Being Thankful

It's Thanksgiving. 

A few moments ago I got off a video call where my parents and my brother's family were celebrating Thanksgiving.

I'm here in Florida and missing them.

My father's health is still in question although he's doing well at this moment.   My mother, while she is my mother and I worry about her mental state and her ability to drive and take care of herself if...when...my father passes.

I lie to them.   Tell them things are fine here at Casa De Wilson.  They don't know that I left my job in late September to learn how to drive a truck.   A half baked idea about finding myself, finding time to write (which I used to do a lot more of, and better...sadly you only get better when you write, and I've not been).

How it was a chance to get off the phones and away from things and look deep into myself and figure out exactly who and what I am.

It's complicated dear reader.   It's complicated.

Why is a 52 year old man still looking for and needing approval from his parents?

Our house is still up for sale, and we recently had a death in Susan's extended family.   I know she wants to be there, to be part of the lives of her friends and large family.

For me, I have mixed emotions about leaving Florida for the cold confines of Pittsburgh.  Part of me wants to go home, to be with my family.  To say goodbye to my Dad when that time comes, to be there for my mother.

To try and start some sort of relationship with my brother...and his adopted daughter.  We just got off the phone and my collection of children's classics is going to her.  They were given to me when I was three and I remember reading Black Beauty, Robin Hood, Heidi and Tom Sawyer growing up.  How those stories enraptured me.    Even now I hold these books with reverence.

They are 50 years old now, these thin blue volumes and the bindings are still good.  The pages slightly faded but the illustrations; looking almost like they were done with old wood blocks, are still fresh and clean.   On a whim I look online and find my books, my books!, for sale for over $100 dollars.   Two of the volumes are missing in that set, my set is complete and probably in better condition.

These were gifts for my kids.  It never happened that way.

I just hope that Avery, my brother's adopted daughter, develops a love a reading; a wonder for words and the worlds that they create.  That one day she will hold these books the way I do now, with nostalgia and wonder.  I touch the covers with love and respect.

Even though our house has not sold yet, we are packing things up to make it easier when that time comes, getting rid of things that we no longer use or need.  Sue's collection of Elephants, once numbering over 600, is being whittled down to sentimental items only.


Old Cd's, tapes, albums and yes; even old books are finding their ways into libraries and Goodwill stores.  The odds and ends that make up a life.  I hold a rare record in my hands and wish for a record player to here the notes of a long dead jazz trumpeter come to life once again, but I put it in the collection bin to take it to the local collector and see what I can put into my back pocket for it.

As much as I would love to keep an old Blue Note album, it is better that someone actually enjoy it before it wraps beyond recognition and repair buried in my closet.  Susan makes a joke about how she's glad it's not a Brown Note album which is an old joke only a music lover would understand.

She tears up over an old photo of her now deceased husband.  Scott was a good man.  Taking care of her and his daughter long after the divorce.  I always respected him for that.  It was what a man was supposed to do.  To care for those that he loves.

me in a horrid picture

It's later now, I raise a glass for the third year in a row for World Peace.  A tradition started on a whim by Pastafarians.  The rest of the world has stopped it seems.   I won't.   #pastafariantoastforpeace

I'm feeling mello and loved and oh so thankful.  I'm also feeling very sentimental as my Facebook memories remind me of rides that I took on this day and the best cat in the world. 

For my father and his being alive.  Even though I don't think I'll make it home for Christmas this year, I hope he'll make it through another.

For Susan, who stands by me and supports me.   Sometimes I wonder why.

For running water, for my home, for my cats that want to be petted at 3 AM when I'm sleeping, for friends, for everything.

Thank you and Happy Thanksgiving.

To Leave or to Stay

These past couple of months have been interesting to say the least.

The talk about me getting a new bike is settled for now (I will be buying a new bike by year's end).  A new dilemma has reared its ugly head in our family and is one, which while not consuming us, has certainly kept us awake at night.

Should we stay here in Florida, or head back home to Pittsburgh?

This all has to do with family.

The lovely Susan has family there, so do I, but her mother is starting to show signs of Alzheimer's disease.  Sue is the oldest child of five and it seems, the only one with not only the ability but the desire to help her mother.

Then their is my family.  My father is in his mid 80's and has two benign tumors in his head.  My mother, 10 years his junior, is capable of taking care of herself but she can't drive and is showing signs of dementia.  Unlike Sue's mom, she has not been tested but the signs of the two illnesses are similar, and my brother can not take my mother in for a variety of reasons.

Both of them will refuse to move to Florida.  Sue's mother is rooted to her home in Grove City, PA (about an hour north of Pittsburgh) and my mother will not leave her only granddaughter.  My father, always the stoic, knows that the best care he can get is in Pittsburgh.  It makes sense for him to stay.

We are faced with some startling realities. 

1)  Our parents are not immortal.  No matter how much we with they were.

2)  I have lost two aunts to Alzheimer's in the last 3 years.  Now my mother is showing signs of it or dementia.  This scares the hell out of me.

3)  Susan's medical issues can be better served in the cool of Pennsylvania, as the excessive heat in Florida can effect her more than we like.

It does bring up a good question though about what is home.   Sue's family is rooted to the area, she is too...even though she moved 1000 plus miles to be with me.  My brother feels the same way.  Although my parents have moved and traveled a lot since retirement, they still call Western Pennsylvania home. 

I love Pittsburgh, it's rivers run in my veins and I do like going back to it.  I've written about it before.  It is really a great place to live.  I remember reading somewhere that if Pittsburgh was a European city, people would flock to it.

However home for me is wherever I've hung my hat.  I've lived in Tampa for over 10 years, in Charlotte, North Carolina for over 10 years.   Charleston, South Carolina for a bit.  Savannah, GA for a bit.  I've considered taking a job in Jacksonville/St. Augustine, Florida at one time (and in hindsight, I should have but that's in the past).   I was also offered a job in Boise, ID early in my career. 

Pittsburgh may always be "home", but somewhere along the way, it stopped being "home."

I've been halfway around the world and am serious planning on retiring to Portugal if Sue and I ever break up or she dies before me.   I'm not joking.   I've looked into it.

Jack Kerouac must have influenced me more than I thought he did.   Jean Genet too but for completely different reasons.  I remember a friend of mine - Matt the Muppet - handing me that book when I was in my 20's.   "This book will fuck up your life."   To the young philosophy minded education major, it did.    But I regress.

So here I sit, a still young man that can not imagine himself being 52, considering what he will do.  Considering yet another career change and wondering if a move would be helpful at all.   I'm not sure if I could even find another job paying what I make now.  Nor am I sure I wish too.

When my grandparents passed, I was still a young man.  I didn't understand what my parents (who were my age) were going through.  What they were feeling.   Now I face the same choices, the same decisions that they did.  It's not easy. 

The reality of it is starting to sink in.

The final post?

Oh poor Kimmie

This may be the final post I make on this blog.


As some of you know, I was involved in a motorcycling accident on Saturday, December 17th 2016.  It was completely and totally my fault and was the third such accident I've been involved in in the six or so years that I've been on a scooter.

It may also be my last.

I made a promise to the woman I love that if I was involved in a third accident that I was done.  I fully intend to keep that promise, interestingly enough Susan is seeing this from a different perspective than I am,  She thinks that I should continue to ride, although on a three wheeled machine.  At some time in the near future I may change my mind and climb on a bike again.  At this time though...I'm done.

Beloved cycle

My day started simply enough, I was riding around on Kimmie through Zephyrhills and Dade City.  I had a plan in mind to slowly make my way down towards Ybor City and my favorite watering hole.  It was a clear day, warm and sunny.  I jumped on the highway and started making my way down towards Ybor.  I don't like riding the highways because things can happen so quickly but at the same time they are open and give you a bit more "escape routes" if something does go wrong.

I was less than 5 minutes from my destination.  In an area that I know can have stop and go traffic, I was traveling in the far right lane near the emergency exit lane for that very reason, leaving myself an exit lane just in case.  That just in case happened.  The brake lights of the car went on suddenly and I saw them a second or two to late, pulling back hard on my brakes...then I started to aim to the emergency lane....then, sadly, I ran out of room.

It's funny how the mind works, I don't remember hitting the car or going over.  I do remember the tumbling.  I can tell you exactly where my visor broke off my helmet.  What I was thinking..."Try to tumble away from the car"..."That's it...I'm done riding."

I'm not sure where I stopped but I knew it as I slowly got up.  Something, somewhere, was seriously wrong.  Nothing felt broke...I was in pain but that is understandable.  I went into diagnostic mode.  I was lightheaded and sick to my stomach. I was conscious but dizzy... "Call 911."  I told the other driver.  "I'm seriously hurt."

I took off my helmet (which on second thought I should not have done) and watched another biker set Kimmie upright.   A 30 second look told me all I needed to know...poor Kimmie was dead. The biker and I exchanged one or two words.  Than another biker pulled over.  The other driver let me sit in her car and I laid down in her back seat.  

It took longer than I would have liked but the ambulance showed up shortly.  My blood pressure was 70 over something.  It was low, to low...I had guessed right, I was going into shock.  They started a IV with saline solution and within a few minutes my pressure started to climb.  Now the EKG was showing something that worried them.

So I'm lying in the gurney in the emergency room hallway, trying to stay lighthearted as each and every Doctor and Nurse that pass thank me for wearing a helmet.  Even the cop that takes my statement thanks me.  The nurses poke for blood work that needs to be done, as the machine I'm on beeps intermittently.  One of the doctors tells me they are keeping me overnight because they think I may have had a very mild and very brief heart attack according to the EKG.  But they won't know till the blood work is in.

Thanks love for the undignified photo. 

So I am staying the night.     All the blood work, thankfully, comes back negative and the EKG settles into a pattern that the doctors feel is normal.  No heart attack...just shock.

Overall things could have been worse.  I have scrapes, I have bruises.  I have sprains and swelling.  I had to suffer the indignity of going to the bathroom in the hallway. I am however very much upright and alive.
It could have been much worse.

It's not the accident that got me scared.  Going down is part of riding.  If your afraid of that...then you should not be on a bike in the first place.  I already miss riding, I truly do love the freedom and peace of mind it brings me.  I was finally starting to feel "part of the local two wheeler community" whatever the hell that means.

Kimmie and I had plans.  Plans for longer trips to the center of the state and to explore the south of Florida a bit more.  I was planning on running her down to my favorite winery in the state sometime after the new year.  For the first time in a long time the future looked bright for Sue and myself, and getting out on the bike was part of that future.  I had already managed to put some 6000 miles on her, which was about 1000 more than I had in the last two years.

For hitting the back end of the car and a scary hospital stay, I'm actually in wonderful shape.  I have bruises and scrapes to my knees and a nasty abrasion to my right foot.  My left wrist suffered some soft tissue damage but nothing that time can not fix.  I walked away...thank God for good gear.

The jacket tore and I got a minor scrape

What "scares" me is hearing the fear in Susan's voice as the paramedic tells her they are taking me by ambulance to the local Hospital.  What scares me is her telling me...that she does not want to buy a funeral dress anytime soon.

What scares me is my elderly mother and father not being prepared for their son's demise.  What scares me is putting anyone through that.  Riding is selfish.  It brings pleasure only to ourselves, but in a case like this, it shows it's ugly side.  Accidents effect everyone...even if they are not on a bike with us.

I know...I know.  It's an accident and accidents happen.  Funny thing is that this one is my own fault and I know it.  A second or two longer and it would not have happened at all.  Playing "if only" games however don't change facts.

I'm also 50 years old and am not bouncing back like I did 25 years ago.  It takes time to heal and I don't want to break a leg at 53 or 63. 

So I'm not really sure what the future holds at this moment.  I may climb back on a bike within three weeks or three months.  I may sell what good gear I have and never climb up on it again.  I can honestly say I don't know.

Goodnight sweet chariot

I am however going to say this.  Please, please, please get good gear and wear it at all times. 

Be Well and Ride Safe.

Rob Wilson

Distingished Gentlemans Ride - Tampa 2016

152 bikes.

Over $20 thousand dollars raised for a good and worthy charity.

Over 170 miles (including the ride itself, getting to the ride and making my way home) ridden through some of the prettiest country in all of America.  It's easy to forget that I live in paradise at times, and I took a moment or two to glance over my shoulder at some of the calmest and bluest water in the world just to remind myself of that fact.

It was worth riding in 90+ degree (32.2 C) heat just to see the smiling faces and bemused looks of wonders of pedestrians and cagers alike.  More than a few filmed us going by, in our dresses and suits.  Sometimes I just needed to look ahead and see nothing by bikes.  Sometimes I needed to glance in the mirror and smile at all the bikes that were behind me.  Bikes of all shapes, sizes and color.  BUT only one scooter and it's happy though very hot rider.

Kimmie held her own against various Trimuph's, Harleys, Ural's Honda's, Moto Guzi's and at least three or four Royal Endfields, Vincent's and even a Norton.  Let's not forget the BMW's, Suzuki's and an odd Kawasaki's or two.  Both new and classic bikes were represented.

The ride itself wove its way through downtown St Petersburg, where more than one person pulled out a camera and filmed us going by.  We zipped through this town and again I feel the need to spend the day just looking for, and taking photo's of the various murals.  I actually was able to take more than a few photo's of nearby murals as we stopped en mass at Green Bench Brewing for a hour long beer and food stop.  I have to be honest, I'm not sure what beer I had but it was quenching!

We worked our way down the city and across the Gandy Bridge, where people enjoying a day out on the sand waved and pointed.  Then up and on to the bridge itself, the dark blue water looking so refreshing well a light ocean breeze cooled us down.

Into Tampa proper now, around the bend and onto Bayshore Blvd.  This is one of my favorite rides in the city as we cruise along the Bay moving effortlessly towards the city, then into the downtown itself were a cute little girl of no more than two or three bounced up and down and waved by closing her fingers as only little kids do.  More than one biker waved back to her, which only made her more excited to see us go by.

Onto the highway now, opening Kimmie up a bit to stretch her legs as we head towards Ybor City and the last stop, Coppertail Brewing.  Although I did make a brief stop after the ride at my favorite watering hole, Cigar City Cider and Mead since I told them I would.

This ride was a first in a lot of ways for me.  It's also the biggest group of riders I've ever had the pleasure to ride with.  It was my first charity run, and I raised just about 625 dollars for fighting prostate cancer.  Thank you all who donated.  I am rather proud that I finished in the top 10 fundraisers  If you have yet, and would still like to give something you can donate here.  Just be sure to do so before October 3rd.  That's the last day donations can be accepted and it is tax free.

Sadly a friend of mine that was going to ride with us had last minute bike problems and was unable to make it, meaning that I don't have any Go-Pro footage to share.   However at times we had a jeep with what I assume was a professional photographer following us, and even a drone above us at time.  Once I have access to that footage, I'll be sure to share.  I'll also share more on my Facebook page. 

In the meantime:

How's that for vintage, an exposed belt drive with chain linkage shifting.

A wasted day in the Channelside district

This time of year in Florida, your going to get wet.  The only thing that matters is how wet you wish to be.  I have no desire to ride in lightening storms.  I've done it before but it really doesn't make sense.  So when there was a break in the weather on Saturday morning I decided that the best thing I could do was ride into Tampa itself.  I rode with no destination in mind, preferring to just go where ever my tires took me.

However as I rode a small germ of an idea started to take form in my mind.  Tampa sits right on the Gulf of Mexico and that allows the big cruise ships to port in Tampa, I've actually taken a cruise or two out of Tampa.   The only problem is that the gulf itself is very shallow.  At times reaching a depth of 30 feet, so the size of the ships are limited.  If you have never taken a cruise, you don't know how big those ships actually are.

The "exploded chicken"

My plan was simple, ride south hitting some of the twisty's I know in the are and head towards the port of Tampa.  Then perhaps head into the city some and get photo's of Kimmie in front of some of the sights such as the "exploding chicken", the world's largest bowling pin and Florida Aquarium.  This area is often referred to as the Channelside area, and although a bit pricey, it's one of the nicer parts of town.  It's a combination of high end shops, restaurants and residences.

To paraphrase Robert Burns (Steinbeck stole the line from him) "The best laid plans of mice of men often go awry."  While I was able to see the chicken and the Aquarium there was really no good area for me to pull over and take pics...the chicken itself sits in the middle of a round-a-bout making stopping impossible.   The bowling pin was out of the question due to construction in the area.  The pictures above are all stock.

There were no cruise ships in port and the parking lots were closed off, most likely to protect the cars parked there.  Which makes perfect sense to me.

I did however find the modern day headquarters for the Rough Riders, so I had that going for me.  This is one of the many volunteer organizations that does various good deeds throughout the year.  At the end of the year they participate in the annual Gasparilla Pirate Festival.   Legend has it that when the pirates invaded the city, under the command of Jose Gaspar.   Tampa's Jose Gaspar, not being a direct influence on the Jack Sparrow character, claim to fame is that the story of Jack Sparrow using his back hair to surf on the backs of sea turtles to escape a desert island, is taken directly from the Gaspar legends!  Anyway...a fleet of ships went out to battle Gaspar and seeing the foolishness of the task, turned back and joined the city in the raid.

Why or how the Rough Riders are associated with these brigands I've no idea.

Generally though it was a fun day out and about, and any day out on the bike is a good day.  Sadly however those days appear numbered.  Their is a chance, although a small one, that the topical depression currently in the Gulf will become a small Hurricane.  The first one to hit Tampa since 1946.

At this time it's still a weakly organized tropical depression and not expected to do much other than give us a serious soaking and associated flooding.  It looks like that I'll be putting Kimmie under her blanket and tucking her into a safe corner over the next few days.  

 

Two posts in one weekend! SAY WHAT???

The weather over the past week has been rainy and generally hot and humid.  The weatherman was calling for an 80% chance of rain, but the catch was it would hit after 2 PM. 

Since it had been a while since I was on my beloved Kimmie I decided to take advantage of the cooler temps and get in a ride before the rain hit.   I also wanted to go further than I have been.  Lately it seems all my rides are either commutes or shorter jaunts of under 50 miles.

I wanted to stretch her legs a bit with a longer ride.  The last time I took her out we traveled roads I knew and didn't know, we did various twists and turns and had some fun.  I was just not happy with the mileage, doing just under 50 miles.

On Saturday I left about 11 AM with every intention of putting on 100 miles minimum.  I knew the rain was coming but I had three hours to conquer my goal.  I could do this. 

So I started with no destination in mind, but a general plan to head south towards Tampa, catching some of the more interesting and twisty roads that I knew of on the way. I sort of had a big circle in mind and stick mostly to the back roads.  I also decided to go down some side roads that I've passed 1001 and one times only to find they either dead ended or took me to a familiar road.  Plus, I always head north and west for some reason...I really have not explored the east and south of Tampa that much.

Cigar City Cider and Mead

However I started to realize that their was a flaw in my plan as my stomach started to growl.  I had eaten a bagel with some hummus about 7 AM and nothing since then.  It was also national mead day.  What many people may or may not know about me is that I enjoy a good craft beer now and again, or a bottle of wine.  Mead is basically fermented honey but it's also much more than that.  

The more I thought about this the more my stomach growled and one of my favorite watering holes I knew would be jumping with my fellow cider and mead heads.  Generally speaking they don't serve food but I knew of a pizza place next door.  Should I stop?

Of course I should!  Although alcohol and bikes don't mix, I did have two droughts of the nectar of the Gods. 

About 90 minutes later I was back on my bike and looking at the sky with a bit of worry, I was still under the 50 mile halfway mark but the sky's were beginning to darken.  I could feel the temperatures drop some and I cursed at my choice to spend some time in one of my favorite places, but I didn't curse at myself to much. 

I went towards downtown Tampa some then turned Kimmie northward towards home.  Twisting the throttle a little bit as the rain started to fall so I could get ahead of it some, and generally that's what happened all the way home.  I got wet, but not as bad as it could have been.

I pulled into my spot about twenty minutes before the skies opened up, checking my mileage I put on 73. 4 miles.  Not bad, but significantly under my goal for the day.   Still though, I had good riding weather.  Good food (2 slices of pizza and a coke for $6).  Some good mead and company which warmed my heart.  I'll chalk it up to a good weekend. 

Sending Scooter Bob on...

“Travel changes you. As you move through this life and this world you change things slightly, you leave marks behind, however small. And in return, life - and travel - leaves marks on you. Most of the time, those marks - on your body or on your heart - are beautiful. Often, though, they hurt.”  - Anthony Bourdian

 

Bob is showing his age, his bumps and bruises are there for all to see.  I pack him in a box being sure to wrap in up in bubble wrap and store him in packing peanuts.  I can see where repairs have been made, I had to make one myself to his rear wheel.  His next destination is set and I take a few minutes to wish him well as I pack a little token of his adventures here in Tampa snugly beside him.  

 

 

I am not sure what I expected to happen when I first signed up for this, it was over two years ago after all and I never met the man.  He was however one of the first to reply to what I was writing and that encouraged me to keep writing a blog about my motorcycling adventures. A subject I'm sure some would claim that I knew nothing (and still know nothing) about.  I suppose this was my way of honoring that memory.

 

Tokens from around the world

 

I didn't get to do everything I wanted to do with him either.  However Susan is right, with my work schedule (I work till 8 PM most nights and own a small business on the side) and the current level of craziness that is our lives, it's better to send him on to the next person.  The riding seasons will change quickly in some parts of the country.  Besides if I managed to do everything that I wanted to do with him, I would have him for another month or two. Maybe three.

Its better to send him on, although he was becoming part of the family.  

 

Tipper (black) and Sparky (brown) with Scooter Bob

 

He did get me out though on the bike.  He did allow me to explore a little bit some places that I may have gotten to eventually, or maybe never explored at all.  I suppose that is what this is all about.  

 

We had a death in the family recently which lead to my scrambling to go home to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania recently.  I was there more for moral support as my Susan and her daughter made arrangements, said their goodbye's...and buried a man I liked and respected.   During this time I also celebrated my 50th birthday, with the sad realization that the days ahead of me are less numerous than the days behind me.  I might as well make them worth living.

 

Scooter Bob didn't get kissed by a mermaid...nor did he see Bok Towers or the wondrous collection of puns (and found artwork) that is Solomon's Castle.    What matters however is the symbolism of Scooter Bob.  He connects a bunch of strangers who enjoy motorcycling, blogging and living life to the fullest.  He takes us out of our comfort zone.  Sometimes that is enough.  That is the brotherhood of two wheels. That is family.  

 

Bob picking out places he would have liked to visit. 

 

Visiting the Mantee's

Bob and I goof off some.

 
I have been to the Manatee visitor center several times.   It's one of my "Go to" places when we have friends and family visit us here in Florida.

Thanks to http://westernerworld.com/

Manatee's are sometimes called "Sea Cows" but are actually related more to elephants than cows.  They are slow moving creatures that have no natural predators and are more likely to be hurt by speeding boats and man than anything in the water.  Frankly when under the water it's very easy to see them as big rocks, since they normally just lie there on the bottom eating.

According to legend they were the basis of mermaids.  To quote a friend of mine, "How lonely would you need to be or how much rum would you need to drink to mistake a Manatee for a women?"

They are also endangered, having to stay within a narrow band of water temperatures to thrive and survive, in fact they will die if the water temperature falls below 60 F (15 C).  This is one of the reasons why they are generally found only in Florida and often in hot springs or areas of warm water.   This is what makes the Manatee Visitor center so interesting, the Big Bend power plant is required to pump the warm water it generates back into the bay.  So it's not uncommon to find up to a  hundred or so of these "sea cows" in the water near the plant.

Sue and Scooter Bob

It's also not uncommon to hear people complain about the power plant because they don't realize the symbiotic relationship.

The lovely Sue decided to tag along today since it was a lovely day for riding.  Sadly the water was murky and we did not see much in the way of sea cows.  

Nor did we spend time on the nature trails that surround the center.  You have seen one Mangrove you have seen them all.  We did spend a little bit of time in the Education center and gift shop, where the story of Scooter Bob was again told to the staff, one of whom got goose bumps hearing the story.

Bob spends a little bit of time in the education center

Checking out how the manatee's are identified.  Sadly each scar is man-made

Not life size but a close approximation

He kept singing "Them bones" on the way home.

Small, medium and "oh my God"

Scooter Bob hits the streets Part Deux

Scooter Bob has been patient with me so far.   He didn't even complain when I jumped in the car and strapped him in.

I know he rather ride Kimmie down but where I wanted to go it be easier to take the car and park it rather than deal with the straps, jacket, his box and a few other things.

Earlier this week I promised him we would ride around the bay and show him a UFO.  I've ridden Kimmie on Bayshore Blvd in Tampa before.   I think almost everybody in the city has driven this stretch of road at one time or another.   It's a lovely road with the Hillsborough river and the bay on one side of the road, historic and beautiful homes on the other.  It can be bumpy and nasty in parts but what city street isn't?

The city is invaded by Jose Gaspar and his Pirates once a year and Bayshore is the street the crew of the various ships in his fleet parade down.

Bob reading up on the legend of Jose Gaspar

It's best to stay far away from Pirates

Scooter Bob and I started to walk up Bayshore, it's a popular place with joggers and bikers since the road not only has a good view of the bay and the city but a lot of distance between the road and the traffic to make walking and other things safe.  Their is some dispute on the issue but it is supposedly the longest continuous concrete walkway in America.

This is one of the "go to" places I have when I bring people to Tampa.  It's always a lovely day in the city and the view really is wonderful when you're on a bike.  I'm sure Bob would have a smile ear to ear riding it.   As would anyone.

Scooter Bob checks out the road and the city in the distance.

Wistfully looking at the water.

We crossed the street and started walking back to where I parked the car.  Scooter Bob seemed to be enjoying some of the million dollar plus houses and their views of the bay and the city.   A lot of those houses dated back to the 1800's.

I love and respect the past, and in a lot of ways I wish others shared my love of the past.  Sadly I live in a state where someone where tear down a lovely historic 1830's home and rebuild it by putting in a modern all glass monstrosity.  

Spanish Colonial from the 1850's

There was still one more place I wanted to stop.  This is not on my "Go To" list because frankly its part of an "adult entertainment" establishment.   However the UFO on top of the club is one of the last examples of Futuro buildings.   Futuro was a "fad" in the field of Architecture in the late 1960's.   UFO's and space travel were all the craze so it's no wonder that some people would try to make a UFO home.  

Tampa had at least two of these homes within city limits at one time but one was destroyed by the city and the second one....well that ended up being the VIP lounge I understand.  

I'm including it here however because it is so rare and unusual it deserves recognition.  The fad of the Futuro home was exactly that.  A fad and they quickly passed into history.  Still though it's an interesting and unusual story.  Plus how often does one claim to see a UFO in broad daylight?

Bob and I headed home.  Our next stop would be on the back of Kimmie and a bit out in the country.  But sadly this would be at least a week before our next adventure.   Say tuned as they would say.

Scooter Bob and I hit the mean streets

Always helpful, Scooter Bob checks out my new kitchen tiles.

"Rob?"

"Yes, Scooter Bob?"

"You know that these tiles are heavy right?   Given the fact that I'm really beat up and broken from traveling all over the world I'm surprised you're putting me to work.  Plus I'm a wooden scooter, no arms...makes moving these things difficult.  NOT that I don't appreciate your hospitality and all."

"But?"

"I wanna get out and ride, raise a little hell."

"Scooter Bob I thought you were a quiet introvert!  Ok, we'll go.   Just remember to put on all your gear.  ATGATT or nothing my friend!"

"WOOHOO!!!!"

ATGATT for Bob is bubblewrap and packing peanuts wherever he goes

I decide to take Scooter Bob in and around Tampa some.  I would show him some of the more interesting sights in my hometown of Zephyrhills and then take a gentle tack towards Tampa.  It's about a 40 minute ride into "the Big Guava" depending on traffic and the route I take.   I figured it be good for us to ride Bayshore Boulevard for a bit.   That has some fantastic views of the city and the water as well as some lovely historic homes.  Maybe depending on the time we stop in Ybor City and introduce him to a friend or two of mine.   If time permitted I might show him some other things.  I never really know where Kimmie will take me....er, us.

"STOP!" Scooter Bob yelled in my ear as I screeched to a stop.  He was off the bike in a flash and standing at a door.

"So what's this?  Where does it lead?"

"Zephyrhills is fill of little tiny doors Scooter Bob.  Some are more decorative than others.  No one knows who does them or why they are there.   Some times they show up, Sometimes they don't.  People will sometimes leave little notes or clues to where the next one is hidden."

"Cool, a mystery."

"So anyway Bob I know you have a love of old machines and cars.  I'm thinking about showing you something else.  This place is full of antique farm equipment and such.  I think the owner makes art out of of it.  It's on the way to Tampa so we'll stop and check it out.  I've never stopped there before so it might be fun."

A few moments later our intrepid pair arrives.

"Oh darn it's closed  I suppose I could jump the fence!"

"You know you're more of a daredevil than I thought Scooter Bob...and no, your not jumping the fence.  Get down off of that!"

It would not take us long to get into Tampa directly.   I thought I would take a leisurely ride up Bayshore Blvd and show him the famed Onion domes of the University of Tampa.

"Very cool Rob."

"At one time Scooter Bob that used to be the Plant Hotel, named after Henry B Plant a railroad magnate, and dates back to 1891.  He almost singlehandedly made Florida what it is today.  During the Spanish American war this served at Teddy Roosevelt's and the rough riders headquarters.  A variety of writers and celebrities stayed there as well."

"How do you know so much about history?"

"I love to read and have a great respect for the past....their is also a historical marker behind you."

"Oh.   You were saying something about a ride up Bayshore Blvd which overlooks the water and the city?  And something about a UFO?"

"Sadly Bob that needs to wait for a few days.   I'm afraid were out of time right now."

"Bummer, but I'm looking forward to what you got planned.   I'm just worried that you'll get me in trouble with my wife.  I heard you and Bill talking about having a mermaid kiss me."

"All in do time my friend."