December 28, 2008 Sunday - it was another beautiful morning and it brought 17 members and 5 guests to BK for the last Chapter ride of 2008. For the past few days I have had Red's in Hernando on my mind so that became the ride destination after a phone call to the restaurant to make sure they would be able to get us seated at 12:30 or so as they are extremely busy on Sunday. The owner said it would not be a problem, they would make it work. We headed north on a fairly direct route, some city, some country, some hills, some curves, just an easy 100 mile ride. (I thought so any way, even though me the frugal German had problems with my radio cable and led without communication, something that is not fun). We arrived at the restaurant about 12:10 (a little early) and found the servers putting our tables together. We were seated in about 10 minutes. Our orders were taken, prepared, and served very quickly. Everything T and I had was excellent, plenty of it and priced right, I believe everyone enjoyed the place. After lunch we broke up into smaller groups to head home or to other destinations. T and I rode the roads of Citrus, Sumter, and Hernando Counties, stopped for ice cream and put on a few more miles getting home at 6:30 to get ready for reality tomorrow. Til next time----

December 27, 2008 Saturday - the great weather brought 25 members and 3 guests to CMS for the weekly breakfast ride. It was really great to have Bobby and Barby join us today too, as it has been awhile. During the morning tire kicking and picture taking, we were trying to call Crabby Bills to see if they could handle the group, but they didn't answer their phone (must have known it was us calling). We then tried The Pub which is serving their breakfast buffet on Saturdays again, they had no problem seating us. We headed to Indian Rocks on the beach, it was a nice ride with the nice weather. We arrived at The Pub and there was a section on the inside deck ready for us to sit and the buffet table was fully stocked, what more could we ask for? After breakfast we broke up and everyone went here and there to do their own thing. T and I headed south along the water to Pass a Grille and back north to Gulf Coast HD for lunch and then to some other places after that, ending up with almost 200 miles for the day. Til next time----  

December 20, 2008 Saturday - since I only have 10 fingers and 10 toes, it was hard for me to count this high, but I believe 23 members and 2 guests met at CMS for the breakfast ride. It was a surprise to see such a large group being that the fog was so thick earlier when it was time to leave home. Rick showed up on his scooter and was presented with a pink and black jacket to wear, it looked good on him too (if you like bears in pink and black jackets). After the morning visits with each other it was decided by the group to go to Country Harvest Restaurant. This is the restaurant that offers steak and eggs, potatoes, and toast for $5, with coffee and tax $6.93, can you go wrong? Service was good, food was good, price was good, what more can you ask for? After we finished eating everyone went in smaller groups to do their own things of interest. Til next time--

December 17, 2008 Thursday -  14 members and 1 guest met at The Pub for the annual Chapter Christmas dinner ride. The Pub had a section at the rear of the restaurant reserved for our group and 3 servers assigned so that our evening would be enjoyable, which it was for those of us that were there and for those of you that weren't, you missed it. Til next time---

December 13, 2008 Saturday -15 members and 1 guest met at CMS on what was a windy cold morning (you knew it was cold when Roland and Peter D. were wearing pants not shorts). Some of us were in cars because today was the Chapter Christmas party at 2pm and it made no sense to use the bike for breakfast and then go home for the car to go to the party with the goodies. Joe E. was under the weather and was not in attendance, so after the morning photos were taken by Joe E's assistant Jim S. the group headed to the Acropol Family Restaurant in Largo. This is another of the restaurants that is good to us, table ready, coffee ready, and server ready. The food is good, the portions are good, and the price is right, what more could you ask for? After the lies, stories, and food everyone left to get ready for the second half of the day, the party. Oh I almost forgot Rick R. was there on his new Yamaha Majesty, life is good right Rick? Til next time--

December 07, 2008 Sunday -15 members met at Jim's HD at 8am to participate in the 21 Annual Toy Run. It was a sunny, but cool morning for the run which was going back to the beaches this year (finally). Our Chapter was up front once again (3rd group to leave), this gives you the benefit of seeing what just under 2000 motorcycles and just under 3000 people looks like as they pass you. The escorts did an excellent job of securing the route which was well thought out and timed just about right, 1 hr. 15 minutes. When we returned to Jim's and got into the food line, again it was nice to be in front (we were first, no waiting). If you were last in the run, you were at the end of the line which was about 3/4's of the way around the building. After eating some of us stayed for the music and others left for home. It was a good day. Til next time---

December 06, 2008 Saturday -  on this wet here, dry there morning 13 members (some in cages some on bikes) were at CMS for the breakfast ride. It was good to have one of the International Founding Fathers with us this morning, Wayne LeBree. The Mall area was warm and sunny, so after the morning b s session the group decided that Skyway Jack's was the place for today. The restaurant does not take seating requests, so we just went there, it was crowded, but as always the management got us seated quickly. The food, service, prices were as usual good and the conversation even better. After breakfast everyone headed out in smaller groups to do what needed to be done. Til next time---