After a full family Noche Buena, yesterday, Mariella and I have developed a Christmas tradition of paddling from the back yard and eating a picnic lunch on a sand beach on a Mangrove island outside the Little Manatee River. I had the boat in. 

Mariella prepared her nest in the front cockpit. 

Ripping beautiful day. 

Out we went. 

Lunch and primitive site ready. 

Worst part is after a little nap we had to leave. Happy Holidays to all our great family and friends. Last year’s comment of “ a man without real friend’s knows true poverty” still seems to ring so true and be so far from our lives. Thank you all for that. 

In usual fashion I was a little forgetful and forgotten that the bike fest was 2 days instead of 3. I was early did a beautiful 40 miler on “friendly Fridays” club ride with The Highland Peddlers. 

I was treated like a VIP. The club could not have been nicer and supportive. The Highland Peddlers are the reason that there is a twice yearly bike weekends in Sebring and they are naturally proud and rightfully so of the beautiful bike routes. 



Big group on Saturday. 

I rode a metric century with Mike and Clare Powers, long time SMBC riders. It was beautiful day. 

Mike is one of the most amazing riders. He is a force of nature. It was great to be hanging with them both. 

Christmas lights in the circle. Thai food. 

A threat of rain but with a lazy rollout the Smiths had a great family values ride out to Highlands Hammock State Park. The littlest freewheeler. 

Orchid blooming. 

Peace out Tres dog