Disney For Adults: The Coronado Springs Resort

When you think of Disney, it's easy to imagine animated characters, screaming children, bumbling tourists running around, once kid-friendly Disney stars gone insane (Miley Cyrus), and long lines at theme parks.

Most recently, Disney has been in the news over their acquisition of Lucas Films & Lucas Arts, thus granting Disney the rights to the most famous film franchise - and "nerd franchise" - of all time, Star Wars. But did you know that Disney also owns ABC and ESPN?  One of America's most watched networks, and the everyday sports fanatics favorite TV Channel are owned by the same company that places "Hidden Mickey's" in their theme park bathrooms.  May seem comical, but Disney Corporation is a powerhouse.

While it is true that Disney's target audience is children, the corporation understands that without the parents taking their kids to the parks and buying merchandise, their empire would crumble.  That being said, Disney places a ton of attention on the adults as well.  At Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida, the argument can be made that there are more adult-oriented creations than what exists for children.

While most of the parks themselves are designed for kids (EPCOT being the primary exception), many of the resorts located on Disney property are almost exclusively designed for adults.  The Grand Floridian, Old Key West, Saratoga Springs, & Coronado Springs were designed with the parents in mind.  You don't have to have a kid to enjoy what Disney has to offer. In fact, it is suggested that you make a trip with a friend or loved one and really kick back and take it all in. 

Twice per year, usually around August-September, Disney offers 35% Florida Residence discounts as a way to boost revenue during the end of Summer (they consider this the beginning of the "slow season"). The areas aren't too crowded this time of year, as all of the kids have returned to school. It is the best time to visit Disney World.

My wife and I had the pleasure of staying at the Coronado Springs Resort this past weekend.  We are annual pass holders for the parks, but this was a weekend of firsts.  We had never stayed at this particular resort before, and we were most certainly impressed from the start. According to the Disney website, Coronado Springs Resort is influenced by Spanish-Colonial Mexico, and its layout is inspired by the adventures of explorer Don Francisco de Coronado.



Coronado Springs offers plenty of on-site amenities such as 2 swimming pools, hot tub, an open market cafe for breakfast & lunch, Maya Grill restaurant (dinner only. Reservations recommended), multiple outdoor bars, an indoor lounge (that doesn't allow persons under 21 after 9pm), a jogging trail, salon, La Vida Health Center, laundry center, & a childcare center (if you do bring your kids).  Disney also offers buses which can take you to Downtown Disney, where you can partake in great shopping, live shows, multiple restaurants, & much more.  The resort also has a nice sized shop that sells all things Disney related, along with the essentials, and an alcohol counter and cigar humidor.  This resort was truly designed with adults in mind.  Beautiful landscaping and water features, combined with Latin-inspired music really provide an excellent and entertaining environment. 

Coronado Springs is spaciously laid out, with the buildings (Casita's) wrapping around a lake.  Walking paths make any part of the resort easily accessible to each other and the main complex.  Vaulted ceilings, tile floors, & Spanish style architecture greet you as you enter the main building.

During our stay, we never visited a theme park.  There was so much to do outside of the parks that easily occupied our time.  Not too far down the road is a mini-golf course. Got pets? Not a problem, Disney offers a 5-star pet resort nearby as well!

There are so many ways to enjoy Disney World without having to fork out the $90 for a 1-day park pass.  Let your biggest expense be the resort of your choice, and partake in the incredible amenities that Disney offers.  You don't have to cram into a theme park and wait in 90-minute lines for rides just to have the "Disney Experience".  There's so much more to that, and most adults are looking for a nice getaway.  Resorts like Coronado Springs offer the perfect opportunity for that. 

  


This is of course a theme park based area.  Every resort will have children, but you'll have a much more relaxing time if you stay at places like Coronado Springs than you would the more kid-oriented resorts like the 3 All-Star Resorts, which are 100% child-oriented.  During our stay, we only encountered a handful of children.

The prices will be higher for 4+ Star resorts, but you'll most certainly be getting what you paid for, and Disney makes a great effort in making it worth your while. 

 If you're ever in the mood for a nice getaway in Orlando, I strongly recommend you treat yourself to a great place like Coronado Springs Resort.  You can always work off the extra money you spend here, because it will certainly be worth every penny.

For Disney's Coronado Springs Website, click here!

-James

Arachnids & Motorcyclists Don't Mix

Just a quick little story here.

A few nights ago I was riding the Versys around my neighborhood to take in the evening.  Unfortunately, a Banana Spider also decided to drop down and enjoy herself.  I rounded the corner and there she was, hanging from a tree, in all of her ridiculous glory. 

I had the "privelage" of feeling a spider make love to my face at 35mph. 

I've never wanted to dump the bike so badly in my life.  Thank God there weren't any cars around. But needless to say, I was like this guy....

 

I know I'm not the only one who has experienced something like this.  I want to hear your stories!

 

Leave a comment and subscribe!!

 

-James 

The Florida Summer

Reason number 367 why Florida is not a motorcycle-friendly...the rain.

 

Florida is unique in that when the weather forecast predicts "30% chance of rain", it doesn't mean "It might rain", it means "It's always raining, there's just a 30% chance that it'll be in your area."  Which of course means "you're going to get wet."  By default, it's always a 30% minimum chance of rain in Florida during the summer.  You'll almost never see it below that from mid June-September.

 

 

Florida doesn't have your average weather patterns.  Of course every state is going to have their own various versions of this proclamation, but seriously, unless you've lived or tried to vacation here, you won't understand just how accurate that statement is. 

 



 



Now sure, you may say "eh, it's just a little rain. Stop whining." But one thing you must understand, is that it isn't "just a little rain."  Florida is the lightning capital of the world.  More people are struck by lightning per-capita in the Sunshine State than anywhere else. When these storms hit, they spring up quickly, and even though they may not stay in the area for more than a few hours, they dump enormous amounts of water, standing water develops quickly on the roads, and many times the accompanying wind can topple trees and power poles.  Visibility drops pretty quickly as well. To make the issue worse, the cool water hitting hot surfaces such as roads causes enormous amounts of steam, which further lowers visibility.

 

 

What causes such powerful storms? The answer is simple: Florida's high heat and humidity, combined with being a peninsula, is a perfect recipe for powerful thunderstorms.  Native Floridians have learned to practically set our watches for the daily storms.  It's guaranteed to be raining by 3pm every day.  There are occasions when the storms roll through and cause a temporary lull in the high temperatures, but most of the time the sun will immediately burst through the cloud cover - turning the region into a sauna. 

  

The humidity level is unreal.  It causes the heat index to be 20-30 degrees higher than the actual temperature.  This is really the primary reason why it's practically impossible to ride your motorcycle in full gear during the summer.  You'll be dying before you leave your driveway.  If your only mode of transportation is a motorcycle, I strongly do not recommend living here.  Another issue to consider - Hurricanes.  But that's for a later post.

There are two sides to this, though.  Even though Summer is the worst time to ride a motorcycle in Florida, the development of these storms offer tremendous beauty.  One could literally watch the Thunder Heads build and turn dark as moisture builds.  Especially in my region of North Central Florida, locations such as Paines Prarie offer beautiful observation points for watching these giants form in the sky. 

 

(This video is NOT mine, credit goes to YT user 5.56NATO.)

Another great experience of these giants are heat lightning storms.  No thunder, no lightning strikes, just incredible shows of cloud lightning.  They happen very frequently during the summer nights. Massive amounts of built up static electricity is released in terrific light shows that stay in the clouds, but it's multiple times per second, and they'll last for many hours. It's really my favorite aspect of Florida, and I have fond memories of going with my dad to open fields at night and watching the lightning from the back of the truck. A magnificent demonstration of nature's power and beauty.

-James

An Eventful Few Days

This past weekend was a weekend of "musts". With my wife returning to school later this month, and hopefully being hired full time,  I will need an alternative method of transportation when the weather doesn't allow for a motorcycle (which in Florida is 90% of the year).

 

She has a 2004 Mazda RX8 that she used to drive in high school, and we also drove it when we were stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.  It's been sitting in the garage since 2011. It's in excellent condition with incredibly low miles (less than 60K).  I'm hoping to use it as a daily driver.

 

 

I went to Advanced Auto Parts and picked up a new battery and fluids, and with fingers crossed, the car came to life. Pretty rough start, but it'll get better with time.

 

 

 

I'm going to need new tires, complete fluid flush, and brakes, but otherwise it will be ready to go. It's a fabulous little car and I loved driving it around. I hope everything works out.

 

We also ripped up the living room carpet in preparation for new flooring. Not much to report on that other than the tile that's going down will look great. Looks like wood flooring, even has texture that mimics wood grain. 

 

 

Updates to come on this and the car.
 

-James

...In Love & Wheels

I want to take a few minutes to reflect on what having a good woman and a good motorcycle means to me.

Happiness and comfort are two words that can't even describe how great it feels to have the best of both worlds.  I'm not incredibly religious, but even I can recognize that I've been blessed.  I've been married to my wife for 5 years, married to Caprica for 1.  Before Caprica, I had my DRZ.  I've had 2 great motorcycles, and it's only fair to assume the Triumph is going to be a great bike as well. 

I have a wife that loves to ride with me, and honestly, you can't beat that. To know that you can hit the open road on a reliable motorcycle any time you want, and know that your woman wants to ride with you, it is a wonderful feeling.  I treasure the moments we spend together on a bike.  It's something I've always wanted, and I'm glad I can have it.  Every rider needs a partner, someone to share experiences with, and who can just enjoy the road.  When I feel her give me a squeeze as we're riding, it makes me so happy.  I love my wife more than words can say.  I hope she rides with me for as long as possible.

-J

Versys, Or A Cylon?

I've had people comment and question the stickers I have on my Kawasaki Versys.  People have caught me in the parking lot and asked what these stickers mean, or if it's a new logo that Kawasaki is putting on their bikes.

I personally believe that vehicles can have personality.  I'm not necessarily referring to "ghosts in the machine", or anything like Isaac Asimov wrote in his books, but it is possible, and it makes riding more fun to me.  Especially if you can occasionally talk to your bike, when it does something good or bad.  If you love and take care of your bike, it will take care of you.  It's a basic philosophy that I live by.

If any of you recall, when I first bought my Versys, I was calling her Vanessa.  She's a firey redhead, and I just thought it was fitting.  However, my wife got me watching a totally awesome TV show that used to be on ScyFy Channel a few years ago called Battlestar Galactica.  It's a remake of the original from the 70's, but if you haven't even heard of BSG, I pity you and your children (haha).  But that show got me thinking...the ignition sequence on my Versys sounds very robotic (my wife says it sounds like a printer, but I digress). It's red, fast, and looks beautiful.  So I decided to rename my bike after Tricia Helfer's character, Caprica-6.  She wore a red dress, and was the 6th Cylon-Human model.  But I just refer to my bike as Caprica.  I really love it and think it's fitting.

 

So I searched online and found Battlestar Galactica vehicle stickers for my bike and my wife's GMC Terrain.  The cowlings have Cylon Raider fighters on either side, and I have Starbuck's (Katee Sackhoff) symbol (which basically became the symbol for the entire show in the later seasons), on the front fender.

 



 I've decided that the Triumph Tiger will be named Galactica.  Why?  Because just like the warship Galactica, she's old, simple, antequated, but still a classic fighter, and has beauty in her simplistic design.  But don't expect to see any stickers on her.  That bike will remain original.

So what do you drive?

-J

  

Cedar Key For My Birthday

For my birthday in April, my wife surprised me by suggesting we take the bike over to Cedar Key for a birthday lunch and a nice ride.  It was the first time the Versys had ever been to the coast, and also the first time my wife has ridden with me for a long period of time.  We had a great time! (though we both agree that the Versys is NOT a bike that's comfortably built for two, haha!)  It was a little warm outside, but we survived.  The last time I went to Cedar Key, I took my DRZ-400, which you can read about here.

We had lunch at the Pickled Pelican Restaurant, as I wanted my wife to try one of my favorite spots.  We stayed until the early afternoon and then headed back to Gainesville.  It was a really nice day, and we definitely enjoyed ourselves.

My next trip to Cedar Key, I hope to take my dad's Triumph, and I would like to spread some of his ashes, as I have fond memories of family trips there.  We loved Cedar Key, and I know he wouldn't mind being spread there.  I think of you always, dad. I love you.

-J

A Beautiful Weekend

On Saturday, my wife and I spent the day with my mom.  Since my dad passed, it hasn't been easy for her to be alone.  We can't always go out there, but if we can spend a day, we will.  The weather cooperated long enough on Sunday for me to take my wife on a nice little motorcycle ride.  It was terribly hot, but it didn't rain. 

We took a nice ride through Paynes Prarie, Micanopy, and McIntosh, before returning home to Gainesville. There are few really nice County Roads that have nice curves in them.  Really nice farms and farmlands.  Really is a hidden gem.  With the wife on board, I didn't stop to take pictures, but I will return soon and do so.  The bike really needed a good long run.  It has been sitting in the garage for about a month.  It felt good to open the throttle and burn through some gas.

 Also, I apologize for my blog constantly having different layouts.  I can't find one that I like, and it's driving me crazy.  I'll keep working on it!

-J





Rest In Peace, Dad. You Are Why I Ride!

My dad is the reason why I ride motorcycles.  He got me on a bike when I was 10 years old, and introduced me to a wonderful lifestyle that I cherish.  Riding was his passion and I can't thank him enough for sharing that with me. 

My dad was a motorcycle racer.  Competing for years in the Daytona 200 Circuit in the 80's-90's.  To us, he was known as Dad.  On the track, he was known as 56X.  My dad raced Ducati's, BSA's, and Triumphs.  He was a rockstar.  He raced for fun, but would always ride within his skill level.  I always ride with gear, and I never drive beyond my limits.  Experience and time allows our limits to grow, and that's what I rely on.  Simply being on a motorcycle has enough risks, why drive like a fool?

I regret not spending more time with him on the weekends back when I lived at home. But I am thankful for the time and knowledge I gained after I got out of the Navy.  He taught me things about motorcycles and how to take care of basic maintenance.  There's so much more I wanted him to teach me, but I never had the chance.  But I don't sit and dwell on what I missed, I cherish what I had. 

Now, he's on the greatest ride he could ever have.  He was a great man who loved his country, and his countrymen.  Our community lost a great man, but he's still with us.  With every ride I take, I know he's with me.  I feel him.

D.J.M. 1947-2014.  I love you dad!

-J

Much Has Changed

Hello, everyone.

It's been about 8 months since my last blog post.

I stopped writing my blog because honestly, I was running out of stuff to write about.  I began this blog primarily as a way to share my Navy tavel experiences and my daily motorcycle riding adventures.  While I still have Navy stories to tell, I don't have as much time ride the motorcycle as I would like. I enjoy blogging, so therefore I will have to increase my variety of topics.

In January, I was hired full-time at my local Veterans Affairs hospital.  It could not have come at a better time.  While I can no longer wear the uniform to protect my country, I can do my best to take care of my brothers and sisters who have fought and lost limbs and lost hope.  I love my job.  While my direct interaction with patients is limited, my position in Human Resources allows me take care of VA employees, many who are veterans themselves.  It's a brotherhood that I have longed for since I got out of the Navy.  I feel at home, and I'm very happy.

My Kawasaki Versys is running very well.  This Florida summer has been incredibly hot and wet, so the motorcycle has been relegated to late evening trips around the neighborhood.  I don't mind breaking a sweat on the way home from work, but it sucks coming in to work dripping with sweat.  Not to mention risking getting caught in afternoon thunderstorms.  I think I'll pass. 

I plan on posting more frequently.  As far as content goes, it will be varied.  A few of my posts may be out of order to cover a few things that have happened the past 8 months.

Thanks for hanging in there, readers.  I hope to keep you entertained.

-J

I'm Still Alive

I do apologize for the time delay.

Things have been crazy lately, I'm hoping to start working full time (which in this economy is a true blessing), but I've also been dealing with final exams. I have one more to go!

Flying around between work and school has given me opportunities to really get used to my new Versys. It is a whole new animal, but it doesn't take much to master. I found out just how far I can lean into corners a few days ago when my foot peg scraped along the road....scared the crap out of me. I thought for sure something broke.

I like the fact that I can go around 200 miles on a full tank, double than my DRZ400. And it only costs $12 to fill up. I had to add some fuel treatment to my tank last night because of condensation. The Versys is fuel injected so there's no carburetor to clean. It is really annoying because I always get condensation in the tank. Same problem with the DRZ.  It's because Florida's weather is retarded and the temperature changes by 30 degrees every day during the Fall/Winter. I keep my bike in the garage, but when I'm out and about at night, it's exposed to the outside air and that's when it happens. I hate you, Florida.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving. It was 31 degrees Thanksgiving morning when I rode out to see my parents. Enjoyed every minute of it.

I don't have anymore classes until January, but I plan on working every day to maximize my hours.

Welcome home, Versys

After almost a week of delays and frustrations, I can finally say I was able to drive the Versys home last night! Of course today is non-stop rain (go figure), but at least the bike is home now.  

The good news? The bike is now home and I can drive it (weather permitting).

The bad news? My professors thought Thanksgiving is the best time to slam me with hundreds of review questions (literally), with 2 papers, 2 tests, 2 speeches, AND the final exams. 

So I won't be blogging or riding for the next week and a half. Thank you, SFC. 

-J

Versys Progress

Today was a good day.

My dad and I were able to mount the rear tire and adjust the chain length.  We were also able to remove the luggage rack from the rear.  I didn't have the bars that attach to the rear of the bike, but when I get the bike back home, I'll probably put them on.  But I think it is a good looking bike, especially without that big rack on the back.

The new clutch cable finally came in.  Paid for two day shipping, received it in 3 days...USPS. Government efficiency at its finest. Discovered why Kawasaki had troubles with clutch cables on the 2008 model.  It's because the cable placement was designed poorly.  Kawasaki had the cable bending at a 90 degree angle to fit into the brackets, this pinches the cable and causes it to break over time.  My dad re-routed the cable and eliminated that 90 degree angle.  What a night and day difference! 

I have the front tire in the back of the car and I'm going to take it to the Harley dealership to get it mounted on to the rim hopefully tomorrow or Tuesday.  Once that's done, and the tire is back on the bike, the Versys will be up to 100%.  I really cannot wait until I can really get a good feel for this bike.  Hopefully it will be good to go before Thanksgiving so I can ride it out to the family gathering.  

-J

Good Things Take Time

I haven't been able to hit the open road just yet.

I ordered a new set of Dunlop tires, clutch cable, and oil filter for the Versys.  These obviously take time (& special equipment for mounting new rubber on the rims) to do, so it has been difficult to get things done.  With the DRZ, my dad and I were able to change out the rubber by hand, but the Versys has larger tires, so it is pretty much impossible to do it manually.  Luckily, the local Harley dealership was able to mount the new rubber on the back rim, so hopefully some time this coming week I will be able to drop off the front tire and have it done as well.

I have also discovered that the 2008 Versys is/was notorious for problematic clutch cables, the stock cable tends to fray and break.  Based on how difficult this clutch is to operate, I think it is safe to say that it is the original.

Not all is lost, however.  I was able to change the oil and put on the new filter.  Hopefully the clutch cable won't be too difficult to replace, either.  That leaves me with the tires.  The tires will take the longest because that requires travel and wait time for Harley to mount the rubber.  One down, one to go.

Also, Gainesville no longer has a Kawasaki dealership, so that has become problematic, especially since the bike is approaching 14,000 miles and is soon due for a good mechanical inspection.  I do not have any idea what kind of maintenance the previous owner had done on this motorcycle, but as I find more and more "bugs" (i.e. stripped screws, over torqued bolts, loose shifter, missing cotter pins), I'm starting to think a complete idiot was working on this bike not knowing his ass from his elbow.  It is all minor things that don't cost much to fix, but they are all associated with vital parts of the bike.  Somewhat concerning.

Right now, the bike is at a good 80%, I will keep you all updated, and hopefully the bike will be up to 100% by the end of the week.  Stay tuned!

-J

Bigger Changes Than I Thought!

As I posted yesterday, my plan was to convert my DRZ400S into a Super Motard by changing out the tires, and adjusting suspension.  After doing more research and talking to good people, I came to the conclusion that an S-to-SM cross-over requires too much time and money, neither of which I have enough to invest.  My bike is a daily driver, I cannot afford to not have it.  The bike is just too beautiful as it is, changing it would only devalue it.

 

Two grand ladies. DRZ (left), Versys (right).

What ended up happening was something I really did not plan on.  I stumbled upon a 2008 Kawasaki Versys 650 at a local dealership.  The bike was in great condition, and I could not take my eyes off it! The previous owner took great care of it.  After a test drive, and a few hours throwing numbers around, I traded in my 2006 Suzuki DRZ400S and drove home on the Versys.  I was able to get a great deal on the bike, and got excellent trade in value on my DRZ.  I am certainly going to miss my DRZ, it was a gift from my dad and I love that bike very much.  However, bikes like that are meant to tear up the dirt and grass on the weekends, and I just couldn't do that anymore.  I wanted something light, but powerful and comfortable.  It took about a year, but I found a good replacement bike.  It even came with a removable storage box that attaches to the back!


Now with the Versys, I can take longer trips, feel more comfortable navigating the local highways and city streets, take my wife for a cruise, but still maintain the quickness and "snappyness" of a Dual Sport/Enduro.  I ordered a new set of tires, and a few other replacement parts.  I think I found a great motorcycle that will last me a long time.  I hope my DRZ goes to a good home with someone who will care for it like I did.

The last picture taken of me and the DRZ before I drove home on the Versys.

-J

BIG Changes Are Coming!

Hello readers! 

I do apologize for the lack of posting, the weather has been rainy for weeks & I haven't had time to do anything. I hope this weather isn't a preview of the upcoming winter!

As the title of this post states, big changes are indeed coming! The past 12 hours have been very exciting for me. 

For the past year, I've been researching how to convert a DRZ400S into a DRZ400SM. While it is possible, it can become very expensive. Because of that, I pretty much canned the idea. I don't go off road anymore, my DRZ is a daily driver in the city, and I love to cruise on the weekends. My bike is in such great condition that I couldn't fathom the thought of selling or trading it for an actual SM....they're the same bike anyway. 

So last night, my dad called me up and put me in contact with a guy a few hours away who wants to trade stock DRZ400S tires (18" rear & 21" front) for 17" SM Excel tires. He wants to surprise his son. No cash involved, a straight up trade! 

THIS. IS. A. GOLD. MINE. 

Tires & rims are what make this conversion so expensive. Also, Excel rims aren't stock, they are blacked out after market custom rims...beautiful. I really hope this exchange works out, we're both interested and it saves me HUNDREDS of dollars! 

Adjust the front forks, the suspension, cable lengths, & a few other minor things.  I am getting a custom seat that is wider and fits on the stock frame so I can further enjoy the ride. 

I've also wanted to change out body plastics to go all black, but that requires painting the tank...I know I'm getting WAY ahead of myself and investing all of my hopes and dreams on a "what if", but I'm so pumped!! I really hope I can get the SM tires, that will set everything else in motion. I can't focus on anything else. 

That's what it will look like (more or less) when the tires go on. 

The weather finally cleared up for today (it's supposed to rain again tomorrow), so I was able to take the bike to class. 

Have a good day!

-J

Halloween Down Time

While most Americans my age are out having crazy Halloween parties with their college friends and fraternities, I decided October 31st was the best time to cook some steaks on the grill with an old high school friend.  We discussed the typical religion, politics, sports, local news, etc., and enjoyed cold beer and good food.  What I didn't take into account was the idiocy of Trick-Or-Treaters and their parents.  My friend and I were not in costumes, the exterior lights were off, and there were open containers of alcohol in plain sight.  Normally, that would indicate that a particular house is not participating in Halloween festivities for children.  Nothing against kids.  We were always polite towards kids that would walk up.  But if you are a parent walking your kids around the neighborhood and you notice a house with this kind of environment, use some common sense and don't send your kid to someone's garage asking for candy.  Use your head.

A cold front moved into North Central Florida on November 1st, so the weather has been very cloudy.  It finally cleared up late yesterday afternoon so I couldn't pass up the opportunity to take a few pictures of the DRZ.

-J

Cedar Key Sunday

Midnight Sunday morning (or Saturday night for the average person), I randomly became inspired to take a trip.  I spent two hours in the garage in preparation for an almost two hour drive to the Gulf Coast.  The weather was in the mid 40's, so a cold weather prep was a must.  If you aren't familiar with cold weather motorcycle preparation, read about it here! 

I woke up at 8:30 and was on the road by 9:45.  It was a balmy 47 degrees as I headed towards Cedar Key.  For those of you who aren't familiar, Cedar Key is not part of The Florida Keys or associated with Key West.  The Florida Keys are located in the Florida Straits, with Key West being 90 miles north of Cuba.  However, Cedar Key is located on the Florida Gulf Coast and is mostly a fishing and boating community.  There are restaurants and touristy shops.   

The drive down to the coast was great.  I passed by the grave of legendary blues artist Bo Diddley in the town of Bronson.  I knew he was buried nearby, but to casually turn my head and to see it at just the right moment was quite a treat.  Definitely owe plenty of American culture to men like B.B. King and Bo Diddley!

The last time I visited Cedar Key was prior to 2003.  I cannot remember exactly when, but my grandfather was still alive and I remember him patting a Pelican on the head. I'll never forget that.  Cedar Key is not the same as it used to be.  Tourism is the mainstay of the local economy, so when the economy tanked in 2007-2008, Cedar Key was hit hard.  Many of the restaurants closed as tourism declined.  

I had lunch at the Pickled Pelican restaurant.  I sat outside and had a great view of the Gulf of Mexico and the nearby islands.  The menu was great, as was the pricing.  I certainly recommend it!

 The area is really beautiful and, in my opinion, really epitomizes what the Florida coast is all about.  Shrubbery, coastal inlets, and beautifully flat terrain.

I ended up putting 156.8 miles on the bike.  The weather was incredible, as was the ride.  Very little traffic and I was able to average a speed of about 70mph.  If you live in the Sunshine State and haven't made a trip to Cedar Key, I do recommend it.  It is a fun day trip and there is a large pier to go fishing from.  The food, scenery, atmosphere, and the people are wonderful.  Unfortunately, I won't be able to spend as much time on the road in the future as I would like.  I recently was hired by Veteran's Affairs on top of being a college student.  I'm going to be busy, but it is for all the right reasons.  Stay safe out on the road, fellow riders! Happy Halloween!

-J

Stay Warm On Brisk Days

Today we experienced our coldest weather of this Fall season so far. The temperature fell to 48 degrees. For those of us who rely on a motorcycle as our main mode of transportation, falling temperatures are never something to look forward to.

I had to break out some warmer riding gear, and by "gear" I mean layers. I have a leather jacket, but really the only thing you can do in a pinch is bundle up. I'm an advocate of layering because it saves money. Why buy heavy riding gear if you don't have to! If you live up north, do whatever you must to stay warm. But in Florida, layering should suffice.

Guys, if your wife or girlfriend owns a pair of opaque tights, they work great! They are thick enough to keep your legs warm under your jeans (Hue makes great opaque nylon and wool tights & can be found at any department store). My wife has a pair of thick fleece-lined tights that I have under my jeans today. Thick enough to double as socks, so your feet don't sweat. They kept me warm on the bike, and are breathable enough that I'm not overheating while indoors. 

Now if you consider yourself a "manly man" and think that wearing tights is insulting to your manliness, then do what works for you. But don't knock it until you try it because it is a cheap and comfortable alternative to keep your legs warm on the road. 

Ladies, same applies. Wear some tights or leggings under your normal riding attire to keep you warm on those brisk days. 

-J