Florida Specialties

Florida is different than other states and not just their hanging chads!

Motorcycles.  If you want to kill yourself on a motorcycle this place is very accommodating.  It feels like the speed limit does not apply to motorcycles.  There is a road along side one perimeter of the rv park where the speed limit is 45 mph and routinely it appears motorcycles are zooming through in excess of 80 mph.  This usually occurs on Friday and Saturdays nights.  Other nights, they seem to keep it to about 70 mph while racing each other down the street.  The Sheriffs headquarters is about 1 mile away, and surprisingly the sounds of no mufflers and squealing from racing tires go unnoticed.  

In heavy traffic, it is very common to have a motorcycle go by you doing a wheeling.  For a motorist next to them, it is very scary because you do not know if they can maintain control at 55 plus mph driving on the rear wheel only.

This is a state that does not require helmets and, it is rare to see someone wearing a helmet.  As mentioned in an earlier blog, there are billboards everywhere to the tune of call us after your motorcycle accident.

Another interesting Florida thing . . .  When there is an accident, even minor fender benders, the police stop traffic completely, sometimes in both directions, until the accident is completely cleared up.  They do not often route traffic around the accident so you can plan on spending more than an hour at the most minor of accidents--and they have plenty of accidents here!  People are so used to this, that as soon as there is an accident stoppage, they get out of their vehicles and stand around or sit on their vehicles having a soda, snacks, and either talking with their neighbor or reading a book or magazine--they drive prepared.

I would estimate that each day we have been in the RV park, we hear fire engines and other emergency vehicles with sirens blaring heading to some emergency and this happens about 12 times a day.  I have never been in a place where the sirens are going so often that you begin to not notice them!

Florida is also different in a good way.  Southwest Florida, at least January through April, has the been weather we have ever experienced.  Sunny days in the 70s, low humidity, and a light breeze with evenings in the 60's.  There are tropical trees, plants and flowers everywhere.  It is really beautiful and then of course, the beach with silky white sand is spiritually fulfilling.

We are in a location where we can ride our bikes virtually everywhere we could want to go because there are broad sidewalks for bikers almost everywhere you go.

We have enjoyed this first winter here (although it seems like summer) and look forward to many more warm winters.