Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...???

DrHall · 12-30-2007, 12:01 PM

Everyone knows about Florida: Land of Mickey Mouse, sunbaked beaches, quirky Keys, spring break debauchery, and of course geriatric high jinks.

Oh, and yeah...hurricanes!

But is that all there is? Here is a side of the Sunshine State few traditional tourists see.

I left Fort Myers heading north on Highway 41 (yes, THAT 41). 41 takes you through Punta Gorda, across Charlotte Harbour, and into Port Charlotte. Once across the bridge I take King's Highway (769) north and east towards Arcadia. King's Highway is typical for this area of Florida. I would describe it as a cruiser road, nice flowing curves through orange groves and cattle ranges. It is a real treat in March when the orange blossoms are in bloom and temps are perfect.

Shortly before 769 intersects SR 72 I make a right onto 661. this road loops around and back up to 72. It has some actual sport bike twisties. I am finding that these roads do exist in Florida, they just require some exploration to find. (Something that I am willing to sacrifice myself to do for y'all...no, it's ok, no need to thank me...) 72 east to 70 at Arcadia. I fuel up in town and stop by the rodeo arena. Arcadia is the site of the first rodeo in America (though now I can't find where I read that

). The current Championship Rodeo started in 1928.

I head west out of town and stop at the city park on the banks of the Peace River to plot my next leg. The Peace river is a major canoe and recreation are in this part of the state. I have never been in the area directly north of here, and it's time to check it out.

661 north takes me through more cow pasture and past horse farms. It's relatively straight, but pleasant scenery makes up for lack of curves. 661 meets 665 at Limestone (there IS a sign there, nothing else), and I head west. Take 663 to the north to Goose Pond Road and head west again. These roads are bordered with more groves and farms, lots of ramshackle out buildings and decaying farm machinery. While the roads are fairly straight there are quite a few "S" curves here and there, probably where the road had to deviate to accommodate obstinate landowners.

At the intersection of Goose Pond and 665 I turn south and see a sign for Solomon's Castle. Here I thought it was in the Middle East! I have to check it out. A narrow, twisty (

), crumbling (

glad I am on a Multistrada) back road leads me to a gravel (

Multistrada!) driveway and parking lot. The Castle (Your Page Title) turns out to be kind of a tacky 60's style family run tourist trap thing like you found along the old highways before interstates killed 'em (see route 66). It is a funky building with squares of metal siding rippled and nailed on to simulate stone blocks. I am too late to take a tour, but I walk around the grounds and talk to the cute waitresses at the "Boat in The Moat" restaurant. They say there is a bed and breakfast up the trail a bit, so I check it out. They are working on a building that has several guest rooms and a store. No accommodations ready yet or I would stay here. When questioned about a completion date the manager said "Yeah we have had one several times but it didn't work out. I have given up on trying to figure out when we will be done. Might be by next summer." Well that would be just in time for insane heat and humidity, and mosquitoes. I didn't make any reservations yet.

Unfortunately, I had eaten in Arcadia so I didn't get a chance to sample the fare at The Boat. It actually looked pretty good, I will come back again to try it and take the tour.

Decided to head east to Sebring and stay in that area. Getting back to 661, I back track south a ways to take some small roads towards Sebring. Brownsville street, 17, Gardner fish Branch road, Crewsville road and Hammock road get me to Highlands Hammock State Park near Sebring (I will soon figure out how to post a map of routes). This was a cool route through the orange grove country here. The roads had lots of turns, for FL, and turned to gravel for quite a section. I am so glad to be on this bike! Being more comfortable with it by now, I do slide a few corners. What a blast!

Hammock road goes turns gravel as it enters the west end of the State park. It twists through the cypress, pine and live oak forest, and over several wooden bridges in the swampy parts. I get to re-live my hare scramble past, albeit slowly and much more feebly

.

At the town of Sebring I find an old school motel on the shore of Lake Jackson (Sunset Beach Motel). It's cheap, clean, has a door that opens out to a view of the lake, a dock, and a nice gourmet restaurant next door. I walk down the beach to the restaurant (The Sunset Grille) to enjoy Beef Wellington and Cabernet on the back deck under spreading oak and pine trees. Very nice! Back down the beach for a cigar on the dock, and off to bed exhausted.
1: Arcadia Rodeo Grounds
2: Park on the Peace River
3: Typical road here
4: Old homestead on 661
5: Pasture land

DrHall · 12-30-2007, 12:06 PM

1: Solomon's castle
2: Cypress swamp in Highlands Hammock State Park
3: Lake Jackson, Sebring, FL

DrHall · 12-30-2007, 01:02 PM

Sunday morning in Sebring I have breakfast at the Lakeview Restaurant and take a lap around the lake. Sebring is a nice town, cool little downtown, great views of the lake. From there I head out to check out Sebring International Raceway. Take some pics and ride around the access areas. Can't find a way onto the track, which is a good thing

.

From here I head east on Highway 98. 98 is typical of the larger secondary roads that traverse Florida, particularly east/west. It's...relaxing

. Take Durrance road north to Eagle Island Rd east, and onto Florida Cracker Trail. Yep, Florida Cracker Trail, AKA SR66. The Trail heads straight east without much in the way of undulations, and right into Fort Pierce. I planned to head out to A1A and run south along the Atlantic, but when getting close to Intercoastal I spy a sign for the Navy Seal Museum. Have to head a little north to go out to A1A north of The Inlet. Cross the Indian River (actually the intercoastal waterway), and onto A1A. A short way down the road I find the museum. They have an outside display area with examples of Seal delivery vehicles for land, air, water, and underwater. Also some of the old beach obstacles that were placed on the beach near here for UDT personal to practice removing. This practice would be essential for prepping beaches for landings during war time.

Inside were displays chronicling the Seal Teams from the early UDT days till present. Key individuals, weapons, and equipment are all there. Very moving experience. These guys pay a heavy price to get to the positions they hold in the teams, and do a service for this country we are never even fully aware of. Well worth the stop if you get in the area.

Back on the road, I head south on A1A, loop around Fort Pierce Inlet and on down A1A. A1A runs down the narrow strip of barrier island that borders the Atlantic. Even this close to the water views of it are rather infrequent. Still a nice ride, though. At Stuart A1A heads into town and gets confusing. I take this opportunity to head west on SR 76 towards Lake Okeechobee.

Meeting up with Highway 98 again, I head south along the eastern shore of the big lake. Okeechobee has a canal ringing it with a levy on the outside of that, so no view of the lake. It's still a nice ride though, meandering along the levy and through small towns till picking up SR80 east at Belle Glade. From here it is a familiar ride west about 60 miles to Fort Myers. It is getting dark and these roads get a bunch of four legged visitors when the sun goes down, so it is a bit tedious from here on. Supper at Don's steakhouse in LaBelle helps, though. Another 45 min or so and I am home. Great weekend ride

, I needed it!

1: Mural on the Seal Museum
2: Seal delivery subs and stuff
3: Fort Pierce Beach
4: On the Rim Canal Levy at sundown
5: The End

maxib · 12-30-2007, 01:30 PM

The days are getting longer. 42 seconds more daylight today here. In about three months, the bikes are back on the road for me. Until then, thanks for the ride reports with the great pictures.

RedRider · 12-30-2007, 02:48 PM

Great report!

I've been to the Navy Seal Museum with my son and dad. A must see if you're ever in the Fort Pierce area...

bwhip · 12-30-2007, 03:17 PM

Thanks for the great write-up, and beautiful shots. Makes me want to go for ride. Alas, too snowy here

.

DrHall · 12-30-2007, 03:20 PM

Perfect riding weather here!

Airfare to FL is cheap, come on down!

DoctorFell · 12-30-2007, 09:03 PM

Was kind of disappointed I didn't get to ride in any hurricanes this season.

FrenchieR6 · 12-30-2007, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrHall

Perfect riding weather here!

Airfare to FL is cheap, come on down!

Don't tempt me.... I am a credit card away... How far are you from Tampa?

DrHall · 12-30-2007, 10:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrenchieR6

Don't tempt me.... I am a credit card away... How far are you from Tampa?

A mere 2 hours...

SheepOfBlue · 12-30-2007, 10:16 PM

13 hours to Bonita Beach from here and the first half would be a bit chilly. Oh and a road with a right AND a left does not make it a twisty section

oldfogey · 12-31-2007, 04:49 AM

Great account of your trip, Dr Hall. I drove around 200 miles on Friday evening in strong winds and heavy rain with the last twenty miles punctuated by water across the road. Glad I was in a car for that journey. Your account reminds me that not everywhere is dark and damp this time of year.

12-30-2007, 12:01 PM	#1
DrHall A Redneck Who Has Truly Arrived Join Date: 08-21-2007 Location: SW Florida Age: 49 Bike(s): DUC MTS 1000sDS, RC51 Posts: 998	Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? Everyone knows about Florida: Land of Mickey Mouse, sunbaked beaches, quirky Keys, spring break debauchery, and of course geriatric high jinks. Oh, and yeah...hurricanes! But is that all there is? Here is a side of the Sunshine State few traditional tourists see. I left Fort Myers heading north on Highway 41 (yes, THAT 41). 41 takes you through Punta Gorda, across Charlotte Harbour, and into Port Charlotte. Once across the bridge I take King's Highway (769) north and east towards Arcadia. King's Highway is typical for this area of Florida. I would describe it as a cruiser road, nice flowing curves through orange groves and cattle ranges. It is a real treat in March when the orange blossoms are in bloom and temps are perfect. Shortly before 769 intersects SR 72 I make a right onto 661. this road loops around and back up to 72. It has some actual sport bike twisties. I am finding that these roads do exist in Florida, they just require some exploration to find. (Something that I am willing to sacrifice myself to do for y'all...no, it's ok, no need to thank me...) 72 east to 70 at Arcadia. I fuel up in town and stop by the rodeo arena. Arcadia is the site of the first rodeo in America (though now I can't find where I read that ). The current Championship Rodeo started in 1928. I head west out of town and stop at the city park on the banks of the Peace River to plot my next leg. The Peace river is a major canoe and recreation are in this part of the state. I have never been in the area directly north of here, and it's time to check it out. 661 north takes me through more cow pasture and past horse farms. It's relatively straight, but pleasant scenery makes up for lack of curves. 661 meets 665 at Limestone (there IS a sign there, nothing else), and I head west. Take 663 to the north to Goose Pond Road and head west again. These roads are bordered with more groves and farms, lots of ramshackle out buildings and decaying farm machinery. While the roads are fairly straight there are quite a few "S" curves here and there, probably where the road had to deviate to accommodate obstinate landowners. At the intersection of Goose Pond and 665 I turn south and see a sign for Solomon's Castle. Here I thought it was in the Middle East! I have to check it out. A narrow, twisty (), crumbling ( glad I am on a Multistrada) back road leads me to a gravel ( Multistrada!) driveway and parking lot. The Castle (Your Page Title) turns out to be kind of a tacky 60's style family run tourist trap thing like you found along the old highways before interstates killed 'em (see route 66). It is a funky building with squares of metal siding rippled and nailed on to simulate stone blocks. I am too late to take a tour, but I walk around the grounds and talk to the cute waitresses at the "Boat in The Moat" restaurant. They say there is a bed and breakfast up the trail a bit, so I check it out. They are working on a building that has several guest rooms and a store. No accommodations ready yet or I would stay here. When questioned about a completion date the manager said "Yeah we have had one several times but it didn't work out. I have given up on trying to figure out when we will be done. Might be by next summer." Well that would be just in time for insane heat and humidity, and mosquitoes. I didn't make any reservations yet. Unfortunately, I had eaten in Arcadia so I didn't get a chance to sample the fare at The Boat. It actually looked pretty good, I will come back again to try it and take the tour. Decided to head east to Sebring and stay in that area. Getting back to 661, I back track south a ways to take some small roads towards Sebring. Brownsville street, 17, Gardner fish Branch road, Crewsville road and Hammock road get me to Highlands Hammock State Park near Sebring (I will soon figure out how to post a map of routes). This was a cool route through the orange grove country here. The roads had lots of turns, for FL, and turned to gravel for quite a section. I am so glad to be on this bike! Being more comfortable with it by now, I do slide a few corners. What a blast! Hammock road goes turns gravel as it enters the west end of the State park. It twists through the cypress, pine and live oak forest, and over several wooden bridges in the swampy parts. I get to re-live my hare scramble past, albeit slowly and much more feebly . At the town of Sebring I find an old school motel on the shore of Lake Jackson (Sunset Beach Motel). It's cheap, clean, has a door that opens out to a view of the lake, a dock, and a nice gourmet restaurant next door. I walk down the beach to the restaurant (The Sunset Grille) to enjoy Beef Wellington and Cabernet on the back deck under spreading oak and pine trees. Very nice! Back down the beach for a cigar on the dock, and off to bed exhausted. 1: Arcadia Rodeo Grounds 2: Park on the Peace River 3: Typical road here 4: Old homestead on 661 5: Pasture land Attached Thumbnails __________________ the percentage you're paying is too high priced-you're living beyond all your means, and the man in the suit has just bought a new car with the profit he's made on your dreams.... Last edited by DrHall; 12-30-2007 at 12:07 PM.

12-30-2007, 12:06 PM	#2
DrHall A Redneck Who Has Truly Arrived Join Date: 08-21-2007 Location: SW Florida Age: 49 Bike(s): DUC MTS 1000sDS, RC51 Posts: 998	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? 1: Solomon's castle 2: Cypress swamp in Highlands Hammock State Park 3: Lake Jackson, Sebring, FL Attached Thumbnails __________________ the percentage you're paying is too high priced-you're living beyond all your means, and the man in the suit has just bought a new car with the profit he's made on your dreams....

12-30-2007, 01:02 PM	#3
DrHall A Redneck Who Has Truly Arrived Join Date: 08-21-2007 Location: SW Florida Age: 49 Bike(s): DUC MTS 1000sDS, RC51 Posts: 998	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? Sunday morning in Sebring I have breakfast at the Lakeview Restaurant and take a lap around the lake. Sebring is a nice town, cool little downtown, great views of the lake. From there I head out to check out Sebring International Raceway. Take some pics and ride around the access areas. Can't find a way onto the track, which is a good thing . From here I head east on Highway 98. 98 is typical of the larger secondary roads that traverse Florida, particularly east/west. It's...relaxing . Take Durrance road north to Eagle Island Rd east, and onto Florida Cracker Trail. Yep, Florida Cracker Trail, AKA SR66. The Trail heads straight east without much in the way of undulations, and right into Fort Pierce. I planned to head out to A1A and run south along the Atlantic, but when getting close to Intercoastal I spy a sign for the Navy Seal Museum. Have to head a little north to go out to A1A north of The Inlet. Cross the Indian River (actually the intercoastal waterway), and onto A1A. A short way down the road I find the museum. They have an outside display area with examples of Seal delivery vehicles for land, air, water, and underwater. Also some of the old beach obstacles that were placed on the beach near here for UDT personal to practice removing. This practice would be essential for prepping beaches for landings during war time. Inside were displays chronicling the Seal Teams from the early UDT days till present. Key individuals, weapons, and equipment are all there. Very moving experience. These guys pay a heavy price to get to the positions they hold in the teams, and do a service for this country we are never even fully aware of. Well worth the stop if you get in the area. Back on the road, I head south on A1A, loop around Fort Pierce Inlet and on down A1A. A1A runs down the narrow strip of barrier island that borders the Atlantic. Even this close to the water views of it are rather infrequent. Still a nice ride, though. At Stuart A1A heads into town and gets confusing. I take this opportunity to head west on SR 76 towards Lake Okeechobee. Meeting up with Highway 98 again, I head south along the eastern shore of the big lake. Okeechobee has a canal ringing it with a levy on the outside of that, so no view of the lake. It's still a nice ride though, meandering along the levy and through small towns till picking up SR80 east at Belle Glade. From here it is a familiar ride west about 60 miles to Fort Myers. It is getting dark and these roads get a bunch of four legged visitors when the sun goes down, so it is a bit tedious from here on. Supper at Don's steakhouse in LaBelle helps, though. Another 45 min or so and I am home. Great weekend ride , I needed it! 1: Mural on the Seal Museum 2: Seal delivery subs and stuff 3: Fort Pierce Beach 4: On the Rim Canal Levy at sundown 5: The End Attached Thumbnails __________________ the percentage you're paying is too high priced-you're living beyond all your means, and the man in the suit has just bought a new car with the profit he's made on your dreams....

12-30-2007, 01:30 PM	#4
maxib Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: MN Age: 57 Bike(s): 02 CBR954RR 05 ST1300 Posts: 1,004	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? The days are getting longer. 42 seconds more daylight today here. In about three months, the bikes are back on the road for me. Until then, thanks for the ride reports with the great pictures.

12-30-2007, 02:48 PM	#5
RedRider Join Date: 12-13-2006 Age: 49 Bike(s): 929 Posts: 2,374	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? Great report! I've been to the Navy Seal Museum with my son and dad. A must see if you're ever in the Fort Pierce area...

12-30-2007, 03:17 PM	#6
bwhip Every ride a gift... Join Date: 12-13-2006 Location: Idaho, USA Bike(s): 1098S-SXV550-849-Ruckus Posts: 3,896	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? Thanks for the great write-up, and beautiful shots. Makes me want to go for ride. Alas, too snowy here . __________________ My Gallery

12-30-2007, 03:20 PM	#7
DrHall A Redneck Who Has Truly Arrived Join Date: 08-21-2007 Location: SW Florida Age: 49 Bike(s): DUC MTS 1000sDS, RC51 Posts: 998	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? Perfect riding weather here! Airfare to FL is cheap, come on down! __________________ the percentage you're paying is too high priced-you're living beyond all your means, and the man in the suit has just bought a new car with the profit he's made on your dreams....

12-30-2007, 09:03 PM	#8
DoctorFell I'm wacky times. Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: The moon. Age: 24 Bike(s): 1995 CBR F3 Posts: 262	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? Was kind of disappointed I didn't get to ride in any hurricanes this season.

12-30-2007, 10:16 PM	#11
SheepOfBlue SRA President Join Date: 12-18-2006 Location: Huntsville, AL Age: 46 Bike(s): CBR1000RR, RC51, VT500FT Posts: 6,365	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? 13 hours to Bonita Beach from here and the first half would be a bit chilly. Oh and a road with a right AND a left does not make it a twisty section __________________ A man who carries a cat by the tail learns something he can learn in no other way

12-31-2007, 04:49 AM	#12
oldfogey Senior member Join Date: 12-14-2006 Location: St Albans, UK Age: 55 Bike(s): Honda VFR800i, BSA Posts: 1,151	Re: Oceans, Oranges, and Castles...??? Great account of your trip, Dr Hall. I drove around 200 miles on Friday evening in strong winds and heavy rain with the last twenty miles punctuated by water across the road. Glad I was in a car for that journey. Your account reminds me that not everywhere is dark and damp this time of year. __________________ A government big enough to give you everything you want is a government big enough to take from you everything you have - Gerald R. Ford