Driving from Greensboro, NC, to Tampa
 

I am so excited. I'm leaving May 13 and driving to Tampa for a nice wedding. I'm going early for a much needed vacation. I've had a tough year!

I'm probably going to drive it in one day. But I'd like to get off the interstates and enjoy some old Florida icons. Any thoughts? I will avoid the Disney business. Ew.

I have a beach hotel reservation. My family members will all fly down on Thursday. I get to bring all the luggage : D. I'm going to Sanibel for a day trip on Wednesday, I think. I'd really appreciate input from fellow Fodorites for some place fun to stop and eat. Should I get on A!A?

Thanks a bunch.

I don't know if you are at all interested, but I very much enjoyed visiting Cross Creek and Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings' home there. I went before it was a state park but I doubt that has changed it much. Her house looks like she just stepped away for a few minutes and the drive to/from it illusrates how scrubby the land really is/was. I drove away amazed at how hardy and resilent the Cracker settlers had to be.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/mar...innanrawlings/

If that's of interest, you may also like reading Janisse Ray's "Ecology of a Cracker Childhood". She describes growing up in south Georgia but the ecology (and Cracker lineage) remains virtually the same. And it's my favorite book of hers.
http://www.nytimes.com/books/00/01/0...09horwitt.html
http://milkweed.org/shop/product/216

Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings house is a great idea, starrs. Getting there suewoo is easy as it is just off US27. In jax, take I-10 west to Baldwin. Go south on US 27. There are signs to get to the park off US27. I think its just south of Hawthorne. (watch your speed on 27, especially in Hawthorne-known for its speed traps). You'll also be 'off the beaten path' taking that road. I drove it regularly for many years when I lived in Tampa and went to Jax to visit family. Antique mall south of Stark though I don't know if its still there or open on Mon. lots of beautiful horse farms in the Ocala area. In that area you should see signs to take you west to I-75 south for the rest of the way to Tampa.

Driving to Sanibel from Tampa is at least two hours each way though it depends on where you are starting from. I love Sanibel and Captiva and May shouldn't be too crowded.

Have a great trip!

Y'all thanks. What a great idea! I'll do it and report back. I am SO looking forward tomthis.

It's not a bad drive, I go to Concord NC each year. I would suggest St Augustine and/or Daytona, it is on the way, not far off the interstate. I go to Sanibel often, it should be beautiful this time of year and the shelling cannot be outdone. Lots of great food and very casual. Have a great trip. BTW, have you ever been to Seagrove in NC? It's a great day trip from Greensboro. If I lived up there I would go often.

Thanks, Molly. I love Seagrove. I haven't been lately but I've been numerous times. It was right on my way from Charleston to Mama's when I was living down there. And I plan to (maybe) stay my first night at St Aug.

Suewoo, sounds like a great road trip, gotta love that. Be safe.

I know, I'm excited! I'm gonna open up the sunroof, get some snacks and enjoy the road. Thanks for your help.

OK I have one more question. Where should I go for stone crabs? The shackier the better.

Stone crab season is over; it has been dismal this year, meaning very high prices.