Jingle Bell Ride, the morning after

This sunrise is the morning after the Jingle Bell Ride looking from the Quality Inn balcony outside my room. Can't see the ocean and didn't have time to cross the street and get the picture with the Atlantic Ocean in the foreground, but still a very beautiful sight!

Jingle Bell Ride, Jekyll Island, GA

Lot's of fun playing in this man made snow. Don't see snow down South very often and when it comes, man made or not, it's fun for young and old!

Jingle Bell Ride, Jekyll Island, GA

Here is a family awaiting the 4:15pm start of the kids ride to the Historic District where the Jekyll Island "Holiday Island" event of Cristmas Tree Lighting. The event includes carols, a band, puppet show, crafts, hay rides and best of all SNOW as attest in the above picture.

Historic Savannah BIcycle Tour

Meet Dennis and Kathy from Indianapolis, IN who took my half day Historic Savannah Bicycle Tour on Tuesday, November 22, 2005. It was a cool and windy day, but really almost perfect for bike riding. They are shown at Johnson Square with the City Hall Gold Dome in the background. You can see the flag on the dome and judge a very strong North wind! 

Another NBTDA Photo

This humongus dessert was my 78 birthday present from my friend Chris. There were seven of us at the Rainforest Cafe at Disney's Pleasure Island for this celebration. I split the dessert between the seven guest, plenty for all!

IRON BOWL 2005

Once again, Auburn has "man handled" Alabama to win this rivalry. This time the score of Auburn 28 to Alabama's 19. This score does not indicate the real margin as the Auburn Tigers sacked 'Bama's quarterback 11 times, rushed him many more and limited their running game substantially. Only into the Fourth Quarter did Alabama manage to gain some yards and score 8 points in a dyeing, desperate frenzy to pull the game out. Of note is that Auburn's Kenny Irons managed 107 yards against the best Defense in The SEC. WAR DAMN EAGLE!!

National Bicycle Tour Directors Association Conference 2005, Orlando, FL

This young rattle snake was on the West Orange Trail near a wooded area. Amber almost ran over it with her bicycle. We stopped and most every body had a camera and took pictures as I did, before it slithered off into the woods. 

NBTDA Conference 2005 in Orlando, FL

Door prizes that were given away as each members name was drawn from a hat. We got to choose any one item. My choice was the yellow jersey you see on the second chair from the right. From a rails to trail ride in Michigan. A nice benefit from attending the NBDTA Annual Conference, each member brings something like this.  

NBTDA Conference 2005, Orlando, FL

On Saturday I led a bicycle ride on the West Orange Trail in Winter Garden. Here are two members of the conference pausing for a "Kodak Moment" on the trail in downtown Winter Garden. That's Amber Travsky on the right from Wyoming and Director of the Ride across Wyoming. And Walter Williams from Ohio on the left, New Ride Director of XOBA.  

NBTDA Conference 2005, Orlando, FL

I forgot, two glasses of wine at the ESPN Club. After dinner, we visited this gift shop and bought crazy ear hats for me and my friend, Chris Trangas. I cut the ears off my head cover and will use it under my bicycle helmet to keep from getting sunburn in Summer and warm in Winter riding 

NBTDA Conference 2005, Orlando, FL

My friend and I chose the ESPN Club for our dinner, but the menu choices were very limited as you would expect in a sports environment, a la stadium, hot dogs and burgers. I opted for Ceasars salad, my friend a bowl of chili with an order of Nachos .... pricey at $48.00! 

NBTDA Conference 2005, Orlando, FL

On the bus with members of the conference, already with a buzz from wine opened for all in the lobby of the hotel awaiting the bus arrival. Bus took us to Disney Boardwalk for our choice of dining options. 

Charleston Cycle Fest

At the battery, south end of Charleston where the Citadel Cadets fired on Ft Sumpter trying to repell Yankee invaders. This is our tour guide second from left, born and raised in Charleston was a great tour guide for these 15 cyclist who joined his very knowledgable tour on a beautiful Sunday morning. 

Charleston Cycle Fest

Me, introducing you to the Yorktown", the "Fighting Lady" it was called and was featured in the movie "Tora! Tora! Tora!" 

Charleston Cycle Fest

The new Arthur Ravenel Bridge over the Cooper River in Charleston. The concrete wall on the right is a barrier to the walking and bike path included in the bridge construction. Rode this bridge Friday 11/4 into Mt. Pleasant, SC and back to Charleston. The grade going over was mild, but coming back the grade is more, tested my resolve to walk, but make it pedaling all the way, allbeit, slow at 5 to 6 mph. Great view from the top of the bridge of Charleston, Ft Sumpter, Patriot's Point and aircraft carrier Yorktown, which was named for the original Yorktown lost in the battle of Midway that turned the war against Japan. An honor it was to board her and know what she did to help win the WW II after being commssioned in 1943. 

Charleston Cycle Fest

A stirring observation to watch the West Point of the South, The Citadel (Establised in 1842) weekly parade on their campus. Very good and wants to make you proud of this schools rich heritage that has placed many a great student into America's business and military careers. 

Charleston Cycle Fest

This lighthouse is at the end of Folly Beach and James Island at the beginning of the Atlantic Ocean and Charleston Harbor entrance and erosion has washed away the sand so it is in the water. 

Charleston Cycle Fest

Here I am on James Island, SC, across the water from downtown Charleston and the new Arthur Ravenel Ship channel bridge. This point is the home of several Federal marine organizations in cluding NOAA and others. Very scenic 

Charleston Cycle Fest

Tomorrow I leave for Charleston Cycle Fest, a four day event including rides, entertainemnt, good food and friends. Will ride over the new ship channel bridge ...thrill! Ride to two beaches. See a former employee friend of mine I haven't seen in 45 years. Going to be fun!