In the grand sweep of things it is Halloween, but for a young yacht designer it is (more importantly) the first day of the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show. I head over tomorrow morning with the MPYD gang and then spend Friday night at the home of some recent alums, return to the show Saturday and then head home late Saturday night. Hopefully, the new Tiara (can anybody whisper 63?) will be a showstopper and I'll finally get to see the McKinna Express. I'm also looking forward to seeing some peeps my age and having a fun weekend out.

posted at 9:42 AM - comments

Saturday morning was the highlight of my fall, I think: 47 (count 'em!) total miles by bike to Anna Maria Island and back to #511 were pure fun. The art festival was a bit of a let down, but the associated car show (?!?!) was pretty rad. In other news, it is hot as stink down here and my friends and family to the north are warning me not to gloat. Maybe we should trade instead.

posted at 12:48 PM - comments

A weekend of looking but not buying looms large: art festival time in downtown Sarasota. I am a capitalist, but the fact that my credit card limit is more than my current total cash on hand startles me. Responsibility is a burden that must escape many in my position, although I'm guessing I'll still be the youngest adult I see on Main Street this weekend.

posted at 5:17 PM - comments

Nearly a week since I've chimed in - lunch hours are disappearing into the haze at an amazing rate. Rode 28 miles Saturday morning and loved it. For me that's the length of Siesta Key and back home, with a stop in the village to get a sub for lunch. Good times. Now I'm heavy into researching a skiing vacation and dancing around the snow deities hoping for a deep winter, hopefully in Whistler BC.

posted at 12:43 PM - comments

And now it is official. I've ridden with the BikesenJava crowd and torched Longboat Key at 18.5 MPH into the wind and back. This sport is fun - I thoroughly enjoyed the ride and felt pretty good afterwards, not bad for my first expedition of any serious nature. Now I am psyched to ride this weekend for more than 20 miles.

posted at 12:29 PM - comments

I spent the week deciding that I like pedaling more than I do running. My bike is a machine, my legs are a mess. Got a keen entertainment center, too. Now I can sit in my $25 camp chair and watch movies in style. Only thing left is an....oh oh oh nearly everything.

posted at 12:18 PM - comments

A laid-back weekend here in town. Cycling and shopping for cycling were the orders of the days, plus reading at the beach. Confucious say: "When choosing a book to read at the beach, don't choose a good one." I've got sunburned shoulders to show for hours of enjoyment in my folding chair on Lido Beach.

posted at 12:55 PM - comments

Ready to set forth upon my first weekend at home with the new bike. I want to ride ride ride and try to get in shape. My trip to Mote aquarium last evening was most memorable due to my chance encounter with le peleton from Bikesenjava out on Longboat Key. I imagine it would be akin to riding a basset hound in the Kentucky Derby...not a terribly pretty sight, but certainly motivating.

posted at 12:34 PM - comments

Tonight my first volunteer engagement, a church dinner, marks my entrance into the world of people in Sarasota with whom I might be interested in spending time. Also found out - purely by mistake - of a local ski club. The founders even (get this) own a ski shop here in town. What fun!

posted at 12:32 PM - comments