Ridin' the hood part 3 continued

[Arby]

Sorry for the delay in finishing this thread. I accidently deleted this portion of Riding the hood after completeing it and was preparing to proofread it. I'm just now getting the time to re-do it.

For those who took a stab at guessing what those concrete tracks were; They were part of the pre satellite early warning system. Radar units were mounted on wheels and moved on the tracks as the earth rotated. When they reached their limited of travel, then another radar system downrange would take over. They were based out of an old WW 2 training airfield currently known as Valkaria Airport in Grant-Valkaria Fla.

Picking up where I left off.

I jumped the barbed wire fence and lifted the bike over and rode out thru that subdivision to another county road, about 5 miles south of my house.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp5338%3B%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C 7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C44332%3Anu0mrj

I've headed south about 3 miles to another county right of way. I'll use it to get over to another subdivision.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53395%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C44632%3Anu0mrj

Looks like I've got water crossing to ford.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53389%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C45232%3Anu0mrj

Just so happens I've got a foot bridge stashed over in the bushes.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53385%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C45%3A32%3Anu0mrj

A quick shot of my Specialized Stump Jumper Pro mtn bike, just in case anyone thinks I'm cheating and riding my dual sport bike. I enjoy getting out on the bicycle. I think of it as my "gym" on wheels. Best of all I get to check out the neighborhood instead of sitting in some stuffy, smelly gym. And the workout begins when you open the garage door, and likewise ends when you close it. At 64 yrs old, I don't need any meds, and the doctor tells me to keep doing whatever it is I'm doing. Bicycling plays a role in that, I believe, so I'll keep it up long as I can.

http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp532%3C%3A%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B% 3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C44932%3Anu0mrj

This modular home community has thousands of units. You could have a winter home in here for about 50K . But they take a beating during hurricane and tornado season.
The name is Barefoot Bay, in case you want to google it.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp5337%3B%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C 7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C46332%3Anu0mrj

No body seems to mind the golf carts on the public roads.
This one's doing about 10 mph, but I'm afraid to pass him.
Now that I'm one of the old guys, I know how dangerous they can be.:icon_redface:

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53373%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C46932%3Anu0mrj

I'm back out on another county road, now I'm about 10 miles south of my house.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp5338%3B%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C 7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C46%3B32%3Anu0mrj

I've turned south on another county road, and you can see that Barefoot Bay goes on and on.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp5338%3A%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C 7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C47932%3Anu0mrj

We've finally left Barefoot Bay behind. Here's a genuine Orange Grove. I read recently that some area churches, in conjunction with grove owners, are starting up the Biblical (Old Testament) practice of "gleaning the fields" or groves in this case. For those who don't know, in Biblical times, Jewish farmers were not to pick their fields clean, they were to make one pass over the fields, then leave the leftovers for the Gentiles and poor Jews to pick. Sort of helping people to help themselves.

Well, now, here in Brevard Co, volunteers from local churches, are going in and gleaning the fields on behalf of the poor and needy. The crop is being turned over to soup kitchens, food banks and other charity organizations.

What a great program.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53383%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C48332%3Anu0mrj


BTW, the fruit will be it's sweetest now, after the recent cold snap we've had.

http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53335%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B643%3C48432%3Anu0mrj

This is a nice motorcycle road , too bad it's not about 50 miles long.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53373%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B64364%3B232%3Anu0mrj

http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53332%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B64364%3B732%3Anu0mrj

On down the road a bit, this road has some nice well kept homes in a beautiful (imo) rural setting.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53377%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B644885432%3Anu0mrj

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53377%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B644885432%3Anu0mrj

Some, however, haven't done as well. About a 1000 ft down the road. Right next door, really.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53377%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B644886%3A32%3Anu0mrj

Moving along a couple more miles, here's a place I tried to buy about 5 years ago. Nice large home with a large detached shop on 10 acres. The back of the house overlooks the North Prong of the Sebastan River. However the interior did suffer from a little bit of hurricane damage and a lot of (what I call) elderly neglect. I offered $200,000 less than the asking price, and they turned it down. Then the old lady passed away, and they sold it for $400,00 less than she was asking. Probably just as well that I didn't get, I guess.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53397%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B644888%3A32%3Anu0mrj

A couple shots of the North Prong of the Sebastian River from a (distant) neighbors backyard.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp5337%3B%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C 7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B64488%3B232%3Anu0mrj

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53389%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B3632%3Anu0mrj

OK, we,ve come to the end of the county road and there's little old fashioned marina located at the intersection with US 1. It's also the confluence of the Sebastian River and the Indian River (which is really a salt water lagoon a 100 miles or more long. If you were sitting at the outdoor bar/lunch counter, this would be your veiw.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53374%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B5732%3Anu0mrj

http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp532%3C%3B%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B% 3C7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B7432%3Anu0mrj

There's a bridge that can barely be seen thru the US 1 bridge. That's the Sebastian Inlet Bridge. The inlet was first dug by hand over a 100 years ago to provide access to the ocean for the seafood industry.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53377%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B8232%3Anu0mrj

Accross the street from the marina. An old fashion Florida waterfront community. It's called Little Hollywood, don't ask me where the name came from.

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp5339%3A%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C 7%3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B8532%3Anu0mrj

About a mile up the road is this eyesore, sitting right on the banks of the Indian River. I waited for a car came by before snapping this picture, to give a better idea of how large this is. It's an indoor boat storage yard.

http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53336%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B8832%3Anu0mrj

Just a couple more pics to go. The Indian River as seen from US I northbound.

http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53336%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B8%3B32%3Anu0mrj

I'll stop in my shop and check things over. I've been working here doing a lot of repairs and maintainance. I lost my main tenant during the recent crash, but as of today, I'm fully occupied again:eusa_clap:
but I could use a few more truckers to rent the outdoor parking spaces. (On the left)

http://images2b.photo.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53388%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B6449%3B%3A432%3Anu0mrj

Almost home, about a mile to go.

http://images.photo2.walgreens.com/232323232%7Ffp53335%3Enu%3D326%3A%3E475%3E%3B%3C7% 3EWSNRCG%3D33%3B644693632%3Anu0mrj

The ride was 28.7 miles according to my gps. About 2.5 hrs, about an hour longer that normal due to the picture taking.

There was no special reason for this post. It was just a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon, so I posted for any one that wanted to come along for the ride.

RB

[DarthRider]

Man, that's one great neighborhood Arby!
What is that big eyesore? Don't tell me it's a house...

[1MPH]

It was just a pleasant way to spend a Saturday afternoon, so I posted for any one that wanted to come along for the ride.

RB

Thanks Arby it was very pleasant way out here in California. I'm glad I came along for the ride...Superb just Superb....Thanks again.

[Tassie Devil]

You know Arby, this is exactly why I like the cafe' so much.
I feel I know you and your neighbourhood and I take a good deal of pleasure in leaning over the fence and saying hello...

I'm surprised you have got your act together at such a young age, being sixty-five myself, I can remember when I was sixty four and things were tough then....

Thanks for sharing your beautiful part of the World with us my friend...

Cheers,

JQ.

[Arby]

Man, that's one great neighborhood Arby!
What is that big eyesore? Don't tell me it's a house...

Dave, that's a in door boat storage facility. The original two story building blew down in one of the hurricanes we had about 5 years ago, and they were allowed to rebuild it bigger than ever.

Our community of Grant-Valkaria incorporated 3 or 4 years ago, just so we could prevent that kind of developement, and the Barefoot Bay community is looking into doing the same right now.

Jack, you've always got a kind word or observation. Thank you for that, I appreciate it.
It would be great if we could hook up for lunch or dinner and say hello in person while we're on the west coast tagging along with Dirty Doug and his entourage. Just a thought.

JQ, I'm pleased to hear that it'll get better as I age. I'm looking forward to being 65, as the alternatives are not too good!! As for having my act together, I work when I have to, and have fun when I can. Although, strangely enough, sometimes work is fun. :)

RB

[1MPH]

Jack, you've always got a kind word or observation. Thank you for that, I appreciate it.
It would be great if we could hook up for lunch or dinner and say hello in person while we're on the west coast tagging along with Dirty Doug and his entourage. Just a thought. RB

No, Thank you for posting such great ride tales.
Lunch or dinner is very doable. I've been in Will's neighborhood a few times. Bones is a good BBQ place, but Will knows the area way better than I do and knows some fine eateries.
When the time cimes I'll ride up with my wife in our truck. (wife won't get on the bike).

[Sir Limpsalot]

Nice one Arby. I enjoyed the ride in the fresh air. Didn't get tired legs or a sore a*** which is a bonus!
Thanks,
Si.

[Arby]

No, Thank you for posting such great ride tales.
Lunch or dinner is very doable. I've been in Will's neighborhood a few times. Bones is a good BBQ place, but Will knows the area way better than I do and knows some fine eateries.
When the time cimes I'll ride up with my wife in our truck. (wife won't get on the bike).

Jack, I'll look forward to meeting you and the Mizzuz then!

Si, thankfully, I've been riding enough that I didn't get a sore tush, however the rest of me gets a pretty good workout!

RB

[NoRRmad]

For those who took a stab at guessing what those concrete tracks were; They were part of the pre satellite early warning system. Radar units were mounted on wheels and moved on the tracks as the earth rotated. When they reached their limited of travel, then another radar system downrange would take over. Hm. At Florida's latitude, those radar units would have to move at about eleven hunnert MPH to compensate for the Earth's rotation. And only east-west tracks would be useful. Where'd you hear that explanation?

Still, nice ride.

[Arby]

Hm. At Florida's latitude, those radar units would have to move at about eleven hunnert MPH to compensate for the Earth's rotation. And only east-west tracks would be useful. Where'd you hear that explanation?

Still, nice ride.

Well, yes, it was a nice ride. Thanks for the response.

Actually, the tracks are only running north-south, but the Air Force owned a roughly equal sized right of way starting at roughly the same point (on the old airfield property)and running for some miles east - west too, a portion of it runs across my rear property line. The AF has released or given most of it away to ajoining property owners for the asking.

I've been here 22 years, so I really can't say who told me about it. I didn't get it from any classified sources or anything ,though. I'll google it and see if I can verify my information.

It doesn't seem too far fetched to me. A lot of radar covers a large patch of earth, and then making it mobile to boot, seems very workable, at least to a layman like me. And the need would be to protect from east/west as well as north/south directions.

But, that's a good question, I'll check it out and post up what I find.



How would you propose to guard against incoming ICBM's in the days before satelites?

RB

Well, it turns out the tracks were not used to track incoming ICBM's, but our own outgoing Minutemen missles.
It seems there was a program back in the day known as MISTRAM, and the old Valkaria airfield was a base for one of those systems.

Any one interested can do a search for Valkaria Airport and/or a search for MISTRAM.

Thanks for setting me straight, NoRRmad :webers:

RB

[Sir Limpsalot]

Crikey, enjoyable, informative, educational. We got it all, right here at the Cafe.

Si :)

[Dirty Doug]

RB,

Being a past bicycle rider and lover of the sport your report almost.....that's almost.... makes me want to start riding again. Seems all my free time riding is on the motorcycle and that has lead to having Dunlap problems. My belly Dunlapped over my belt. Thanks for sharing your ride.

Dirty Doug

[Arby]

RB,

Being a past bicycle rider and lover of the sport your report almost.....that's almost.... makes me want to start riding again. Seems all my free time riding is on the motorcycle and that has lead to having Dunlap problems. My belly Dunlapped over my belt. Thanks for sharing your ride.

Dirty Doug

Doug, I'm very familiar with the ol' dunlap problem!!

I have to admit, I've thought it would be fun to host you and geechi on one of these old guy fun rides.
I enjoyed sharing tales of bicycling with geeechi when he and Peggy came to pick up your bike in NC.

RB

[Sir Limpsalot]

If it happens, be sure to report it here!
Si.

[Rchop]

RB, you should post some inside pics and info regarding that "high and dry" marina. I used to keep nice deep vee offshore sport fisher in one in Clearwater, FL. It was quite a sight to see all the boats nestled in their own little spaces in the 4 story building. Watching the big fork lift remove my large boat from the 3rd story and set it on the dockside rack so we could load our gear was quite an adventure. I got in the habit of calling ahead so the boat was in the water, fueled, warmed up and ready for action by the time we arrived.

[Arby]

RB, you should post some inside pics and info regarding that "high and dry" marina. I used to keep nice deep vee offshore sport fisher in one in Clearwater, FL. It was quite a sight to see all the boats nestled in their own little spaces in the 4 story building. Watching the big fork lift remove my large boat from the 3rd story and set it on the dockside rack so we could load our gear was quite an adventure. I got in the habit of calling ahead so the boat was in the water, fueled, warmed up and ready for action by the time we arrived.

I might just do that at some point, but right now I'm still not over the trauma of deleting this whole thread and having to do it over again!! :)

RB