June 2, 2005

I am parked in Americamps RV park in Ashland, VA until Monday the 6th when I begin a new journey to New York State and Vermont but in the meantime I want to finish the beginning of the story of Bearfoot. We left off in St. Augustine, FL on my last post. February 1st, 2005, 6 days later and 6 days healthier, we head down to the Alligator Alley across FL, I75 West. I am still coughing but feeling much better as the weatherf finally warms up. now this is what I've been seeking for the last few weeks. There is little traffic and we stop mid-way for a picnic lunch in the sunshine.
Naples and the West Coast is all that it has been touted to be and more. (except for the traffic) Beautiful undeveloped beaches, superb climate, warm Gulf wters and lots to see and do. I join the Lake San Marino bike club right away. We meet twice a week and generally peddle between 15 and 20 miles each trip. There are about 50 of us, all over the age of 55 years. We divide into 3 groups; Fast, kinda fast and not so fast. Of course, I join the fast group! Never being one to take the conservative route.
About 3 miles out, I find I can't breathe. I stop and wait for the middle group to catch up. They are concerned when they slow up for me but I jump onto the end of their group. Our trip consists of biking to one of the many beaches taking a 20 minute break and returning a different route. On the way back we stop at MacDonald's for a snack. I find I have to stand up in the pedals quite often to relieve my aching butt. We pull into MacDonald's like a group of Harley riders. Roughly two and a half hours from the time we started out, we roll back into Lake San Marino RV Resort. Speaking of Harley's, one day as we crossed 8 lanes of traffic as a group, peddaling as fast as we could to beat the changing light, a large group of Harley riders waiting at the light began hooting and hollering, cheering in support backed up by a chorus of air horns from the numerous truckers. We waved and went on our way thankful to make it across one more time. For three nights after my first ride with the club, I was unable to sleep due to the burning pain in my thighs. Gratefully, it went away as did my lingering cough. I found myself swept up in a whirlwind of experiences; the Philharmonic, the Dinner Theater, Fifth Avenue, dances and parties at Lake San Marino, great restaurants, discovering Naples own Paul Todd and his music at St. John's church as well as in concert. Somehow we find time to play Spinner, a great Domino game, and Scrabble. We also take the dogs to Doggie Beach; a cove and sandbar devoted to dogs and their people since dogs are not allowed on Naples beaches. Sebastian is initially shy but then realizes digging in the sand under the salt water leads to clams. He pulls them out and throws them in the air. We call him the Clam Digger. He plays with his doggie cousin, Rose, a minature poodle. They are the best of friends.
Before I realize it, a month has passed. My sister, bro-in-law and I hold a meeting and decide to stay another month. Seeing the Panhandle will be postponed 'til another trip.