Holiday in Florida

[Felix/FFDS]

Your Budweiser red plane appears to be a Curtiss-Wright two-seater (cx. CW-21 variant/development)

Tom Reilly's place looks a LOT different.  You're missing the Warbird Adventures hut (just to the SW of the museum welcome building, to the left of the main hangar.  

The A-26 is still around, the B-24 restoration was completed and it's now elsewhere.  Roughly were the big bombers are, at last visit, the hulk of one of the protoype P.1127 Kestrels was resting, along with a Mig-21, F9F-9T (Cougar trainer), and a few others.  Also the Warbird Adventures hangars are just to the left of the bombers.

Of course, all that's pre-hurricanes.

Also in the area - in Titusville, is the TICO Warbird museum.

While June-September is the prime time for hurricanes, I doubt that we'll have another summer like this past one.

[Hagar]

Your Budweiser red plane appears to be a Curtiss-Wright two-seater (cx. CW-21 variant/development)

Thanks for clearing that up. It's a nice looking aeroplane.

[quote]Tom Reilly's place looks a LOT different.

[zeberdee]

WOW thanks Hagar those pictures have realy whet my appetite , I want to go NOW.
Thanks for the links I will have a look later.

"While June-September is the prime time for hurricanes, I doubt that we'll have another summer like this past one"

With my luck that will be the two weeks we're there!

[Craig.]

i wouldnt worry yourself with the hurricanes. Just think positively. 95*s and 80% humidty. Now thats my kind of weather. I think this year was very unusual for hurricanes so dont worry about it to much

[Wing Nut]

As a long time resident of Florida...

On the east coast, if in March, go to Bike Week in Daytona.  It's something you'll never forget.  Farther North, go to St. Augustine and check out the history there.  It's the oldest city in the US.

Going sout, KSC is definitely a must, but since there are no shuttle launches right now, there's not much to see.  We are moving to Titusville next year, and are looking forward to being near the area for the launches.  Lake Worth and Merritt Island are a nice tourist attraction.  Merritt has a nice wildlife refuge and has a good view of the launch area.

Going farther south, you pick up a bunch of rich people towns like West Palm, Boca Raton and such.  In Miami, about the only thing cool is the night life on South Beach, but the Aquarium is nice.

Keep going south and you hit the Keys, which everyone should see at least on time in their life.  Scuba Diving and sport fishing are the national past time here.  I would suggest stopping at any retaurant and having either Grouper or Pompano.  You won't go wrong.  You can go to Key West if you like, and you'll have fun, but for a better time, choose a lesser island like Islamorada and just sit and soak it in a while.  Very peaceful.

Going North on the West coast, you run into Tampa and St Pete.  Stay on US 19 and you'll go over the 14 Mile Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  Once over it, take a left into Treasure Island, and follow the road out to Passe-A-Grille.  There is a small Restaurant there name 'The Hurricane' that serves the best Grouper in the world.  I kid you not!  Keep going North for about a million years, and you hit Cedar Key, then Pensacola, which is more great fishing.

That's Florida outside of Disney, in a nutshell...  :)

[Hagar]

As a long time resident of Florida...

Now where did I get the idea you live in Chicago.

If I do visit again I will definitely keep some of your suggestions in mind. I've been to St Augustine & enjoyed it immensely. Chris only has 2 weeks in the summer & with 4 youngsters I imagine at least 7 days will be spent in Disney & other attractions. I don't think the Keys would be ideal for a day trip from Orlando.

[Jared]

We are moving to Titusville next year, and are looking forward to being near the area for the launches.

I believe here is your answer Doug..:-)

[C]

yes, I believe so. I'm not sure the launches will be so frequent as before the accident. Maybe Chris will be lucky. I missed my only chance of seeing one when they cancelled it at the last minute. Never mind, you can't expect to do everything.

Haven't visited this thread for a while. Was reading about the shuttle launches at work a couple of days ago. From what I understand they'll be using two of the remaining shuttles (I can't remember which) to conduct test missions and complete the ISS. When that is achieved then they'll be retired.

Charlie (care of Flight International I believe...)

[Wing Nut]

Now where did I get the idea you live in Chicago.

I do live in Chicago now, but I lived in Florida for many many years and am moving back next year.  

Out of all my suggestions, the two I would most choose is sunning myself outside the Islander Motel in Islamorada, and eating Grouper at The Hurricane...  

[Ijineda]

Forget about Disney-Land...go to the everglades and make a good boat-tour (Coopertown is great), then rent a car in miami and head down to key west...thats what I did, and driving along the keys is unforgettable (7-mile bridge included!).
Also check out Miami Beach, especially the chicks!

[Hagar]

Forget about Disney-Land...go to the everglades and make a good boat-tour (Coopertown is great), then rent a car in miami and head down to key west...thats what I did, and driving along the keys is unforgettable (7-mile bridge included!).
Also check out Miami Beach, especially the chicks!

That might suit me but with the missus & 4 children to think about I doubt it's what Chris had in mind.

There's nothing wrong with Disney & this is what draws most British tourists to Florida. They can always explore it more on future visits, as I did. I'm a big kid at heart & no visit to Florida would be complete without checking the attractions to see what's new - & there's always something I haven't seen before. Universal Studios is one of my favourites & I always liked Busch Gardens & Sea World. That's 3 days gone out of your precious 2 weeks holiday already, without even visiting Disney.

[Felix/FFDS]

Plus the food is excellent - and that's not even at the high-profile restaurants!

In St. Cloud (just a wee bit SE of Kissimmee) there's a restaurant called "The Catfish Place" which is great for Florida "cracker" food.  Excellent local fare (including gator, catfish, etc.) but absolutely the best hamburgers around.  Practically all food is bought fresh daily and you're treated like (well, better than) family.

[zeberdee]

That might suit me but with the missus & 4 children to think about I doubt it's what Chris had in mind.

Looks like two weeks on Miami beach then!
It sounds as though my diet is out of the question then as well.

[Craig.]

also worth checking out cracker barrel if you can find one. They do have them in Florida dont they?

[Felix/FFDS]

also worth checking out Cracker Barrel if you can find one. They do have them in Florida dont they?

Conveniently, most are at "major" Interstate highway exits.  Food there is excellent, always a wait, but one whiles away the time in the country store in front of the dining area.