Back in the saddle!

We picked up my bike on Wed afternoon and Bruce got his new bike on Monday so we are back peddling again!  Yea!

We took car in to be fixed on Thurs and it will be in shop for a few days.  Meanwhile we are driving a  small rental - keep bumping my head getting in & out!

Last year when we were here they were putting in a new miniature golf course.  This year Bruce & I have been playing every day.  Fun!

 Miniature golf

 Bruce's new baby blue bike

Even had time for puzzle building.

Wekiwa Springs State Park

Didn't think we'd get in a paddle yesterday because it was very windy.  Bruce was socializing with Peter in sales the department and Peter was telling him about Wekiwa Springs and that it probably wouldn't be too windy because it was somewhat sheltered so after lunch we tried it out.

 Heading out from the park launch.

 Saw a few birds.

Nice paddle but the trek to the boat launch from the parking lot (carrying our kayaks) and then back again was not fun!  Quiet paddle - only canoes & kayaks can maneuver on this waterway.

Bike status

We thought Bruce's bike only had a pedal problem.  Wrong!  Took bikes to a bike shop today.  His frame has a crack so he needs a new bike.  My front wheel needs to be replaced and a few other adjustments.  Will be ready in a week.  Guess we'll do some walking instead for a while.

Paddling

We have gotten a couple of days of paddling in since we arrived on Sat.  Monday we went to the Butler chain of lakes.

Lake Butler

Today we went to Lake Conway.  Like glass today!

 Lake Conway

 Osprey

 Guy on a stand up board with his best friend.  

Couldn't believe how still that dog stayed!

They went a long ways!

What a nuisance!

In Kissimmee yesterday we got back ended sitting at a red light!  The light changed, the car in front of us didn't go and the car behind us did and hit us!  We had our bikes on the bike rack on the back of the car.  Totally ruined the rack and my bike is unrideable (front tire & brakes) and one of Bruce's pedals is bent.  Having the bikes on probably saved our car from major damage.  It has a small dent in back and a scratch along the bottom.
Talking to insurance companies is fun - finding out how we can get bike taken care of as soon as possible!  Luckily I've got Bruce taking care of all that!

 Poor bikes!

Scratch on lower back.

Dent is area below & left of license plate.

It is more of a nuisance than anything else - could have been much worse.  Truck that hit us has insurance so that's good, I guess - may be able to get our bikes taken care of.
We did call police since we were from out of state and wanted a report of it.  The guy couldn't speak English so we had trouble communicating.  Had to wait an hour for them to show up.

Orlando

Yea!  Finally some warm weather!!  We arrived in Orlando at Grand Beach Resort yesterday.  Was able to get out and bicycle this morning in short sleeves!  The sun sure feels good.

Rest of Hilton Head

Got in a couple more rides before we left.  

Only paddled once here - just too cold or too windy.

on the island

Wednesday we rode by the Mitchelville area on the island and discovered a park that told the history of the area.  Very interesting.

 Signs set up giving the history.

Friday, we rode in the Bluffton area.  

Stopped and watched these turkey vulchers take care of some road kill.

Interestingly only one bird eats at a time - the rest watch and wait for their turn!

Hilton Head fun

It's been cool here but we've gotten in 4 bike rides and 1 kayak.  This coming week is supposed to be rainy (but warmer) so we'll see what we can fit in.  Meanwhile we have been reading, building puzzles and of course Bruce is watching football.

 On a boardwalk across some marsh.  

Bruce is wearing a shirt for the first time (he'd gotten last year as a gift - thanks, Bryce & Kj)

 Checking out the boat launch on one of ride by's - Tide was out - birds were enjoying the food!

 Finally got out for a paddle on Saturday.

48 degrees when we started our paddle!

Broad Creek - we went against the tide when we started so it would help us get back on our return.

Head wind most the way going and when we turned around, the wind stopped and it was calm so we didn't have the winds help on our return.

Dolphin Cruise

Bruce & I won  a gift certificate for a free dolphin cruise.  We picked a sunny but cool day and had a nice boat ride (big boat they use for dinner cruises also) and we saw 4-5 dolphins.  Have to say that we enjoy seeing dolphins from our kayaks better!  The good part about it was that we didn't have to pay the the boat ride!

 Harbour Town lighthouse and docks where the cruise left from.

No...he is not sleeping!

Dolphins are hard to get pictures of - never know where they are going to surface and they don't stay up very long.

Myrtle Beach Catch-up

Thought it was time to finish the Myrtle Beach Post since we've been in Hilton Head for over a week.

 Turtle Races

Too bad Zoe missed the last day but Anna's turtle won one of the races.

Zoe had won the day before.

Teri, Zoe, Anna & John
Enjoyed your visit.

BRRRR

It is only 26 degrees here this morning!  Will have to warm up some before we go out on our bikes!
Still better than temps at home though.

Phew

Luckily everything ended up ok.
Going to the elevator on Friday - going to turtle races.
Moving quickly, Zoe moved in front of Bruce, stepped on his foot so that his foot didn't move but his momentum kept going and he fell, taking Zoe with him and giving her a face plant with the floor.  Lots of blood & tears.  Teri & John took her to urgent care for x-rays but all was well.  Swollen nose & puffy lip.  Bruce had some aches but he too is ok.  PHEW!

Happy New Year!!! Welcome 2015!!

Bruce & I actually stayed up to watch the New Year come in.  Bruce was watching a football game and I was putting a puzzle together with Teri.

 Anna "waiting" for the New Year to come in.

 Zoe trying to wake up to see the ball drop!

 Anna not sure she wants to wake up.

 Everyone sees the New Year in.

 1000 piece puzzle that Teri & I finished last night.

 Beautiful morning.  Breakfast on the deck.

 A frozen bug that John spotted on our bike ride today.  It was big!

Teri, Zoe & John on the bike path.