Fri - Jan 19/18

Today we were off to a section of  "The Villages" in Wildwood, FL. I was taking Charlotte to a Quilt Show and Market in the Rohan Recreation Center. The Villages is the fastest growing residential area in the USA. I was not surprised that the address given on the flyer for the event was not on my GPS. Although I have the latest map update this doesn't mean much. By the time updates are available they are actually between 1 to 2 years behind the times. Even Google Maps does not have this as a map location yet.

A few notes on The Villages. The Villages is the largest gated 55+ community in the world (current population is great than 115,000 as of Aug. 2017) and encompasses an area larger than Manhattan.

Almost every household has a Golf Car (please, don't refer to them as "carts") as a second vehicle. Many are custom units with prices above $25,000.

They take up more parking spaces in the "Town Squares" than autos. This is a good thing. As many as 4 can fit in the parking spot occupied by 1 car. The Villages holds the Guinness World Record for the longest golf-car(t) parade (3,321). Special roads (and regulations) let them access shopping areas using the over 90 miles of dedicated paved golf cart roads (not unlike bicycle paths in other areas of the world) that have both tunnels and bridges to allow crossing of major roads and highways. Of course, they are also used on The Villages Golf Courses of which 38 are Executive (9 Hole) and 12 are Country Clubs (10 w/27 Holes and 2 w/18).

We drove past one golf course after the other along Morse Blvd. (Named for the son of the original developer).  Being the "Dry Season" they all looked a little parched. Residents (Technically) are able to play "free golf for life". The "free golf" is paid for by mandatory amenities fees assessed all homeowners and the "free golf" is limited to the executive golf courses and only to players who walk these courses. Players riding golf carts on executive courses pay no Green Fees but must pay a Trail Fee. Both Greens fees and Trail Fees are required on Country Club courses.

The town squares have free (even to the public) entertainment (5-9) every day of the year. Numerous "recreation centers" have swimming pools, multi-purpose rooms and exercise areas and ball or tennis courts. Pickleball is now the "In" sport.

No wonder The Villages are often referred to as "Disneyland for Adults" although all is not all that it seems. This is Ground Zero for Geriatrics where there is a "Black Market" for Viagra,  STD's have risen over 70% and "Quickies" often occur at sunset along the "Lover's Lane" area by the bridge near Lake Sumter Landing.

Although it likes to bill itself as "America's Friendliest Hometown" children can only visit (limited) but not stay permanently. Many activity areas are "Off-Limits" to the youngsters.

I did find that my GPS could locate a Kristine Way in Wildwood, FL even though it did not have any street addresses listed. I was already aware of this possibility so I decided to get as close as possible and either find a sign for the building or look for a lot of cars parked in one area. I found both as well as what was possibly the last parking spot available.

I remained in the car; but I did my duty. I sent Charlotte off with $$ and orders to take as long as she needed and get whatever she wanted. I then settled back to relax and listen to music in the car.

After a while I decided to get out and enjoy the wonderful sunshine and the warm air. It was now above 60 F. (warm for a Canadian, EH!) The few hours of waiting passed by quickly as I spent most of it in conversation with one of the show volunteers (Jean) and others that wandered by. When we arrived Jean had guided us to our parking spot using the flag.

Jean and I managed to solve the problems of the world in the short time we talked. (grin)

It is amazing how "Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon" applies everywhere. This is a parlour game based on the "six degrees of separation" concept, which posits that any two people on Earth are six or fewer acquaintance links apart. My version "Six Degrees of Bill" is that we can all find links to something in common that we have experienced.

LINK: Jean's grandson (in NC) had recently returned from playing in a hockey tournament in Ottawa, ON Canada. Our grandson (Marty) was a goalie on our local (South Stormont Selects) team that were previous champions for their division in the same age group as her grandson at the same tournament .

For a period this morning visitors had to go to an overflow parking area and be shuttled to the site; but by the time Charlotte emerged from the show parking spots were becoming more plentiful in the close-by parking areas.

Charlotte did find a neat item. I don't quite understand it; but it appears that the material is sewn onto fabric, you then do something? and Voila! It somehow makes the material look "aged" or "antique". She bought 50 yards so I'm sure I will see it in action sooner or later?

We continued on, with the top off, to the Lake Sumter Landing Town Square area of The Villages.

VanHeusen is always a stop when we visit. Charlotte left the store with a few new "Izod" items. We checked out the movies at the theater but the times didn't suit.

Our choice was to go across the street to Johnny Rockets for a meal - then head home.

We shared a Philly Sandwich and Loaded Bacon/Cheese Fries. Charlotte had an Unsweetened Ice Tea and I had a "Butterfinger" Milkshake.

Every 15-20 minutes they play "Rockin' Robin" and all the servers clap, hand motion and dance to the music. It's a Rockin' Johnny's theme song (played extremely loud).

As we were leaving workers were arriving to set up hundreds of chairs for those that would soon be arriving for the nightly entertainment in the square. We decided today we would rather enjoy the sunshine with a slow ride back to the motorhome with the top off the Del Sol.

We took a few new alternative roads through "horse country" near the Grand Oaks RV Resort and Florida Carriage Museum near Lake Griffith. (Rich or What?). Several riders were out on courses on horseback.

Others were in carriages. This resort specializes in RV spots (Mostly motorhomes) with stable accommodations for the owners horses.

There were also a number of other "Rich Ranches" along the roads that we took while enjoying the sunshine.

I'm doing the blog early so I can get back for Jeopardy. It will be a relaxing TV evening tonight.