I rode till my butt hurt, then I rode back!

 30 Miles on my first ride was maybe too far?

I've had the bicycle in storage since I went to Mexico back in May.  

So my first ride felt pretty long to parts of my 'riding saddle.'

On my ride, I saw a few very scary things!

The Pinellas County Bike Trail

I ride through a park to reach the Pinellas Trail.

On the trail, there are several lovely views and relaxing spots to sit.

I hope your holiday is spooky!

-Saddle Sore Skip

Where's Waldo?

 Honey, I'm Home!

I had a great visit with family over 'in the old country'...

I flew Tampa to Amsterdam, then took a train down to Maastricht, Netherlands to see my sister Jane. (and her husband Ruud and Hakey the wonder dog)  Next I flew from Maastricht over to Porto, in Portugal to visit my nephew Ryan.  (and his wife Bekki and their two dogs: Olive and Heidi the crazy dog)  Finally flying back to Maastricht and taking the train back UP to Amsterdam.  It was an amazing whirlwind 3 week tour.

I'm back now and moved into a new apartment in Dunedin FL.  (Dun-E-din)  My new pad is about 1.2ml from the Bay and much closer to the Publix Supermarket and the Pinellas County bike trail.

"The Pinellas Trail Loop is a 75-mile multi-use pathway that runs from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg. It connects to several communities, including: Palm Harbor, Dunedin, Clearwater, Safety Harbor, Largo, Seminole, South Pasadena, Gulfport.  The trail follows the former Atlantic Coast Line rail bed and roughly parallels Alternate US 19. It's typically 15 feet wide and is paved."

photo of the bulletin board at the Clubhouse.

I've been here almost a week, almost moved in 

and so far nobody has yelled at me.  So far.

-new guy Skip

Some extra stuff from the trip to Europe.

Yes, these are leftovers 

that didn't get into other posts.

FACT:  There are more bikes in Amsterdam than people.

Gabby, my girlfriend at the Bicycle Hotel in Amsterdam.

Some days I wish I was not colorblind so I could SEE what stuff looks like.

Then again, some days I'm OK being colorblind. 

The Bicycle Hotel, shown to the left

I was riding my bicycle on the next street over when I heard rippling raucous laughter coming down this narrow street.  I turned the corner and found these two cuties running toward me pushing a grocery cart.  After we passed each other I heard a tremendous crash, but the laughter never stopped.

Bicycles everywhere!  Bike lanes EVERYWHERE!

My bicycle, from the Bicycle Hotel, parked at the bakery. (note tripod)

Another shot with Gabby my favorite girl in Amsterdam!

In Porto the wine cost less than $4 a bottle.  #TooMuch

Nephew Ryan and I out riding the rails.

My breakfast at the Bicycle Hotel.  A Bodenheimer Sandwich, a typical Dutch breakfast.

My lunch after the Van Gogh museum.  A bacon slider with a chocolate shake.

Thai restaurant Amsterdam 

My Ihop breakfast back in Tampa.  #FirstDayBack

At a bus stop in Porto, these 3 women got into an argument. The one on the right slapped the other.

Porto and Ryan cooked the Dourada fish.  A Portuguese favorite. (and mine)

Ryan and Bekki video conference with family.

A very busy intersection on the canals in Amsterdam.

Lots of color in the city.

Lots of 'view' at the beach!

It was a great visit and I thank everyone 

in Europe for putting up with me!

-The Traveler Skip