Ring Around Lake Okeechobee Adventure

[MidniteBlues]

Hello Everyone!!

OK this is a feeler to see if we can put a run together for the South/Central/or even some of the Northern Florida Sky/Sol owners. Preliminary run date: April 19, 2008, a Saturday. This run is called the “Ring Around Lake Okeechobee Adventure”. The unique thing about this run is that there will be NO pre-run (I’m only going to run this once). We will all experience what ever we find as we make the run, that is why it’s called an “Adventure”. Participants will be able to join the run from all areas of our state, (or country if they wish, all are invited), the North, East, South and the West and can hook up as the others make the ring. For example, I will be coming up from the South, using Hwy 27 (from Broward County), those from Palm Beach County (for example) can come in from the East, those from Orlando can come in from the North, and those from the West from Tampa/St Pete, Ft Myers, Naples area. Meeting points will depend on where you are coming in from (locations to meet is to be determined, times will be estimated). Once those that are coming commit, we will make a meeting point somewhere along the Adventure route, and I can add that to the map. There is NO set plan, you can come in, run for a bit and leave at any time if you do not want to go thru the whole ring around. Since I will be doing the complete run, I will be going completely around the lake. Granted, lotta roads from the south and some from the east/west side of the lake are 2 lanes, HOWEVER, the way I marked it, many will probably be only 2-lanes (1 lane in each direction), since (most) of these roads hug the lake, but I am not sure, nice adventure eh? BUT, you can always peel off and be on a regular 4 lane (2 lanes in each direction) at any time, depending on where you came from and where you want to go. Many times we will be going thru small towns and small cities (so I advise strict speed limits adherence). Cops in those small towns love speeders!! I also did find a nice road with twisties, this was found along the southwest part of the lakes route.

I have created a “preliminary” map using the Google Map Maker Program. Granted it is rough, it has been my third attempt of using their program, however, it is very very good and the more I play with it, the better I am getting and learning with it. What I like about it is that I can change and make adjustments as I create it. Or just create another map from scratch, (not a biggie).

So at this point I’ll ask, who in interested in this Adventure? I am not the leader of this run. There is NO leader, just participates. But I will make and finish a nice map and sort of organize it a bit, especially as I get feedback. Sky/Sol owners are invited to make suggestions and inputs. Especially, if you are familiar with this area. However, I do not mind creating the map and making adjustments and changes to it etc as we go.

IF interested, I need you to Post here. As adjustments or changes are made a new map will have to be posted here (I will do this). I also have another state map or 2 attached below the Google map from the state regarding points of interests, camping points etc, could be great spot for pics/ & movies or places to hook up with other participates. Let me know if there is any interest with something like this. We should be able to get a good mixture from around south /central/northern Florida hopefully.

Finally, I have included some gas stations and restaurants etc already. So it is all a matter of when and where participates hook up. Also for me as an example, it will be a total of 226.1 miles and that is without any stops or eating etc it is only a 4 hours 36 minutes run. (That’s non-stop, which of course will not be so). Since we will be stopping for food etc, and some maybe for gas. So it is really an all day run. We of course will need to start early. What is early? Suggestions please?

OK, here we go, post away if you are interested—We will go from there and adjust as participants chime in.--

Google Maps

[SKYJACK]

I Think Its Time To Plan A Florida Vacation. This Sounds Like Its Going To Be A Lot Of Fun. Can You Post A Few Motels Around The Lake Or What Area Would Be Best To Stay. We Will Be Coming From Virginia. Hope To See You Soon.
Skyjack ( Jack And Pauline )

[MidniteBlues]

Hmm, ABSOLUTELY, since I didn't know we would have interested parties from out of state, I didn't add them to the map. Now however I see it was an oversite on my part.. I will add them to the map and update it and replace the existing one when I get it done... Thanks...!!
PS Looking forward on meeting y'all...
Map updated..

[SKYJACK]

My Wife And I Have Been Talking About A Florida Vacation For A Long Time Now. A Sky Run Is A Good Reason To Come Down To Meet Our Sky Family In The South.
Skyjack ( Jack And Pauline )

[skysthelimit2]

Dude,
I've lived in SoFl for more than 20yrs (NY transplant) and I've never been to Lake Okeechobee (but from what I've been told if you can spell it...you might be a redneck! )

Totally looking forward to this run - count us in
Skyjack - don't forget the sunblock!
MB you rock!

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by skysthelimit2

Dude,
I've lived in SoFl for more than 20yrs (NY transplant) and I've never been to Lake Okeechobee (but from what I've been told if you can spell it...you might be a redneck! )

Totally looking forward to this run - count us in
Skyjack - don't forget the sunblock!
MB you rock!

Ahh geezz, kicks the rock on the gound.. Thanks..

[OlSkyDriver]

Wow...I've been starving for a run for months now. Count me in. Looking at the map you posted, I should be coming in from the northern end, US 441, but will have to check a state map to see for sure. Thanks MB for the idea, and all the work you're putting into this.

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by OlSkyDriver

Wow...I've been starving for a run for months now. Count me in. Looking at the map you posted, I should be coming in from the northern end, US 441, but will have to check a state map to see for sure. Thanks MB for the idea, and all the work you're putting into this. Your welcome! I had this done last year, but Valerie is the one that pushed me over the edge, sorta speak..

If meeting you is one of benefits GREAT!!. I have been looking forward to that after talking to Carol & Val about you... If you let me know your route for certain, I'll add it to the map, different color line, and we can "select" a hookup point on the run. Hopefully, there will be more deciding to make this run from the northern areas.. That way, y'all can caravan down together..

[OlSkyDriver]

From what I can tell, my best bet is to start at the town of Okeechobee, at the northern end. I would come in from US 441.

Don't believe everything Val & Carol might say. Those two are a wild pair. LOL

Too bad you can't make it up this way next Sunday when Carol & Jeff come up. It's going to be a good time.

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by OlSkyDriver

From what I can tell, my best bet is to start at the town of Okeechobee, at the northern end. I would come in from US 441.

Don't believe everything Val & Carol might say. Those two are a wild pair. LOL

Too bad you can't make it up this way next Sunday when Carol & Jeff come up. It's going to be a good time.

I agree, right now to much on the plate. Plus, they are probably staying over night. Last time I stayed in Ocala, we had friends that had a trailer on 2 acres. A visit up there is an all day affair as you know, so a hotel stay would be required. The second problem is that it is on a Sunday, unfortunately wife & I have to work Monday morning..

[Carol_CR]

Originally Posted by MidniteBlues

I agree, right now to much on the plate. Plus, they are probably staying over night. Last time I stayed in Ocala, we had friends that had a trailer on 2 acres. A visit up there is an all day affair as you know, so a hotel stay would be required. The second problem is that it is on a Sunday, unfortunately wife & I have to work Monday morning..

We own a couple acres 2 miles from Gator Joes. We are going to HOA meeting at 5:30PM Sunday night and driving home after that and going to work Monday morning. You can certainly come up Saturday - spend the night - and drive home after lunch at Gator Joe's. No pressure but we always enjoy your company. It's beautiful territory.

[OlSkyDriver]

Originally Posted by Carol_CR

We own a couple acres 2 miles from Gator Joes. We are going to HOA meeting at 5:30PM Sunday night and driving home after that and going to work Monday morning. You can certainly come up Saturday - spend the night - and drive home after lunch at Gator Joe's. No pressure but we always enjoy your company.

You tell him Carol. After all, those of us in Ocala are always willing to drive south for a meet and great. Oh wait, I'm the only one from Ocala.

[skysthelimit2]

MB,
Alex is on shift today - one of the firefighters lives in Okeechobee and is willing to help with whatever info/details we need.
His recommendation for the best hotel selection is Okeechobee. We can email the map to him and he can suggest the best photo spot & access points to see the lake.
Let me know if there's any specifics you want

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by skysthelimit2

MB,
Alex is on shift today - one of the firefighters lives in Okeechobee and is willing to help with whatever info/details we need.
His recommendation for the best hotel selection is Okeechobee. We can email the map to him and he can suggest the best photo spot & access points to see the lake.
Let me know if there's any specifics you want

Oh yea, absolutely, if one who lives in the area can give us pointers & points of interests, that would be great. Altho he won't be able to add to the map, but if he can ID those places somehow, say by name, I can find them and add it or them to the map.. The hard copy map I posted below the google map has areas of interest also, I am thinking of adding some of those, but first hand knowledge would be better IMO. Obviously we can't visit all of them, so if we can filter and as a group decide which ones, that would help, especially if more commit to join this run..

[MidniteBlues]

Okay Kappa owners.. The month has arrived. I will now be putting the finishing touches on the map as far as for meeting/ hookup locations. For the southern participants, we will be hooking up on Hwy 27, by the very first pull over/rest area, boat ramps. Since that is up the road from me, I'll take a little side trip and get a pick of the one we can use, I will then clearly mark that spot on the map. As for other hook up point along the ring, I will need a firm commitment from run members so I can pick those spots by one of these rest areas or viewing spots or which ever one you suggest. 18 days until the run. Right now, I'll start the list of who is coming as I know it to be to date. IF you see your handle on the list and will NOT be participating let me know and I'll remove you. IF you want in, say so and I'll add ya... Map will be updated by this weekend hopefully with all the points of interests. I would like some inputs from participants of places to stop n or see. Come on now, don't be shy, there is NO wrong answer here..

On another note, radios, I have a pair of very nice Midlands GMRS/FRS with a range of up to 5 miles in the GMRS mode. I will share one of them with another rider and I am already licensed for GMRS my call sign is WQHM464. Also can be used shorter ranged FRS, which will require no license. We will need to establish the operating channels, so those with radios find your manuals. On another post I will post ALL my channels, we will decide on what frequency we will use..

Participants:

Midniteblues Sky - 1 or 2 riders - Broward
Carol_CR Sky R/L - 2 riders - Broward
skysthelimit2 Sky - 2 riders - Broward
OlSkyDriver Sky - 2 riders - Ocala
deep_blue_sol Sol - ? riders - Coral Springs
SKYJACK Sky - 2 riders - Virginia
LatinVenom GXP - ? riders - Boca Raton-MAYBE
Boca_SLY Sol - ? riders - Boca Raton
yamatd3 Sol - ? riders - West Palm Beach-MAYBE


Any errors or omissions speak up.. Get ready folks, this will be an ALL day event I'm sure. Oh, finally, times. I was thinking at meeting between 8 and 9AM, leaning towards 9AM for the southern folks. The earlier we leave the sooner we get home. The nice thing now is that it gets darker later in the day. The Okeechobee hookup will obviously be later in the day TBA dependent on participants, as will any other hookup or stops along the ring..

Ok folks, now is the time to speak up with your ideas and thoughts and so I (we) can finalize these plans..

Oh one more thing. Those who PM me their cell phone number will get mine when I reply. I will keep a list of them. DO NOT post it in this (or any other) thread.. keep them ALL PRIVATE!!

[Animator]

We should agree to meet somewhere for lunch though with a time. Just driving around honking at people seems kinda .....well....

Or did I misread something ?

Help....

[MidniteBlues]

Originally Posted by Animator

We should agree to meet somewhere for lunch though with a time. Just driving around honking at people seems kinda .....well....

Or did I misread something ?

Help....

Yep, you are missing a little. We will stop and eat lunch, altho a location has not been determined. I suspect we could all go to a different spots in Okeechobee when we get up there or we could pick 1 place and all go there to have lunch. We've done the lunch thingie the last 3 get together, and we will do more of them I'm sure.. This however is a RUN, by that I mean we cruise in our Sky's usually on a long cruise which this is. I mentioned this to our little group on our first get together and was encouraged to do it and put it out here, well here it is. We don't go honking anybody or at people, they look at us, you just don't see 10+ kappas on the road everyday, they can't help but look at us . When you see us in our group, we are on a run/cruise if you will. The purpose is to spend time with our kappa friends, admire our cars, hang out with good people and run the cars.. Take pictures and film of the occasion.. It's what we do from time to time.. It's like a bike run, bunch of motor cyclist get together and go for a ride, only we do it on 4 wheels

I'm also putting the finishing touches on the next "Run", altho this one will not be an all day run or as long of a run, but it will be just as much fun and a much shorter run to Naples. Calling that get together and run the "Tin City Cookie Run".... details for that still to be worked out, especially which restaurant to eat at. For that one I will probably have to make reservations at the restaurant we will be going to. Any ways, your more than welcome to meet us for either of these runs and/or you can start your own little meeting/lunch thingie, or you can wait until one our ladies suggests another place to either brunch or lunch or dinner. Those lately have all been happening either in Broward county or our last 2 have been in Palm Beach county..stay tuned, more to come.. For this month however, this is the only thing happening, &/or scheduled so far.. Plus it has been in the works for couple of months.. Its gonna happen..

[SKyGazer]

OK, I am going to try to commit to this run. The 19th is a weekend I'll be on this coast, so more than likely I'll be able to attend. If I do, it'll be for the whole run.