Planning Another Road Trip

[zeebad1]

It will be hard to measure up to the trip that my wife & I took back in 2012, especially with her passing last year, but I'm thinking that I'm not gonna sit around by myself all winter.

Some of you may remember our excursion out west, that covered 7266 miles in 22 days. Time of our lives, and so glad we did it, when we did!

I'm thinking of loading up the 2010 Camaro in the trailer, and head to Florida, for the last week of January. Actually planning on leaving next Friday, the 24th. I made what might be considered a "not so wise" purchase, and could pick the item up in Daytona Beach. I had a 1972 Kawasaki H-2 750 forty years ago, and located another, and bought it!
Sheree was not fond of bikes, and wouldn't allow them, as long as we lived under her roof. Theoretically, I still live under the same roof, but I asked for her blessing in a prayer, and haven't gotten a sign.......yet!

I found a place I can park the truck & trailer for a week, and tour the lower part of the state in the car. I have a friend, that has a house in Marathon, and plan on getting out there. On to Key West, just to say I did!

I'm not much for "organized" tours. I just like to go when & where I want to. Just don't want to miss the "must see" attractions while there.

I'll probably check out Miami, as I go through. Another friend has a place in Naples, and will try to get by there also.

Any other suggestions of things I need to check out while I'm there?
Everyone helped immensely with ideas on our western tour.

Thanks in advance.

[scott's45]

Sounds like a nice trip. Sorry for your loss. I've always wanted to go on a food tour, myself. If there are any places that have been on diners, drive ins and dives, you should hit them while your there!

[dianeokie]

Your post title caught my eye. I've been doing the Hot Rod Power Tour for 3 years since my husband passed away(in honor of him). We both loved cars, road trips and car shows. Going to try to come up with a list of places I've been in the past few years between bike week in Daytona to NASCAR races in Florida to HRPT stops to give you some suggestions of what I and others have enjoyed. Where is your starting point?

[zeebad1]

Originally Posted by dianeokie

Your post title caught my eye. I've been doing the Hot Rod Power Tour for 3 years since my husband passed away(in honor of him). We both loved cars, road trips and car shows. Going to try to come up with a list of places I've been in the past few years between bike week in Daytona to NASCAR races in Florida to HRPT stops to give you some suggestions of what I and others have enjoyed. Where is your starting point?

Northern Illinois. I've been told it's a 24 hour drive to Daytona Beach.

I don't know how long it will take me, as I'm not gonna be in a hurry. I can stop when I want, and go when I want.

That was the glory of the trip we took in 2012. Didn't know what day it was, and didn't really care!!! Took us 22 days, and had a blast. Here's the link to that post......

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ight=road+trip

Thanks, Gary.

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by zeebad1

Northern Illinois. I've been told it's a 24 hour drive to Daytona Beach.

I don't know how long it will take me, as I'm not gonna be in a hurry. I can stop when I want, and go when I want.

That was the glory of the trip we took in 2012. Didn't know what day it was, and didn't really care!!! Took us 22 days, and had a blast. Here's the link to that post......

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...ight=road+trip

Thanks, Gary.

Have you considered which routes you'd like to take?

[zeebad1]

Sorry for your loss also!!! It's tough, but life goes on!

I don't have a plan. Just figured I'd go down one side of the state, and back up the other.
It looks like Tampa is as far north I'll want to be, on the west side.

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by zeebad1

Sorry for your loss also!!! It's tough, but life goes on!

I don't have a plan. Just figured I'd go down one side of the state, and back up the other.
It looks like Tampa is as far north I'll want to be, on the west side.

Life does go on, just takes some adaptation.

Not knowing what you enjoy, and realizing you're talking about a January trip, I'm assuming the further south you go, the better it will be, these are some of the places I know.

Depending on the weather, the Gulf side has the prettiest beaches. We used to go to Destin/San Destin/Ft Walton beach every summer.

Tampa has some neat areas. Ybor City is a Cuban corner of the city, with some interesting architecture,etc. We always enjoyed Clearwater Beach, and don't miss Frenchy's and a grouper burger if you like fish.

Over on the east side, there's always Miami/Ft Lauderdale/West Palm. I've only been there for NASCAR races, and down to the Keys. Don't miss the sunset if you get that far down. The nice think about Florida is if you follow the water, you'll find some neat waterside bar and grills just about anywhere you go. The water and marine life is a bonus.

Going farther north, if you're going to be in Daytona, don't miss the tour of the track. There's usually something going on. There's an interesting flea market at the far end of Speedway Blvd by the KOA campground. If you can't find it there, they don't make it

Would recommend Pat's Riverfront Café for breakfast or early lunch, lots of history there. Daytona Brickyard is another good place near downtown Daytona.

Don't miss Ponce Inlet and the lighthouse. If you go, stop by Down the Hatch and have cold beverage out on the deck for me! North Turn is another piece of history for NASCAR fans when they used to race on the beach.

If you go north on the coast, don't miss St Augustine, love the architecture and history there. Lots more, but don't want to bore you.

[zeebad1]

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!! This is what I am needing.

I will check out the track. Suppose they would let me make a couple of laps?!?!

Not really interested in anything with large crowds, and I want to stay safe.

Looking forward to what I hear are some of the most beautiful sunsets I'll ever see!!

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by zeebad1

Thanks for all of the suggestions!!! This is what I am needing.

I will check out the track. Suppose they would let me make a couple of laps?!?!

Not really interested in anything with large crowds, and I want to stay safe.

Looking forward to what I hear are some of the most beautiful sunsets I'll ever see!!

Lol, don't go to Disney if you don't like crowds........and don't do Tail of the Dragon if you want to stay safe (although that's in NC/TN). It's really a neat drive on a bike or a sports car.

As far as the track, likely not, although different tracks host different events during the year. Atlanta Motor Speedway has one called Corvettes Against Cancer but any sports car can register. Been to that a couple of times and it was pretty awesome to take a lap at a pretty fast pace. The only real rule was don't pass............I would venture to guess most of us hit at least 120........... You will pass lots of tracks, or nearby on your travels. Birmingham has Barber Motorsports Park and they run bikes and cars there. You could check out some of the regional threads in the area you're passing through. Sometimes there are events going on through the local clubs.

Check out the Hot Rod Power Tour in early June this year. It will be passing just north of you, traveling from Crown Point, IN to Bettandorf, IA to Wisconsin Dells. Pretty fun!

Good luck in your travels and stay safe.

[zeebad1]

Good time to be leaving northern Illinois! -9 degrees this morning.

Hopefully be to my destination in the "sunshine state" tomorrow afternoon.

[dianeokie]

Originally Posted by zeebad1

Good time to be leaving northern Illinois! -9 degrees this morning.

Hopefully be to my destination in the "sunshine state" tomorrow afternoon.

Any trip report...............want to know if my recommendations panned out before I go back for Bike Week!

[Tampa Tuning]

Zee,
I just read your first post in this thread to my wife and said we really need to do more trips together because you never know. I turned fifty 2 years ago, and she sent me to NY Yankees fantasy camp. It was a blast of a week playing with the Yankees. She turns 50 over the summer, and we talked about a road trip to the Midwest.

Thanks for the inspiration !

Phil