2024
Daytona Loop

After Christmas ( high temp of 68 degrees), we left home on Tuesday just before the forecast was about to change to a more wintery scenario. 

View out of the front window of the RV from site #10.

Looking back at the campground from the pier. 

A close up of George.

While we don't see the sun setting, we do get the gorgeous colors. 

So much for dry January...Bushwacker's for everyone!

The inaugural Bushwacker party was a huge success thanks to Tammy, "Baby"  and all our new camping friends!

Afternoons in the sun ☀️ enjoying our Bay Breeze neighbors. 🍻 Pictured: Margo who lives a couple of miles from us in STL, Cindy & Dave from New York,  Susan & Mike from Arkansas. 

The beginning of the Pine Beach Trail wonders among sandy pines and myrtle oaks. 

The last quarter mile of the Pine Beach Trail takes you  through dunes. 

Met up with Donna, Lyle, his brother and wife in Mobile for lunch. 

Giggles after lunch at Felix's Fish Camp in Mobile

George looked quite ominous as we prepared to leave on a rainy Friday morning.

Bummer to hike over to Krul Lake and find it drained for what looks to be construction work during the winter months. At least it was a sunny, warm day (71 degrees).

Go to Florida and snowbird they said...it will be warm. 😅🤣😂 The arctic blast is worse at home and at least we get above freezing during the day. 

Sunshine and warmth in site #2, a pull in, full hook up site. 

A little rain gave way to beautiful colors on the horizon for sunset. 

The first sunset with the sun actually in the picture for this trip. 

Alligator Point, a narrow beach peninsula that boasts eight miles of uncrowded shoreline, great for long walks on the beach to find seashell treasures.

New friends from New Mexico, Micky and Laura, as well as Ron and Rose from Iowa City. Great afternoon with great music playing and warm sunshine!

One of the tour guests asked the guide if the gators eat the turtles that were also in the water.  Yes, they like turtle tacos, a bit crunchy. 😂

This alligator scored a beaver for lunch. They say alligators might go six months between meals. 

The turkey vultures  could be spotted on their own "island" and are known to use vomit on their prey and to in defense against predators, ewww. 🫢

Manatee viewing from the dive tower.  It's said that Columbus was disappointed over the finding of the manatees because they were thought to be mermaids. This is not the vision he had for mermaids. 🧜

Manatees also affectionately known as river potatoes 😂 were gliding peacefully through the water. 

Took a motorcycle ride down to Horseshoe Beach where we caught a glimpse of the destruction left behind from hurricane Idalia (August 2023). 

This house style seems appropriate for being located on the Gulf. 

The small town of Steinhatchee is also still reeling from the effects of hurricane Idalia. Many of the local businesses are open but there are areas still being worked on. 

We met Robert at the Sea Hag Marina where we made arrangements to go out on his airboat just before sunset. 

Robert took the time to school us about airboats and the local rivers. 

It was a very nice afternoon for our first ride on an airboat. 

This is what happens when you stay too long at the bar, the strong arm of the bar slams down to let you know they are getting ready to close. 🤣

Look at the white specs on the island, those are pelicans hunkered down getting reading for the rain and wind. They were there for about 24 hours. 

Upon arrival, Don our camping neighbor said the Canadians, Claude and Susan, left a bag of welcome gifts.  What a pleasant surprise!

View of the marina from camp spot #21.

Brothers from another mother 

I think Lisa's reaction says it all. It was rainy day but that didn't stop the party under the awning. Morning mimosas gave way to buzzed up Jenga, to dancing!

A ride out on the curviest road in Florida 🤣, Ozello Trail Road, to Pecks for some banana split pie!

Riding, lunch and just a lot of fun! Crackers, Waterfront Social, and Pecks just to name a few places. 

Manatees near Three Sisters Springs

"Wild Hogs" 😅😂🤣 "I just wanna ride man, I just wanna ride!" 

Scooter Haven for dildo races on the main stage, really? Yes.🤣

Yankeetown has a marker commemorating the shoot, and it also named a highway after Elvis, the Follow That Dream Highway.

The Jungle Road as Lars calls it, but it's really the Old Dixies Highway. 

Mill Top Tavern - St Augstine, FL

Rallies are hard, hahaha.

Full Moon Saloon on Main Street with friends, bikes, and lots of laughs. 

First stop on this particular day! 

Next stop was Renegades on the River complete with tiki bar and campground on the St John's River. 

Line'em up... heading to lunch at Shrimps R Us with some of Greg and Lisa's riding buddies. 

To the Hideway Bar & Grill 

Final stop at Ike's Saloon. It was a successful day of dodging rain drops. 

More riding on the Old Dixie Highway.

Ground zero, where bikers go to rest, park their bikes and party on the patio at Greg and Lisa's!

Today's shenanigan plan was to head to the Harley dealer and Destination Daytona, which also includes lunch at Houligans.

A special event to remember a loved one is done in DeLand. Sign or write a message on the 75' wooden handmade bike before it is burned and all the written messages are sent up above to the ones we love. Check out the video from this year's Burning Bike 2024.

Boot Hill Saloon on Main Street, an old school biker bar established in 1973.

When we share drinks with friends we say, Skoal! or into the fog... well today, was literally into the fog!

The thickest sea fog rolled into Dayton today.  

Fun at the Iron Horse. 

Today's fun started out with getting septic tank emptied out!😅

Later that evening... apple crisp, new Swedish friends, "Mary & Joe", and horse races around the fire pit. 

And on to Off the Hook for some snacks.

Cruising Main Street.

Time to go by the Broken Spoke 

Hanging out people, bike, and car watching from the upper deck at Tortugas Florida Bar.

Too much torque, causes belt breakage, therefore missing out on brunch.  That's a wrap on Bike Week. 

Lars earned his "wings" and is already pointing to future rallies. Great two week in Daytona. 

Jekyll Island has a charming landscape with a national historic landmark district and low-key feel to the barrier island. 

Sidney Lanier Bridge going across the Turtle River. 

Zoom in and look at Lars on the Harley, it'll give you an idea of just how massive this tree is. Lover's Oak is one of the oldest Live Oaks in Georgia. The sprawling oak's true age is unknown, but  it is estimated to be from the 12th century AD, with an age of approximately 900 years. The tree's name stems from a Native American legend alleging the tree as the meeting place between young lovers. The location of the tree is just south of the intersection of Prince Street and Albany Street, placing it in the Brunswick Old Town Historic District.

I took a moment to climb (luckily I had my orange jacket on to be seen)  the massive 35 feet in circumference base. It has ten main "arms" or branches with the circumference of those being about three feet each. It is known for its wide canopy that provides shade on those hot Georgia summer days. 

St. Patrick's Day at Mad Maggie's Brew Pub. 

Morning out on the peninsula on site # 6. Most of the sites in this campground were on the water. It was just a beautiful campground on the water. 

In our peninsula there were only two other campsites, nice.

On our way to Harrison Bay we went through the Georgia mountains and found this little alpine village with Bavarian buildings on the Chattahoochee River. We definitely will come back and camp in the area. It would be beautiful in the fall. 

It was very scenic taking the 348 west to to the 180 along the Richard B Russell Scenic Byway, even with the very curvy and 12% grade roads. The road around this area would make a great motorcycle ride!

Tenbridge is a vertical-lift railroad bridge over the Tennessee River in Chattanooga, Tennessee. It has a main span of 310 feet. The original span was a swing span with a center pivot that was originally built in ca. 1879/1880. Looks like someone has quite a view from the sky office. 

Kentucky Lake viewed from Lakeside Campground.