For those familiar with the situation here in Florida, I am really having a problem with coughing and throat irritation here on Indian Shores Beach, due to Red Tide. We are paid in full through next Saturday. I'm debating asking for a refund so that I can at least go to a motel where we can swim in a swimming pool .... What to do???? DARN, DARN, DARN!!! I hate to pay to be on a beach and then not be able to take advantage of it!!! Do you think she is obligated to refund? I see other landlords on TV (news) who say they're doing just that...

You can ask, but i don't see how she is obligated to give you a refund. You aren't guaranteed a specific experience. Should you be given a refund if it rains every day or the temperature gets too low?

Good luck

If others are refunding, then ask. You'll regret that you didn't.

How about doing some old-fashioned Florida things? Maybe see the newly reopened Cypress Gardens (and scout it out for me?). Head to Wakulla Springs and enjoy the springs and perhaps a canoe ride straight out of Tarzan movies.

Should I start a "Let our Bonnie go!" thread and promise she'll get repeat visits from you AND visits from other Fodorites for letting you have a refund? Would that help leverage her decision, do you think?

Along he lines of the old-fashioned Florida idea, here's a link to an article about Central Florida locations -

http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Aug...ttractions.htm

And take a detour on the way home to Marjorie Rawlings' Cross Creek. I found it delightful (found the above link when I googled Marjorie Rawlings Cross Creek).

Bonnie, did you see my post about going up to Honeymoon and/or Caladesi Islands for the day? It's beautiful...you'd love it, and I don't believe the red tide has gotten up there. Take another day and "do" the Greek community of Tarpon Springs...also a good ways north. Have you been to the Dali Museum? It's Fabulous (yes, capital F ).

It's a tough call with the refund. She's definitely not obligated to refund, but she might do so as a good will gesture, especially if some are. No harm in asking! Of course, it could be gone by tomorrow or the next day...it's that sort of thing. Someone was saying the wind was from the north which would be positive, but looking at weatherunderground just now, it says it's out of the WSW...not good. There are some terrific things to do in the area so your vacation there will not be ruined if she isn't willing to refund. This is such a fluke...I'm so sorry it has happened to you! In all the time we lived there, I think I only experienced it twice and even then, never saw a bad fish kill.

Eat at a Greek restaurant and buy a sponge in Tarpon Springs -
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Jun...ponSprings.htm

Visit the largest collection of Tiffany glass at the Morse museum in Winter Park and stroll the lovely shops - including Provencal products.
http://www.travellady.com/Issues/Iss...7J-orlando.htm

Visit the antique shops of Mount Dora. If you've never been to the small town of Mount Dora - it's a treat. VEry good restaurants too!

Pretend you are in Italy and stroll around the Portofino hotel outside of Universal in Orlando.

Thank you, MikeT, Starrsville and OO, for your replies and ideas. My DH is inclined to stay, and hope for the best. OO, I believe we will do exactly as you suggest. From looking at Red Tide Updates, there is no abnormal level of Red Tide on Honeymoon Island, so we are going to get up early and do that tomorrow. Then Tuesday, as you and Starrsville suggest, maybe we will do Tarpon Springs... I'll just make lemonade!

Another day we wanted to go into St. Petersburg, anyway, to the Pier (we loved it before) and do some of the museums there. WE WILL SURVIVE! Thanks again, guys. Any other ideas, keep'em coming!

Does anyone know how conditions are at Sanibel? We will go there next Saturday for three days ....

I meant Wekiwa Springs just north of Orlando -
http://www.floridastateparks.org/wek...gs/default.cfm

Here's a link to HOneymoon -
http://www.floridastateparks.org/hon...nd/default.cfm

I'm having fun with this. Here's a free antebellum sugar plantation less than an hour away. A side trip or on the way to Sanibel?

http://www.floridastateparks.org/gam...on/default.cfm

Oh Lord, I hope Stephanie doesn't read your last post!

Starrsville, you've lost me with your Stephanie comment??? I haven't been around much the last few days. What am I missing??

Good Morning Bonniebroad! I am SO sorry for this mess. I hate it too - had planned a long beach sit for my DH today on Father's Day, he sure deserves it. Alas, we shall stay indoors.

On a lark last night, we went out at 11 PM on a friend's boat into Boca Ciega Bay, off of Gulfport (this part for OO), and it was very nice. We did go through pockets of red tide, but we found a nice cozy unsmelly spot to anchor in and hang out for a few hours...so OO's right, it can be avoided!

Did you go to the Salt Rock yet? They have the best dipping spices for their bread (you can order some to take home), and be sure to order oysters bienville ...aaahhh! I like your husband's thinking, you two will have fun making lemonade out of lemons, I can tell.

You could also ferry out to Caladesi Island State Park from Honeymoon for a different experience and shelling.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/cal...nd/default.cfm

Or take a private boat out to Anclote Key from Tarpon Springs.
http://www.floridastateparks.org/anclotekey/default.cfm

Or have hubby drop you off on the way back from Tarpon Springs (driving range or other activity) and have a spa treatment at Safety Harbor.

Maybe I don't remember correctly, but didn't Stephanie have a hissy fit in your thread about how far to drive in 1 day - interpreted that your discussion was actually your hubby not "allowing" a shorter day's drive. The hubby is inclined to stay comment made me think of that thread!

Have a great trip! Do consider a detour by Cross Creek on the way home. It would only take a few minutes to see it - and it is like walking back in time. Hubby would probably enjoy the surroundings. Seeing the isolation, palmetto thickets, sand and scrub made me amazed that ANYONE tried to settle Florida. Made me think of Lois Lenski's books as well (Strawberry Girl, etc.)

Okay, Starrsville, now I remember! Yes, she did throw a hissy-fit, didn't she? Actually, if I REALLY wanted to get off this beach, we'd be off this afternoon ... but I agree with his thinking. This stuff could be gone in a couple of days, and if it's not, we'll still have fun! Thanks for all your good ideas! Will let you know what we do.........

Bonnie, doing all these other things might just make this an even better vacation than had the red tide NOT rolled in. Ah...yummy lemonade.

See if you can find the ferry schedule for Caladesi, Bonnie, so you can hit that. You can actually walk to Caladesi too...it's no longer an island after a storm filled in the cut on the southern end. If you are walking to it, you walk from the north end of Clearwater Beach. We've done it many times when we decided to do our runs on the beach instead of the causeway. From just north of the Clearwater pier to the very northern tip of Caladesi and back is about 6 miles judging from our running time, but you reach Caladesi State Park way before the 3 mile mark...if you try walking to it you'll see a sign letting you know you are on Caladesi. The very southern end is isolated. There is a boardwalk with showers and restrooms and water about 2/3 of the way up but that's the extent of the concessions on Caladesi so if you are going, bring water and whatever else you might need. There is usually good shelling on Honeymoon Island (which you drive onto, no ferry).

Joan do you know how green with envy you just made me with your Boca Ciega description?! LOL Ah...I want to be there so BAD(ly), anchoring Beach Music out in the bay and soaking in that wonderful scenery. It's beautiful at night with the lights all around isn't it? We will be there 4th of July come red tide or high water. Did you go out with your friends who have the sailboat in Gulfport Marina? See you at Woodys!

I can't imagine asking for a refund because of an "act of God", but I suppose these days anything is possible. I've been rained out or "frozen" out and had to totally change all my plans with several rentals around the world. I never would have imagined asking for a refund because the weather wasn't what I was expecting -- and this seems like the same thing to me! Do ski resorts refund if there is no snow? I'm just asking as I don't know the policy.

Patrick, actually some ski resorts do refund if there is no snow... I think you probably only get refunds as a good will act by the landlords in a case like ours here.

It would be nice if you at least got a Raincheck for another less stinky time .. but I like the alternate ideas for Honeymoon Island, etc.
LOL, I got the Stephanie remark too
Don't mention reproducing !!

Bonnie, I know how you feel. It really stinks (pardon the pun) when you've planned a beach vacation only to have it ruined by red tide. I've been red-tided out of several vacations to Sanibel. One year it was considered to be the worst red tides Sanibel ever had!

Having said that, I have to agree with some other posters that you can often go just a few miles north or south of the red tide-affected beach and find a nice spot to park yourself in the sand. I know it's not the same as stepping out of your hotel and onto the beach, but it's better than no beach at all!

I guess red tide can happen on both coasts, but I've only experienced it on the gulf side! Try to make the best of it. Good luck!