Today I went to the "Naples Watermelon Festival," I made up a ride and it turned out really nice.
The roads were in good shape, light traffic and some really nice roads in the country.
There were some hills but they weren't the short steep varity but long grades, although there were a couple of toughies on 161 and the climb into Dangerfield was really fun.
When I arrived in Naples about 7:45am not hardly anyone around, boy did that change by the time I got back. It turns out I parked in a great spot and not long after I got back to town the Parade started and it came right by the truck. It was a really nice Parade, longest one I've seen in awhile, enjoyed the cars, some really nice ones.
Right after the parade I was standing by my truck with the door open and I get a call on my cell, it's Michael who I met at the "Fireant Ride" and he's sporting a new bike, just like mine.
Mike wanted to know where I was, I closed the truck door and went out into the street to wave, he spotted me.
I go back to truck to wait on them and realize I just locked my keys in the truck, I hate that.
We flagged down a policeman and he gave me the number of a locksmith but in the meantime, Clay, who I also met in Marshall says he thinks he can open it with a clothes hanger, I go into a nearby store, lady gives me a coathanger and I head to truck.
Clay tries, with no luck, but he did have a good idea, I tried no luck. Meanwhile Clays wife, Angela, arrives and she asked me if she can try, sure.
It took her about 3 seconds to open the door, later I bought her a couple of snow cones, I got out cheap, thanks much Angela.
It was a couple of years ago that I met Michael and Clay and at that time Michael was just getting into riding, he had a mountain bike, I could tell then that Michael was getting the bug.
So now he has carbon, gettin in some good mileage and I want be leaving him behind anymore, I'm kind of scared to ride with him, I knew this was going to happen and I'm tickled for him.
After the truck fiasco we head to where all the action and watermelon is, lots of people and lots happening, I was surprised.
Clay and his family, Michael and I visited a bit, then Micheal leaves to ride another 30 miles in 95 degree heat, he's got it bad.
Finally at 1pm they start handing out the free watermelon, I sat with a couple from Mt Pleasant and had a nice visit, old boy told me how to grow watermelons. After finishing my watermelon it was time to head to the casa, get a cool shower and hit the couch.
I really had a good time and will most likely do this ride again next year, lord willing and the creek don't rise.
