Boog's Blog

Jeff,
When you call that number on the sign, does a turtle answer?

Well, rather discouraging to hear about the politics (esp. talk radio) down thataway.  It's barely a month since Obama took office and he's already being blamed for all the disasters of the Bush administration?

Yikes!
Dee

—–Original Message—–

From: Jeff Gray

Sent: Feb 20, 2009 4:28 PM

To: Abbie Dorosin , ", Bob Morgen" , Dennis Herrick , Dennis Oliver , Dianne Ellsworth , Don Chung , "Fischler, Michelle" , George Fischler , Herb Blumstein , Jeff Gray , Judi Adams , Libby Trudell , Mary Lou and Marv Trudell , Mike Wilber , Moshe Stern , Randy Kemps , SAM WILLIAMS , Sharon Dickson , Sridar Iyengar , Tom Killilea gmail , uri blumstein , vox <980286c3a15f1c66@moblog.vox.com>, Yasmin Kemps

Subject: BSF Ft. Myers

20 Feb

As one approaches Ft. Lauderdale the beauty of A1A is replaced by the concrete towers on beach side and old faded pastel homes of an earlier generation of Floridians across the road.  Traffic lights replace the serenity. 

Just as I start to think about the original plan of going to Ft. Lauderdate and then heading West (so as to see the interior) to Ft. Meyers I see that the airport is within stiking distance.  Soon I have a one day rental for the ride.

Imagine nothing, in the budhist sense, and then add a four lane road with wide bike shoulders running thru the nothingness.  Needs some shrub grass on the sides.  A few truck crossings, for no imaginable reason as there is nothing except the dirt being moved back and forth like Sysaphis.  Continue this north for 50 miles to South Bay and then West to Clewiston and this is what I missed biking.  The Adventure Cycling route is this scenic rt. 27/80.  Not even a tree for 60 plus miles!  Clearly I made a better choice with four wheels.

The lake, pictured, is the reason Clewiston was inserted in the interupted nothingness of what is now (drought and farm used water resource) vitually a swamp).  Nice birds – they seem to like the swamp.

The rest of the car ride was a similar emptiness.  Given the isolation and the talk radio (Obama recession, Tarp is Obama failure, Obama essentially caused the 6000 point drop in the Dow? Etc.) It is clear why these rural communities are anti-government and taxes. Nothing but parasitic govern'mt in it for them. 

Got the last room at a La Quinta Inn.  Business good.  Sold out for tomorrow night.  Said they dropped their rates but it sure did not seem that way to me.

Mel's Diner next door.  Looks good.  20 minute wait.  Place holds 100 plus people.  They have a sign posted -Now Hiring Several Positions. 

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20 Feb

As one approaches Ft. Lauderdale the beauty of A1A is replaced by the
concrete towers on beach side and old faded pastel homes of an earlier
generation of Floridians across the road. Traffic lights replace the
serenity.

Just as I start to think about the original plan of going to Ft. Lauderdate
and then heading West (so as to see the interior) to Ft. Meyers I see that
the airport is within stiking distance. Soon I have a one day rental for
the ride.

Imagine nothing, in the budhist sense, and then add a four lane road with
wide bike shoulders running thru the nothingness. Needs some shrub grass on
the sides. A few truck crossings, for no imaginable reason as there is
nothing except the dirt being moved back and forth like Sysaphis. Continue
this north for 50 miles to South Bay and then West to Clewiston and this is
what I missed biking. The Adventure Cycling route is this scenic rt.
27/80. Not even a tree for 60 plus miles! Clearly I made a better choice
with four wheels.

The lake, pictured, is the reason Clewiston was inserted in the interupted
nothingness of what is now (drought and farm used water resource) vitually a
swamp). Nice birds – they seem to like the swamp.

The rest of the car ride was a similar emptiness. Given the isolation and
the talk radio (Obama recession, Tarp is Obama failure, Obama essentially
caused the 6000 point drop in the Dow? Etc.) It is clear why these rural
communities are anti-government and taxes. Nothing but parasitic govern'mt
in it for them.

Got the last room at a La Quinta Inn. Business good. Sold out for tomorrow
night. Said they dropped their rates but it sure did not seem that way to
me.

Mel's Diner next door. Looks good. 20 minute wait. Place holds 100 plus
people. They have a sign posted -Now Hiring Several Positions.

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19 Feb. Highland

Another glorious morning. Riding around a lot of walkers, joggers, and
stollers. Clearly all come out early to avoid the mid-day sun.

More A1A beauty; more overpasses, and some sections on the dreaded US1. The
contrast between Riviera Beach (very poor, all people of colors) and the
adjacent West Palm Beach (all white, LV territory – I see six at thisa
Starbucks reststop) points out another Macon Dixon line; so many areas seem
to have them.

Next table over at Starbucks. "Monte Carlo is just the greatest place EVER
etc. "

Continued along this great coast and found a Holiday Inn. Turned out to be
very upscale. Hot tub, excuse me spa, has a waterfall and landscaping
worthy of Yasmin. Walk out the room to a balcony, then to the pool, spa,
and one is on the sand by the beach.

Typical resort place: has restaurant and other items to keep one captive.
Lots of well behaved kids. The crowd is to be expected: NY, Mass. NH with
the occassional Michigian.
Each say how bad the economy is for others.

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Jeff,
Sounds like you are having too much fun!

Couldn't see the moules (or barely) and not the frites (though we believe you that they were "frites" this time and not "fruit").  The turtles were cute though.  So where do these people get off speaking French in Florida? They don't even do that in pretentious Northern California!

Gee, I don't know too many people who carry barometers around. Wow.
Dee

—–Original Message—–

From: Jeff Gray

Sent: Feb 18, 2009 8:03 PM

To: Abbie Dorosin , ", Bob Morgen" , Dennis Herrick , Dennis Oliver , Dianne Ellsworth , Don Chung , "Fischler, Michelle" , George Fischler , Herb Blumstein , Jeff Gray , Judi Adams , Libby Trudell , Mary Lou and Marv Trudell , Mike Wilber , Moshe Stern , Randy Kemps , SAM WILLIAMS , Sharon Dickson , Sridar Iyengar , Tom Killilea gmail , uri blumstein , vox <980286c3a15f1c66@moblog.vox.com>, Yasmin Kemps

Subject: BSF Jupitor Beach

17 Feb Jupitor Beach

Left early due to predicted increase in temp. ,as well as the change in barometric pressue downward (yes, of course I have a barometer with me – been civilized for a while).

The early am ride was fantastic along the Indian river, the over multiple bridges with excellent bike lane, then a shoulder and then an enclosed pedestian way.  Nice to go uphill from time to time.  Overpasses, accord a nice view without worry from traffic.

Winding through the coastal, both river and ocean, communities one sees many joggers and of course walkers.  Walking in the am seems to be the done thing.

And,of course the joggers.  My favorite was ayoung woman, blond, svelte, flowing pony tail, ipod-ed, pushing a baby carriage up over the causeway.  Did not have to race her as she way going the other way.

It is rather nice not knowing where I will end up at day's end.  Ride, enjoy, and when butt hurts or an area looks interesting (after sufficient pedal rotations) find a place to stay.

The early afternoon took me along beach rd./rt 707 a very narrow, suspect quite expensive estates, barrier island between Hobe Sound and Jupitor Beach.  For a much better view of the landscaping suggest you try Google Earth.

Hotel recommended the pictured turtle rescue facility.  About 70% are eventually returned to the sea.

Dinner at the very French and very pretensious (they spoke in French and then translated) Cafe des Artistes.  Right next to those boats.

Excellent salade and then moule frites; properly done. (Are the moules fresh?,  "Naturellement monsiour")  From where?  "Flown in daily from Prince Edwards Island"

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17 Feb Jupitor Beach

Left early due to predicted increase in temp. ,as well as the change in
barometric pressue downward (yes, of course I have a barometer with me –
been civilized for a while).

The early am ride was fantastic along the Indian river, the over multiple
bridges with excellent bike lane, then a shoulder and then an enclosed
pedestian way. Nice to go uphill from time to time. Overpasses, accord a
nice view without worry from traffic.

Winding through the coastal, both river and ocean, communities one sees many
joggers and of course walkers. Walking in the am seems to be the done
thing.

And,of course the joggers. My favorite was ayoung woman, blond, svelte,
flowing pony tail, ipod-ed, pushing a baby carriage up over the causeway.
Did not have to race her as she way going the other way.

It is rather nice not knowing where I will end up at day's end. Ride,
enjoy, and when butt hurts or an area looks interesting (after sufficient
pedal rotations) find a place to stay.

The early afternoon took me along beach rd./rt 707 a very narrow, suspect
quite expensive estates, barrier island between Hobe Sound and Jupitor
Beach. For a much better view of the landscaping suggest you try Google
Earth.

Hotel recommended the pictured turtle rescue facility. About 70% are
eventually returned to the sea.

Dinner at the very French and very pretensious (they spoke in French and
then translated) Cafe des Artistes. Right next to those boats.

Excellent salade and then moule frites; properly done. (Are the moules
fresh?, "Naturellement monsiour") From where? "Flown in daily from Prince
Edwards Island"

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16 Feb. Port St. Lucie

South of Melborne Beach to Fort Pierce is a barrier island. Ocean on one
side, Indian river on the other. Maybe a few hundred feet wide.

Just like those called the Outer Banks off North Carolina. (Some of you may
remember the trip Sharon and I took – pics on the blog). Long stretches of
low traffic, few houses, fewer services, nature walks and refuges for
wildlife.

At Ft Pierce the road ends and after a few overpasses cross the Indian river
and melds into US 1. Poor riding conditions and an ugly area. Continued on
to a decent Best Western in Port St Lucie.

Heated pool, hot tub at 103.8F. Felt very good to soak a bit.

Me: the politics of New Hampshire are quit interesting. Him: no longer now
that those Massassholes have moved in. We still have no income or sales tax;
high capital gains.

Sam- every hear from Meryl? (He biked with Sam and others on our Vietnam
adventure. Meryl was a NH state legislatar). I wrote to him a few times
but no response.

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16 Feb. South of Melborne Beach

Had to stop early, had lots of legs left, as the next area with motels is
almost 40 miles away and did not want a 90 mile day.

Nice deserted beach area. Have a studio apt. At the pictured place; dinner
and breakfast procurred. I am about 10 feet from the water but, as can be
observed, no one is in. Too cold and very strong rip-tides.

A1A has much less traffic, far fewer services, many fewer places to stay
compared th US hwy 1.

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15 Feb. Titusville and Kennedy Space Center

Getting here, being the space center, was a pain in the ass, litteraly, as
well as logistically (magnetometer, inspect all items on person, prove all
electronics working) and an ouch from the wallet ($38 admission, restaurant
price in geo-syncronous orbit) and is designed to extract funds.

The $59 guilded tour was sold out weeks ago.

When I biked in a nice guard came over to help me find a good place to
lock-up; no bike racks. "Nobody comes by bike, the road is terrible". This
I knew. The final 6 miles is on a straightaway with no shoulder, none. 60
mph road.

I inquired about how one might get get here. "By car". No bus? "Nope".
So, you certainly cannot be suggesting that this national facility requires
entry by car. " Certainly not, but the road is not suitable for bikes, not
too good for a car either"

Took the 2 hour bus tour. Big facility. 220000 acres on an alligator
(security? ) infested wildlife refuge. Several stops on the tour which
really takes 3 plus hours.

Tour tidbit: the shuttle tow vehicle gets 42 feet per gallon.

The space center is a very well run, very family oriented, safe, virtually
all white, Disney like (extraction of funds) attraction woth a visit if in
the area.

On the bus, no stop for photo, eagle nest and flying bald headed eagle.
Good view. Nest said to be the size of a king side bed. Rosette spoonbill,
egret, alligator, baby alligator.

Dinner at hotels. Sat at bar a chewed the fat with good ol boys from North
Carolina. Economy, soft goods and manufacturing terrible. Stimulous
package stupid. Spend all the money on infastructure, jobs and needed
work. They will go hot boat riding (big propeller in the back) and the do
some parachute jumping at $130 per ride.

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The Showdolls are the high school cheer team. Oh well – I thought it may
have been a nice collection of pretty porcelain baby dolls. Sigh

Bob, the chicken sounds very good. But the rest of the menu (chicken
marinade included) sounds a bit carb-heavy.

Our Plato Amor was 98% meat – they threw in a few onions and peppers w/ the
fajitas. Otherwise, ALL MEAT! I don't think we even touched the sides of
rice and beans – why bother?

Happy Sunday!

JuJu

On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 4:46 AM, Bob Morgen wrote:

> Plato Amor is a 10 out of 10.
> We made bbq chicken in soy orange ginger etc last night – very sticky. And
> 2 kinds of Malay noodles, potato salad with sour cream, coleslaw, a
> chocolate velvet cake (coffee flavoured) and a devils food with raspberry
> filling, both with ultra whipped vanilla buttercream.
>
> It was Linda' birthday (choc velvet cake) and Valentines (raspberry cake)
> rolled into one. There was a baby present but I didn't have any room left
> to try it.
>
> -Bob
>
>
> On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 7:36 AM, Dianne Ellsworth <
> ellswortha@earthlink.net> wrote:
>
>> Okay–I give up–what are showdolls? Do I have to look this up? Should
>> every red-or-blueblooded American know this by heart?
>>
>> OK, so don't eat the grits. And, it's Florida anyway. What do they know
>> about True Grits?
>> Signed: Ignorant in Northern California,
>> D.
>>
>> —–Original Message—–
>> >From: Jeff Gray
>> >Sent: Feb 14, 2009 5:50 PM
>> >To: Abbie Dorosin , Bob Morgen <
>> bmorgen@netbox.com>, Dennis Herrick , Dennis
>> Oliver , Dianne Ellsworth ,
>> Don Chung , "Fischler, Michelle" <
>> michelle.fischler@starwoodhotels.com>, George Fischler ,
>> Herb Blumstein , Jeff Gray , Judi
>> Adams , Libby Trudell , Mary
>> Lou and Marv Trudell , Mike Wilber <
>> wilber@netbox.com>, Moshe Stern , Randy Kemps <
>> randyk@att.net>, SAM WILLIAMS , Sharon Dickson <
>> sed@boogs.net>, Sridar Iyengar , Tom Killilea
>> gmail , uri blumstein , vox
>> <980286c3a15f1c66@moblog.vox.com>, Yasmin Kemps
>> >Subject: BSF. Edgewater
>> >
>> >14 Feb. Edgewater
>> > Overcast and a bit dreary, fitting for this depressed section of
>> Daytona
>> >Beach and South Daytona. Found a buffet (shudders of horror from my
>> >microbiologist readers). Could not find the desired Waffle House.
>> >Fruit, not pictured, was the best item. I again passed on the grits.
>> >
>> >Even though I was repeatedly advised to book ahead for this evening I am
>> >finding many many motels with vacancy signs lite.
>> >
>> >Rolled into the very full Best Western. This chain seems to be doing
>> better
>> >as other BWs have also been book, including the one I will stay in at the
>> >Kennedy Space Center.
>> >
>> >-At the pictured ice cream place. You are doing what at your age? Shame
>> on
>> >you!
>>
>>
>

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Plato Amor is a 10 out of 10.
We made bbq chicken in soy orange ginger etc last night – very sticky. And
2 kinds of Malay noodles, potato salad with sour cream, coleslaw, a
chocolate velvet cake (coffee flavoured) and a devils food with raspberry
filling, both with ultra whipped vanilla buttercream.

It was Linda' birthday (choc velvet cake) and Valentines (raspberry cake)
rolled into one. There was a baby present but I didn't have any room left
to try it.

-Bob

On Sun, Feb 15, 2009 at 7:36 AM, Dianne Ellsworth
wrote:

> Okay–I give up–what are showdolls? Do I have to look this up? Should
> every red-or-blueblooded American know this by heart?
>
> OK, so don't eat the grits. And, it's Florida anyway. What do they know
> about True Grits?
> Signed: Ignorant in Northern California,
> D.
>
> —–Original Message—–
> >From: Jeff Gray
> >Sent: Feb 14, 2009 5:50 PM
> >To: Abbie Dorosin , Bob Morgen <
> bmorgen@netbox.com>, Dennis Herrick , Dennis
> Oliver , Dianne Ellsworth ,
> Don Chung , "Fischler, Michelle" <
> michelle.fischler@starwoodhotels.com>, George Fischler ,
> Herb Blumstein , Jeff Gray , Judi
> Adams , Libby Trudell , Mary
> Lou and Marv Trudell , Mike Wilber ,
> Moshe Stern , Randy Kemps , SAM
> WILLIAMS , Sharon Dickson , Sridar
> Iyengar , Tom Killilea gmail ,
> uri blumstein , vox <
> 980286c3a15f1c66@moblog.vox.com>, Yasmin Kemps
> >Subject: BSF. Edgewater
> >
> >14 Feb. Edgewater
> > Overcast and a bit dreary, fitting for this depressed section of
> Daytona
> >Beach and South Daytona. Found a buffet (shudders of horror from my
> >microbiologist readers). Could not find the desired Waffle House.
> >Fruit, not pictured, was the best item. I again passed on the grits.
> >
> >Even though I was repeatedly advised to book ahead for this evening I am
> >finding many many motels with vacancy signs lite.
> >
> >Rolled into the very full Best Western. This chain seems to be doing
> better
> >as other BWs have also been book, including the one I will stay in at the
> >Kennedy Space Center.
> >
> >-At the pictured ice cream place. You are doing what at your age? Shame on
> >you!
>
>

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