Auto Train Revisited
Jan 8th, 2013, 02:20 PM
#21
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Sunday, January 6, 2013, another foggy start.
We spend the morning reading and drinking coffee. Today we are going to the “Phil” (Philharmonic} to see “Sister Act”. It is a large facility with nice auditorium, 2 adjacent galleries and a separate museum. There’s a nice outdoor patio and what looks like shopping as well although we won’t explore today.
The play is great fun despite lukewarm reviews. Playbill shows actors from the original Broadway cast. I know M will take advantage of this nice facility. We eat at an Italian restaurant. M has fettuccine with shrimp and I have papparadelle with salmon. Both are good but filling. A Ruffino Chianti goes nicely with it. Oh, our waiter tonight also works at resto where we had lunch the other day.
Back home to pack.
Monday, January 7 2013 Rainy 70s
We share a coffee and I’m off to Venice to have brunch with more Annapolis pals (G & B). Place is called Peach’s and B’s one pancake covers the plate. G has a Greek omelet and I have eggs Benedict with turkey and avocado instead of Canadian bacon. It is great seeing them but time for me to drive to Bradenton to see the Village of the Arts there.
According to an older magazine article, the houses in this area of town have been rehabbed and artists given a break with taxes or loans (this is what I want to find out). I had emailed ahead but was never contacted but thought I’d at least see things. I drove all around and must say I was not impressed. I didn’t see any homes with the charm of those in the magazine photo!
So, I give Dundee the Port Saint Lucie address of my next and final Florida visit. This will be a 3-hour drive almost due east. Employing Rhody’s first rule of travel (“Always take advantage of bathroom opportunities”), I then get onto route 70. Fortunately, there weren’t many folks on this mostly single-laned highway. There weren’t any places to stop either! I passed small ranches for sale and huge ones not for sale. I passed horses, cows, cattle egrets, orange groves and a dead wild pig.
Civilization was not reached until Arcadia and Lake Okeechobee. Dundee did a great job taking me across Florida but I do caution you to have a full gas tank and an empty bladder before you drive this route. This reminds me that M had the same advice for an east-west route from Naples to Miami (Tamiami Trail?).
My friends are B and F . B and I worked together and have stayed friends for 30+ years. Our hubs sailed together as well. F fixed dinner while B and I chatted and chatted. He made a nice blackened tuna, asparagus and red beans and rice. We sat around the table until after 10:30….talking!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013—Showers off and on. Sticky 70s
We all make our own breakfasts as each arises at different times and B and F have stocked the fridge with all sorts of foods. We each get on to our computers and started talking with each other and forwarding links as we chat. This is too funny-a repeat of M and me except this time we are 3 feet apart!
We finally get ready for the day and first visit a favored consignment store to meet the owner who is a neighbor. Then we drive to Stewart for lunch. The parking lot for their first choice is filled so we go to second choice and it’s fine. Salad, fajitas and hash fill us up. Then to the wine store and finally to Publix. Dinner will be a picnic of chicken, potato salad and a Pepperidge Farm cake! F says that the locals are so happy to see the backs of the snow birds--restaurants are crazy busy.
We spend the rest of the afternoon reading and snoozing before we eat. B shows me how to run their TV. While they are out for dancing lessons, I’ll watch “Jeopardy” with our own Mrs. Pickle!
We spend the morning reading and drinking coffee. Today we are going to the “Phil” (Philharmonic} to see “Sister Act”. It is a large facility with nice auditorium, 2 adjacent galleries and a separate museum. There’s a nice outdoor patio and what looks like shopping as well although we won’t explore today.
The play is great fun despite lukewarm reviews. Playbill shows actors from the original Broadway cast. I know M will take advantage of this nice facility. We eat at an Italian restaurant. M has fettuccine with shrimp and I have papparadelle with salmon. Both are good but filling. A Ruffino Chianti goes nicely with it. Oh, our waiter tonight also works at resto where we had lunch the other day.
Back home to pack.
Monday, January 7 2013 Rainy 70s
We share a coffee and I’m off to Venice to have brunch with more Annapolis pals (G & B). Place is called Peach’s and B’s one pancake covers the plate. G has a Greek omelet and I have eggs Benedict with turkey and avocado instead of Canadian bacon. It is great seeing them but time for me to drive to Bradenton to see the Village of the Arts there.
According to an older magazine article, the houses in this area of town have been rehabbed and artists given a break with taxes or loans (this is what I want to find out). I had emailed ahead but was never contacted but thought I’d at least see things. I drove all around and must say I was not impressed. I didn’t see any homes with the charm of those in the magazine photo!
So, I give Dundee the Port Saint Lucie address of my next and final Florida visit. This will be a 3-hour drive almost due east. Employing Rhody’s first rule of travel (“Always take advantage of bathroom opportunities”), I then get onto route 70. Fortunately, there weren’t many folks on this mostly single-laned highway. There weren’t any places to stop either! I passed small ranches for sale and huge ones not for sale. I passed horses, cows, cattle egrets, orange groves and a dead wild pig.
Civilization was not reached until Arcadia and Lake Okeechobee. Dundee did a great job taking me across Florida but I do caution you to have a full gas tank and an empty bladder before you drive this route. This reminds me that M had the same advice for an east-west route from Naples to Miami (Tamiami Trail?).
My friends are B and F . B and I worked together and have stayed friends for 30+ years. Our hubs sailed together as well. F fixed dinner while B and I chatted and chatted. He made a nice blackened tuna, asparagus and red beans and rice. We sat around the table until after 10:30….talking!
Tuesday, January 8, 2013—Showers off and on. Sticky 70s
We all make our own breakfasts as each arises at different times and B and F have stocked the fridge with all sorts of foods. We each get on to our computers and started talking with each other and forwarding links as we chat. This is too funny-a repeat of M and me except this time we are 3 feet apart!
We finally get ready for the day and first visit a favored consignment store to meet the owner who is a neighbor. Then we drive to Stewart for lunch. The parking lot for their first choice is filled so we go to second choice and it’s fine. Salad, fajitas and hash fill us up. Then to the wine store and finally to Publix. Dinner will be a picnic of chicken, potato salad and a Pepperidge Farm cake! F says that the locals are so happy to see the backs of the snow birds--restaurants are crazy busy.
We spend the rest of the afternoon reading and snoozing before we eat. B shows me how to run their TV. While they are out for dancing lessons, I’ll watch “Jeopardy” with our own Mrs. Pickle!
Jan 9th, 2013, 05:01 AM
#22
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Sounds like a great trip. I've spent a lot of time in Venice and it's one of my favorites, with a small artist community. Agree with you about Bradenton. Did you get to see Sarasota at all? Lots of fun neighborhoods.
Jan 9th, 2013, 05:13 AM
#23
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We visited Sarasota some years back when ILs stayed in the area. I agree, Louisa, it's very nice. Don't know why it doesn't beckon to me though.
Forgot to mention that I saw signs for Wild Pig Hunting on route 70.
Forgot to mention that I saw signs for Wild Pig Hunting on route 70.
Jan 11th, 2013, 09:57 AM
#25
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My goodness, Daniel, I feel for that person! No sleep for that many days--hope she didn't have to drive right away.
Tuesday, continued.
Good job, Lee Ann! I think my friends are worried about the fact that I wanted to see a stranger on TV! Great show and exciting finish! I went to bed before B and F returned from dancing.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 80s, cloudy
Delray Beach is the goal today. We took our time facing the day. Each ate when/what we felt like, thinking lunch out would be our big meal.
Delray is about an hour south from here. We cross west to Rte. 95 and took Atlantic Avenue exit. This took us to an extremely crowded main street. It reminded me of an older, slightly less pretty Naples’ 5th Avenue. There were more outdoor cafés though. We were in the center of 3 lanes when a woman in the left-turn-only lane decided to turn right! F had just started to accelerate when she pulled in front of us and the person to our right. Egad, we almost got clipped.
Anyhow, when we came to within a couple of blocks of the ocean, we found a parking place and snagged it. Walking along Atlantic Avenue, we spy an empty sidewalk table at Boheme Bistro ( http://bohemebistro.com/ ) so decide to eat first and walk after. Nice place and we had Falafel, Lamb gyro, and prosciutto sandwich. All pronounced great. Inside pit stops revealed more bars, nice indoor spaces and a patio space.
Walked to the ocean and then strolled back window shopping along the way. Drove up the A1A back to PSL. We passed a nice area called Ocean Ridge and the hedges of Palm Beach. We speculated how many ways the developers would get the words “Palm Beach” incorporated into the names of their towns. Such a caché! B reads auto ads from the PB paper—a real who’s who’s of overpriced cars!
Back home and we graze again and sit around and talk.
Thursday, January 10, 2013, partly cloudy low 80s and pleasant breeze.
B fixes bacon and eggs and then we all putter on our computers and take showers at leisure before we head north to Ft. Pierce. We will visit the A.E. Backus Museum. He, along with the Highwaymen, known in the area for land/seascapes. We chat with the manager and it turns out that her daughter is from my area.
From Ft. Pierce, we continued north to Vero Beach. I thought it was very nice. We also drove on Hutchinson Island (a barrier) and saw some nice places. B’s mother stayed at some of the rentals when she visited. Lunch on the ocean again. This time at Mulligan’s ( http://mulligansrestaurant.net/locations/vero/ ). Two burgers, a spiced shrimp, beer and wine later, we go back home and spend another night raiding the fridge, watching TV, talking and drinking wine.
Friday, January 11, 2013—High 70s and muggy--Going Home!
On the road by 8:30 and was the first one in line for Auto Train. Rte. 95 to SR 46 and either follow the Amtrak signs (or listen to Dundee). So many fewer folks going north this time of year! Sanford provides a shuttle run every 20 minutes to the downtown so I take advantage of it. Bob, the driver, left New Jersey 12 years ago after he stumbled upon Sanford, found out the tax rate and heard about the snow he’d be returning to in Jersey.
It has a nice down town area (First Street). There is a German restaurant that is rather well-known. A nice condo but Bob says 80% unoccupied and too expensive—starting at $250K for a first floor unit. Nice little marina and park on Lake Monroe. I could stay here as well.
Back to the station and I decide to at least put some of this TR on Word and surprise, there is a wifi signal!
So far, I do believe finding a town in Florida where one can walk to most things may not be a successful mission. More thoughts later--possibly not until tomorrow.
Tuesday, continued.
Good job, Lee Ann! I think my friends are worried about the fact that I wanted to see a stranger on TV! Great show and exciting finish! I went to bed before B and F returned from dancing.
Wednesday, January 9, 2013, 80s, cloudy
Delray Beach is the goal today. We took our time facing the day. Each ate when/what we felt like, thinking lunch out would be our big meal.
Delray is about an hour south from here. We cross west to Rte. 95 and took Atlantic Avenue exit. This took us to an extremely crowded main street. It reminded me of an older, slightly less pretty Naples’ 5th Avenue. There were more outdoor cafés though. We were in the center of 3 lanes when a woman in the left-turn-only lane decided to turn right! F had just started to accelerate when she pulled in front of us and the person to our right. Egad, we almost got clipped.
Anyhow, when we came to within a couple of blocks of the ocean, we found a parking place and snagged it. Walking along Atlantic Avenue, we spy an empty sidewalk table at Boheme Bistro ( http://bohemebistro.com/ ) so decide to eat first and walk after. Nice place and we had Falafel, Lamb gyro, and prosciutto sandwich. All pronounced great. Inside pit stops revealed more bars, nice indoor spaces and a patio space.
Walked to the ocean and then strolled back window shopping along the way. Drove up the A1A back to PSL. We passed a nice area called Ocean Ridge and the hedges of Palm Beach. We speculated how many ways the developers would get the words “Palm Beach” incorporated into the names of their towns. Such a caché! B reads auto ads from the PB paper—a real who’s who’s of overpriced cars!
Back home and we graze again and sit around and talk.
Thursday, January 10, 2013, partly cloudy low 80s and pleasant breeze.
B fixes bacon and eggs and then we all putter on our computers and take showers at leisure before we head north to Ft. Pierce. We will visit the A.E. Backus Museum. He, along with the Highwaymen, known in the area for land/seascapes. We chat with the manager and it turns out that her daughter is from my area.
From Ft. Pierce, we continued north to Vero Beach. I thought it was very nice. We also drove on Hutchinson Island (a barrier) and saw some nice places. B’s mother stayed at some of the rentals when she visited. Lunch on the ocean again. This time at Mulligan’s ( http://mulligansrestaurant.net/locations/vero/ ). Two burgers, a spiced shrimp, beer and wine later, we go back home and spend another night raiding the fridge, watching TV, talking and drinking wine.
Friday, January 11, 2013—High 70s and muggy--Going Home!
On the road by 8:30 and was the first one in line for Auto Train. Rte. 95 to SR 46 and either follow the Amtrak signs (or listen to Dundee). So many fewer folks going north this time of year! Sanford provides a shuttle run every 20 minutes to the downtown so I take advantage of it. Bob, the driver, left New Jersey 12 years ago after he stumbled upon Sanford, found out the tax rate and heard about the snow he’d be returning to in Jersey.
It has a nice down town area (First Street). There is a German restaurant that is rather well-known. A nice condo but Bob says 80% unoccupied and too expensive—starting at $250K for a first floor unit. Nice little marina and park on Lake Monroe. I could stay here as well.
Back to the station and I decide to at least put some of this TR on Word and surprise, there is a wifi signal!
So far, I do believe finding a town in Florida where one can walk to most things may not be a successful mission. More thoughts later--possibly not until tomorrow.
Jan 14th, 2013, 06:29 AM
#26
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Saturday, January 12, 2013-Misty outside no wifi
Mr. Sanford grew all sorts of veggies but a giant frost wiped out all but the celery. For a time, Sanford was the celery capital of the world.
Dinner last night was the same as the trip down and I had another nice steak. Pumpkin Bundt for dessert was delicious.
Spoke for at least an hour with G and T, golfing couple who have traveled the world. Had dinner with E and her little 2 yo-very cute.
It is going on 8 a.m. now and the train has broken down. We will be 2 hours late at this point. Grrr. They extend breakfast so I go ahead and get some cereal. Sit with man and his son who have 10 more hours to drive to get to Montreal.
It was around 11:45 by the time we arrived. It takes some time for the train to unleash the auto cars. First in meant almost last out in this case but I’ve been told there is no special order ever. I get home by about 1:30.
In retrospect, the trip is long and quite expensive (around $1,000 both ways). Others have suggested having the car shipped and getting a cheap air fare as a better alternative. On the other hand, people use their cars as giant extra suitcases—does anyone know if that’s possible on the car carriers? It is certainly something I’ll look into.
My next step is to rent in Mt. Dora during August. I’m assuming that would be one of the hottest months—we’ll see if it can hold a candle to sultry DC summers!
Mr. Sanford grew all sorts of veggies but a giant frost wiped out all but the celery. For a time, Sanford was the celery capital of the world.
Dinner last night was the same as the trip down and I had another nice steak. Pumpkin Bundt for dessert was delicious.
Spoke for at least an hour with G and T, golfing couple who have traveled the world. Had dinner with E and her little 2 yo-very cute.
It is going on 8 a.m. now and the train has broken down. We will be 2 hours late at this point. Grrr. They extend breakfast so I go ahead and get some cereal. Sit with man and his son who have 10 more hours to drive to get to Montreal.
It was around 11:45 by the time we arrived. It takes some time for the train to unleash the auto cars. First in meant almost last out in this case but I’ve been told there is no special order ever. I get home by about 1:30.
In retrospect, the trip is long and quite expensive (around $1,000 both ways). Others have suggested having the car shipped and getting a cheap air fare as a better alternative. On the other hand, people use their cars as giant extra suitcases—does anyone know if that’s possible on the car carriers? It is certainly something I’ll look into.
My next step is to rent in Mt. Dora during August. I’m assuming that would be one of the hottest months—we’ll see if it can hold a candle to sultry DC summers!
Mar 1st, 2013, 06:37 AM
#27
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In retrospect, the trip is long and quite expensive (around $1,000 both ways)
well lets take a look at the price
Car R/T @ ~$4 a gallon = ~$400
Overnight hotel both ways = ~$100 a night
Food = ~$200-300 both ways
wear and tear on the car = $?
and then you have to drive = whatever that mean$ to you
instead,
you can "park your car", enjoy a nice dinner and breakfast, have few glasses of wine, sleep comfortably. Arrive at your destination in the morning and be totally relaxed.
I don't know about you but we decided to do it every time we want to go north east US with our car.
well lets take a look at the price
Car R/T @ ~$4 a gallon = ~$400
Overnight hotel both ways = ~$100 a night
Food = ~$200-300 both ways
wear and tear on the car = $?
and then you have to drive = whatever that mean$ to you
instead,
you can "park your car", enjoy a nice dinner and breakfast, have few glasses of wine, sleep comfortably. Arrive at your destination in the morning and be totally relaxed.
I don't know about you but we decided to do it every time we want to go north east US with our car.
Mar 1st, 2013, 10:02 AM
#28
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Makes sense AAFF. Although, I'd say 2 nights in a hotel would be more than $100/night would be more likely. I stayed with friends on my first trip back but took each set to dinner so probably spent as much or more as staying in a hotel!
Also, I should have said "round trip" rather than both ways to be more clear.
I do hope auto train extends its routes. It can be a nice way to get one's car to Florida. As you say, park your car and enjoy the ride!
Also, I should have said "round trip" rather than both ways to be more clear.
I do hope auto train extends its routes. It can be a nice way to get one's car to Florida. As you say, park your car and enjoy the ride!
Mar 1st, 2013, 12:28 PM
#29
Be aware that the price of the AutoTrain depend son two factors:
the time of year
the number of sleeping accommodations ALREADY sold.
Last year, for example, I took it from Sanford ON Thanksgiving Day. the base price was $97. I got a roommette for $98.00 There were so few people on the train they only had one dinner seating and that was half empty.
the time of year
the number of sleeping accommodations ALREADY sold.
Last year, for example, I took it from Sanford ON Thanksgiving Day. the base price was $97. I got a roommette for $98.00 There were so few people on the train they only had one dinner seating and that was half empty.
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