mej@hlwpc.UUCP (Michael Jacobs) (01/20/86)
* I will be going to southern Florida on a vacation soon and would appreciate information about the Keys and the Sanibel/Captiva area. I've never been to either before, and have heard mixed reviews of both, especially concerning crowding during peak season. Anyone have any experience to share?** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***
blake@sx7000.UUCP (Chris Blake) (02/04/86)
> * > I will be going to southern Florida on a vacation > soon and would appreciate information about the Keys > and the Sanibel/Captiva area. I've never been to either > before, and have heard mixed reviews of both, especially > concerning crowding during peak season. Anyone have any > experience to share?** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE *** I went to Key West and the Miami area a few years ago. Here are some quick observations. The drive accross to Key West on highway 1 is an experience. I'd never seen a 7 mile long bridge! But it is slow going and in some places one-way. The keys are generally pretty relaxed. I got to feel pretty lazy down there. A big question to ask yourself is why go to Key West? If you're looking for beaches, most of them were coral. Forget trying to lay on them. Deep sea fishing is the reason most give and there is plenty of it. The night life also is a good reason, although I don't remember any specifics on where to go. Miami was disappointing. If you don't speak Spanish, don't go downtown. If you want nice beaches, don't go to Miami Beach. Each hotel has there own little walled off piece of beach and it makes it hard to fully enjoy the southern Florida sand. North Miami Beach (I think thats the name :-) is a lot better. I stayed at the Holiday Inn there and got red as a lobster. The beach is more open. As for other Florida experiences ( my more recent trips ), Daytona had the best waves (maybe a fluke?) and you could drive on the beach. Lauderdale was overcrowded (I went in March). Tampa was OK but the waves were non-existent. Ft. Meyers had little beach, but sanibel island a few miles away (10?) has a long beach with many shells for collectors. Then of course there's Orlando, disney et.al. Visit Wet & Wild. Its fun. I also spent some time inland. Its a lot more relaxed and less touristy, but the average age also skyrockets to 60+. I hope Ive helped a little. C. Blake @ Sperry Corp. Roseville, MN *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***