Once again, "The Colonel" and I team up to follow the birds, the beer, and the bikinis South.  Yeah, I know it's a dangerous job but retirement is not for sissies.

Knowing the importance of having an expert guide, who is familiar with the local customs and mating rituals, we will be linking up with Dan "Mr. Florida" Harvey in Hilton Head.  Dan has forgotten more about the wildlife/nightlife in the "Sunshine State" than most of us will ever know.

Day 1 - Raleigh, NC to Hilton Head, SC:  380 miles

Deer Narrowly Misses Biker!!!

Not content with the excitement of a 2,000+ mile trip to Key West, Jim A. elects to go deer hunting before meeting me for breakfast.  Using the legendary quietness of the Gold Wing, Jim ambushes a multi-point buck coming out of a ditch and runs it over with his bike.  "The 1800 is the best deer hunting motorcycle I have ever owned" says Jim.  Although he was unscathed (except for his wallet), the bike was not as fortunate - see photo below...

"Chopped" Gold Wing 1800

I-40(E) to Rt. 701(S) to Rt. 17(S) to Rt. 278(E)

Great ride down to Hilton Head!  Sunny skies, cool temperatures, bucolic countryside that reminded me of NC when I was growing up - cotton fields, old share cropper houses, swamps where the water was as black as the ace of spades, then Spanish moss covering the trees.

Stopped at the "not-for-the-faint-of-heart" Suck, Bang, and Blow biker bar in Murrell's Inlet, SC for a juicy cheeseburger and fries.  Be sure to look at the "not-for-the-faint-of-heart" photos on the walls and ceiling.

Next on the itinerary was the WWII aircraft carrier Yorktown in Charleston, SC.  Spent two hours touring the ship and still did not see everything.  Plan on spending at least half a day here.

Then on to Hilton Head where we checked into the Red Roof and did serious damage to a bottle of Bacardi 151 until Dan arrived.  Dinner at Tony Roma's.

SBB Biker Bar Murrell's Inlet, SC	Another satisfied customer Murrell's Inlet, SC
And you thought I was making the name up Murrell's Inlet, SC	Submarine Charleston, SC
Yorktown Charleston, SC	Yorktown Charleston, SC

Day 2 - Hilton Head, SC to Crystal River, FL:  323 miles

Rt. 278(W) to I-95(S) to A1A(W) to Rt. 301(S) to Rt. 484(W) to Rt. 19(S)

Picked up Kathy at the Savannah airport.  Uneventful ride down to Crystal River.  Rt. 484 took us by large farms and ranches (definitely, a horse lovers dream).  Lots of old growth trees filled with Spanish moss.  Met Chuck and Dianne from Louisiana.  Dinner was in-room pizza while watching the football games.

Favorite bumper sticker of the day:  "Every day I fish adds a year to my life"

Day 3 - Crystal River, FL to Naples, FL:  266 miles

Rt. 19(S) to Rt. 699(S) 41(S) to I-75(S) to Rt. 41(S)

Followed the coast down to Naples - it's a continuous parade of strip malls, condominiums, and luxury homes from Tampa/St. Pete to Naples.  Like A1A up the east coast, it's a ride everyone should do once, then wait a while before doing again.  Beautiful weather - low 80's, lots of sunshine!  Delicious steak dinner at The Castaways.

"I think it's a spun muffler bearing"

It's not easy being on the cutting edge of biker fashion

Day 4 - Naples, FL to Key West, FL:  235 miles

Rt. 41(S) to Rt. 997(S) to Rt. 1(S)

Another must ride - the Tamiami Trail across the Everglades and Rt. 1 to Key West!  The riding is easy and the scenery is exotic (saw seven alligators & a whole bunch of birds).  How often do you see "Alligator Crossing", "Panther Crossing", "Beware of Bears", and "Crocodile Crossing" signs in the same day?

Dianne	Chuck
Dan & Kathy	Jim A.
"That big, bearded fellow sure would make a good Thanksgiving dinner"	"Maybe, if I sneak up on him"
Full moon over Miami	"So that's where the rear wheel is!?!"

Day 5 - Key West, FL:  12 miles

Toured the city.  Beautiful, old two story homes partially hidden by magnificent foliage.  Duval Street is like Bourbon Street - a little bit of everything including an "alternative lifestyle", if you know what I mean.  Tried to drink a beer at every bar before leaving but they ran out of beer first.

On the negative side:  Key West is expensive for what you get (read "poor value") and there is way too much of a "we want your money but not you" attitude (read poor "customer service").

Clothing optional?!?  Must be Key West, FL	Key West, FL
Key West, FL	Couple of sharks in the harbor

Day 6 - Key West, FL  to Ormond Beach, FL:  464 miles

Rt. 1(N) to Rt. 997(N) to Rt. 27(N) to Rt. 441(N) to Rt. 68(E) to I-95(N)

The group split up today so that everyone could get back home in time to meet their respective agendas.  After we had said our good byes, I took the opportunity to visit some of the RV parks in the Keys in anticipation of returning with my own fifth wheel.  There were several locations where the only thing between your RV and the ocean was the beach.

Leaving the aquamarine water of the Keys, today's route took me through huge produce farms, sugarcane plantations, and orange groves - all interlaced with canals.  Lake Okeechobee looked like a small ocean.

A Gold Wing Owner Gone Bad!!!

Southernmost Point in the USA

Day 7 - Ormond Beach, FL  to Raleigh, NC:  528 miles

I-95(N) to I-40(W)

As I was nearing Jacksonville, a red bike pulled up along side me and much to my surprise, there was the smiling face of Jim A!  He had just eaten breakfast and as he was pulling out onto the interstate, I drove by.  I don't know what the odds of that happening would be but I would put it right up there with the odds of getting a photo of Dan H. in his thong.

Arrived home safe and sound.  Good trip with good people.

Trip Statistics (via GPS)...

Total Miles:  2,195
Average Speed:  53.6 mph
Riding Time:  40.56 hours