Life near a Moose Lodge

Ahhhh where to begin.......well the kids and D&A's wedding came and went. GREAT, GREAT, GREAT TIME!!!!! In its wake I lost my voice and the internet. I'm not sure if it was connected but needless to say my stars either weren't aligned properly or Venus was in retrograde or something like that haha! We are settling into Moose grazing - hanging out at the Tiki Bar and meeting the most colorful people. Always a new face or an unbelievable story....kind of like the boat cruising set. Came down here for a weekend and never left kind of people. Unfortunately, our time here is drawing to a close but with S&S coming it should be more of a BANG!!! Gosh we love those guys and there no double will be some very cool rides, laughs and stories in our future - maybe not all of them worthy of telling our kids though haha!!! It's all been good and what's not to love about living on a Key and hearing palm trees blowing in the wind. Love you all Bleached Flame and Slim Moose Tan Dog

Rub the Moose

I know all of you are probably on the edge of your seats wondering just how we did at the Moose last Thursday night. The chicken wings were great and the cards were cold until......I rubbed the Moose. As unbelievable as it might sound legend has it if you rub the moose head hanging on the wall your luck will change. So, far be it from me to break tradition, I rubbed Moosey and WALA Bob won a hand Yahoo!!! Someone yelled that if I jumped up and rode the beast all sorts of things could happen....ahhh.... I think I will pass on that haha! Today was the pool party at Sunset Grille in Marathon. Although it was bright and sunny the temps were still in the low 60's. The only ones in the pool were a couple of kids about 4 and 2 years old. - what do they know about wind chill!! Anyway not to worry eating and drinking are always at the top of our list. Bryan is flying in tomorrow to party with his friends for a couple of days and then off to Orlando for the wedding. Where, oh where, is this time going???? And, even more important, will I have to wear fleece and long underwear to the wedding!!!! One thing for sure it still is better in the keys and we miss all of you. Take care - stay warm and dry - the flame and slim dog

Life in the 60's

I know no one up North will feel our chill here but ALL of us down here ARE FREEZING!!!! So you might ask just how cold and windy is it.......the storm shutters on the house were shaking all night - the wind is whipping spray up over the bridges and, even though our bikes are all clean and polished, we aren't even going to venture out for some wonderful cuban coffee- now that is mighty chilly!! Ahh, wait a minute, we still do have palm trees and sun so who the heck is going to lsten to me whine WAAA!!!! OK now that I have that out of the way phew.....the other day, we finally took that trip to Key West - yes, I guess it was warm and sunny and the place was packed - everyone was soaking it all in - I guess that is why we are here....eating, drinking, shopping and even a wee bit of sweating - haha. Tonigh it is chicken wings and card bingo at the Moose. Could this be the week slim Moose - oops I mean slim dog gets his official Moose Card???? Hark, heart be still haha.. Bryan is scheduled to fly down here next Monday to party with his buddies for a few days before we head up to Orlando for our Nephew's wedding. It better be warm for him - after all being hung over in the sun isn't such a bad place to be. Hope you all survive that horrible weather up there. Wish we could send you some warmth. Still in turtlenecks Flame and goosebumps slim dog.

Bingo - moose style

Thursday - Moose date 2/18/10 - there we were - bright and early 5pm (next stop early bird haha) and the place was jamming. There were no empty tables so we had to muscle in on a table that a couple of guys were sitting at. Talk about a full house - or was it that nothing else was happening in Big Pine???? Either way...the game was pretty cool $1.00 per card for 2 hands. The winnings ran between $30-70 per hand....the jokes were free and the drinks were reasonable. There were a couple of biker dudes that we met last Sundat at the antique bike show and some friends we had been trying to get together with since we got down here. My girlfriend Gail had just bec ome a W.O.T.M (women of the Moose) so in celebration we all gave her the "Moose wave" Yes.....for all my buddies back home.....this is MUCH more fun when you are drinking!!!! Friday, even though it was cloudy and cold, we went to Marathon and had lunch at the Sunset Grille right over the 7 mile bridge on the water. It is a very neat restaurant with a heated swimming pool. After talking to the bartender for a while he told us of a grand re-opening pool party next Sunday - sounds like a plan to me!!!! Now today, Saturday, the weather turned warm and sunny so we decided to ride to Key West. Our neighbor, Jim, was going to join us - fun, fun, fun.....not!!! First we heard on the radio that there was an accident on Mile Marker 18 and one on Mile Marker 70 We are at 30 and Key West is zero) Not good but we decided to try anyway. After a grueling hour Jim's bike overheated and wouldn't start. Long story short Slim Dog rode home and got jumper cables and Jim was back on the road. Oh well such is life on US l. Tomorrow there will be a party at Jim's - can't hold a good Moose down haha. The time is flying by - hope the winter, for all of you, is too. Keep warm and watch out for spring flowers???? Sitting in the break-down lane Flame and Jumper cables to the rescue Slim Dog.

Sun Spots???

Well being connected in the Keys is not like the civilized world. It appears that we can only log on certain times of the day. Maybe it has something to do with the location of the stars and constallations - or just maybe it is because we are not yet members of the Mooses - Very strange indeed. Anyway we have been having some great rides despite the fact we have to wear all our winter gear - even those leather underwear haha. Sunday we rode up to Key Largo for an antique bike show - very, very, very, chilly over that 7 mile bridge brrrr. Met alot of our biking buddies there - always something new..... possibly more tattoos and less teeth but whose counting haha!!! The trip home was warmer - the wind was down and what was there was at our backs. Yesterday was predicted to be the warmest day of the week so we figured to go to Key West. It is always warmer there - all those bars block the wind haha!!! Had a great luch and then took a walk down by Mallory Square. I can't believe it but we actually found a place we had never been to before. More bars, more restaurants, more strange people. Ahhh life is good in the Keys!!?? Slightly connected Flame and Ice in my beard Slim Dog

Connected

Well last night we met up with our biker buddy next door and went to the Moose Lodge for some drinks. Today we filled out the application and within a couple of days we will officially be card carrying members of the Loyal Order of Moose or L.O.O.M.- way way cool!!!??? Over a couple of drinks last night our friend, Jim, offered to share his internet with us. This morning we bought a wireless router and went over to his house and he installed it for us. So WaaLaa here I am connected once again - phew....it was terrible to be so disconnected with the world? Anyway life in the keys has just taken a large leap forward and I for one am very very happy!!!! Semi warm weather, the best cuban coffee, and now the internet at home - I could live here now.... haha!!! Typing away flame and build me an office slim dog

Moose Sightings??

I guess I am not going to complain to any of my frozen friends and family but.....just in case you are interested......I am chilly and being blown away down here - hell I'm still wearing long johns and turtlenecks!!!! Yes, we do have palm tyees and there isn't any snow but where are my tank tops and flip flops???? So one might ask what we are getting into....we have an application to join the "Moose Lodge" - should I grab slim dog and get the heck out of Dodge.....or.... should we join and find out what a Mooserace and Mooseburgers are all about. Hell, I know where we can buy some flannel shirts - we have boots and like country western music - kind of. Help this sounds dangerous!!!! Keep warm and hurry and get rid of that snow. cowgirl Flame and shit kicking Slin Dog

The same but different

AHHH - just as I remembered it. Monday when we arrived in Big Pine Lake ...ooops I mean Key it was in the middle of a downpour but - "don't worry Mon...." we went straight to Boondocks Bar and Grille, had a ccouple of beers and then came back to the house to unpack, food shop, yadda, yadda, yadda - phew glad that is over. Yesterday our bikes were polished and shining once again and we did our favorite ride down to Key West to have lunch and get on the computer Well we did the lunch part real good but the caffe that had free internet was a clothing store duh!!!! now what????? Fast foward to Thursday and we are now eating in Porky's in Marathon - having a beer and surfing the web!! Can't hold a surfer down???? haha. If we don't find anymore free internet sites we could be calling slim dog- big dog aghain haha I know the weather up there is pretty crappy - we do feel your pain but I guess not that much. Will try to send some warmth and sun up there . Will keep you informed whenever we can. Keep warm and keep laughing we love and miss you all. Getting tan Flame and loving it Slim Dog

getting close

It is sunny today and we are off for a weekend party at the Drew's!!!! Hang on to those false teeth and keep the aspirin handy YAHOO!!!!! The next time I will get on the computer we'll probably be sipping Margaritas in "Jimmy Buffet" land. Come on down and join us........ happy trails, keep safe and warm and don't loose your MO!!!! Dancing in the streets Flame and Belly....oops I mean RIBS up to the bar Slim Dog.

On the move

Yesterday, on our last full day in Daytona we decided that the city of Deland needed another pass through. On Sunday when we had originally gone there, three quarters of the restaurants were closed. Well when we got there Wednesday we found a vibrant city with many great places to eat. We ate at a trendy place that was not only delicious, yum, yum, had the neatest wall decor and bathrooms (hey, when someone puts that much artistic work in their bathrooms you know they take care in everything right????) but the waitress told us about "Blue Springs" a State Park that was so stunning. It is a spring that feds the St John's river. Because it is shallow it has warmer water and attracts manatees in the winter. They say there are over 100 presently residing there now. The water's clarity and color - it really isn't so much blue but a pale green - is just breath-taking. They also have at one end a blue hole - a blue hole is an area that is much deeper than the surrounding water and usually is filled with wonderful species of fish. This blue hole had a cave that extended over 100feet deep. Scuba divers are allowed to dive it at certain times of the year - now that would be a VERY COOL DIVE!!!! Do you think we could carry scuba gear on our bikes haha!!! Today we are packing up, taking a ride, having lunch and then off to Destination Daytona. It is kind of a Harley theme park. Go figure right!!! Friday we will be at Kathy's house until Monday when we head to the keys. Not a bad way to spend January!!! Stay safe and keep warm love you all....Still chilly Flame and sweatshirt wearing Slim Dog

life in the saddle

Another sun-filled windy day in the semi tropics. We rode to St Augustine - about a 50 mile ride - had lunch in our usual restaurent and then walked around the harbor looking at the boats who, perhaps, decided that this was far enough South!! Hard to believe it was 9 years ago we were cruising down these intracoastal waters and then into the Bahamas.....YARRRRRR where's me rum!!! Shiver me timbers yadda, yadda, yadda haha. Ahhh yes.... there is certainly something to be said for the rumble on dry land. Our days here are numbered and then it's off to see Kathy and family and then the Keys, 7 mile bridge, happy hour in Key West, and lets not forget those cute Key Deer. It's nice when a plan comes together. So till we return, be safe, stay warm, keep in shape....we will be home and ready to party before you know it. Flame and the Slim Dog

Lake view - maybe next trip

On our last night in Okeechobee (Friday) in our "new" favorite restaurent "Cowboys" we found out that we actually missed a turn off on that trip around the Lake which would have given us the view we were hoping for - spring training, maybe next time, or is Slim Dog losing it????? haha.I guess that is why old people tend to go to the same place over and over!!! We are now back in Daytona and have a couple of neat day trips planned once the Playoffs are finished on Sunday and the weather clears up - not a bad plan?!!! On Sunday morning we took a trip to Deland and had lunch in town which, by the way, was one of the more attractive towns we have seen.....translation.....lots of bars and coffee shops - have to feed those bad habits haha!!! ...and were even back in time to see the first half of the Jets/Colts game in the sports bar down the street. I was hoping Payton would go down but, alas, all that went down was the beer. The next game, though, was heart pounding.....gosh it was good and I was glad the Saints won......hopefully they will be able to take Payton down . I am not sure I will be able to handle all of those commercials if they don't!!! So it looks like the rain has stopped, our laundry is almost done, and the bikes are cleaned off and shining once again. I hear the road calling us!!! Love you all - take care, keep smiling and stay safe. Touch down Flame and Changing teams Big Dog

Kodak Moment???

For our last day in the Okeechobee area we decided to circumnavigate the lake taking the "scenic route". After about an hour we realized that the man-made protection called Hoover Dike, which protects the communities surrounding the lake from flooding during hurricane season, also eliminates ones ability to SEE THE LAKE!!!! DUHHHH!!!! Oh well, I guess a ride is still a ride. Oh yes, there was one small section when we went over a bridge that we finally were able to look out over the Lake.....unfortunately, some lake fog had developed and it was cold and dreary looking - go figure!! Ahh....not all was a loss though, when we got back to the hotel, since the skies were threatening, we decided to walk to "Cowboys" for some lunch. The beer was cold and the food is mighty good yum, yum, another day in paradise!!! Tomorrow we are heading back towards the East Coast. We figure Daytona will be our destination. Aside from loving it there, I believe a couple of bar stools with our names on them are waiting for us....hahaha!!! The last couple of days the weather has been pretty warm and humid. My bones are finally starting to thaw out and I believe I am starting to see the beginnings of a tan forming - good news indeed. Frizzy Flame and turning red Slim Dog

Okeechobee

After two great days in Clearwater we watched the weather and decided that South was the way to go. I think I see a patern here ha!!! When you leave Clearwater you travel south on 275 across the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Now I know that typically the roads in Florida are straight forward and are not much of a thrill.....well I guess that is why they build incredible bridges!!!! I have always been impressed with the 7 mile bridge in the Keys until NOW!!!! The bridge itself was only about 4 miles long but I swear 2 of them went straight up - and, just to keep it interesting, there was a howling crosswind lifting your glasses and helmet and making your cheeks flap like a skydiver.... Holly Cow what a trip!!!! There really is open land in the middle of Florida. I keep expecting to see some highrise condo buildings but basically it is farm land and small, I am sure, very redneck towns. We even saw a sign advertising Wild Boar Hunting!!!! What a State - ya gotta love it. Tomorrow we will be taking a ride around the Lake. Today the weather was actually hot and humid - I think I was sweaty and unconfortable but totally not complaining haha!! Tonight we will be having dinner in a place called Cowboys - it was the only place within walking distance that we found with a bar!!! I wonder if they have boar sandwiches uggh!!! I figure we had better wear our boots and leathers!!! Till we write again....happy trails, and all that good stuff Leather and Lace Flame and Do rag Slim Dog

Clearwater Florida

We left Ocala this morning....we saw the ranches, the horses, the gated "all inclusive" model homes everyone is all excited about??? and ate the biggest dinner imaginable....where is that Pepto when you need it...burp....oooops excuse me haha. When my buddy told me that she was interested in retiring in Ocala in one of those gated communities I figured we should check them out. Well whats not to love about new upscale homes for relatively short money with more ammenities than a city has and, let's not forget, a salesperson who grew up 3 blocks from Slim Dog....gotta love New Yorkers!!! It was very interesting and we now have all the brochures - go figure ha. When we got back to the hotel we looked for a place to eat dinner and about a mile down the road found a brazilian steak house. It is an 'all you can eat salad bar' and inbetween all this delicious array of food, cooks come around with freshly cooked meats on skewers and carve it for you at the table. All very delicious but before you know it you have eaten way, way, way tooooooo much. The only way to cure this is to get on a Harley and travel West!!!! So we are now in Clearwater Florida watching the sun slowly set over the water - are we too far North to see a green flash????? It is finally getting warmer and the bikes are starting up without any prodding in fact so are we !!!! It is nice to be near the water and the sun ahhhhh life is good. Hope you all are well and keeping warm and safe. Shedding the leathers Flame and looking good in a T-shirt Slim Dog

Horse Country - Ocala Fl.

Ok, we have been in this town for 6 hours and I haven't seen any horses yet but I know they are around!!! Anyway after 2 days in Daytona - if half of the bartenders there know us....have we stayed too long???? haha. Oh well I guess it is time to "ease on down the road" again. Know what they say about a moving target ha! After an uneventful 75mile ride to Ocala we settled in, dusted the road dirt off and found a Sports bar to watch the 1pm game. Half of the town was closed because it is Sunday - Where the heck are we????? I am sure we will find a place to have dinner and watch part of the next game.....you gotta love football!! Maybe it is a good thing that the Patriots aren't in the mix. I can at least enjoy the game and and I see no need of any crying in my beer!!!! Tomorrow we are off to see some of the area and exactly what this part of Florida has to offer. It feels so great to be back in the saddle - the roads are straight, sound of bikers all around, warm breezes and even some sun - life is good. Hope all is going well for you - miss you all - take care and go Jets????? Sun in my face Flame and T-shirt Slim dog.

Deep Freeze

On the road again???---well I guess kind of. We have the car all loaded and the bikes on the trailer and are heading down South once again. We left earlier this year - I can't imagine why haha. We decided to try cruising mid to northern Florida before going to the Keys. We did our fun stops - UE, Lor, S&S, and family and then on to Dad's and our NC family. Lots of hugs, laughs and great stories. While we were in NJ we made the mistake of watching "the playoffs" UGGH... it wasn't pretty. Saturday night at S&S's new condo overlooking the harbor we watched the Eagles go down.....Sunday the Patriots decided they weren't even going to play their "C" game and at a sports bar near UE's house we cried in our beer. At each fumble - and there were many - Bryan and I exchanged text messages. He was way more optimistic, but in the end all that could be said was "next year - go Pats???) Well now we are in Savannah Ga. Last night we found oysters for $3.00 a dozen and drinks were half price. AHHHH are we in heaven yet?? The only problem with half price drinks is that you drink them twice as fast. When I realized I was almost keeping up with Slim Dog I knew I was in trouble!!!! Well you know the end result of that - ouch my aching head!!! Anyway a strong cup of coffee in the morning and off we went on a tour of the city. After the tour and a nice hour walk through some of the beautiful historic neighborhoods and parks we ate lunch and came back to the hotel to start repacking for our next phase. Tomorrow we are off for Daytona where we will unload the bikes and leave the car and trailer in a storage garage and take off for some cities and towns we want to see. The weather looks a little iffy but does seem to be getting warmer. Today was near 60 - not too bad. Zoom, zoom, I can't wait. Still in my turtlenecks Flame and Cold hands Slim Dog