Photo Expedition

After a serious storm past through early Sunday morning, I decided that I wanted to get out and do some photo work. When I travel around central Florida on my cycle, I always see these old abandon buildings and think to myself that I would like to get a shot of that before it is gone forever. Well, today was one of those days. I was out around the Plant City area when I spotted an old tractor barn and house. I'm guessing built back in the 30's. Did a few shots then moved on. I went East to Mulberry, Fl. where I traveled down a side road and found this fours story abandon factory. Now, I don't know the history of this place, but I could tell they moved some kind of powdered substance the consistency of plaster or gypsum. I was able to get inside and it was amazing how the superstructure had collapsed. Twisted metal and equipment made

for some interesting shots. Then I spotted a surreal

image. In the mist of all this industrial disaster was a 23 foot boat! There was no rhyme or reason for it being there, but there it was. It was not like it was parked in a storage area, but rather left on the factory floor. Most likely dumped there after the build collapsed because there were no signs of vehicle tracks leading up to the building. Anyway, time to move on after shooting a series of images. Next was just outside of Bartow, Fl. I had driven past this smoke stack for 30 years or more and always admired it. So today I stopped and it to was part of a day gone by. I couldn't help thinking how this smoke stack had to be over 50 years old and how it was built one brick at a time. I got some nice shots of the stack and of the adjoining old factory. It looked like its last use was some type of fabrication shop. I concentrated on little things like gauges, antique door handles and the like.

I moved on until I found a railroad repair depot. I wasn't able to get into the yard, but outside the yard area were some neat things like rails, piles of spikes, and broken railroad crossing lights. I will post those another time when I do a trains posting. I like trains and the stuff that goes with them.

I enjoyed stealthing around today and look forward on doing it again. cya!

WINGBOWL II

Why do I do this to myself! I have really been proud of keeping up a gym routine and dropping a few pounds these past couple of months. But when some co-workers came to me and asked if I would represent our office in the annual Wing Bowl chicken wing eating contest, for the March of Dimes, I had to say yes! I do love the wings!!! lol So part of this was to get people to sponsor me by donating to the March of Dimes. They could do a flat donation or pledge money per wing I ate. I got a couple of people to drop $1.00 per wing. The event was held in a park in the middle of downtown Tampa at noon. It was kind of a festive feel and each of the 15 or so contestants had cheering sections. Among my cheerleaders were a couple of beautiful gals that came over from Thee Doll House. They came over to watch and ended up sponsoring me. Thank you to Ange, Brittney and Kendra for your donation and support for the March of Dimes babies. The wings were provided by Gators Dockside, with locations at John's Pass in St. Pete Beach and near USF at 56th St & Fowler Ave in Tampa. The table was set up with our names on placards, there were paper towels, bottles of water and bone buckets ready. The Gators crew placed aluminum serving trays in front of each person containing 40 wings. The first Wing...sort of like the first pitch...was eaten by Tampa Assistant Chief of Police Jane Castor. Then the MC began the countdown. We would have 15 minutes to eat as many wings as we could. "GO"... I was using my casual pace style, stripping the wings to the bone. I knocked off the first 40 with no problem. Then they would bring a tray of ten. Got those down too. But my down fall was the drummies! Actually I like those better than the flat wing, but these were pretty good size drummies and dry! It took a lot of chew'n to get one of those down. I would have to take little sips of water to wet the meat so I could swallow. "3-2-1...stop"!! I finished second with a count of 55. The winner took it with 63. Although I think my bones were a little cleaner! But it was for a good cause. However, my company teammates and I ate enough to give us the first place team award. We are still counting the money to see who raised the most money. Remember those $1 folks? $55 donation, thank you very much!! lol OK..double time back to the gym! cya!

East Bound Ride

What a busy week end. It started Friday night with me working this little side job from 9 PM until 3 AM. Got a little sleep and got up Saturday to do my regular job. Saturday night however, was cool. I went over to one of the big hotels here in Tampa, where I like to have a beverage or two in the hotel sports bar. What made it cool was, the annual Tattoo convention was there! Woohoo! I go for the art work and for the ZOO! Now, don't get me wrong. All the people I met there are talented and nice people, but, the wide range of appearances is a "Priceless" moment. A couple of female tattoo artist sat next to me and I was admiring their Tats. They asked if I had any and No I don't. One gal smiled and commented that I have large arms and would be perfect for a nice detailed tattoo. LOL! She ALMOST had me too. I opted to not let the spur-of-the-moment, and a couple of adult beverages, make me do something I would be stuck with for the rest of my life. Instead, I will mull the idea over and have something very customized done, maybe to celebrate my upcoming retirement from my day job!

Sunday morning I was up early and to the gym for my one hour work-out. Then home, showered and off on the bike. This time the trip went East of Tampa out to Plant City, home of the best strawberries in the world! Well. I headed into the Historic Downtown area and spotted "Snellgroves". This is a nice little "mom & pop" with good home cooking! Although I missed the breakfast run, the pork chops and vegetables were great! No strawberry shortcake for me! Bill paid and off I rode to the East through Plant City and south on State Road 39. I ended up on some of the longest, straightest roads through Florida farm and cattle company that I have ever traveled. I would go for miles and miles never seeing another car. Most of the time it was me, the road and the vultures! I happened upon a road kill of a deer that about 20 vultures had picked clean. I'll spare you the photo! ;} Every time I saw a sign that pointed out a state park or something of interest, I would follow that road. Next thing I knew I was in Sarasota. I navigated back northwest and got back on the famed Highway 301 which would take me back to Tampa. I was passing through a little farm community when I spotted a sign for the Florida Rail Road Museum. I turned down a little road that lead me to an open field and some side tracks. Sitting there were several locomotives and Pullman cars. There wasn't anyone around, so I just walked around the cars and snapped and couple of pictures. I will mark this place down for a re-visit with the big camera's and maybe a model.

Made it back home which is always a good sign that I had a good ride day. That was another 200 miles on the bike. Next week is Easter and I'm still hoping to get a ride in before the traditional family dinner. Ummmm, Why Ham? Shouldn't it be rabbit?

Be safe! cya