We're taking a family vacation in Florida, leaving next friday (April 2). 
Ironically, it's supposed to be unseasonably warm in Michigan next week, 
too.  So, hopefully I'll be enjoying the beautiful weather up here before we 
go down there.  :-)

Anyway, I don't plan to visit any of the big amusement parks.  "Mom" 
over-winters down there now, so we're probably going to simply RELAX! 
Imagine that.  But, I'd like to plan at least 3 days where we go out and do 
something.  So far, I've only got one day planned.

So, if you've been to Florida, live in Florida, or whatever, I'm looking for 
possible things to do within perhaps 100 miles of the Orlando area.  Natural 
beauty, quiet beaches, etc, would be at the top of my list, if any such 
places still exist.  Or perhaps anything else that most tourists miss.  I've 
been to Florida several times before, but Disney always seemed to eat up 
most of our time.  Anything different and interesting is worth a mention.

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UncleHoot schrieb:
> We're taking a family vacation in Florida, leaving next friday (April 2). 
> Ironically, it's supposed to be unseasonably warm in Michigan next week, 
> too.  So, hopefully I'll be enjoying the beautiful weather up here before we 
> go down there.  :-)
> 
> Anyway, I don't plan to visit any of the big amusement parks.  "Mom" 
> over-winters down there now, so we're probably going to simply RELAX! 
> Imagine that.  But, I'd like to plan at least 3 days where we go out and do 
> something.  So far, I've only got one day planned.
> 
> So, if you've been to Florida, live in Florida, or whatever, I'm looking for 
> possible things to do within perhaps 100 miles of the Orlando area.  Natural 
> beauty, quiet beaches, etc, would be at the top of my list, if any such 
> places still exist.  Or perhaps anything else that most tourists miss.  I've 
> been to Florida several times before, but Disney always seemed to eat up 
> most of our time.  Anything different and interesting is worth a mention. 

NASA has a shuttle launch (STS-131) scheduled for the early morning of 
April 5, so as a space enthusiast I definitely know where *I* would go 
:-D. Kennedy Space Center's visitor complex is worth a visit anyway even 
without a launch; tickets are good for two consecutive days IIRC. Or 
just take a stroll at the atlantic coast after the launch; Cocoa Beach 
may be a good place to go.

You may also want to visit one of the many springs scattered all across 
Florida to go for a swim; I suggest one where you can also rent a canoe 
for a relaxed river trip. Can't name any specific though: Been to two 
such places a while ago, but unfortunately forgotten their names by now.

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clipka <ano### [at] anonymousorg> wrote:

> NASA has a shuttle launch (STS-131) scheduled for the early morning of
> April 5, so as a space enthusiast I definitely know where *I* would go
> :-D.

Do they give free rides?????

It's funny--I've been to Florida a bunch of times, and the only places I *go*
are to the amusement parks! (plus Kennedy--but I think it's called Cape
Canaveral now, back like it was in the early '60's) Oh, and snorkeling in the
Keys-- DEFINITELY something out-of-the-ordinary to do. I think I did that at
Pennekamp State Park. But it might be more than 100 miles from Orlando. IMO,
worth expanding that 100-mile radius.

Ken

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Kenneth schrieb:
> clipka <ano### [at] anonymousorg> wrote:
> 
>> NASA has a shuttle launch (STS-131) scheduled for the early morning of
>> April 5, so as a space enthusiast I definitely know where *I* would go
>> :-D.
> 
> Do they give free rides?????

Um... no, I don't think so ;-)

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UncleHoot wrote:
> We're taking a family vacation in Florida, leaving next friday (April 2). 
> Ironically, it's supposed to be unseasonably warm in Michigan next week, 
> too.  So, hopefully I'll be enjoying the beautiful weather up here before we 
> go down there.  :-)
> 
> Anyway, I don't plan to visit any of the big amusement parks.  "Mom" 
> over-winters down there now, so we're probably going to simply RELAX! 
> Imagine that.  But, I'd like to plan at least 3 days where we go out and do 
> something.  So far, I've only got one day planned.
> 
> So, if you've been to Florida, live in Florida, or whatever, I'm looking for 
> possible things to do within perhaps 100 miles of the Orlando area.  Natural 
> beauty, quiet beaches, etc, would be at the top of my list, if any such 
> places still exist.  Or perhaps anything else that most tourists miss.  I've 
> been to Florida several times before, but Disney always seemed to eat up 
> most of our time.  Anything different and interesting is worth a mention. 
> 
> 

My usual Florida destination is Fort Myers to visit my grandmother. From
there, day trips out to Sanibel Island and the various parks and
preserves. Bird watching and just hiking through mosquitoes.

I have a few memories from when my grandmother lived in Inverness, much
closer to Orlando. Homasassa Springs is one place that jumps to mind. I
think that is where the Crystal River Park is. Glass-bottom boats,
manatees that would eat out of your hand if you weren't encouraged not
to let them, occasional dolphins. If you have kids or want to see the
natural stuff, I can not recommend that highly enough. Google tells me
that, now days, there are tonnes of snorkel and dive and kayaking
schools in the area, I think the one I saw was part of the
state/national park service.

I know the big highlights of my trips then were to Kennedy Space Center,
and the giant theme parks. I remember more about the space center, years
later.

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I happen to live in the Orlando area, but will be out of town from the 
1st through the 22nd...

I don't get out much, but as others have recommended, definitely check 
out KSC if you can.  I haven't been there, myself.  Unfortunately.

--
Tim Cook
http://empyrean.freesitespace.net

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clipka wrote:
> Kenneth schrieb:
>> clipka <ano### [at] anonymousorg> wrote:
>>
>>> NASA has a shuttle launch (STS-131) scheduled for the early morning of
>>> April 5, so as a space enthusiast I definitely know where *I* would go
>>> :-D.
>>
>> Do they give free rides?????
> 
> Um... no, I don't think so ;-)

Free tour bus rides, methinks.

-- 
Darren New, San Diego CA, USA (PST)
   Yes, we're traveling togeher,
   but to different destinations.

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UncleHoot wrote:

> So, if you've been to Florida, live in Florida, or whatever, I'm looking for 
> possible things to do within perhaps 100 miles of the Orlando area.  Natural 
> beauty, quiet beaches, etc, would be at the top of my list, if any such 
> places still exist.  Or perhaps anything else that most tourists miss.  I've 
> been to Florida several times before, but Disney always seemed to eat up 
> most of our time.  Anything different and interesting is worth a mention. 

Cocoa Beach (pretty much straight east of Orlando) is actually not a 
very crowded beach, although it may be a tad chilly this time of year.

About an hour north of Orlando are a ton of horse farms, so if you are 
interested in equestrian activities that may be worth looking into.

Regards,
John

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On Fri, 26 Mar 2010 10:37:46 -0400, UncleHoot wrote:

> We're taking a family vacation in Florida, leaving next friday (April
> 2). Ironically, it's supposed to be unseasonably warm in Michigan next
> week, too.  So, hopefully I'll be enjoying the beautiful weather up here
> before we go down there.  :-)
> 
> Anyway, I don't plan to visit any of the big amusement parks.  "Mom"
> over-winters down there now, so we're probably going to simply RELAX!
> Imagine that.  But, I'd like to plan at least 3 days where we go out and
> do something.  So far, I've only got one day planned.
> 
> So, if you've been to Florida, live in Florida, or whatever, I'm looking
> for possible things to do within perhaps 100 miles of the Orlando area. 
> Natural beauty, quiet beaches, etc, would be at the top of my list, if
> any such places still exist.  Or perhaps anything else that most
> tourists miss.  I've been to Florida several times before, but Disney
> always seemed to eat up most of our time.  Anything different and
> interesting is worth a mention.

Kennedy Space Center is a favourite destination of mine.  I went to 
school in Daytona, but didn't spend a lot of time at the beaches.

There is a nature preserve around KSC as well (or at least there used to 
be - but I can't imagine it'd be gone), which I think makes it a very 
interesting mix of nature + technology.

Jim

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