97 Dade City FL



Our little Roll-a-home had served us well.

March 17^th 2014 

Sample plate?

     It looked like rain as we packed our 
belongings for the ride.  Michelle was heading back to Minnesota with a stop in Chicago to pick up her own new motorcycle camper.  Soon it would be hooked to the back of her new Harley street glide (now entombed in a frozen shop in Minnesota) and off on adventures of their own.  I had over heard bits and pieces of a two to three year motorcycle ride, we are all anxious to get on the road so I will curb my curiosity until we all have more time.  For now some hugs, well wishes and maybe a few tears and we all depart Nova campground.  We turned left on Nova road to stop by our new Burger King friends from the night before and see the campground they were so proud of.  Fred had gave us a good idea where they were located and we soon seen his big red tow vehicle.  He and Kathie had used it to transport new campers for the manufacturers.  Sometimes Fred would tow one while Kathie drove a motorhome,  seemed interesting, Ruthie and I could do that if we could tow the trike and drive it back from the drop off point. Might have to check into it.  It looked dark at their camper, but they were inside relaxing. Happy to see us they showed us their 5 th wheel camper, evidently their years of delivering recreational homes had served them well in their choice of RV's, laid out nicely this would be a comfortable get away.  They now took us on walking tour of Carefree RV Campground.  It is hard not to respond to enthusiasm and these two were full of it.  They had every right to be proud of their community, we seen the swimming pool, laundry and other amenities and met a couple of the neighbors.  The important things to us was there acceptance of our trike and little camper as both had been shunned at some of the other campgrounds.  It was starting to rain as we finished our tour and our hosts were doing their best to encourage an extension to our visit.  However we had rode in rain before and were determined to put on some miles. We had a plan now.  Head West across Florida to meet up with Paul and Mary in a Dade City RV park.   Before we had traveled very far the rain increased intensity, we had on full rain suits and were quite comfortable.  I’m sure people in their four wheel micro controlled environment speeding down the road look at us with pity, those poor miserable souls they must think.  Out in the cold and rain serves them right they could have bought a car.  Little did they know we were listening to our favorite music on our  XM radio and visiting back and forth on the helmet intercom system. 
Our vehicle equipped with cruise control ( not in use today due to the rain) weather band, CB, air control deflectors, AM, FM and lots of storage suited us just fine. (Contrary to some smart alecs we do not have air conditioning or a cappuccino machine.  At some point the rain became torrential and by now rain was seeping inside and we were getting chilled.  By early afternoon we decided we had enough and started looking for a motel for the evening.  The road dipped down under an overpass, the lower area had formed a pool, when we hit it a wave of water now soaked us from the bottom up.  We were now almost completely soaked and very cold, our radio no longer comforted us and automobiles meeting us were correct in their assessment of those two miserable people on the bike.  We found a room just outside of Lady Lake, moving our belongings inside we both took a very long hot shower and laid down to recuperate with the heat on high.  Evidently I rolled over on the TV remote, we woke up in a room warm enough to be a sauna, the only sound was Spanish speaking people, where was I?  It took a minute to realize I wasn’t in Mexico, reduce the heat and change the TV to an English speaking station.   Not wanting to uncover the bike to travel anywhere we took the receptionists advice and walked next door to the "Oakwood Smokehouse". There was already a line, after all it was St Patrick's day, they gave us a vibrator plate, while we were waiting we seen two places clear  

Mary Paul and myself in the garden.

at the bar and elected to eat there.  We felt like we had the best seats in the house.  The crew was amazing they operated like a NASCAR pit crew.  We could see the entire front kitchen staff.  They brought us drinks and asked if we had any questions.  When our server found out we had never dined there before he said just a minute and I will grab you a sample plate and he proceeded.to put a couple of rib pieces and a small sample of each side, it was amazing I have had entire meals that I didn't enjoy as much as this so called sample.  Of course we ordered a meal to share and tonight we splurged and had dessert.  I don't think we were in a hurry to leave,  Ruthie complimented the staff several times on their efficiency and team work.  Waiting for the weather front to move thru the area we stayed over relaxed and dined a couple of more times at the Smokehouse.  The only disappointment for us was finding out there are only four restaurants in this chain and they are all located in this county in Florida, guess we will have to return.

I apologize! RV roof repairs are necessary.
call a professional!
Maybe sunscreen would be in order.

     The nineteenth we were back on the road again.  The heavy rain we had arrived in had
camouflaged  the terrain of the area, we had heard it was a little more rolling over this way.  Our path took us past the Villages.  Originally a Mobile home community.  Evidently the promise of free golf for life had done the job, from a population of 8,333 residents in 2000 It is now the fastest growing small town in the world with 39 golf courses its own Hospital  and a age restricted retirement communities that has grown to surrounding counties.  It looked neat but perhaps a little to "Stepford" looking for us, maybe some day when we settle down.  They seemed to be enjoying themselves as they drove around in their decked out golf carts.  We were enjoying the ride, the tree lined roads comforted us and thinking about our reunion with our friends we had met at Stillwell RV on our 2012 winter trip to Texas.  As we turned down the road to Travelers Rest Resort the air was filled with a wonderful aroma, over the next few days we would fill our lungs and senses many times with it.  We even joked that we were in danger of hyperventilating.  The resort gave us the spot right beside Paul and Mary.  They were in a RV park that would allow us but it was a little spendy, I had seen a website for a campground a few miles away named Sawmill,  We stayed the one night at the RV park and the next day went to check out the other campsite.. Nice location, looked promising, two bars, heated pool and hot tub,  General store, why hadn't we heard about this one.  Stopping in the general store and office we waited our turn asked about rates and availability.   The fella behind the counter hesitated a little bit and finally said “you aren't aware that this is a gay and lesbian campground are You?”. 

Must be a community meeting.

  He said you are more than welcome but this weekend might be a little uncomfortable for you, it will be very busy with clothing optional and a special “fantasy fetish” celebration.  We rode back to Travelers rest, I think we will be comfortable here.   

Mary showing good form, Art the resident on the
right didn't say much but when he made a ruling
It appeared to us best not to dispute it.

  A few days later I received an email in response to an inquiry I had sent to the Sawmill a few days before our visit.   I thanked them for their reply.  Then mentioned that we were the couple on the trike that had stopped by.  I told them I couldn't think of a favorite fetish, they are all good with me.  So we decided to stay where we were.       After the lengthy stay at their home in Kansas last year I didn't expect to have much to write on this visit.  I don't think I will be foolish enough to make that assumption again.  It is always interesting around these two.  Since our visit they have sold there home and become full time RV"ers.  There were many amenities in this park, we made our way down to the snack bar stopping in the garden area for pictures (not the one on the roof)  a burger prepared and served by resident volunteers.  A band recital, a few rounds of competitive bocce ball we found Dee and Art  park residents were sticklers for rules, a Motown review in the community center and a glimpse of practically every interest group you can imagine.  Seemed like a nice place to spend some time.  And now some time with Mr Wiki and the lady, always interesting.  A sight seeing trip of the area all the while being educated about St Joe being the Kumquat capital of the world to orange growers spraying water on the groves to save the produce from freezing, he explained that the spray coats the oranges with ice and insulates them from freezing.
  I don't know, I have

Lisa and Tina

never found him wrong yet.  And then Mary prepared several wonderful meals in there new rolling home, including the best pancakes I have ever eaten.
      March 21st  Mary was planning on attending a sewing class by Orlando FL, it gave us a chance to take a ride.   We have been accused of trying to work to many things into our schedule, today would be no different we hate to miss anything.  We were on the trike early traveling thru the haze filled Florida countryside on our way to Tampa,  you almost expected to see a pair of large antlers loom out of the mist to complete the picture, no wildlife sightings this morning only farm animals
grazing in the their pastures.  We reached the Tampa suburbs as the freeways were starting 

Looks fast!

to swell with morning commuters on their way to work.  A  trip across the Howard Frankland bridge brought us to Largo our first goal today.     We were there to tour the Yelvington Trike factory and take a test ride.  We had met Mr Lavery the president at there display at Daytona bike week and wanted to find out more about their products.  Their main product was a trike conversion kit designed for midsized motorcycles and scooters.  Not willing to promote a product that we weren't confident with we hoped to see their manufacturing facility and test ride the conversions.  We were met by another member of the team, Mr Yelvington himself, interesting man, inventor and responsible for over 60 patents.  He became interested in trike design especially as a benefit to allow handicapped riders to experience the joy of riding.  He has restored antique yachts and Jaguars.  Hearing that he had spent two years researching and assembling over 40 trike conversion kits from different manufacturers it seemed like our trip here was unneeded.  However we had, and the more we seen and heard the more impressed we became.  The manufacturing was state of the art with computerized research and design, the Yelvington

Not sure if Mr Yelvington was aware this rider
had recently completed the NASCAR ride along,
165 miles per hour in a stock car and there were
rumors of her speeding.

team has done their homework.  While visiting a fun fact came out that we weren't aware of, a breakdown of Yelvington reveals that the (Yel) shows it's of Norwegian descent (a bonus for we Minnesotan's) and the ending (ington) tells us they were from England.   And now for the ride.  Having assembled trike conversions from six different manufactures ourselves and test riding every trike made available to us we expected a controlled and monitored ride.  We have had some test rides where they put you on a trike and you follow a rider or you ride around a parking lot.  Having rode over 400,000 miles on trikes most of them weighing in excess of 1200 pounds and with the conversion kit price averaging $13,000 we know what to look for and what conditions will bring out the weak spots.    The Ride: Controlled and monitored?  Not here!  Mr Yelvington had two trikes ready for us to ride, a Honda Silver wing and a larger Honda motorcycle trike. It was like someone handed me the reins of a reining quarter horse with the invitation give her a ride, I will be back in half an hour,  and ride we did!  You've heard the expression ride it like you stole it!  We rode them single and two up, We accelerated and decelerated sharply while weaving back and forth across a drain gutter.  I hit single wheel pot holes, I ran city streets while swerving in and out of driveway ramps.  And then braked sharply. 

     We were impressed!  The ride and steering,  stable and comfortable, braking was excellent.  I hope we have the opportunity to work with the Yelvington team and install some of these conversions.  Our appreciation to Mr Yelvington, we found ourselves recalling this visit often.  

     We had some time now before our next scheduled event.  A walk on the beach would make Ruthie smile so we headed West to the beach area.  On the way she casually mentioned if I seen a nail salon to let her know.  Well if Ruthie mentions it I try and make it happen.  Crossing thru Seminole I spotted the Salon Mark Hall she went in to purchase some polish while I waited patiently by the trike.   I still don't remember exactly he chain of events, I remember taking a picture of a shuffle board company across the street thinking it was a fitting place for it in Florida with all the retirees visiting here, all I know is we stopped to purchase some polish and a nail file and ended up with a manicure (Ruthie, not me) and pedicures for both of us.(my first)   A friend said they were revoking my "mancard" .  An enjoyable new experience, vibrating massage chair, glass of wine, hot water spa treatment for our feet, I joked that I was going to do it every 68 years, however I think on some future trip it just might happen again.  Afterward we continued on to the beach.  One of the disappointments on the West coast of Florida is the limited beach access.  I thought we might have to rent a room or buy some property on the coast to walk the beach.  Stopping at one of the restaurants on Gulf Boulevard before our beach walk we confirmed our dinner engagement for this evening.   I dropped Ruthie off at a beach access, marking it on the GPS so I knew where to meet her I went searching for a gas station.  I thought this would be an easy task but it turned out to take some time.  I returned to the beach and reconnected with Ruthie.  We thought we were leaving early enough to connect with Shari a friend from a Motorcycle forum. During our phone calls she had suggested we meet at Maggiano's little Italy In Tampa.  The ride over the bridge seemed to take forever, it crept along and at times stopped moving entirely.  We knew we were going to be late, however  our cell phones were useless laying in our tour trunk charging.  When we arrived and drove past the restaurant we heard a shout and knew she had waited for us.  A delightful meal followed, Shari had chosen well.  Originally from Canada she has lived in the Tampa area for years enjoying the riding weather down here.   We cherish these new friends we are able to touch bases with. 

Ruthie, Vern, Shari and her Harley.

     Back at Travelers rest we spent more time with our traveling friends.  Knowing we will be leaving tomorrow Paul's meal blessing meant to provide safe travels turned humorous as he uttered "please avoid Vernon".  After the prayer we all sat there for a minute and finally burst into laughter.  Sometimes it's just better not to try and explain.  Thanks for the thought, I think?  Evidently his avoidance prayer wasn't working as we had lunch at Beef 'O' Brady's in near by Dade City that night.  We were seated at a booth in the rear having a great time.  I reached for something across the table, as I pulled my arm back it caught my 78 once (at least) glass of coke, evidently the table was grooved forming a funnel directly to my crotch.  The entire contents coke and ice landed there.  I don't think I have ever chilled that fast.  Reminded me of a documentary I had seen on cooling packs for fertility cooling.    Uncomfortable I sat while the staff brought several towels to soak up some of the water and trying to decide if there was a way I could get to the front door without everyone seeing the problem.  Oh well, the food and company were great and tomorrow is another riding day.