Motorcycle Run to Linger Lodge ~Bradenton

Feb 24 - Mar 3/14  Weather  80+ and low 60 at night.  Quite nice.
Staying in a park that just opened up a whole new section of premium big rig sites, called Riverside RV Resort in Arcadia.  These are the largest sites we have seen as far as width - 60 feet wide!  Nice and private and we back up to a lake.  Of course every thing we know as a pond is called a lake in Florida.......  funny.  But it is lovely with the fountain in it.   The park is right on the Peace River and many of the campers have canoes or kayaks.  

The sign where you launch says no swimming...... ?????   So what is in the water?  Gators.   Today we spotted one lying on the bank.  OK, no kayaking for Rosey.   If something hit up against our kayak I would be bound to freak out and flip over.   Instant lunchmeat.

Arcadia is close to Port Charlotte and Punta Gorda.  We moved about 170 miles south and the temperature is about 10 degrees F  warmer than where we were.  The park has many winter residents and they have a motorcycle run every Wednesday.   

We signed up and thought this would be a great way to see some local roads and chat with everyone.   The ride was mostly through Citrus orchards and cattle ranches.   About 14 motorcycles went and the leader took us to a very unique old lodge for lunch.   Linger Lodge is located on the Braden River in Bradenton.   There are preserved animals on every inch of the restaurant.   

The story is that the owner in the 1950's cleared the land and hunted and stuffed everything he caught.  Billy had to take the pictures for me since the place gave me the creeps.   I am not a "snake" person.  Ok, I hate snakes......  and they are stuffed and hanging every where.   I just kept my eyes down and followed the group to the table.   Billy kept telling me "but they are all dead".   "I know but I still don't like them"!!!  Lucky for me the tables were not within eye distance and I had a wonderful Avocada and Blue Crab Salad. 

Dirt Car Nationals - Volusia Speedway Park

Weather - extremely humid, rain threatening all weekend - 70's to 80's
Have you ever went to see something and wondered what are we doing here???  Once we went to a Monster Truck Rally and that was similar to our night here at The Dirt Car Nationals held at Volusia Speedway. 

My brother is an avid race fan and stopped on his way south to hang out with us for a couple of days and to take "us" to the races.    Every year the park holds 12 days of consecutive race nights prior to the Daytona NASCAR race.  World of Outlaws Late Model Series and Big Block Modified cars ran for their season  finale.   We stopped in early to pick up our tickets and walk through the pit.  Teams were unloading their cars as you can see in the Stacker Trailers.

Late Model

Both divisions have hot laps (warming up the car) and then a time trial lap.  Based on those time trials it sets their spots for elimination races.   In those races it was about 8 cars maximum with a couple of the front guys getting a race on for the win.

After all the elimination races they get them setup for the big 50 lap finale race.  This is the race that blew us away.   There were 27 cars lined up side by side running a 1/2 mile DIRT track at 90 to 100 miles per hour.   No kidding 100 miles per hour.   It was crazy, utter chaos!  Noise and dirt blowing into the stands and sliding cars and more noise and dirt and sliding..... around the whole track.   It was nuts!!!  How they could run at that speed was incredible; these guys are the best in the Nation.  We did not see 1 car crash; although  still haven't figured out how they survived the race.  We walked out exhilarated from quite a show and filthy dirty!  What a night.   In order to make this easy we camped at KOA Wildwood - not the best place but it was super convenient for us as my brother was right next door at the truckstop.

Taking your Motorcycle with You

Feb 18, 19    Weather warm 80's, nights 60's   
We are back at Alliance Coach Service Center for two more items on our "to do" list for the motorhome.   We left here in January and once we camped for a few weeks we realized we should really get a couple more things fixed while we are so close to such a competent shop.  While we were here we ran into 3 different ways to take your Motorcycle with you on the road.  This is a personal preference for each couple.  When we made our choice we looked at the pro's and con's.   
We pull a covered 12 ft cargo trailer with no car.   We are on the road with the Harley only.   We also use it as a garage too, all our motorcycle riding gear, cleaning supplies on the door, tool storage across the front, plus our pedal bicycles strapped to each side wall.   Big advantages are that we can push it around when it is unhooked, it stores quite a bit, keeps our bike clean and safe, and we still stay at 56 feet from front of coach to back of trailer which is not too big for finding campsites.  Disadvantage to most people is that we have no vehicle.  Billy and I have not found this to be restrictive but we do have to watch the weather to plan when we are riding and preparing for down days during inclement weather days.  In big cities or places if we are not feeling safe to ride we rent a car.  For us it works as our main enjoyment is to ride.  The shelf on the door is a real organizer!  We had to special order it at our trailer supplier, we have only seen one other fellow with it and Billy had to have one after he spied it.

 One other coach had a 24 ft enclosed trailer with a motorcycle and his Jeep.  Advantage for them was they had the Jeep plus the motorcycle - best of both transportation.   Disadvantage was how long they became and he said it was a real pain to park the trailer; most times separate from the coach and then have to hook up again.  Sometimes he fit in an extra long pull through, many times not.  Only way to move it as far as he was concerned was to unload his Jeep and use it to tow the trailer around the campground.  He said it was not convenient to move around with the motorhome since the campgrounds often make you drop a trailer in a confined area.  Obviously you cannot push it, since it is just too heavy even with the bike and Jeep unloaded. 
Then there was a coach with a motorcycle lift on the back of his motorhome plus he towed a car.  Once again he had the best of both transportation.  Disadvantage which to Billy would be a deal breaker was that his bike was always dirty and not locked up at night inside.  He said it was dirty every time he got to the next campground and it smelled like engine and/or road dirt but his wife would not travel without a vehicle.   

 So every time we see others different than our choice Billy likes to talk to them and ask how they like their option.   He always comes home feeling we have made the right choice for our time right now.   Now being that we want to ride our Motorcycle when we are traveling and healthy enough to enjoy it. 

Carriage Show at Grand Oaks Resort

Feb 14, 15, 16  
Our last few days Grand Oaks Resort was a nice way to end it.   

There was a Carriage Show and it was interesting and beautiful to watch the horses and their owners/carriages perform.
We did not realize that the entire presentation is judged, the horse(s), the carriage, the performance of the horse, the costume.   Mostly we saw women in period costumes with beautiful embellished hats.  

There were a couple of booths selling the hats and as you can imagine they had a very large price tag!!!   Rosey just had to try one on.....   

 

Gotta Love this sign - Horses have Right of Way

 

Wildwood Delight

Weather - beautiful sunny warm 80, night cool still 50's

There is not much in the little town, in fact it looks like it got left behind. But sometimes you happen across the best little places.  We stopped for lunch at Cotillion Southern Cafe.  Green fried tomatoes, Train wreck, chicken 'n waffles, grits, junkyard dawg, Dixie cavier and on and on the menu goes. 

Then desserts - pies and cakes and bread puddings so beautiful to look at and better to eat!  There goes the diet!  Food was definitely a 5 out of 5.  

Bud & Weiser

Weather Sunny mid 70's, night low 60's

 

The Clydes at Sunset having their supper

If you pet one you have to pet the other, they are so tame

Bud & Weiser  or is it Weiser & Bud?

There are two new friends we have made at The Grand Oaks Resort ......   Like gentle giants.
Perfect names - Bud & Weiser!   These Clydesdale have just come to The Grand Oaks and will be doing carriage rides in the future.   Did you know that the breed is a draught horse derived from the farm horses of the Clydesdale area in Scotland ?  In the 1970's the breed was actually considered vulnerable to extinction.
 

Senior Discounts

If you haven't seen this list you will be surprised at how many different places offer discounts!                  RESTAURANTS:
Applebee's: 15% off with Golden Apple Card (60+)
Arby's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Ben & Jerry's: 10% off (60+)
Bennigan's: discount varies by location (60+)
Bob's Big Boy: discount varies by location (60+)
Boston Market: 10% off (65+)
Burger King: 10% off (60+)
Chick-Fil-A: 10% off or free small drink or coffee ( 55+)
Chili's: 10% off ( 55+)
CiCi's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Denny's: 10% off, 20% off for AARP members ( 55 +)
Dunkin' Donuts: 10% off or free coffee ( 55+)
Einstein's Bagels: 10% off baker's dozen of bagels (60+)
Fuddrucker's: 10% off any senior platter ( 55+)
Gatti's Pizza: 10% off (60+)
Golden Corral: 10% off (60+)
Hardee's: $0.33 beverages everyday (65+)
IHOP: 10% off ( 55+)
Jack in the Box: up to 20% off ( 55+)
KFC: free small drink with any meal ( 55+)
Krispy Kreme: 10% off ( 50+)
Long John Silver's: various discounts at locations ( 55+)
McDonald's: discounts on coffee everyday ( 55+)
Mrs. Fields: 10% off at participating locations (60+)
Shoney's: 10% off
Sonic: 10% off or free beverage (60+)
Steak 'n Shake: 10% off every Monday & Tuesday ( 50+)
Subway: 10% off (60+)
Sweet Tomatoes: 10% off (62+)
Taco Bell : 5% off; free beverages for seniors (65+)
TCBY: 10% off ( 55+)
Tea Room Cafe: 10% off ( 50+)
Village Inn: 10% off (60+)
Waffle House: 10% off every Monday (60+)
Wendy's: 10% off ( 55 +)
Whataburger: 10% off (62+)
White Castle: 10% off (62+)
                     RETAIL & APPAREL :
Banana Republic: 30% off ( 50 +)
Bealls: 20% off first Tuesday of each month ( 50 +)
Belk's: 15% off first Tuesday of every month ( 55 +)
Big Lots: 30% off
Bon-Ton Department Stores: 15% off on senior discount days ( 55 +)
C.J. Banks: 10% off every Wednesday (50+)
Clarks : 10% off (62+)
Dress Barn: 20% off ( 55+)
Goodwill: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Hallmark: 10% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kmart: 40% off (Wednesdays only) ( 50+)
Kohl's: 15% off (60+)Modell's Sporting Goods: 30% off
Rite Aid: 10% off on Tuesdays & 10% off prescriptions
Ross Stores: 10% off every Tuesday ( 55+)
The Salvation Army Thrift Stores: up to 50% off ( 55+)
Stein Mart: 20% off red dot/clearance items first Monday of every month ( 55 +)

                       GROCERY :
Albertson's: 10% off first Wednesday of each month ( 55 +)
American Discount Stores: 10% off every Monday ( 50 +)
Compare Foods Supermarket: 10% off every Wednesday (60+)
DeCicco Family Markets: 5% off every Wednesday (60+)
Food Lion: 60% off every Monday (60+)
Fry's Supermarket:free Fry's VIP Club Membership & 10% off every Monday ( 55 +)

Great Valu Food Store: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Gristedes Supermarket: 10% off every Tuesday (60+)
Harris Teeter: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
Hy-Vee: 5% off one day a week (date varies by location)
Kroger: 10% off (date varies by location)
Morton Williams Supermarket: 5% off every Tuesday (60+)
The Plant Shed: 10% off every Tuesday ( 50 +)
Publix: 15% off every Wednesday ( 55 +)
Rogers Marketplace: 5% off every Thursday (60+)
Uncle Guiseppe's Marketplace: 15% off (62+)

                        TRAVEL :
Airlines:
Alaska Airlines: 50% off (65+)
American Airlines: various discounts for 50% off non-peak periods (Tuesdays - Thursdays) (62+)and up (call before booking for discount)
Continental Airlines: no initiation fee for Continental Presidents Club & special fares for select destinations
Southwest Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
United Airlines: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
U.S. Airways: various discounts for ages 65 and up (call before booking for discount)
Rail:
Amtrak: 15% off (62+)
Bus:
Greyhound: 15% off (62+)
Trailways Transportation System: various discounts for ages 50+

                         Car Rental:
Alamo Car Rental: up to 25% off for AARP members
Avis: up to 25% off for AARP members
Budget Rental Cars: 40% off; up to 50% off for AARP members ( 50+)
Dollar Rent-A-Car: 10% off ( 50+) Enterprise Rent-A-Car: 5% off for AARP members Hertz: up to 25% off for AARP members
National Rent-A-Car: up to 30% off for AARP members

                      Overnight Accommodations:
Holiday Inn: 20-40% off depending on location (62+)
Best Western: 40% off (55+)
Cambria Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Waldorf Astoria - NYC $5,000 off nightly rate for Presidential Suite (55 +)
Clarion Motels: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Comfort Suites: 20%-30% off (60+)
Econo Lodge: 40% off (60+)
Hampton Inns & Suites: 40% off when booked 72 hours in advance
Hyatt Hotels: 25%-50% off (62+)
InterContinental Hotels Group: various discounts at all hotels (65+)
Mainstay Suites: 10% off with Mature Traveler's Discount (50+); 20%-30% off (60+)
Marriott Hotels: 25% off (62+)
Motel 6: Stay Free Sunday nights (60+)
Myrtle Beach Resort: 30% off ( 55 +)
Quality Inn: 40%-50% off (60+)
Rodeway Inn: 20%-30% off (60+)
Sleep Inn: 40% off (60+)

                         ACTIVITIES & ENTERTAINMENT ;:
AMC Theaters: up to 30% off ( 55 +)
Bally Total Fitness: $100 off memberships (62+)
Busch Gardens Tampa, FL: $13 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)
Carmike Cinemas: 35% off (65+)
Cinemark/Century Theaters: up to 35% off Massage Envy - NYC 20% off all "Happy Endings" (62 +)
U.S. National Parks: $10 lifetime pass; 50% off additional services including camping (62+)
Regal Cinemas: 50% off Ripley's Believe it or Not: @ off one-day ticket ( 55 +)
SeaWorld, Orlando , FL : $3 off one-day tickets ( 50 +)

                           CELL PHONE DISCOUNTS :
AT&T: Special Senior Nation 200 Plan $19.99/month (65+)
Jitterbug: $10/month cell phone service ( 50 +)
Verizon Wireless: Verizon Nationwide 65 Plus Plan $29.99/month (65+).

                             MISCELLANEOUS:
Great Clips: $8 off hair cuts (60+)
Supercuts: $8 off haircuts (60+)

 

Such a "unique" RV park setting

Jan 24 - Feb 16/2014  Weather - first week unseasonably cold then 3 days of rain and dense fog; 2nd week unseasonably hot - 3rd week - who knows????   it seems Florida is being affected by Polar Vortex as well.   Gosh we left Canada and it still follows us!  We went from having the heat on to air conditioning.  No in between. 

There are some wonderful places you can not get enough of:)  The three days we stopped here in Lady Lake at Grand Oaks Resort & Museum were just a taste of a beautiful setting; so when we left Alliance Coach in Wildwood we both thought let's go back there for a couple weeks.  It seems many other campers have not stumbled across this place yet and we feel like we have the whole place to ourselves.  There are 4 of us in the 45 sites currently.   

BIG  Rig

Our neighbours are quite interesting campers - they have a 45 foot trailer behind their Freightliner truck.  When they are in transit the trailer has living quarters, a smart car, a golf cart, a horse carriage and their horse Stormy......  amazing!  When they take everything out and they camp, they spread out the living area to use it all.  This couple and their beloved horse come from Illinois to Florida for the winter and this Ranch is ideal for them.  Everyday they take their horse and carriage out for a drive.  How cool is that???

We have decided to stay for a bit and let this tranquility soak in.  You cannot find a more beautiful and unique setting when looking out your motorhome or sitting on your patio at day break and sunset.   While enjoying coffee the other morning we watched the carriage riders go by and one fellow was blowing his horn....   You know that "away to the hunt" tune - Dunt duh duh da!

Our view while having coffee in the morning

See his horn?

While biking around the 450 acre ranch we also came across a different looking donkey in one of the paddocks.  We chatted to this fellow petting her,  who told us she is quite a find. 
A Poitou Donkey from France.... Apparently there are not many in the world!  Her name is Nicole and she is big with curly long hair and huge ears!  She makes me laugh when I look at her, ha ha.

French Donkey named Nicole

Look at those ears - Makes you want to smile

Funny Girl