Day 11 – 11 Miles Today – My Trek Clocks Past 1st 100 Miles

Good Day,

I have now clocked 102.1 miles. I have surpassed 3% of my overall 3,301 mile goal from Tampa to Seattle. I am now located north of Kissimmee, just about at Southchase.

I’m in the bike lane on South Orange Blossom Trail and still headed in a northerly direction. Maybe at my next Interlake/Interlachen address point my Trek will turn to the west. I’m only taking it one day at a time.

As you can see I am in the bike lane on S Orange Blossom Trail. And to my left of my 11 miles goal this morning, I noticed a fitness club, (slight chuckle here), and one of the shops at the strip mall is a Bike Works… (Again, another chuckle.)

Radar contently chews on his antler, (sorry Santa), at his master’s feet. He’s learnt to avoid the whirling of the Schwinn 150 pedals. The puppy, Max, learned the hard way.


One hundred and two point one miles completed only 3,198.9 to go until December 2013.

Miles to Seattle	To Date	Miles Remaining	% Completed
3,301 miles	102.1 miles	3,198.9 miles	3.09%

The summer weather is stifling the occupants at Upstairs Downstairs…and everyone is either sick or arguing with someone else. A bad dream appears to portend that which is to come. All the makings of a superfluous soap opera.

My next Interlake address goal seems to be closing in. Stay tuned and enjoy.

Jim

Day 10 – Increase to 10.1 Miles – Trek To Winter Park, Florida

Good Day,

I increased two things on my excursion this morning on my Schwinn 150. I amplified the resistance level from 3 to 4; the top level is 10. I also increased my total mileage for the day by a whopping 0.1 mile to a total of 10.1 miles. I want to be slow but sure… and definitely not overdo it. This morning’s total mileage now reaches 91.1 miles since I began; only 3,209.9 miles left to go to arrive at 4216 Interlake Avenue North in Seattle.

This morning my Trek takes me to FL-600 East aka US-17 North aka US-92 East aka County Road 532 aka South Orange Blossom Trail at about Lime Street. I wonder if a cartographer may get confused with the number of names and designations given to one stretch of road. Certainly would confuse me… Also I am glad that my Schwinn 150 certainly is devoid of the need of a new tire.

You know that as I have included as many Interlake addresses on my route to Seattle as a sub-set of my overall goal, it should be something of a wonder exactly where I will be, apart from still in Tampa, on December 2, 2013.

Miles to Seattle	To Date	Miles Remaining	% Completed
3,301 miles	91.1 miles	3,209.9 miles	2.76%

And today is the fixed date of 12/12/12… I wonder whether there is anything special about 12 minutes past noon. I know that Kiam Mariya, from Birmingham, Alabama, and now lives in Bronxville, New York, will celebrate his 12th birthday today December 12, 2012 at 12 minutes after midday.

Well Rose got proposed to in today’s episode of Upstairs Downstairs, after only four days. Will she move to Australia?

For supper tonight I am looking for a good recipe for pork belly and turnips. Found one. It is a variation of Kakuni, a Japanese stew… My issue is one of the directions in the list of ingredients – “1/4 cups of cooking wine (less if the meat doesn’t smell that bad)”. I wonder.

Enjoy your day, I'm on my way to Winter Park.

Jim

Day 9 - And The Trek Continues - The Florida Wilderness?

Good Day,

Another 10 miles this morning, and I am now heading in a northerly direction. The jaunt this day has taken me along from my location yesterday on FL-600 E/US-17 N/US-92 E east past Haines City. North East of Haines City, about 6 miles is my stop location on FL-600 E/US-17 N/US-92 E. The scenery is somewhat boring.

But behind the trees on the right of my Schwinn 150 is what appears to be a sand pit and quarry. On my left is a Cemex USA, Florida complex which is categorized under Concrete-Blocks and Shapes Manufacturers. I can’t see it from the road but certainly can see it from the Google Map and satellite.

My total clocked miles is now 81 miles; only 3,220 more miles to go. Weight remaining stationary and blood sugar counts maintaining 100.

Miles to Seattle	To Date	Miles Remaining	% Completed
3,301 miles	81 miles	3,220 miles	2.45%

Today’s episode had the ears at a bar listening in to whom from the Downstairs saw what with whom of the Upstairs and the implications of bribery and legal repercussions.

Check out the completed EssbeeCon quilt at Quilts SB.

Enjoy,

Jim

Day 8 – Another 10 Miles – Upstairs Downstairs Christmas

Good Day,

Another 10 miles clocked this morning on my trek to Seattle. Today’s 10 miles keeps me going east toward Haines City on my way to my next Interlachen (aka Interlake) address. I wonder when my Schwinn 150 will finally have me heading north.

I’ve reached the Sweetwater Golf and Tennis Club Community just northeast of Lake Henry. My current position on the map, FL-600 E/US-92 E and Sweetwater Club Blvd. Can’t go in. The Google Map avatar cannot be dragged into the community. Guess there are some places that are not accessible by Google Maps.

I have now clocked 2.15% of my overall Trek of 3,301 miles; only 3,230.00 to go.

Miles to Seattle	To Date	Miles Remaining	% Completed
3,301 miles	71 miles	3,230 miles	2.15%

There is something ethereal about the progressive choice of the Upstairs Downstairs episode… and I just am putting the disc into the DVD player. This morning’s episode is centered on Christmas at 165 Eaton Place. And we have the introduction of a new character.

Enjoy,

Jim

Day 7 - 2nd Interlake Address Reached - Lakeland, Florida

Good Day,

Ten miles this morning and 5.1 miles, my next goal has been met; Interlake Drive in Lakeland, Florida.

I wonder if the paper in the middle of the intersection of Interlake Drive and Lawndale Road is my next clue and destination. It reads “Continue east along Memorial Boulevard to about Auburndale, Florida. This is your next stop.”

I do continue and finish my 10 miles. I have a choice; jump on the trailer drawn by the truck just ahead for a free ride or stop at the Burger King for a fast-food breakfast? Wonder how counterproductive the fast-food breakfast will be to my overall weight goal?

My first choice is a Burger King Croissanwich with Sausage, Egg, and Cheese and a medium Hash Brown ranks in at 1,160 calories. This morning’s 10 miles at an average of 15 miles per hour equals an approximate burning of 200 calories. I’d have to cycle seven more days, or 70 more miles, just to burn up the BK breakfast… Guess I’ll stick with a banana and yoghurt.

Upstairs Downstairs episode must have been tied into my jaunt this morning. It was an episode of a hunt. I felt that I was keeping up with the Master of the Hounds.

My next set Interlake address goal is in Winter Park, Florida; 68.5 miles. Overall to Seattle, Washington – 3,240 miles to go.

Miles to Seattle	To Date	Miles Remaining	% Completed
3,301 miles	61 miles	3,240 miles	1.85%

Enjoy,

Jim

Day 6 – And I Am Not Lost, By Google Maps – Henley Field Bryant Stadium, Lakeland, Florida

Good Day,

Ten miles again this morning on my Schwinn 150. I made it to the Henley Field Bryant Stadium in Lakeland, Florida. I’m just about at the intersection of Florida Avenue and Memorial Boulevard. Certainly glad that there is a bicycle lane for safety.

From 1934 to 1966 the Detroit Tigers had played at Henley Field, sharing the facility with the Dreadnaughts and Florida Southern College. Photo courtesy of Lakeland Public Library.

Tomorrow I shall reach my 3rd Goal, Interlake Drive in Lakeland, Florida. All-things-being-equal, I would hope that my sense of direction and Interlake goals will eventually turn me toward the North.

Only 3,250 more miles to go to...

Miles to Seattle	To Date	Miles Remaining
3,301 miles	51 miles	3,250 miles

A couple of new characters were added to this morning’s episode of Upstairs Downstairs… Methinks that they were just fillers to provide an anticlimactic diversion for the viewer, and another extra episode. One was a thief and the other two could be equated similar to a British version of carpetbaggers and scalawags.

Enjoy,

Jim

Day 5 – Increase to 10 Miles Today

Good Day,

This morning’s ride of 10 miles on my destination to 4216 Interlake Drive in Lakeland, Florida, allowed me to reach the intersection of County Road 700 and Rock Ridge Road. And this segment of my Trek, to the next Interlake address, has me heading in southeasterly direction… Unless I’m getting on a boat somewhere on the coast of this State of Florida, I thought Seattle was in the opposite northwestern direction. Guess we’ll see what happens and what road I’ll be taking after I reach my Lakeland destination…

One thing for sure, my Schwinn 150 is definitely keeping me out of traffic. I certainly can avoid the 18-wheelers and their tremendous wind wake.

Only 3,260 more miles to go to...

Miles to Seattle	To Date	Miles Remaining
3,301 miles	41 miles	3,260 miles

Was wondering this morning as I was walking The Pack whether squirrels have a mind-altering effect on some dogs? Why do Max and Radar insist on picking acorns and eating them? It is a constant. Bella and Tinker never do; they only care about screeching at the fuzzy tailed rodents.

Alfred returned in today’s episode of Upstairs Downstairs… and shortly the bell in the tower chimed.

Well back to my genealogy search and research of the Pariza Family Line at A Genealogy Hunt. Also check out Quilts SB. Three soon to be completed quilts and wall hangings to be posted.

Enjoy,

Jim