The Marco Ride

February 2, 2015

Bob Smith offered to co-lead ( really lead ) the Monday ride from his condo.  We all met there except for the new guy Matt.  We met him at the Publix supermarket a few miles down the road.

I met him several weeks ago at the RaceTrac gas station in Bonita Springs riding solo while I was there for a coffee stop.  He saw my bike and asked if I had ever done RAGBRI.  We struck up a conversation and I asked if he wanted to ride with me sometime in the near future.  What a way to get a guy's phone number.....and quick!  The ride in Marco was the first time I felt good since we had met and Matt was happy to ride with us.

Matt takes a great photo.

Here is another photo with the SW FL riders

In the distance is Stevens Landing where Bob Smith and Bruce Kirschner are renting a condo

Matt left us two miles from the end of the ride and we headed out to Goodland Marina since Dennis had not seen it on the previous ride.  I have photos in a previous post of this unique part of Marco Island.


When we returned to the condo who was there but Al Porter and his wife Marion.  They had driven from the east coast to visit for a few days with Bob Smith and Dennis....and of course the rest of us.   Bob and Meg cooked up a very nice quinoa salad with yellow peppers, spinach and all natural peanut butter.   It was delicious!  Laura....you would have loved this dish.

Meg....one of the chefs

What a happy guy!  Maybe he's got that smile on his face because lunch is served?? 

After lunch we headed out for a ride on the flat bottom boat that Bob has access to through a friend.  The dock is behind the condo.

 The crew getting the boat ready

and finally......our Captain Bob.  Yes....really....it's Bob Smith.  It must be the hat that makes him look different.

Some views of the Goodland area of Marco Island

It started to rain so we cut the boat ride short and headed back to the dock.  It was a great ride with some wonderful scenery.  Birds and all kinds of plant life that I was not able to capture with the camera as I was trying to stay dry.



Thanks Bob and Meg for such a healthy lunch and a scenic boat ride!