Head up through Sugarloaf - find Ferndale, then find Sugarloaf Mountain Rd. The view on a clear day is great, you can see the I-4 Eyesore and the Orlando skyline.

Go on up towards Tavares, cut over to SR19 and cross Little Lake Harris - always beautiful with the lake stretching out on both sides. Follow SR19 south into Howey-In-The-Hills, and at the little yellow caution light turn east to find an awesome lakeside park.

Further south on SR 19 almost into Groveland, is the Arnold Brothers boat ramp at the Palatlakaha Creek (fun to say, beautiful nature views from the scenic boardwalk to see!).

Any time of year, a quick run through these scenic spots restores me and washes the workaday blues away.

Push On To Palatka

US 17 and SR 20...north edge of the Ocala National Forest. If ever you are in the area, swing through town. Ravine Gardens State Park, a great old downtown, lots of murals, a war memorial to Submarine crews, and the oldest diner in Florida!

Angels Diner is absolutely worth the drive, just a great old diner, great prices, good food, friendly staff...welcomes customers....including bikers!

So, if in the Forest, push on to Palatka, go to Angels, pay respects at the submarine crew memorial and enjoy the afternoon along the St Johns river.

http://picasaweb.google.com/mmitch1079/RandomDayTrip#

Biketoberfest 2010

Had the best trip to Biketoberfest this year! The weather was great, we rode north on A1A to the little spot just north of Marineland where old A1A is right on the beach...just awesome views up there.

Doing Biketoberfest on a weekday is great. You get all the experience, but just a little less than peak crowds. You can walk on Main Street sidewalks versus wiggling sideways to fight for space....

All in all, this was the best Biketoberfest in a while, between weather and time off for us, just really GREAT. Can't wait to go again!

Okeechobee

Had a great day at work recently. Took the opportunity of a south Florida work assignment to ride the bike down Canoe Creek Rd through Kenansville, and take US 441 south to Okeechobee before cutting over to West Palm Beach on SR 710.

Kenansville and Okeechobee did not disappoint, the weather was awesome. Found some more murals in Okeechobee to add to the collection.

Stopped at the Desert Inn in Yeehaw Junction, but didn't have time to actually go inside....next time we'll slide in for the full experience.

Enjoyable Day

Had a great day today. Took an unplanned trip to a couple of spots and found a couple more great central Florida surprises.

Howey-In-The-Hills - get off SR 19 in town, slide to the east to the edge of Lake Harris. The town of H-I-T-H maintains an awesome lakeside park that has a magnificent boardwalk and excellent lakeside views. A real treat. Then, on the way out...a mysterious abandoned estate, real art-deco styling, covered with vines, very Tower of Terror looking, just great.

Another day spent trusting the road and enjoying every minute of it.

Here's a link to more pics:
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=mmitch1079&target=ALBUM&id=5523612054266032145&authkey=Gv1sRgCL-d6pqo6KqtuQE&feat=email

Florida SR 17 - A Favorite!

Original post from 2010, updated in June of 2015.

SR 17 - a great ride through rolling orange groves and Florida History!

From the north, go down US 27 almost to Avon Park.  Just below where SR98 intersects from the west into US 27, a few more miles south, you'll find SR 17 leaving US 27 to the east.  That is the start of a beautiful ride.

Run north on SR 17 and you roll through sleepy old Florida history, orange grove towns, murals, cows, and railroading history as well.   What an awesome scenic stretch! Designated as a Florida Scenic Route - The Ridge - it winds through thick orange groves, hills and lakes and awesome Florida views.

Add to the road the journey through the small towns, complete with the ubiquitous Florida Murals (I love those murals), it made for a really great afternoon under the awesome Florida PIXAR sky!  Frostproof, Lake Wales, Waverly and Dundee, and on into Haines City.  SR17 is under construction, the north lane of the road was blocked the day I was there, had to cut back west to US 27.

 

Looking forward to my next leisurely ride on SR 17 between Haines City and Avon Park.

Here's a link to more pictures from spots along SR 17.  Also there are pictures from an event formerly titled "The Run To The Heartland".    I think I saw a run for October to Avon Park this year, maybe some of those folks are picking up where the Heartland run had to stop.

http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=mmitch1079&target=ALBUM&id=5523612054266032145&authkey=Gv1sRgCL-d6pqo6KqtuQE&feat=email