We were in florida for 2 weeks in early Jan. 2008. This is a belated report. We mostly do nature type things on our trips. birding, photography, gardens, beach a bit. etc.

We spent 4 nights in titusville, (near kennedy space center). Stayed at the Hampton Inn. nice enough. included breakfast.

then spent several nights in St. Pete beach at the Tradewinds - ok. room small. big type hotel. on the beach

then on to Sarasota at the Lido beach hotel. Room was fine, except for one large cockroach.

Finally 4-5 nights in Sanibel at the Holiday Inn. a bit musty. will try someplace else next time.

In titusville we went to merritt island nature refuge - which is spectacular. worth a trip threw even if you are not a birder. We also went to Viera wetlands about 1/2 hour south.

The area itself is somewhat depressed. We finally found a decent place for dinner on our last night. Dixie crossroads restaurant. Avoid the cracker barrel near the hotel unless you are desperate.

On the way to St. Pete we stopped at Leu gardens in Orlando. very nice - worth a visit.

to be continued

If you were at Leu Gardens (we love it and are members there) you were only about 15 minutes from Maitland's Audubon Birds of Prey Center! Not to be missed the next time you come birding in this area.

Happy to read your report. Several years ago I went on a kayak tour at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and it was spectacular, one of my all time favorite excursions. At one point we had manatee hovering below our kayaks--a very special moment.

Joanel, I'm impressed! Most local people don't even know about the Viera Wetlands. I suppose because it's not publicized, although the birding there is great, especially in fall and spring when the migratory species are coming through. Glad to hear you found it.

I agree with you about MI wildlife refuge.

Were you at the Space Coast Birding Festival?

missed the festival. we are only in fl for 2 weeks in early jan. then back home to Mass to work.

Joanel, glad you had the chance to visit one of our favorite areas on the Space Coast! We find it very relaxing to drive, bike, and hike along Black Point Drive. Seeing wildlife is always a high point in our travels. If you return to this area, you may want to also take BioLab Road, and sign up for a Scrub Jay walk with one of the park rangers.

I don't know if you heard while you were in the area, but NASA is considering building a launch complex in the area you visited. This would ruin most of the wildlife habitat you visited, and remove access to much of the remain refuge and Playlinda Beach.

NASA held meetings in February to gauge public reaction, and quickly realized that the public was mainly against their proposal. One of the reasons many locals are against it is because we know there are unused lauchpads sitting on Cape Canaveral AFS, and feel they should be used before destroying parts of the wildlife refuge.

It looked like NASA had taken public opinion to heart, but a small article in today's Orlando Sentinel advises that, while they are talking to the Air Force about launching from CCAFS, they are still considering two major areas of the refuge.

If you want additional information, or info on where to contact NASA, please go to http://environmental.ksc.nasa.gov/projects/ksc-cvlc.htm.

Agree with thurstonbb, if you are back in Central Florida, definitely visit the Bird of Prey Center!

rascat, a big THANK YOU for posting that.