I'm BAAAACK!

SgtMaj

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
1,997
Hey everyone. I just got back from Orlando today, or, well, technically yesterday now.

I have to say, you Florida folks really got it made. It was sunny and warm the whole time I was down there. Perfect boating weather... in the middle of winter! Well, starting to get close to the end of winter now, but you get the idea.

I couldn't help but make a couple of observations while I was there as well. For example... I discovered that I really hate toll roads. I also found that their city planner must have REALLY liked curbs. There are so many of them, in such random places, that you find it quite difficult to get anywhere you're going without first passing it, going an additional mile or two, then turning around so that you can actually turn into the parking lot. The street signs are also indecipherable. For example, a sign will say that I-4 is up ahead, but it won't tell you which of the 5 lanes you need to be in to get onto I-4, or which turn goes which direction on I-4 until about 1000 feet too late. In fact, in one spot, the signs tell you to exit in a certain place for sand lake dr. When you do though, you end up in the Lockheed Martin parking lot, and while you CAN turn onto sand lake on the other side of the parking lot, that's not really what I would consider as the best route, when not more than 200' further down on the original road you were on, you can simply turn onto sand lake dr. at the intersection.

Anyway, we had a good time, and envy you Floridians for your year-round boating season.
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

Note to self
Take vehicle GPS if going there !!!
 

kenmyfam

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 10, 2006
Messages
14,392
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

Sounds like you need a navigation system in the auto around there.
 

SgtMaj

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 19, 2007
Messages
1,997
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

Yeah, the thing that struck me most was all the curbs... I mean they put curbs in the middle of the road, for no apparant reason other than to inhibit your ability to get where you wanted to go. Although, none of them seemed to be placed in such a way as to hinder one's ability to go to any one of the major theme parks in the area... they were just everywhere else in town. It made me almost wish we had taken the jeep so we could just drive over them to get where we wanted to without backtracking all the time.

BUT... nothing like 80 degrees in the beginning of March... comming back was/is... aweful. Our highest high for next week is 2 degrees cooler than the lowest low while we were in Orlando. It was enough to make us consider moving somewhere down there. At least until we thought about how hot the summers would get.
 

SS MAYFLOAT

Admiral
Joined
May 17, 2001
Messages
6,372
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

Glad you had fun and enjoyed the weather. Of course I'm dealing with an ice storm that passed with a bit of snow,,,,,,,and now its gonna dump some more this weekend. I just hope this doesn't run into June like I've seen it do.

I-4,,,,,uh, I know what you mean. I think they spaced the signs out during Carters reign when the speed limit was 55. I know when we visited down there, if you was doing 70,,,,,you were causing a traffic back up. So with the higher speeds, you come up on your exit real quick.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

i'm in total agreement Orlando area is a horrible place to drive. but if don't like it, stay out of West Palm Beach on south of I-95. tolls road are all over the Orlando area. most people that live there use a SunPass, it is a prepaid, electronic, pay system. you just drive on thru. we have one, for going to the keys. it is a reduce rate. saves me about 1/2 going to the Keys, and stopping many times, to pay toll, then having to get that 5,000 lb boat rolling again.
 

Gary H NC

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Dec 1, 2005
Messages
8,972
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

All of the curbs are there to prevent people making left hand turns in front of on-coming traffic.You got to remember all the snow birds down there are not the best drivers.
You think thats bad go to New Jersey...The land of NO left turns.Theyhave what they call Jug Handles...you go right to make a left..:rolleyes: Gets confusing...
Glad you had a safe trip!:D
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

this was Sunday morning on the way fishing. about 45 degrees, got close to 80, there were 7 deer crossing the road for their morning drink. about 7:30 AM
 

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wavrider

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 26, 2007
Messages
543
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

I recognize that deer crossing.

They been crossing there for years, from the pasture on the South to the Pasture on the North.

Great pic.
 

EJ3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
171
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

Welcome to Florida!!!!!!!!!:D
 

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tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

yeah, that was on my way to meet you. they were beautiful.
 

EJ3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 15, 2007
Messages
171
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

Oh no, I just realized she is on the wrong side of the car! Now you see why we need to many "traffic guiders", they bounce off them like pinballs!!! lol
 

Bob_VT

Moderator & Unofficial iBoats Historian
Staff member
Joined
May 19, 2001
Messages
26,065
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

Hey everyone. I just got back from Orlando today, or, well, technically yesterday now.

I have to say, you Florida folks really got it made. It was sunny and warm the whole time I was down there. Perfect boating weather... in the middle of winter! Well, starting to get close to the end of winter now, but you get the idea. I agree the Feb/March weather is equal to a VT summer!

I couldn't help but make a couple of observations while I was there as well. For example... I discovered that I really hate toll roads. I also found that their city planner must have REALLY liked curbs. I heard his brother in law installs them and is doing quite well! There are so many of them, in such random places, that you find it quite difficult to get anywhere you're going without first passing it, going an additional mile or two, then turning around so that you can actually turn into the parking lot. The street signs are also indecipherable. For example, a sign will say that I-4 is up ahead, but it won't tell you which of the 5 lanes you need to be in to get onto I-4, or which turn goes which direction on I-4 until about 1000 feet too late. In fact, in one spot, the signs tell you to exit in a certain place for sand lake dr. When you do though, you end up in the Lockheed Martin parking lot, and while you CAN turn onto sand lake on the other side of the parking lot, that's not really what I would consider as the best route, when not more than 200' further down on the original road you were on, you can simply turn onto sand lake dr. at the intersection. A good size 4WD and you can ignore those curbs!!
Anyway, we had a good time, and envy you Floridians for your year-round boating season.

I may not enjoy all the snow I have but the thought of FL in the summer is frightening!! :eek:
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

oh nooooooo.....hes baaaaack! :eek:

just when thing's were returning to normal around here....:D :D :D lol

WELCOME HOME SARG !

glad you had a good trip.....

where did you go down there? (tourist places)

(missed your up dates)

cheers
oops
 

oops!

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 18, 2007
Messages
12,932
Re: I'm BAAAACK!

and btw....

you florida guys.......

im gonna post picks of a few snow drifts this weekend just to show ya what yer missin...:D
 
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