Key West

In the first week of February we did as we often do on one of Lane's days off - we all piled in the truck and headed out to explore.  We packed a pic-nic lunch and headed south.  Our initial half-plan was go to Key Largo and have lunch, which we did.

Lunch in the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

After lunch we kept exploring south on US 1 and several hours later ended up in Key West.  I guess we were a little (or  lot) naive in our expectations of finding a quiet, tranquil, secluded island paradise.  Not hardly.  It was way to crowded and developed for our taste.  We parked at the extreme southernmost end and got out to walk a little and elbow our way to the famous marker.

At the Southernmost US marker in Key West

I could not believe there was a long line of folks waiting to take their pictures at the marker.  It was way more crowded than I expected it to be.

Sun set at Key West

We arrived home than night quite tired from all the riding, but were glad we had been to see Key West.  It was one of the things on our check-off list.  Seeing, exploring, experiencing.  Having a good time on this traveling adventure.



"You can't explore it if you haven't ever been there."

Brian Hallman

New Bikes

While we had been in Dallas, Texas we often talked about how we really should get some bicycles to ride as recreation.  We spent a lot of time window shopping, both at stores and on-line.  The bikes at the big box stores like Wal-Mart were very affordable, but always felt flimsy and "cheap."  The nicer bikes in bicycle stores did not seem so flimsy, but neither were they cheap (inexpensive).

I still had my 30 year old Schwinn 10 speed in the garage.  It needed work, but I decided to give it a go.  I had brought it back with us to Florida after our January trip to North Carolina.  Lane was definitely against  putting any money into the old bike, but I wanted to do it anyway.  I had two new wheels and tires put on it, and I cleaned it up really well.  Looked great.  It was a little more uncomfortable than I remembered it having been when I was a teenager. But so what.

We bit the bullet and bought Lane a new Electra Townie.  It is a very nice bike.  Very sturdy, and fits her well.  On one of our first trips out, however, she was still getting used to riding again, and had a little crash into a grassy median.  She was pretty sore for several days, but recovered.

A little banged up and sore, but nothing broken.

After she recovered from her little tumble we headed out to try it again.  This time we stopped at a Chic-Fil-A for a snack and drink.

Lane's Electra Townie and my Schwinn Varsity

Later that same day disaster struck again, but this time it was with me.  I guess the $50 a piece wheels I had put on the Schwinn were a lot cheaper than I realized.  While mounting the bike the rear wheel buckled under me.  The wheel was ruined.  The Schwinn original wheels must have been a lot stronger than the $50 after market wheel.

Oh Noooooooo.

As much as it pained me to, I admitted to Lane she was right and I never should have even tried rehabilitating the ole' Schwinn.  Rather that throwing even more good money into it, I gave up.  It was eventually returned to the garage storage.

With no bike for me to ride too, Lane stopped riding.  So I realized I needed to do something, so we eventually got a bike for me.  Another Electra Townie.  But this one is the "tall man" frame size. Very comfortable and sturdy.  And the Electras have a lifetime warranty on everything except rubber (tires, tubes, and break shoes).

My Townie during a lunch pick-nick outing.

Lane's Townie

Looking forward to may fun days on bicycle outings to come.





"You can't explore it if you haven't ever been there."

Brian Hallman