Highlands Hammock State Park Saturday, February 10 was without a doubt why we floridians put up with six months of sweltering heat during the summer. Today was by all accounts was a day made for riding. We didn't have high temperatures in the teens or below, nor was there any of that white stuff on the ground - just lows in the mid 50's to start and end the day with and then the mid 70's around noon. In twelve hours we managed to put about 280 miles on our bikes and crisscross the state twice. Breakfast at home in Clearwater, lunch at Highlands Hammock state park in Sebring and then back to Tampa where we dropped in on Chapter A's monthly meeting and dinner. In all 15 bikes/trikes made up our groups. It was lots of fun riding down the numerous rural road where we spotted some strawberries yet to be picked. As we passed the many large orange groves, there was just the hint of the fragrance of orange blossoms in the air . And of course, there was the many pastures with numerous herds of cattle grazing about. Fortunately, the wind was blowing the those particular odors away from us. On our way back from Highland Hammock to Tampa we came across a couple on a goldwing that were visiting the area from Alabama. We found out that they had some friends back at home that some of our members knew. We were just one of the chapters that attended Chapter A's monthly meeting. The meeting room was packed and overflowing. Rich, our chapter director presented Chapter A with the "Hot Potato" award which we had acquired the previous week. Their member made us feel right at home and we enjoyed a few hours of good camaraderie with fellow GWRRA members. As their meeting conclude we mounted our bikes and headed back across the bay to our homes around Clearwater. It truly was an enjoyable day to spend some time with great friends. |