A Ride For Dad

[redbirds_imp]

My father had been living alone since the passing of my step mom and I had not seen him since last March, much to my shame. Although still sharp in mind and wit for his 88 years, he felt it best that he move in with my sister's family in Port Charlotte, FL so that they might assist him with his day to day.

I planned my route on as many two lane back roads as time constraints would allow. I-75 would cut hours off the trip but I can't imagine a more boring way to travel than droning along at 80mph, surrounded by cagers, many most likely distracted by complaining children and texting.

8AM and packed, looking forward to a great day on the road.



By midday I'm south of Hawthorne, FL on US301 so a stop at the public boat ramp and lunch break.



Soft tortilla wrap stuffed with peanut butter and raisins for me.



If there was a way to carry my Canon 5D I would have some pics of the Bald Eagle that circled overhead while I ate lunch, oh well. It was nice to talk to the folks at the ramp fishing for their supper. Most of them had already caught enough for a meal but who wants to leave when the weather is so fine.





I stopped for gas near Ocala and then onto I-75 for a short while to save time, getting onto SR471 in Sumpterville. SR471 runs straight, nary a curve, for many miles and dead ends on US98 just north of Lakeland. To avoid the traffic in that city a "bypass" route was taken and I was soon south of Lakeland and on my way through the limestone quarries, orange groves and swampy flat lands headed toward Arcadia, FL.

A rest break on Keen Rd just north of Lakeland.



Arrived in Port Charlotte around 3:30PM after a pleasant ride through some nice rural countryside in a part of Florida that the tourists rarely see. Ferret would have enjoyed this section for the great bird watching. I saw Eagles, Ospreys, Sandhill Cranes, Storks, Egrets and Herons. If I only had my 5D.

The visit with family was wonderful as always. My sister displayed her vast culinary arts with splendid Shrimp Chowder that evening and delicious home made Chicken Pot Pie next day. I watched the college football games with Dad, made even better by a plentiful cache of cold beer from his fridge. The time passed so quickly and soon I was on the road home.

Wind and clouds at the start of the day. Finally cleared the city traffic and was on CR769 in some nice farm country.

A stop at Horse Creek which flows into the Peace River in Charlotte County.



Arrow straight CR663 in Hardee County. Good thing that the scenery is interesting.



Payne Creek, CR663. I wished to fish here for a while.





An old farmhouse on Kathleen Rd along my Lakeland "bypass"


On Hancock RD some nice curves are found.







In Tarry Town I stop for gas and am assisted by a Katydid that makes sure I do things right.





Folkston, GA and almost home. Our riding club "Faith Riders" is hosting a biker rest stop for those traveling to Daytona.



The CB adds some much needed class and beauty to the scene domonated by Harleys.





An hour later and I'm home. Can't wait to do it again.
Total trip mileage was around 740 at 50 mpg.