As the end of my six months in Florida draws near, I realize what winter and cold, rainy days are good for ... journalling! My blog and documentation of my rides is SO far behind because I am out riding instead of writing! What I have written has been quickly thrown together with a few representative photos just to keep the blog from going totally stagnant. In some ways I have covered far less ground than I had originally thought, and in others ways seen far more than I would have imagined! My initial objective had been to visit State and National Parks, flung far and wide across the state. The reality of work and visiting family has kept me more limited to given sectors, my explorations guided more by my solar compass than any rational plan. Last weekend, for instance, included a 150 mile round trip visit to my folks, except I turned it into 150 miles each direction by following roads that "looked interesting". Of major importance in making sure Rosie's two gallon tank is full when we begin! Once we start down the back roads there is no telling when/if we might happen upon a gas station! If we do find one, with more than 50 miles on the tank, we fill! We carry a siphon hose gifted to us by Miss Rider, Madeline Velasquez just in case! When my mother expressed concerns about me "getting lost", I explained to her that I knew as long as I had State Road 41 to the west, State Road 301 to the east, State Road 50 to the south, and State Road 44 to the north I had a general idea of where I was. The sun, based on the time of day, and whether it was over my right or left shoulder, in front or behind me, would keep me going in the general direction of my destination. I remember learning in kindergarten that it was noon time if it was possible to step on the head of your own shadow. Using this method of exploration, I have "discovered" several county parks of a caliber that rivals the state parks. I must go through my videos and photographs and compile a list of all I have visited. It is my hope that others who visit this area, and particularly those who live here, will use this information to inspire them to venture out themselves!
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I've been riding now for over 40 years, beginning in the dirt on a Honda SL-70 when I was 12. I always leaned more toward trials riding than racing, but also loved riding the tracks (flat track and motocross) with the guys I came up with when they'd practice (on a Honda Elsinore 125). Our motto then was "If you don't go down you're not riding hard enough!" ... not finding your limits. Archives
February 2018
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