I've grown up enjoying the outdoors: from camping in the Northern Michigan woods as a boy; to personally jogging, biking and unicycling throughout the Town of Davie's extensive trail system every week. One of the things that makes Davie such a great place to live, work and go to school is our impressive system of Parks, Recreation Programs, Open Space, Trails and Exercise Facilities. These amenities are nice to look at -- but I encourage young people and adults to USE them too! (Photo: Mayor Truex, biking with his family in Davie)

Here's the last (or first, depending on which way you're scrolling) unicycle ride photo. These two young men joined us for several miles along the Trans-Davie Unicycle Ride. I've met several other young people and their parents recently who are learning or who want to learn how to ride a unicycle. It's a great sport, and one I recommend highly--for young people. You do learn by falling, quite often.

Actually the whole message is that kids and adults in Davie need to use and enjoy the outstanding recreational and sports facilities which Davie makes available for free, or at a reasonable cost. With a shockingly high percentage of American children and adults obese or overweight, we need to encourage our children -- and ourselves -- to lead more active lifestyles.

Davie has an unbelievable series of interconnected paved and equestrian trails. But, not all of Davie's bike/unicycle paths feature seamless connections. This photo was taken in Long Lake Ranches, between Nob Hill Road and Hiatus Road. Personally, I'm not as concerned about a few patches of dirt in the back country, as I am with improving travel along major roads and intersections. We are making progress. One example is the planned completion of the recreation path, just north of Robbins Park.

A number of bicyclists and unicyclists joined us along the way. My daughter and I were the only ones to make it the entire distance (about 13.5 miles) from Potter Park to Shenandoah Park.

Note the helmet I'm wearing. My daughter's helmet is visible on her handlebars. She wore it while riding. I actually had a rare fall from my unicycle about half way through the ride. And yes, I did bang my helmet on the pavement. Had I not been wearing the helmet, I'm sure my day's festivities would have been punctuated by a trip to the emergency room. Kids (and parents) -- wear a helmet when biking or unicycling.

This photograph in Davie was taken before I was elected Mayor, when I was a Town Council Member. This was when I had a long beard, and Charlie Crist had not yet been elected Governor.

Though technically not a rodeo bull, I was able to ride this longhorn for the full eight seconds.

We had this photo made when I was running for Davie Town Council in 2001. As you can see, our appearance has changed a bit. Other things--the importance of faith, family and friends--are constant. My family has had a key role in my public life, from the beginning.

ARCHIVE PHOTO: Our family and friends go Christmas Caroling every year. I've been told my ability to carry the lantern exceeds my ability to carry a tune.