Went to Florida to give away my daughter

[<G Man>]

After a couple of very busy days back at work, I finally got a little time to share my trip story.

I gained a son-in-law last week. I spent last week in Florida to give away my daughter for marriage. What a life changing event!

My wife and I headed out last Sunday morning, with bike in tow, to spend a few days in Tampa and then finish the week in St. Pete Beach for the ceremony.

This was my first experience trailering the bike and I learned a couple of things. First, I learned when you don't own a trailer, rental choices are somewhat limited. I reserved a U-Haul motorcycle trailer and ended up getting "upgraded" to a 5x9 open hauler. It worked but it weighed twice as much (read more gas). I also learned the difference between cheap tie-downs and expensive motorcycle tie-downs. No major damage was done, but the abrasive straps I used gave me some extra polishing to do on some of the chrome. I also learned (I remember now reading this on the forum but I forgot), don't open trailer your bike with a full gas tank. Again, no damage but it was a bit messy after 630 miles.

The first day there, we took the bike for a nice ride up to Ocala, where my aunt and uncle have a jewelery shop, to pick up necklaces for the bridal party and rings. The weather was great, as it was all week. We took some back roads on the way back to Tampa and had a great day of riding, but I left the camera in the hotel room.

We figured out the second day that there was a hidden benefit of trailering the bike as we ended up with 2 modes of transportation. This worked out great as I spent the week hanging out with the twenty-somethings groomsmen while my wife was hanging out with the "girls". Tuesday was the day for final suit fitting and then the bachelor party which started at Mr. Dunderbak's Biergarten & Restaurant. We had a table outside and enjoyed several German beers and cigars and some good laughs. Since I missed dinner (the guys had eaten earlier and I just showed up for drinks), I decided late in the evening that a smoked bauerwurst and some German potato salad sounded good. This prompted one of the better laughs of the evening when the young heavily tatooed waitress stepped up to the tables with a plate in her hand and proclaimed "I have a weiner". After I told her we really didn't need to know that and laughing for a minute, I didn't claim the plate so she asked "doesn't anybody want this weiner?". Of course someone had to ask how big it was and without missing a beat she responded "it's adequate". I begrudgingly claimed the adequate weiner and after another couple of beers I decided it was time for me to ride home and let the young'ns continue the party without me.

Wednesday was golf day. I rode up to St Leo University to meet the gang for a round on the school course. I walked over to check out the Grotto and snap a few pictures before we hit the course.

The Grotto








I'm not really a golfer, but I will try just about anything that involves beer and whiskey and a beautiful Florida afternoon. Somehow, I was almost in the lead after nine.

The gang




Worst form ever!


A tree


Hey! What's in there?


The groom with his groomsmen




We took a lunch break (and a few of the guys made a beer run) and then back to the course. We decided to play best ball for the back nine and I was glad because my game really started to deteriorate by then. We wrapped up around dark and headed back to Tampa for some dinner (and more drinks).

Getting a little goofy near the end


Thursday, we packed up and headed over to the Grand Plaza on St Pete Beach. I managed to convince my wife to drive the Durango with the trailer while I rode the bike over. Another great ride across the bay.

Checking in


The penthouse suite for the bride and bride's maids


...and the view


This is not related to anything at all


That afternoon was rehearsal and then rehearsal dinner. The whole thing was starting to sink in so I had a couple of drinks before rehearsal, which went well. Dinner was at Snapper's, a couple blocks down the street and we decided to ride the bike over. It was pretty entertaining with me in shirt and tie and my wife in her dress. She was really rockin' the heels on the back though, I must say.

Cheers


Let's not get carried away now


Young guy movin' in on my woman


After a great dinner (and a magic bottle of wine that kept re-filling itself), it was back to the hotel and hanging out with the "boys" again. We had to pull the "adult card" once when the noise level caused a couple of complaints at the front desk. Nobody got hurt, nothing got damaged and nobody got kicked out. All was good.

Friday was a day full of waiting (and a couple of drinks to calm the nerves). I hung out in the guys room for dressing while my wife was in the "glam room" with the bride and bride's maids. (That means I got to miss all the drama).

A waiting groom


The ceremony was at 4:45 on the beach with no breeze, blue skies, 72 and sunny.

OK, this is when I started balling


Timing was perfect for sunset pictures immediately after.



My wife, rockin' that dress


This was actually her idea




Following pictures, we went up to the Ballroom for the reception. Dinner, dancing, open bar well stocked with Jameson made for a great party. I got to spend a good bit of time walking around and thanking everyone for showing up for the free dinner and open bar.

These guys were a trip


Saturday was the day to relax. We hit the breakfast buffet with the newlyweds and then they went boating while we hung out at the pool for a while. After a little too much sun, the wife and I went for a ride on the bike which took us to the Sloppy Pelican for a couple beers on the dock bar.





We headed back to the hotel and closed the evening with the wedding party down at Bongo's Beach Bar for dinner and a nightcap.



Sunday, we trucked it back home. What a great week!

[huskerbob]

looks like it was a great time all the way around! you have a beautiful daughter!

her bouquet matched your baby blue bike perfectly

[luvstoride]

You GAVE her away? I would have offered you some cash for her.

[Smegger 21]

Congrats and nice pictures. I used to live in St. Pete once upon time.

Not trying to be nosey, but who was the wedding photographer ? Only reason I'm asking, my niece is a photographer and does weddings on St. Pete beach. She goes by ALT Photography.

[Road King Cole]

Looks like a great wedding! I spent a couple years in St Pete in the late 70's when I was in the CG. Was the "grotto" at the kapok tree Inn\restaurant?

Obviously you did a good job shielding your new son-in-law from what sort of family he is marrying into.

Thanks for sharing, great pic's!

rkc

[BigD]

At least you said. "son-in-law" instead of "dead weight"! LOL

Yep, Kati rocked the dress. I wasn't really sure that was her until I saw the red Keds!

[Smegger 21]

Originally Posted by Road King Cole

Looks like a great wedding! I spent a couple years in St Pete in the late 70's when I was in the CG. Was the "grotto" at the kapok tree Inn\restaurant?

Obviously you did a good job shielding your new son-in-law from what sort of family he is marrying into.

Thanks for sharing, great pic's!

rkc

I'm not trying to hijack the thread just a question for rkc.

Hey rkc, I was stationed in St. Pete from Dec 78-Jun 83 on the Vise. Could be we've crossed paths a time or two.

[Road King Cole]

Originally Posted by Smegger 21

I'm not trying to hijack the thread just a question for rkc.

Hey rkc, I was stationed in St. Pete from Dec 78-Jun 83 on the Vise. Could be we've crossed paths a time or two.

I was across the little bay at the station, 76/77-Sept 79.

rkc

[strokerjlk]

I will be right behind you G man. I can relate sorta
just happen to have a pic of my daughter on a unique color road king also.

[<G Man>]

Originally Posted by luvstoride

You GAVE her away? I would have offered you some cash for her.

You know luvs, this was a serious event in my life and I would have expected a more respectful response from you on this.







































Just kidding. No I didn't.

Originally Posted by huskerbob

looks like it was a great time all the way around! you have a beautiful daughter!

her bouquet matched your baby blue bike perfectly

Thanks Bob.

Originally Posted by Smegger 21

Congrats and nice pictures. I used to live in St. Pete once upon time.

Not trying to be nosey, but who was the wedding photographer ? Only reason I'm asking, my niece is a photographer and does weddings on St. Pete beach. She goes by ALT Photography.

Thanks. It was Maria Snider. I haven't seen any of her shots yet. Those I posted are mine.

Originally Posted by Road King Cole

Looks like a great wedding! I spent a couple years in St Pete in the late 70's when I was in the CG. Was the "grotto" at the kapok tree Inn\restaurant?

Obviously you did a good job shielding your new son-in-law from what sort of family he is marrying into.

Thanks for sharing, great pic's!

rkc

Thanks Cole.

The Kapok Tree was in Clearwater. We used to live about a mile away from it. The Grotto in my pics is at St Leo University. Its a gathering place for the nuns.

Oddly enough, the new SIL fits right into the family. Who'da thunk?

Originally Posted by BigD

At least you said. "son-in-law" instead of "dead weight"! LOL

Yep, Kati rocked the dress. I wasn't really sure that was her until I saw the red Keds!

Actually, he travelled 630 miles to come and ask my permission. I have a good feeling about him.

Originally Posted by strokerjlk

I will be right behind you G man. I can relate sorta
just happen to have a pic of my daughter on a unique color road king also.

Sweet bike! She doesn't look old enough to be thinking about marriage.

[ncmedic]

Congrats !! Looks like an awesome trip !

[C Pope]

Originally Posted by Smegger 21

I'm not trying to hijack the thread just a question for rkc.

Hey rkc, I was stationed in St. Pete from Dec 78-Jun 83 on the Vise. Could be we've crossed paths a time or two.

I was also on the Vise with BMCM Renando and across the bay at the station.
cpope3 at tampabay dot rr.com