Florida in February

[lindafrog]

Planning a long awaited Florida in February escape from Michigan winter. Looking for places to eat, stay and see all on a tight budget!! We are flying into Orlando, then driving to Cedar Keys, north of Tampa. On to Ocala and Gainesville area, and Saint Augustine. Ending up back in Orlando and hanging out with Mickey Mouse. We love bird watching, public gardens, not into golf or fishing! How about orchid vendors or shows? We , can't bring much back on the plane . I can't grow warm growers but would love to stop and see a few places..

 

[Ernie]

Birds- Merritt island is THE place to be! You might even get lucky and get to see a much scrubbed suttle launch! June's is off I4 about 1/2 way to tampa from Orlando. Depending on the days you're here, we might be able to offer a visit (I work weekdays and am gone many Sats & Suns).

 

[Eric Muehlbauer]

Linda- if you were willing to make it down to the Key's, my wife's cousin owns a nice small hotel in Islamorada. Very laid back and mellow place. Email me if you want details.

 

[NYEric]

If you can, get to June's.

 

[cnycharles]

I used to work at a shell's restaurant long ago near orlando, and if you get out to ormond beach at all ask around for a mario's restaurant. you won't find advertisements for mario's and you can't make reservations but it's worth the wait! I had a platter of linguine and clams there once that literally took me 30 minutes to eat (solid eating action, no talking...)

 

[NYEric]

You're making me hungry.

 

[cnycharles]

when I was working at shells, I was cleaning frozen shrimp and got a tail stuck into my palm. being a landlubber I didn't realize that things like coral, crustacean shells and other things like that could give you nasty infections so when I reported the need for a trip to the doctor's because of the stick a few days later, my manager asked why I hadn't reported the injury earlier.. when I told him basically because "i'm from upstate ny and ignorant", he accepted my excuse and gave me the insurance coverage for the doctor's visit! one of my favorite meals that I had to prep there was 'shrimp fra diavolo' among many other things mmmmmm

 

[Clark]

We love bird watching, public gardens, not into golf or fishing!

Hello Linda.
Please share these experiences when you get back.
We are booking a similar vacation for 2011.
Hopefully, a painted bunting will be cooperative.
Too bad about the fishing, I think the sails are in season for Feb.
Thanks.

 

[lindafrog]

Hello and thanks to all for your imput and offers. Yes Merrit Island is on our list. Been there, loved it.. the visions of hundreds of white birds remains with us. We saw some sort of launch from the island. Later we saw a shuttle launch all the way from the Orlando airport. Eric-- the lower keys are not on our plans, Maybe another time., maybe you & Ester could join us! Clark-- please pm me or email directly for details on lodging, etc. With the 2 feet of snow and 9 degree morning we are looking forward to warming up.

 

[Ernie]

Hello and thanks to all for your imput and offers. Yes Merrit Island is on our list. Been there, loved it.. the visions of hundreds of white birds remains with us. We saw some sort of launch from the island. Later we saw a shuttle launch all the way from the Orlando airport. Eric-- the lower keys are not on our plans, Maybe another time., maybe you & Ester could join us! Clark-- please pm me or email directly for details on lodging, etc. With the 2 feet of snow and 9 degree morning we are looking forward to warming up.

We've had a family of white ibis in our neighborhood since move in. They're cool- the little ones are gray and change to white. Also have seen sand hill cranes since October- only about three near a pond on my way to work. My faves in FL are the glossy ibis and roseate spoonbill. Glossys are in MI, but the spoonbills are mostly south FL.