Week 7 at Wekiva Falls: Bikes, Brakes, Booty Shakes & Vanfest Vibes

Well friends, Week 7 at Wekiva Falls Resort did not come to play. It showed up with full personality—equal parts productivity, pedal power, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.

Brunch, Bottles & “Please Don’t Let the Pipes Freeze”

Picking up where we left off last week…After our late-night shenanigans at Dan and Stacey’s, we graciously allowed ourselves to sleep in (you’re welcome, bodies). We woke up to a brunch that dreams are made of—crispy bacon, savory sausage, buttery toast, and scrambled cheesy eggs that deserved their own fan club.

Fueled and happy, Darren and I refilled our water bottles and headed back to the rig, mildly concerned about the overnight temps. Nothing like a Florida cold snap to make you question your life choices. But alas—no frozen (or broken) pipes! A small victory, but we’ll take it.

Bikes, Brews & Brake Drama Solved

Monday brought great excitement…our long-awaited brake components FINALLY arrived (thanks a lot, cold weather delays 🙄). We loaded up the bikes and headed to Mt. Dora to  Adrenaline Bike Works—and wow, this place is a whole vibe.

Imagine this: you walk in and BAM—beer taps up front. Yes, a bike shop…with a bar. I mean, if that’s not motivation to maintain your bike, I don’t know what is. In the back? A full workshop AND a mini wooden mountain bike course for kids. Honestly, I was tempted to give it a whirl myself (no one needed that entertainment, though).

The staff? Absolute rockstars. Friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about what they do. Highly recommend if you’re ever rolling through Mount Dora.

PT, Publix & a Full-On Vanfest

Next up: another PT session for me (shoulder rehab is glamorous, let me tell you), while Darren did his usual “errand ninja” routine.

Darren doing 2-fisted research

Post-therapy reward? Fried chicken from Publix. If you know, you know.

We took our crispy treasure to Eustis to meet up with friends—Alex & Bruce (Colorado crew!), and a surprise guest appearance by Charlie Grace! The gathering spot? Paul’s family compound, which quickly transformed into what can only be described as an accidental van festival. Vans parked in the grass, laughter everywhere, and a whole lot of good vibes.

We met more of Paul’s family, snapped pics with Bones Malone and Alex & Bruce's travel partner, Skelly (yes, skeleton mascots are now part of our social circle, apparently), and just soaked up the kind of day that reminds you why this lifestyle is so special.

If It’s Nice Out…We Ride

Midweek rule: if the weather cooperates, we’re on the bikes. And lucky for us, Florida delivered. We explored the area, logged miles, and continued justifying all snacks consumed earlier in the week.

Winter Park: 0, Wind: 2

Another PT session, another attempt at the scenic boat tour in Winter Park…and once again, Mother Nature said, “Not today.”

The wind was doing the absolute most, so we pivoted to strolling and window shopping around the charming downtown area. It’s one of those places that makes you feel fancy even if you’re just there for the vibes.

Eventually, we waved the white flag and headed home—boat ride dreams postponed yet again.

Errands, Endurance & Karaoke Chaos

Friday = productivity meets party.

We knocked out a casual 25-mile bike ride to Publix (because why drive when you can turn grocery shopping into cardio?). Then, we capped off the evening with karaoke.

Let me just say…this crowd understood the assignment. Rowdy, dance-happy, and not afraid to shake what their mama gave them. It was a whole show.

Saturday kept the momentum going with a 19-mile ride to ALDI (we clearly have a theme here), followed by—you guessed it—more karaoke. New friends were made, laughs were had, and I even jumped in on another duet. Who am I??!

Final Thoughts

Week 7 was the perfect mix of getting things done, exploring new places, and leaning into the fun of this wild, wonderful road life. From fixing bikes to impromptu vanfests to singing our hearts out, it’s safe to say we’re fully in our groove.

Also, I think it’s worth noting: if we keep biking to every grocery store, we may accidentally become athletes. Stay tuned.

Cheers!

-Chasing 78° 🥓🚐🍗🚴‍♀️☀️🍻🌬️🚤🎤🔥 #Chasing78 #RVLife #WekivaFalls #BikeLife #FloridaAdventures #VanLifeVibes #KaraokeNights #TravelBlog #PublixLove #Chasing78 #FriendsAreBest