Lake Wales Golf and Country Club

We did the hour plus drive to Lake Wales for golf today.  The course is a classic traditional tree-lined track.

It's in good shape, and the gardens are attractive as well.

We'll be back later in the week.

I'm not going to brag about my score, but let it be said that I crushed the Queen Bee on both score and holes.  Bob is still in a rut...just 85 today.

After golf we drove around the corner to Oakwood Golf Course.  They say their greens are not great, and they haven't started the golf/dinner specials yet, but they do have Taco Tuesdays, so we'll be trying that out soon.

Then it was on to the Lake Wales Flea Market.  I bought a dozen used Pro V1's for $5.00.  We'll see how that turns out.

After dinner, Mardi and I headed over to Bahama Breezes to enjoy the entertainment. 

Some other folks were introduced as coming from Ontario, so Mardi went over to see where in Ontario.  Turns out that the lady knows Mardi's cousin Jill from Churchill...they golf together.  This is the second year we have met people who have golfed with Jill! 

Tomorrow is a down day.  We'll see what transpires.

Seminole-Lake Gliderport

Today was my big day.  But, after several hot, humid days with little breeze, today was cooler, drier and very breezy.  Lake wind advisory in effect.

We watched a flight in progress while we waited for our flight time.  After the tow plane returned you can see the tow cord lying on the ground.

My flight was given the go-ahead, but I was advised not to take my camera since the flight would be bumpy.  So, we'll have to wait for the Go-Pro video which should be ready in a couple of days.

My able assistants took pictures of my adventure.  First, we drove to the sailplane via golf cart and installed the GoPro camera on the end of the wing.

Then, yours truly was buckled in and shown how to close and lock the cockpit cover and to release the tow rope.

My pilot was Johan, a Dutch Airman who went to Canada as an 18 year old in 1954 and learned to fly in London, Ontario.  He was later stationed in Alberta and says his two years in our country were among the happiest in his life.  He loves our country and our people.  Seems to me I couldn't ask for a better pilot to trust my well-being to!

Once I was strapped in, he towed the glider into position with the golf cart.

Final instructions as we waited for the tow plane.  It would be my job to latch the tow rope and lock down the cockpit cover after Johan got in behind me.

The tow plane got into position, I did what I was told, and we were off.

We flew to 4,000 feet where I released the tow rope.  Johan subsequently got us up to 4,800 feet, just below the clouds.

After about a half hour in the air we returned to terra firma.

Removed the GoPro camera.

And "taxied" back to the office.

Mardi took videos of the takeoff, and the landing.  The files appear too big to fit the blog.  Sorry!

To celebrate, we headed to Mount Dora.  First a stroll through the wetlands on the boardwalk.

Then drinks at Pisces Rising which is near the waterfront.

A bucket list item thoroughly enjoyed!

Tomorrow we golf at Lake Wales.

Remington II

We were greeted at Remington by a platoon of Pelicans and a troop of Anhingas.

Lots of Anhingas on the first hole, as well as a Wood Stork and Egret.

Hot and humid again today - we just don't get any relief!

The greens, which were very slow last week, have been top dressed and were faster today but not true.

Bob's repaired putter worked well, but he nevertheless sagged to a disappointing 86 today.

And the Queen Bee came roaring back to defeat yours truly on score and holes.  Sheesh!

A relaxed drink on the patio while we watched some golfers play through.  This guy put three balls within ten feet and a fourth on the fringe which is on its way to the hole.

Then, it was off to Millers.  Prime Rib for the good golfers, Lobster Tails for the fisherman.

Tomorrow the sky's the limit as your hero takes off in a sailplane.  Stay tuned.

Circle B Bar Reserve

First item of business today, after Bob treated us to Bacon and Eggs (I made the toast), was to take Bob's wounded Scotty Cameron putter to Edwin Watts Golf for repair.  On the final three holes yesterday, Bob's putts all missed right, which he eventually blamed on a loose putter head.  How much better than 83 could he have been?

After that was fixed, we returned to Orange Lake to pick up Mardi and head for the Reserve.  Extremely hot and humid, so the alligators were all out cooling off on the lake.  You can see four of them in this picture.

With the mirror image, this one looks like it was turned on a lathe.

A White Pelican at a distance.  This summer it will likely be in Manitoba (along with a lot of the Sand Hill Cranes we are seeing at Orange Lake).

This is the only gator we saw up close today.

But we saw other forms of wildlife.

There were lots of Herons, Anhinga, Crows, Vultures and Egrets, a few Whistling (Tree) Ducks, and a couple of Osprey, but no Eagles or Spoonbills.

Great Blue

Osprey

Whistling Ducks

Glossy Ibis

There had to be at least a hundred Black Vultures in the air when this picture was taken.  Quite a sight!

An extremely hot, humid day.  We had to hurry back to the unit to open the bar!

Tomorrow we golf at Remington.

Swiss Fairways

Swiss Fairways signature hole is #2.  No water skier action today but the challenge of hitting the green across the ski run is still daunting.  But the 5 wood did the trick to the back fringe.

And, yes Andy, that is THE SHIRT!

Sorry partner!

The BIG news today is that I beat the Queen Bee on score (by one stroke) and holes (by 3), breaking 100 for the first time this year, or as I prefer to say it, just 17 strokes over my age.  Bob, who is in a different league, shot an 83.  Bob also had two birdies, which allowed Mardi to break out the "birdie juice".  Nice.

After golf we stopped for a Yeungling and said hi to Mulligan.

Those who followed the blog last year might remember that when John barbequed our steaks he did one extra - for Mulligan.

But no steaks today - John must be in hiding!

After we left Swiss Fairways we headed for the Seminole-Lake Gliderport.

My flight is booked for noon on Friday!  Yeehaw!

Tomorrow we take Bob to the Circle B Bar Ranch to see the alligators and other wildlife.

Disney Springs

The day started with some shopping.  First to a Bealls Discount store.  Among the purchases, Bob and I each bought a golf shirt, e.g. Jack Nicklaus Golden Bear shirt for $15 after discounts.  Mardi bought "stuff" too.

Then it was on to not just one, but two, Flea Markets.  Completed Mardi's shopping list and headed back to the resort for lunch.

Fortunately, the patio faces north, so on these hot days (it hit 31C today)  it's comfortable to sit out on the patio.  On a cool day we would just have to move the chairs out onto the grass.

We had entertainment of sorts.  The following pictures are common scenes here as we look out onto the par three.

So is the following sequence, as the Sand Hill Cranes go from begging food to doing a mating dance.
The one on the left looks like it has been married a few times based on the three rings on its legs.

The boy took a shine to Mardi.

But when it became clear that she was not prepared to hand out food or favours he showed his displeasure.

It's that season!

After the entertainment was over, we headed to Disney Springs. First order of business was a boat ride from the parking area to the other end of the "Springs".  We had a great Captain.

The Storks had apparently finished delivering New Years' babies.

After sampling Girardelli's Chocolates we headed to Raglan Road, the Irish Pub.  The entertainment and the dancers were excellent once again.

The Concertina was a treat!

And then it was time for a romantic shot before heading "home".

Tomorrow we head for Swiss Fairways for a game of golf and, hopefully, a steak dinner.  If we have time we'll stop in at Seminole-Lake Gliderport to book my sailplane (glider) ride.  I paid for it today - that bucket list item will be checked off in the next few days,