Enjoy the Outdoors. Love the Planet.
All about Nature, about the outdoors<>I love it, photograph it and protect it.
They’re Back in Black!
If you read Bulldog’s rant about the white unis worn by the Knights on opening day, you might be thinking to yourself: “what’s wrong with a White Knight?”
He just didn’t like the blinding whiteness of it all and the fact that it made the numbers on the players’ backs almost impossible to read. Yes, he went too far. Ranted too long.
But today, all is right in the world again. The Knights are Back in Black! Yay!
Bulldog Ben Basile
Full Foto Disclosure: This amazing photograph Ben took of the Knights in their awesome black-on-black togs is from the 2016 season. But that’s what they wore Saturday night in the rematch with FAMU which they won 1-0. Ben can get on with his life again!
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
The photo at the bottom is an official UCF photo. It shows UCF Ace Hurler Shelby Turnier wearing the best Knights’ uni ever in a game with the Gators from last year’s season. As you may know, Shelby is now pitching in the NPF with the Chicago Bandits. The Pros kick off their season in early June shortly after the College Softball World Series wraps up.
Photo of Shelby Turnier UCF Athletics used with permission
Loved the First Day of the 2017 Softball Season, But Those New…
In my previous post I talked about how today was the opening day for collegiate softball all over the nation and how the tournament sponsored by our hometown UCF Knights got it started here in the Central Florida area. I loved at least a thousand things about the start of this year’s season and about our team and the top-shelf tournament they’re hosting.
This ardent UCF fan’s one complaint about opening day was the new uni’s. The “white on white wear” that debuted today was awful. Just awful. The very plain jerseys just look like tee shirts and make one think of a sand lot game where players are actually wearing — their tee shirts. And the blinding whiteness of all white makes it almost impossible to see the players’ numbers. Not good. All sports, pro and collegiate have been sold a bill of goods — literally — and change their look and their unis every season now. Designers and uniform makers’ sales reps love it. Fans not so much.
Now I know that all teams have several sets of unis and I’ll probably see those awesome black on black togs for which the Knights have been well-known for years again this year. But the white on white is awful. My two bits of advice would be scrap those new, boring outfits as fast as you can and next year give the contract to some other sportswear maker.
A team’s look is not a trivial matter. Uniforms, specifically, are a big deal to fans. It’s one of those things in the sports world where a little tradition goes a long way. Folks, if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!
Strong supporter of UCF Athletics, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
P.S.: Let the record show that I also love the white pants with the muted-gold jerseys the knights wear a lot. Good design. Not too plain, not too flashy. Just right.
© 2017 Ben Lawrence Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Opening Day of the 2017 NCAA Softball Season
The 2017 Softball Season kicked off today all over the country and our home town UCF Knights helped to get this year’s campaign started in fine fashion.
The 2017 UCF Knights Invitational featured four well-respected teams from Florida and beyond. Florida A&M is the other squad from the Sunshine State. The University of Kentucky Wildcats and the Pitt Panthers are the other teams in this four-way tilt.
In today’s action, our Knights bested the FAMU Rattlers in their first contest 10-2 but then fell to Pitt in the 6 PM game by a score of 6-0.
There are four games on tap tomorrow — meaning Saturday — and two more to close out the tournament on Sunday. The Knights will face Kentucky tomorrow at 3:30 and then mix it up with A&M one more time at 6:00. They’ll close out the whole shebang in a rematch with Pitt at 11:30 Sunday morning.
Here’s the site for tourney results and to see the exact times for games. UCF’s excellent softball field is on the back side of Bright House Stadium. The Knights’ facility was pretty darn good before this season but the addition of chairs with backs over the old bleachers has kicked it up a notch or three. Loved the changes. The $1 hot dogs for opening day were a big hit, too. Judging from the number of fans I saw juggling hot dogs as they headed back to their new-and-improved seats, it wasn’t just me taking advantage of this awesome “dollar dog” promotion!
I had one complaint about opening day but I’m saving that rant for the next post! I love softball and love the Knights so I’ll let this bright, happy post about opening day live on the internet completely unspoiled by the irritation-filled screed coming next!
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Friction Farm Touring Florida and Playing at Long Point Park
In my last posting, I gave a quick run-down of last week’s very cool visit to a fave camping spot, Long Point Park in Melbourne Beach. And I mentioned that the trip gave me a long-overdue chance to catch up with an acoustic duo who’ve been at the top of my list for a long time. That would be Friction Farm, consisting of Aiden Quinn and Christine Stay.
Aiden and Christine are as good an acoustic duo as I’ve ever seen; their vocal harmonies are heartfelt, vibrant and warm. Their skill on their instruments is admirable — Aiden on guitar and Christine on acoustic bass and harmonica — and their stage presence is warm, even intimate at times without seeming contrived or schmaltzy.
What I like best about these two is that they skillfully create and showcase all original music in a way that is fresh but familiar. Their lyrics speak to me song after song, whether the tone is light and humorous or more purposeful and activist; and their well of melodic material is deep. I believe they’ve cut three new CD’s since I heard them last. Yes, it has been a while. But I’ve loved them every time I’ve been fortunate enough to catch one of their performances over the many years. (You’ve got to hear Red Fish, Blue Fish; especially if, like me, you’re a boomer and loved Dr. Seuss!)
If you hear of Friction Farm playing in your town, make sure you see them. And tell Aiden and Christine that Bulldog Ben sent you!
To view their site to hear cuts from their latest CD, I Read Your Book, see the complete discography or get on their email list, follow this link.
Photo used with permission
My Second Visit to Long Point Camp and Friction Farm!
I got back into town six days ago after my return to Long Point Camp in Melbourne Beach. Had a very nice time but didn’t blog about it until now as I’m right in the middle of a move.
Moving is just about my least favorite thing in the whole world. It ranks just below having a root canal but a tad bit higher than throwing up on a crowded bus. And — as you all know well — moving is not just taxing physically and emotionally, it’s always really, really time-consuming. Yuck.
Be that as it may, my return to Long Point was a fine stretch of camping by any standard. The weather was absolutely perfect and I got a chance to see a couple of friends from the world of acoustic music that I don’t get to see very often. That would be Aidan Quinn and Christine Stay, known together in the world of acoustic music as Friction Farm. These two have been delighting lovers of acoustic music for over ten years now and they’re faves of mine.
Staying at one of the coolest campgrounds in the Sunshine State and getting to see Aidan and Christine again — two mighty fine days and a wonderful way to kick off the month of February!
Friction Farm is so darn good that I’m going to devote the next post to their show at Long Point Camp. I booked Long Point for this particular camping excursion specifically to have a chance to hear them and catch up on their musical adventures. Not that one needs a special reason to make a trip to Long Point, but I did want to see Friction Farm again. I’m glad I did.
So, more about the musical part of this excursion in a minute. I’ll wrap this up by saying that I hope you guys are having a splendid month of February and that at least some of you are getting to scratch that outdoor itch!
Back in the apartment and missing Mother Nature, I am,
“Bulldog Ben” Basile
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
A Busy and Cold Weekend Here in Florida. Let’s Look at Moss Park Pix Again!
Lately I’ve been ready to head back out at each opp to see some new beautiful corner of Florida. Or revisit a familiar spot. Not happenin’ this weekend. It’s too cold and I’ve got too many tasks demanding attention. Way too many, truth be told.
But seeing as how I took about 80 or 90 photos at that awesome, serenity-promoting trip to Moss Park I just wrapped up 36 hours ago, why not post another pic or two from that excursion! I think I will…
Here’s another one I especially like. It came early in the shoot. Selecting your faves and getting them ready and all of that can be a bit time-consuming. Very rewarding but it can take a while. I have around a dozen or so I’d like to get up, so I’ll let this gem be next.
I hope life is treating you well where ever you may be as you read this. And I hope you’re getting a chance to delight in the wonders of this amazing planet that sustains us.
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Moss Park in Southern Orange County is a Lovely Spot
Just got back from a two day camp. Moss Park this time. If you’re familiar with greater Orlando, you know that’s just a bit east of our airport and that the Lake Nona area has grown up around the park. Yes, Moss Park pre-dates all the Lake Nona stuff. By many, many years.
What a place for a shutterbug to run wild! Loved it. Will be returning soon. In Florida, our motto should be “So Many Beautiful Places; So Little Time!”
Well, I’d vote for that. So much beauty all up and down the Sunshine State. Getting to experience just a bit more of it, and “talking” about here gives my life meaning and purpose. I’ll start tonight with just one quick photo. More to come. I promise.
Photo Credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Jim’s Place in Elkton Florida For Pizza and Fine Country Fare
I was in Elkton last October for an event at the St. Johns County Fairgrounds and noticed Jim’s Place. Elkton is not a big town by any stretch of the imagination and Jim just about has it locked up, as far as the restaurant business is concerned. But after having lunch there on that Saturday, I’m sure Jim would do just fine even if there was plenty of competition!
Just in case you’re not too familiar with this part of Florida, St. Augustine is the “big city” in St. Johns County. Tiny Elkton is a good location for the county fairgrounds as it’s pretty much in the middle of St. Johns. I was there playing music with my good friends Bill and Eli Perras for the recent Tiny House Festival and Jim’s is a stone’s throw away from the fairground’s entrance. I had to stop.
It was a busy Saturday lunch and it took my server a while to greet me. This was not a serious issue to me as the joint was jumpin’ and another party was seated about 20 seconds before I was. As someone who worked in that business for many years, I knew it would be a minute or two before my server made it table side.
Once she got to me and we got down to business, I opted for the Club Sub, it sounded intriguing. When I’m in a place for the first time, a Club Sandwich is one of my go-to orders. I’ve learned over the years that any establishment worth its salt can usually turn out a decent Club. But I’d never had a “Club Sub” and I just had to see what would come out of the kitchen.
It did not disappoint! It’s hard to translate a double decker sandwich into a sub roll but this sub — even though it really should have been served with a bib — was an excellent lunch for this first-time guest.
There are some menu offerings at places like Jim’s that are pretty much impossible to finish in one sitting. Their Club Sub is a great example. But I put on my big boy pants and managed to polish it off. You’re really not going to be able to eat it as you would a “normal” sub; this Mac Daddy of subs isn’t going to stay together for you, at least not long enough to get from stem to stern. If you do go to Jim’s and decide to give this selection a go, your fork will be your best friend. The fries were served hot and were quite good, too.
I liked the country vibe at Jim’s. When you look at the menu and take in your surroundings, there’s just a bit of a disconnect. Pizza and subs are staples here, but it looks nothing like your basic city pizza parlor. If you know what I mean. The best way for me to describe it is that it’s a bit like a scaled-down Cracker Barrel but without the retail part. It’s small-ish, but so is the town of Elkton. You certainly can get a lot more than pizza at Jim’s Place, so the country feel there is fitting. I’ve just never personally walked into a place for pizza or a sub that looked like it.
The next time I visit, I think I’ll make it earlier in the day and get an order of biscuits and gravy. And I’ll quash that silly hope that one day I’ll see Chicken Fried Steak on the menu at my fave pizza place in downtown Orlando! Just kidding…
Jim’s Place not only features excellent variety on its menu, it’s a very family-friendly spot and also has some outdoor seating on the front patio. The parking lot is not paved, something you’ll find in many small eateries in the country, so come wearing your boots and not your Sunday shoes! And the prices at Jim’s are moderate.
Jim’s Place ~ 4917 S.R. 207 ~ Elkton, Florida 32033 ~ Dial 904 692-1222 ~ The Home Page
You Do Have to See Silver Springs State Park to Get It!
Just got back from a two day camping excursion to Silver Springs State Park near Ocala and had an awesome time!
Silver Springs State Park is the newest gem in Florida’s state park system and I’m glad it’s been added. As many of you may know, it was a tourist attraction, the oldest in the Sunshine State and was completely converted to a state park in October of 2013. And it’s beautiful.
I never did see the original attraction. Had seen Weeki Wachee as a kid and Cyprus Gardens a time or two, but never made it out to Silver Springs. Awfully glad I finally did!
I just spent two nights camping in the park, enjoyed every moment of it. It was just a bit chilly for sleeping, but to me that’s better than really hot! The temps here in Florida are not always ideal for those of us who enjoy outdoor activities. This time of year is as good as it gets.
If you’d like to know more about the history of Silver Springs and its change from a tourist attraction to a state park, the Wikipedia entry is a good place to begin.
If you’d like to visit the site for the park as it exists today, follow this link.
I took plenty of pix. I’ll be posting soon with more.
Happy Camper Bulldog Ben
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
This Amazing View of Tonight’s Full Moon Is Brought to You By…
Many of you know I’m passionate about pix. Amateur photography is such an awesome thing.
Tonight’s full moon is so beautiful. This photo is the first time I’ve ever done a “moon shot” with any cam other than a cell phone. I like the way it turned out. (A Canon Power Shot, if you’re curious; nothing too fancy.)
I had a chance to go camping again this week. Some of you probably read those entries. The moon was not quite full Monday night/Tuesday morning but bathing her beams until about 2 AM was way too much fun.
I knew that she would be full by tonight so I had to take a look. Oh my! The moon shadows are so good! That’s one of the things I like best about doing outdoors-type stuff, camping especially. If you like moon play, you’ve got to get the hell out of the house sometimes, right?
This may not be the best or most-detailed moon pic you’ve ever seen. But it’s my fave. Hands down.
Photo credit Benjamin Lawrence Basile
Enjoy the Outdoors. Love the Planet. 
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