Back to the south retreat, the destination was Lakeland, Florida for a mix of mountain biking (yes, there are trails in Lakeland) and a taste of Tiger baseball in spring training. The last time I was in Lakeland for a Tiger game was 1985 with a posse of three others on Spring break with an eventual final destination of Daytona Beach. I can't recall where we stayed for the game but the town definitely has grown since that time. I recall we went to a night game, got a white blanket from one of the housekeeping carts at the hotel, somehow got a marker from the front desk and made a sign. I doubt we made it on television that day but had fun with the effort. No home run balls caught this year (final score was 1-1 tie) as I more or less took in the game from various angles with some enjoyable $15 adult beverages. The walk back to the hotel was interesting as I walked over a creek, looked down and said attached gator was hanging, and I started to walk a bit faster.
As far as the mountain biking, just south of town is a resurrected mine area with some man made ponds (yes, with more alligators). Florida is not a hilly region so some creativity on trail creation is needed and a great trail they have created. The local bike shop advised the gators probably would be laying low due to the heat but I SWEAR I crossed a gator back while riding along the water; and I pedaled a little faster at that point. A short clip is attached below.
Trail Head
 |
| love the creativity of the mountain bike trails |
 |
| Verlander looked in form |
 |
| big head in the house |
