Harley2004's Travel Blog

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, January 23rd, 2004 - Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

 This place was Amazing visited Jan 23, 2004

Really cold this morning. Peggy started out with her raincoat on. We were out of the motel about 9:45AM, with a clear sky and plenty of wind blowing from the North. Trip home was simple, just east on Highway 41, the Tamiami Trail to Highway 997, then north to pick up Highway 27 to South Bay and then east on Highway 441 to Palm Beach. Only one sign left in this area that we need and that was the Broward County sign. The trip down the Tamiami Trail was interesting. I traveled that road in 1999 and at that time it was mostly deserted, met almost no traffic; trees hung over the road making it really look like wild swampland. The warning signs about panthers were posted and made me watch the branches over the road to see if any panthers were lurking as I passed under them. It’s my 5th trip down this road and I still haven’t seen a panther. Anyway, two years later Peggy and I cruised down this road, only this time it happened to be on a Sunday. Now 4 years later, there are no trees hanging over the road, vegetation has been cut way back, there are many incursions being cut into the Everglades Swamp to build RV Parks and much, much more traffic. Progress again I guess. Anyway the Tamiami Trail will never appeal to me as it did in 1999. There were not nearly as many panther crossing signs as there were in 1999 either, so I guess the panthers are moving further into the Everglades also. The trip home was uneventful and after we secured the picture of the Broward County sign, we continued home without even stopping for lunch. Into the house around 2:00PM after a cold, windy ride of 211 miles. Total miles for the 3-day trip was 568.

posted Apr 10, 2005 | Comments (0)

Everglades City, Florida, January 22nd, 2004 - Everglades City, Florida

 This place was Amazing visited Jan 22, 2004

Out again for our 2nd trip around South Florida to pick up some more pictures of signs for the ABC’s of Touring Program. Out of the house at 9:00AM, with clear skies and temperatures in the low 50’s and while it did make it into the 60’s, it still felt cold most of the day. Took PGA Blvd to "Bee Line" expressway, Highway 710 North and picked up our first photo at the Martin County Line. Then on to Indiantown for our 2nd sign. Back on Highway 710 South, we turned West on Highway 76 through Port Mayaca to Lake Okeechobee. I’ve been down this road many times, but now it has been cleared and across the canal on the North side of the highway you could see a huge marina for boat storage for Lake Okeechobee. On the left side of the Highway were miles and miles of Orange groves. I noticed today that several of those groves were grapefruit instead of oranges. I noticed also that several of the groves had been cut down and it appears that someone intends to develop some of the area and build a residential area. I sure hate to see farmland converted to residential land, but I guess that what we call progress. At Lake Okeechobee we turned North on Highway 441 where we picked up pictures of two more signs, Upthegrove Beach and Okeechobee County. In Okeechobee we turned West on Highway 70 towards Highland County, but not before stopping for lunch at Los Cocos, one of our favorite Mexican Restaurants. I tried to get Peggy by it, but she remembered in time and we had to stop for an early lunch. The Highland County Line sign was right at the Kissimmee River Bridge with no place to pull off to take the picture. On Westward where we turned South on Highway 721 to get a picture of the Glades County sign. No problem here, only a few miles, but there was no Highland County sign across the road from the Glades County sign. Back north again and then west again on Highway 70 to DeSota County. No problem here either and this time the elusive Highland County sign was right across the highway from the DeSota sign. We continued West on Highway 70 to Arcadia our stop for the night. But we weren’t done yet, turning North on Highway 17, we traveled the 20 miles to Zolfo Springs for our "Z" sign, then back the 20 miles to Arcadia. Stopping on the way back at a Florida State Patrol Station for get a Florida "state" sign. We frequently use Highway Patrol stations for state signs. But we still weren’t finished and turned East on Highway 72 to Sarasota County for about 15 miles for another county sign picture. Finally finished with picture taking for the day we headed for the motel around 2:30PM. Our motel for the night was the Best Western Arcadia Inn, 504 South Brevard (US 17 South). Although the motel was clean, it’s rooms and bathrooms were small and certainly not worth the AAA discounted rate of 59.00. Plus the 11% tax drove the nightly room rate up to $65.08. Although according to Peggy, they did have a nice continental breakfast, I am accustomed to a much nicer room for the same costs. Having checked into the motel and unloading our bags, we headed to the DeSota County Library to use the computers. This is something we do when we travel without our laptop computer or when we cannot get on line through our motel. We have used many county libraries, and it always works. Have never had any problem with public libraries, even in Canada. But not in DeSota County. Seems you have to have a library card. The librarian Elizabeth M. Kerney gave me a copy of the Library Patron Polices dated January 2004. This policy stated that a non-resident could be issued a library card for $20.00. I placed my Florida Drivers License on the desk and asked her to issue me a Library Card. She refused. Meanwhile Peggy was checking out about using the computers. There was nothing in the Patron Policies governing use of computers. Peggy was told that (1) computer users would be allowed one hour on the computer (2) you had to be on the list (3) the computers were all in use (4) she didn’t know how long individuals using the computers had been on line (5) she didn’t have a list and didn’t need one. Maybe she just didn’t like bikers! By that time it was 4:30PM and I decided to visit the County Administrator James Chisholm and file a complaint against the Library. He wasn’t in but a lady in his office took my complaint and my address. Haven’t heard from him yet, but if I don’t, I’ll send him an open letter about his library and post it on this web site. Too bad this small county library is not up to the standards of more modern libraries. Arcadia is a nice little town though; we had supper in Wendy’s and visited the local Wal-Mart store for some goodies to take back to the motel. Not a bad day, pictures of signs for 6 counties, 4 cities and 1 state, total of 11 points for the day, 26 points total and only 208 miles.

posted Apr 10, 2005 | Comments (0)

Arcadia, Florida, January 21st, 2004 - Arcadia, Florida

 This place was Average visited Jan 21, 2004

Out again for our 2nd trip around South Florida to pick up some more pictures of signs for the ABC’s of Touring Program. Out of the house at 9:00AM, with clear skies and temperatures in the low 50’s and while it did make it into the 60’s, it still felt cold most of the day. Took PGA Blvd to "Bee Line" expressway, Highway 710 North and picked up our first photo at the Martin County Line. Then on to Indiantown for our 2nd sign. Back on Highway 710 South, we turned West on Highway 76 through Port Mayaca to Lake Okeechobee. I’ve been down this road many times, but now it has been cleared and across the canal on the North side of the highway you could see a huge marina for boat storage for Lake Okeechobee. On the left side of the Highway were miles and miles of Orange groves. I noticed today that several of those groves were grapefruit instead of oranges. I noticed also that several of the groves had been cut down and it appears that someone intends to develop some of the area and build a residential area. I sure hate to see farmland converted to residential land, but I guess that what we call progress. At Lake Okeechobee we turned North on Highway 441 where we picked up pictures of two more signs, Upthegrove Beach and Okeechobee County. In Okeechobee we turned West on Highway 70 towards Highland County, but not before stopping for lunch at Los Cocos, one of our favorite Mexican Restaurants. I tried to get Peggy by it, but she remembered in time and we had to stop for an early lunch. The Highland County Line sign was right at the Kissimmee River Bridge with no place to pull off to take the picture. On Westward where we turned South on Highway 721 to get a picture of the Glades County sign. No problem here, only a few miles, but there was no Highland County sign across the road from the Glades County sign. Back north again and then west again on Highway 70 to DeSota County. No problem here either and this time the elusive Highland County sign was right across the highway from the DeSota sign. We continued West on Highway 70 to Arcadia our stop for the night. But we weren’t done yet, turning North on Highway 17, we traveled the 20 miles to Zolfo Springs for our "Z" sign, then back the 20 miles to Arcadia. Stopping on the way back at a Florida State Patrol Station for get a Florida "state" sign. We frequently use Highway Patrol stations for state signs. But we still weren’t finished and turned East on Highway 72 to Sarasota County for about 15 miles for another county sign picture. Finally finished with picture taking for the day we headed for the motel around 2:30PM. Our motel for the night was the Best Western Arcadia Inn, 504 South Brevard (US 17 South). Although the motel was clean, it’s rooms and bathrooms were small and certainly not worth the AAA discounted rate of 59.00. Plus the 11% tax drove the nightly room rate up to $65.08. Although according to Peggy, they did have a nice continental breakfast, I am accustomed to a much nicer room for the same costs. Having checked into the motel and unloading our bags, we headed to the DeSota County Library to use the computers. This is something we do when we travel without our laptop computer or when we cannot get on line through our motel. We have used many county libraries, and it always works. Have never had any problem with public libraries, even in Canada. But not in DeSota County. Seems you have to have a library card. The librarian Elizabeth M. Kerney gave me a copy of the Library Patron Polices dated January 2004. This policy stated that a non-resident could be issued a library card for $20.00. I placed my Florida Drivers License on the desk and asked her to issue me a Library Card. She refused. Meanwhile Peggy was checking out about using the computers. There was nothing in the Patron Policies governing use of computers. Peggy was told that (1) computer users would be allowed one hour on the computer (2) you had to be on the list (3) the computers were all in use (4) she didn’t know how long individuals using the computers had been on line (5) she didn’t have a list and didn’t need one. Maybe she just didn’t like bikers! By that time it was 4:30PM and I decided to visit the County Administrator James Chisholm and file a complaint against the Library. He wasn’t in but a lady in his office took my complaint and my address. Haven’t heard from him yet, but if I don’t, I’ll send him an open letter about his library and post it on this web site. Too bad this small county library is not up to the standards of more modern libraries. Arcadia is a nice little town though; we had supper in Wendy’s and visited the local Wal-Mart store for some goodies to take back to the motel. Not a bad day, pictures of signs for 6 counties, 4 cities and 1 state, total of 11 points for the day, 26 points total and only 208 miles.

posted Apr 10, 2005 | Comments (0)

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, January 18th, 2004 - Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

 This place was Amazing visited Jan 18, 2004

We didn’t ride yesterday! Planned a long ride and had promised a friend that I would work on their computer on Saturday morning and didn’t get through until 10:30. Rain was scheduled to move into the area where I wanted to go, so I took a long afternoon nap instead. Felt bad later because I did not ride since it turned out to be beautiful riding weather. Never again will I talk myself out of riding when I could be out gathering points for the ABC’s of Touring Program. And so, rain threatened today, but it wasn’t supposed to start until noon. Out of the house at 9:30AM for a short trip of only 23 miles. We did however pick up pictures of two city signs and one country (United States sign counts for 1 point). Three signs today, total 15 so far. Stopped into Publix and pick up some shrimp to eat during the football games today. Back into the house at 11:30AM with rain really threatening. Back out in Peggy’s car to Cardillo’s for their fabulous Sunday Breakfast/Brunch Buffet. Finished lunch and rode back home in a heavy rain. Glad we were not on the bike. Into the house by 2:00PM and ready for football.

posted Apr 10, 2005 | Comments (0)

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, January 16th, 2004 - Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

 This place was Amazing visited Jan 16, 2004

Palm Beach Gardens, January 16th, 2004. Here we go again. Got out new book this week. This is the book that sets out the rules for the Harley Owner’s Group ABC’s Touring Program for 2004 and the cover of which must be in every picture taken. After not doing much riding since Biketoberfest we were ready to roll. Time to get out and ride again, take pictures and get ready for a new touring season and if "this old harley" will hold up for another season we hope to finish on top. Our usual start is down US Highway 1 South through West Palm Beach and then change to Highway A1A for a trip down through many of the beaches. Most are close together and allow us to fill in some of the needed cities without traveling too far. Weather was great today, started out in the low 50s and progressed into the low 70s for the day. The sky remained clear all day, plenty of sun, enough to get my nose sunburned and for Peggy to get her face sunburned. The traffic was terrible. It’s extremely cold in the Northeast and anybody with any money and spare time is here in South Florida. Makes it tough to get around through, have to be real careful. These are what we call "snowbirds", "cotton tops" or "q-tips". They can’t see two well, most are handicapped, can’t hardly walk, but can drive like a bat out of hell, and woe be to anyone who gets in their way. Anyway it was fun, beats sitting in front of the TV and we did get pictures of signs of 11 cities and 1 county and had a beautiful 92 mile ride.

posted Apr 10, 2005 | Comments (0)