Hobe Sound Bike Ride

Hobe Sound bike ride 01-22-2012I’ve never made a secret about how I’m not all that fond of Florida, even though we’ve lived here since 1972. I’m a Midwesterner at heart. I like rivers better than oceans; oak trees better than palm trees, clay better than sand, and folks from the Heartland better than refugees from New York and New Jersey.

Having said that, I do have to concede that this is the time of year that almost makes it worthwhile to live in the Sunshine State. Compare these late-afternoon photos taken on a bike ride around Hobe Sound in January 2012 with what is outside YOUR window right now.

The food at the Flash Beach Grille on Bridge Road is excellent, if a bit pricy by Missouri standards. The folks who run it are friendly, and you have your choice of indoor or outdoor seating.

Snoopy?

Hobe Sound bike ride 01-22-2012One of the nice things about bike riding is that you are going slow enough that you can spot quirky things like this creative stone and inner tube Snoopy in someone’s yard.

Old light posts

Hobe Sound bike ride 01-22-2012The apparently non-functioning light posts along the highway look like they’ve been there a long time.

My bike’s not that colorful

Hobe Sound bike ride 01-22-2012My Surly Long Haul Trucker bike isn’t quite as colorful as this guy, but I bet it is more comfortable.

Shelter from the storm

Hobe Sound bike ride 01-22-2012Riding Partner Anne and I saw an afternoon thundershower moving toward us, so we took shelter, hoping it would blow through quickly. It did.

Before we hopped back on our bikes again, I had time to shoot this tree when the sun finally broke through behind us.

Here are more photos from another ride we did in the Hobe Sound / Jupiter Island area.

Holy Halloween!!!

Brookwood decorations 10-29-2013_9541I have often thought each individual should be allocated a finite number of exclamation points on birth. When they are all used up, you’re done. That should make you use them wisely.

Well, when Mother suggested we turn down Brookwood Drive instead of up Janet so we could see some Halloween decorations, I humored her.

WOW!!!

Halloween decorations 10-29-2013We have whole neighborhoods in Florida who go to wretched excess putting up Christmas decorations, but this has to be the Halloween decoration of all time WOW!!!

I consider these exclamation points well-spent. (Click to make the photos larger.)

I don’t know who the Groves are, but I tip my cap to you for a job well overdone.

P.S. Friend Carol, when I asked you to help me find decorations in Athens earlier, THIS is what I had in mind.