? Florida Suggestions ?

I'm surprised at all the good info since florida usually gets bashed here.

My .02

The area around Orlando is world class, if your into wakeboarding, barefooting, or slalom sking. If not leave asap, the theme park traffic is bad this time of year.

The fresh water diving that warthog suggested is almost as good as the cenotes in mexico. You don't have to be overhead environment/cave certified if you dive the caverns and not the caves.

The big ship your thinking of is the 510 foot, Spiegel Grove, it's off Key largo.
It's an advanced dive (130' max) but well worth doing since hurricane dennis set it upright from it's side. There are fish ( grouper) on it, 5'-6' feet long.
I dove it in May, vis should be even better now.

Sanibel/Captiva are back to normal. I windsurf/kiteboard from the Sanibel causeway, and was there this afternoon. The only issue is the traffic delays from the new bridge construction.

Pm if you do head down to dive since I have friends in the business.

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Originally Posted by RootSkier

OK, let me do a mini-hijack. My brother and his woman live in the Tampa area. My parents, wife and I, and some aunts and uncles are going to be in FLA for the week around Christmas.

Last year they rented a house on the beach somewhere near Tampa. If I am going to FLA for Xmas and missing a week of skiing, I want it to be cool. Can anyone recommend a place where we might be able to rent a big house for a week that is REALLY cool? I am thinking the Keys...clear water, a little more exotic than Tampa (maybe they live in Tarpon Springs, I don't fucking know).

HELP MAKE MY WEEK OF MISSING SNOW NOT SUCK.

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Sanibel/Captiva, Pm for beta

Wow - no love for this, huh?

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ima...2_sts1_big.gif

You might even get to see it blow up.... :(

Hook, PM sent.
Tippster, That looks like it would be cool see in person. I'll have to see when my meetings end on the 1st and 2nd, unless they will be willing to work the launch around my schedule:wink:
TWINS, Thanks for the driving tips. Do I need to upgrade the rental car for the Florida "Autobahn"? (I can compare it to the real one I drove on in Germany)
Also, thanks to everyone for all the responses. I'll be looking into all that I can fit in to the time while I am there.

I lived in FL for 8 years.
It's OK but in the summer it SUCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The women are outstanding.
Good scuba/snorkel in the Atlantic; OK surf by Melbourne on the Atlantic.

FYI....Kennedy Space Center is lousy; good stuff is off limits post 9-11. I went four years ago and we all thought it was a let down: me, my g/f, my kids.

im drunk so didnt bother to read nay rplies, but i wouild suggest south beach....look at models and visit my friend jay...he is bouncer ther...thast all i got ewhile drunk

edit........just peed in a sink...........

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Originally Posted by Tippster

Come visit me in Cocoa Beach - there are a couple of nice bars there. I arrive on Fri. the 30th and leave on the 3rd. You should be able to see a Shuttle Launch from Cocoa Beach or Titusville on the 1st or 2nd, since that's what I'm down there to cover..

I'm staying in the Hilton Cocoa Beach. PM me for my cell.

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shuttle launches are better than any amusement park. i'm from tvillle and have seen dozens. night launches are the shizz. i could probably get my father to pull some contacts for a VIP pass. the last time i did that we were literally the closest people possible to the launch.

apres surf dinner at dakine diego's in satellite beach is a must do. killer burritos and beer outside on a deck across from the beach. they show surf movies on a big screen at night too. (might be cool to see if they would show some tgr ski movies - i'm sure they would).

also, the indian & banana river is excellent for kite and windsurfing. flat shallow water with a large wind window. the causeway in tville or kelly park in merritt island are popular.

Greetings from the Sunshine State.
Flew into Orlando yesterday.
I was able to haul ass fast on the Florida Turnpike.
I'm currently in Key Largo. I did two dives today - absolutely beautiful!
I'll be doing two more dives tomorrow morning. I brought the underwater case for the digital camera. I'll post a photo TR when I get home.
It is not as hot and humid here as I expected it to be. Only 95 degrees out.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
If anyone has any recommendations for the drive between Key Largo and Orlando please let me know.

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Originally Posted by Vets

If anyone has any recommendations for the drive between Key Largo and Orlando please let me know.

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Holy crap you covered a lot of ground. Take alligator alley (Tamiami Trail) over to the west coast and drive up Hwy. 41. When you get north of Naples, look for Estero Blvd. Drive it through Ft. Myers Beach. When you get into Ft. Myers, look for the Sanibel Causeway. Follow that through Sanibel Island and onto Captiva. Follow that road out to the end, get a beer, check out the beach, turn around and head back into Ft. Myers (It's about an hour to an hour and a half out of your way, but a real cool place). Take Hwy 75 to Sarasota. Look for Siesta Key. More beer and beach. The only thing remotely worth stopping for between there and Orlando is Clearwater Beach (specifically Sand Key) and Tarpon Springs.

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Originally Posted by Vets

It is not as hot and humid here as I expected it to be. Only 95 degrees out.

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That's because you're surrounded by more water than decaying old people.

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Originally Posted by Vets

Greetings from the Sunshine State.
Flew into Orlando yesterday.
I was able to haul ass fast on the Florida Turnpike.
I'm currently in Key Largo. I did two dives today - absolutely beautiful!
I'll be doing two more dives tomorrow morning. I brought the underwater case for the digital camera. I'll post a photo TR when I get home.
It is not as hot and humid here as I expected it to be. Only 95 degrees out.

Thanks again for all the suggestions.
If anyone has any recommendations for the drive between Key Largo and Orlando please let me know.

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Come back in two months. September is when it is the worst. You do get used to it real quick, though.

Can't suggest too much in Key Largo. Usually fly right through there, since it is the Miami of the Keys. One suggestion- on the way back, don't take the 8 mile causway. There is an alterante road that snakes around it. At the end of that road, there is a funky FL swamp bar. You can't miss it, right after the toll. Stop there for a beer, and a view into the old Florida. There are some characters in there.

If you go a bit lower on the keys, Islamorada is a cool spot. Bud and Mary's is always hopping, and you can swing into the original Florida Sportsman shop, that is now a Bass Pro. The restaurant next door has some of the best Mahi sammies in the world. Stop at a place called Robbies, right after one of the bridges. You can hand feed Tarpon that are bigger than you. Pretty cool to do, once.

On the way home, take Rt 1- if you have time. You will be blown away by the homes, the beaches, and the shittiest drivers in the world. Plus, you will have a reason to never go to Miami ever again, as if anyone needs one.

Glad you are having fun in our state. Too many times, I see my hometown judged thru Mouse colored glasses. There is a lot to do here. And hey, it ain't Wisconsin.

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Originally Posted by warthog

Come back in two months. September is when it is the worst. You do get used to it real quick, though.

Can't suggest too much in Key Largo. Usually fly right through there, since it is the Miami of the Keys. One suggestion- on the way back, don't take the 8 mile causway. There is an alterante road that snakes around it. At the end of that road, there is a funky FL swamp bar. You can't miss it, right after the toll. Stop there for a beer, and a view into the old Florida. There are some characters in there.

If you go a bit lower on the keys, Islamorada is a cool spot. Bud and Mary's is always hopping, and you can swing into the original Florida Sportsman shop, that is now a Bass Pro. The restaurant next door has some of the best Mahi sammies in the world. Stop at a place called Robbies, right after one of the bridges. You can hand feed Tarpon that are bigger than you. Pretty cool to do, once.

On the way home, take Rt 1- if you have time. You will be blown away by the homes, the beaches, and the shittiest drivers in the world. Plus, you will have a reason to never go to Miami ever again, as if anyone needs one.

Glad you are having fun in our state. Too many times, I see my hometown judged thru Mouse colored glasses. There is a lot to do here. And hey, it ain't Wisconsin.

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I took a drive to Islamorada this evening. I had a world famous fish sandwich at Craig's. Yum. I missed the Tarpon handfeeding. However, I am typing with both of my hands now. ;)

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Originally Posted by jibij
Holy crap you covered a lot of ground. Take alligator alley (Tamiami Trail) over to the west coast and drive up Hwy. 41. When you get north of Naples, look for Estero Blvd. Drive it through Ft. Myers Beach. When you get into Ft. Myers, look for the Sanibel Causeway. Follow that through Sanibel Island and onto Captiva. Follow that road out to the end, get a beer, check out the beach, turn around and head back into Ft. Myers (It's about an hour to an hour and a half out of your way, but a real cool place). Take Hwy 75 to Sarasota. Look for Siesta Key. More beer and beach. The only thing remotely worth stopping for between there and Orlando is Clearwater Beach (specifically Sand Key) and Tarpon Springs.

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This sounds more interesting (and less expensive) than the Florida Turnpike. I'll checkout my maps and time available.

go to the No Name Pub in big pine....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by jibij

Holy crap you covered a lot of ground. Take alligator alley (Tamiami Trail) over to the west coast and drive up Hwy. 41. When you get north of Naples, look for Estero Blvd. Drive it through Ft. Myers Beach. When you get into Ft. Myers, look for the Sanibel Causeway. Follow that through Sanibel Island and onto Captiva. Follow that road out to the end, get a beer, check out the beach, turn around and head back into Ft. Myers (It's about an hour to an hour and a half out of your way, but a real cool place). Take Hwy 75 to Sarasota. Look for Siesta Key. More beer and beach. The only thing remotely worth stopping for between there and Orlando is Clearwater Beach (specifically Sand Key) and Tarpon Springs.

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When you cross the Sanibel causeway, look for a green ford pickup parked by the kiteboarders. You'll be in my hood and we can grab a beer, or I'll bring an extra rig if you kite. The winds been so-so lately.

I-75 to the west coast of Fl is like the turnpike (Fast) but somewhat out of your way.

The diving here is meh, lots and lots of big sharks here now following the Tarpon. Your better off diving where you are.

pm for cell digits if you do come over.