🙂 The Everglades, DisneyWorld, Kennedy Space Centre!
🙁 Everything was Fun, Fun, Fun!
Monday 5 June 1995 – Tuesday, 13 June 1995
After leaving New Orlean on the train we got caught by Hurricane Alison – we were delayed in the train just outside of Alabama, Pensacola for 12 hours in upright chairs – exhausting with a hyperactive son who needed to be kept entertained! We finally arrived at 03h00 – Amtrak paid for our taxi to Alamo Car Rental … we headed over to Ron Jon’s Surf Shop as Paul has fond memories of being chatted up a by a young lady when he went to to buy swimming shorts on his last visit (prior to me of course! :-)) It is open 24 hours which is highly likely why the staff are so unfriendly! Had a Taco Bell for lunch (yuck). Anne’s Dad Rich met us and gave us the key to his apartment and headed off to work. We headed to the Kennedy Space Centre which took 2 hours. Discovery was supposed to be launched but woodpeckers had drilled holes into the external fuel tanks insulation so it was cancelled! Bummer! Excellent day out! Headed back to Ric’s and chatted until late.
The next day was all about DisneyWorld – Trent managed to get on to every ride that he had wanted to do and we bought him a Pluto dog. The firework display was outstanding. An excellent day all round.
Up early next morning and we all had our hair cut for $10! Headed to Fort Lauderdale and to the beach – great motel for only $30 with sea views. Love fort Lauderdale – stunning walkways and very vibey.
The next morning we were up early and drove through Miami, pausing briefly to photograph the art deco as car hi-jacking had been rife according to the media. We enjoyed the drive on the straight road across the Keys. Stopped to camp at Key Largo and went snorkelling on Sharky’s Extreme Machine – had to wear life jackets – how utterly ridiculous?!! aargh. Saw 3 big barracuda. Lovely fan type corals. Had dinner at Mrs Mars and enjoyed a seafood platter – but SO ill when we got back to tent. Trent & I slept in car with air con as it was so humid and I was so ill. Millions of mosquitoes!
Up the next morning and felt better when we drove to Key West – photographed the most southerly tip and had breakfast with key lime pie! Very expensive. Lazed on the beach for a couple of hours.
Set off to Everglades and hopped on an airboat which was a great experience. Saw alligators close up as well as many snapper turtles. Great birdlife. Would say excellent but guide threw his cigarette in the water?!!! Why?! Stayed in a cheap motel to avoid the mozzies!
The next morning we drove to the Salvador Dali Museum in St Petersburg – OUT OFTHIS WORLD. Just incredible – we had a guided tour which we thoroughly enjoyed and we bought some prints.
Headed to Clearwater Beach to relax afterwards – it was high tide so we were not allowed to drive on the beach at Daytona Beach as we had planned to do.
Headed back to Rich’s at Cocoa Beach where Trent played on the beach. Watched Star Wars. We watched Dolphins crossing Tampa Bay – beautiful.
We said farewell to Rich at 07h00 and took the train from Orlando to Washington DC- what a great stay!
Go to: USA
