Visiting Floriday

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 1:17 pm Post subject: Visiting Floriday

I know there are a number of Brats in FL I thought I'd ask y'all for a recommendation. My wife and I are planning to escape Seattle sometime in the dead of the winter. maybe January-ish 2014. We both love beaches and fishing and wondered if anyone can make a recommendation for first time visitors. We've considered everything from Ft Lauderdale, Miami, down to Key West...

we were going to go this past winter but to be honest I think we were overwhelmed with options and alas, chose none! Cry

El and Bill · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:05 pm Post subject:

Not for the beaches, but if you think you would enjoy one of the most delightful cruises on a tropical river you could find anywhere, think about Florida's St. John's River. It's unique - first, it flows north! Can you name another river in the US that does? There are a few, and they are also marvelous!

This cruise has marvelous birds, vegetation, 'gators, dolphins, warm springs. Manatees - WOW!

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/stjohns.htm

Then, head to the coasts for beaches and join the mobs.

Will-C · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:10 pm Post subject: Visiting Floriday

D.D.T.
The keys would get my vote if you are going in January. That's where it is warmest. Other parts of Florida can get cold at that time. Think about spending some time in Key West, Marathon, and Key Largo. We have taken the inter coastal waterway from Ft. Pierce to Key West. Transient dock fees and gas can be expensive. Spending a week at each local can be a lot cheaper. Putting the boat back on the trailer is faster and cheaper. Plus you can gas up cheaper on land. Weekly rates are half per night compared to one night stands. Bahia Honda State Park is really nice for a night or two and it is just about ten miles south of Marathon. You could easily run down there from a more full service marina in Marathon. We are going down for the month of February and will stay a week in Key West, Marathon, and Key Largo. The forth week still open for discussion. Maybe Islamorada. Great place to get out of the cold. Better get used to running in shallower water. They say water color tells the story down there. Brown Brown run aground.
D.D.

Sunbeam · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:20 pm Post subject:

The St. Johns area is one that's at the top of my list to explore with the C-Dory. I've done a bit of diving there, so got just a sampler that way. Only thing is (at least when I was there, which was only during two different seasons) it can be pretty cold in January. One year it got down to 18º and the other it was in the 30's overnight and 50-ish during the day. Maybe this isn't typical, but might be worth checking into if you really are looking for warmth. I was thinking late February/March/early April for that area (after the cold but before the heat/bugs).

That said, it's a gorgeous area and much, much less crowded than the Keys. More of a rural/exploring feel. Still, I'd probably head further south in January if I were looking for a warmer escape. Even the Keys are subject to the cooler temps (and wind) of "Northers" in winter, but of course the "cold" temps in the Keys are always warmer than further north, even so. And if you are lucky you will hit between Northers.

Sunbeam

DuckDogTitus · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:43 pm Post subject:

El and Bill · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 2:57 pm Post subject:

If you are not on your boat, we would sure suggest you take a look at Gulf Shores AL. White sand beaches, nice fishing charters, good walks and birds - great camping and good motels and eateries. Before we lived aboard, we spent many a winter there.

Thataway Bob would have good ideas about places along the Florida Panhandle to the east of Gulf Shores - where beaches are also super!

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 3:49 pm Post subject:

Thataway Bob goes to the keys for Jan thru March! We will be at Knight's Key (at mile marker 49) for about 2 1/2 months--come on by and visit! Take you for a boat ride and some fishing. (Assuming that my back continues to do better than last year after my surgery).

The Panhandle gets cold in the winter--and I would recommend going South. Most of the areas are going to be crowded, but we have always found campgrounds and hotels even in busy times. Same for the St. John's. Great place in spring and fall, but it will be cold in the winter (relative).

In the keys there are a number of out of the way spots, and we don't find it too crowded or expensive in the Marathon area.

All of the Gulf coast can be affected by "Northers"--with these there is a drop of temperature and strong winds out of the North.

For us the usual coastal resorts are too crowded on both coasts. Weekends in the keys are worse than week days. Fort Meyers Beach has some nice areas. So stop in the Everglades, both Everglade City and Flamenco to see some of the wild life. We take the "Trail" across the Everglades rather than the toll road.

I'll PM my cell phone and contact. Other C brats visit regularly, and we try and get together for dinner etc if several are in the area.

Sunbeam · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:11 pm Post subject:

thataway · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:15 pm Post subject:

Actually there are some nice beaches in the keys, but they are not along the main road. Not as nice as the Pan Handle however.

Sunbeam · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 5:21 pm Post subject:

JamesTXSD · Posted: Thu Jul 25, 2013 8:33 pm Post subject:

If the get-away is one where you won't have your boat, AND warmth and beaches are the agenda, it is hard to beat Hawaii.

Joan and I used to treat ourselves to beachy escapes each year before we retired. You could go to southern Texas, the Florida Keys, or San Diego in January, but you can't be sure you won't hit a cold week. We have done Mexico numerous times, but you have to get as far south as Cabo, Cancun, or Puerto Vallarta to get to a pretty-much-guaranteed warmth in January.

All that considered, you simply can't go wrong with Hawaii. The west coast of Maui (Kaanapali or further south to Kihei) is our favorite, after 19 or 20 times of visiting the Aloha State. The other islands are spectacular, as well, but we have always run into beautiful weather on Maui.

Our home is in the "Tropical Tip of Texas." Swaying palm trees and wonderful beaches. But, south Texas (same latitude as Naples, FL) can get northers just like Florida. Spending the whole winter season? Any of the 3 mainland areas I mentioned above will consistently give you better weather than the frozen northland. BUT, if this is an "escape," and "beachy and warmth" are important parts of the equation, go west... WAY west... and learn about the Aloha spirit.

Bring a high-limit credit card... you can buy all the beachy stuff you need there. If you stay in a condo (our preference), they may have beach mats and chairs. If not, pull out that credit card and get what you need. Rent a convertible, and cruise with the top down. Go for a different sunset cruise each night (see who has the best Mai Tais), dine at the beach in Whaler's Village (Leilani's on the beach, or the Hula Grill, where you can have your feet in the sand while you eat). Walk through Lahaina, great art shops and more restaurants (I'm fond of Cheesburger in Paradise at sunset). Do a luau if you have never done one - The Old Lahaina Luau has a good show and luau, much better than those at the big hotels.

If some of that stuff sounds "touristy"... that's why you're there! Enjoy the sun and the beaches. Go snorkeling. Get up REALLY early and to go the top of Haleakala to see a sunrise that you will remember for the rest of your life... you can "bike the volcano" on the way down with one of the bike companies who offer that tour. Get in the convertible and drive to Maui's north shore, just beyond the town of Paia (where the surf, wind surfing, and kite surfing will amaze you). It will take you an entire day to make the drive to Hana, with 56 one lane bridges and 617 hairpin curves... you may want to save that for your next time there, so you don't lose a whole day of beachy stuff.

Dang, I get all fired up about it, just writing this. The only downside for us is the long commercial flight to get there... and back. If you haven't been there, it IS worth it. (I just hate flying commercial these days.) Some people consider it a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Many start scheming how they will get back before they even leave.

Good luck with the plans. Wherever you decide to go, DO NOT put it off again. Escape the cold and see what it does for love-life. Hot

Best wishes,
Jim B.

Stan Major · Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 7:31 am Post subject:

The small town of DeLand sits 25 miles from the ICW New Smyrna/ Daytona/St. Augustine. Great B&B's along the way. 6 miles away is the St. John's which opens up a whole other cruising adventure. The manatees at Blue Springs, birds, gators and other wildlife. Weather can be chilly especially in the mornings in January.

BrentB · Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 9:04 am Post subject: Re: Visiting Floriday

haakebecks · Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 5:51 pm Post subject:

El and Bill · Posted: Fri Jul 26, 2013 11:43 pm Post subject:

Yes - and we have cruised those Oregon Rivers and they ARE marvelous! Some we 'cruised' in our canoe and that was even better for some than on the C-Dory!