rickydicky

Let me introduce myself: my name is Richard and together with my girlfriend Sue, we will be travelling from London to Orlando on April 22nd for a five week road trip round Florida. This will be our third USA road trip assisted by Fodor.
So far we have planned our itinerary down to the Keys and back up to the start of the Tamiami trail. Could I beg some of you to share your top tips for the west coast and inland below the Ocala area.
Any suggestions, big or small would be welcome. I'm thinking: unusual destinations; B&B's in interesting locations; nice drives and walking/cycling trails ;rivers,creeks and swimming areas; farms and forests; good food stores; craft beers; markets; festivals (any type); local, small sporting events; places to visit at sunrise and late night; great places to photo etc. Absolutely everything would be considered.
Thank you in anticipation

clarkgriswold

http://www.fodors.com/search/results...h=Florida+Gulf

Tabernash2

You won't be on the West Coast if you're in Florida. California is our West Coast.

Maybe you mean the Gulf Coast of Florida? i.e. the western coast of Florida?

spirobulldog

I wouldn't miss the Dry Tortuga National Park(since you didn't mention it).

I see your post is tagged for Florida, but most people are going to think you mean California/Oregon Coast when you say West Coast.

clarkgriswold

Oh boy here come the post police!

Tomsd

Big difference.

rickydicky

Of course I meant the Gulf Coast and I thought I'd been so careful to get everything right! Maybe I'll repost this with a better title. Thanks for pointing out the obvious. As a Brit I didn't give it a thought.

Shanti

I'd repost with a different title. Some people (like me) sometimes only look at the title so you may get more helpful responses with a title with the word "Florida" in it.

clarkgriswold

He already posted with a different title. Apparently people have plenty to whine about but nothing to add.

Tabernash2

No one is whining. I think we helped the OP tremendously.

spirobulldog

Clark, It was confusing. Frankly, your the one doing the whining.

rickydicky

Not quite the comments I was expecting - but it's sure been entertaining!

nanabee

I thought he meant the West Coast too, meaning California. However, the minute he tagged it Florida it was pretty obvious.

I've been to the Gulf side of Florida and enjoyed the beaches. I can't give you a lot of helpful info but we loved Key West. I would recommend the Hemmingway home, and the President Truman home visits.

http://www.hemingwayhome.com/

http://www.trumanlittlewhitehouse.com/

clarkgriswold

"Maybe you mean the gulf coast of Florida"

YA THINK????

All you had to do is read the post to find out. How's that for Fodors police detective work???

"It was confusing"

No it wasn't, it is tagged "Florida". Some of the fodors cops are apparently stuck at the donut shop.

Tabernash2

You need to calm down and quit YELLING, clark. It's only a travel forum.

"Maybe you mean the gulf coast of Florida".
Just being polite. You should try it some time.

spirobulldog

More often than not, a foreign visitor on this board very often tries to do way way to much when coming to the US. My first thought was they wanted to see Florida and California in one visit.

I will say spending 5 weeks in Flordia would be a great trip.

Clark, "apparently people have plenty to whine about but nothing to add" LOOK AT YOU LAST 3 POSTS

Ricky,
I'm sorry I added any comments to your topic. I was just trying to make things clear. Hope you enjoy your trip to Florida. Weather will probably be nice at the beginning of your trip, but if you are still here at the end of May, then it will be getting warm and humid(probably not unbearable though). FYI, Memorial Day Weekend can be busy at some spots, so plan accordingly for that last weekend in May.

I would probably visit Everglades first, as the longer you wait, the more mosquitoes you will encounter.

clarkgriswold

"I think we helped the OP tremendously"

What exactly makes you think that?

Tabernash2

You wouldn't understand.