posted 3/2/14
Bob - N0BIX has submitted these photos and comments from his and Jean's trip to Orlando for the HamCation.
We
left for Florida a day early to avoid the snow and ice — right! After 85
miles in 3 ½ hours we stopped for the night in Southern Illinois.
The
next morning we hit the road again after scraping ¼ inch of ice off the windows
due to the freezing rain during the night. Road crews had salted the
interstate.
A quick grab shot shortly before leaving Illinois.
Jean
likes to take photos of bridges. Here we are traveling over the Ohio
River.
River traffic continues to move.
Entering Kentucky.
And not too much later we're in Tennessee with no sign of snow.
We didn't need it.
Now into Georgia.
Atlanta
during rush hour, but no problem. Glad we didn't try this a week earlier
during the ice/snow storm then.
We
got as far as Byron, GA before we stopped for the night. Palm trees —
yea!
Our Georgia sunset.
Nice weather as we left the next morning.
First stop in Florida — big palm trees.
A Florida welcoming.
Can't get enough palm trees.
After
checking into our hotel in Orlando, we drove to Tampa to visit John and Jan and
see their new motor coach.
Beautiful.
Lots
of controls. The clock/temperature gage is just on the dash temporarily to
check out the freezer.
I
think they traded rigs so they could have the large screen TV up front.
Next morning — here's the event we came for.
Last year, warm and lots of sun. This year, cold and lots of rain.
Most of our time was spent inside. Here Jean is doing what she enjoys most — buying jewelry.
This little guy on the roadside, caught in the rain.
Next
day it's still cool and rainy. Here's a view from the fair campground.
Another view of the lake.
Experimental garden on the fairgrounds.
Here
are some of the campers. John and Jan didn't bring their rig from Tampa as
it was still being gotten in shape.
Jean
had to buy this jacket after we arrived. Had a heavy coat for up north,
but only very light sweater for Florida.
John and Jan arrive for the hamfest. Yea!
Jan taking advantage of the warmth inside Tom and Debbie's coach.
Heading
out for lunch: Jan - KA9VQS, Debbie - KA3VNF, Tom - NP2D (a net control on the
RV Service Net), Tom - W3TOM and John N5AAA.
Meeting up with Dan (back to camera), Lew - KC4US and Miriam.
Safe under the tent if you don't sit on the outside edge — a bit wet.
Tom must be explaining how magnets work to John.
The girls watching family photos/video.
Tom checking out where to go for dinner.
This is it.
Guys
at one end of the table.
Gals at the other.
Sunday: We take advantage of the sun while John and Jan and Tom and Debbie get on the road out of town.
A nice stroll through Downtown Disney.
An "I was here" photo.
I was too.
Taking pictures of the ceiling.
Pooh and Tigger.
Couldn't resist.
Well, it was lunch time.
Someone looking for a handout.
A couple pairs of wings.
Can never have too many photos of palm trees when its winter.
Where there's a pond there's bound to be a fountain.
Sentinel.
Grooming time.
Well, it was there.
While waiting for the water taxi.
Our hotel for our stay in Orlando.
Starting down the Overseas Highway (US 1) toward Key West. About 100 miles to go.
Going to see a lot of water on this trip.
Utility poles are planted out in the shallow water.
Looking for lunch.
Part of the 7 mile bridge.
Here already.
Wild chicken in the parking lot.
First stop after settling in: Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville Cafe.
It's 5 o'clock somewhere.
Gathering to see the sunset.
A boat substituting for foreground palm trees.
Tourists and street entertainers on Mallory Square.
Now umbrellas filling in for palm trees.
Jean taking a picture from the deck of our hotel. The deck and swimming pool is on the second floor.
Hotel proper on the right. pool straight ahead.
The building next door
Close-up of flower on the deck.
Here's a view of our hotel. Our room is the window at the upper right.
Good cell phone reception here.
Looking north up Duval St. toward Mallory Square.
And looking south. When you get to the end of this road you're at the southernmost point in the continental US.
Ground view looking north.
And south.
Caught this one crowing about something.
Pausing for another palm tree.
The southernmost point in the continental US.
The Southernmost Hotel.
The Southernmost House.
Rest time.
Making for the water.
Harry S. Truman US Naval Station.
Tourist train. We walked.
Yikes! Another palm tree.
Time for a treat.
Enjoying.
Hey, I'm done already.
Brief stop back at the hotel.
Last flower picture. I promise.
Retired Coast Guard Cutter.
One of the residential streets in the Truman Annex.
Truman's bedroom is behind the second floor window with the drapery.
A view of the front of the Little White House.
The commercial section — not where people watch the sunset.
A local resident taking advantage of a running fan.
Last photo of our hotel. You can see the deck area above the shop.
Duval street shortly after sunset.
As we head home, a view of the old train trestle that has been left standing.
To avoid the bad winter streets in Atlanta, we take the long way through Alabama.
It was there.
Back to snow. — this in Alabama.
Must be getting near the turnoff for Huntsville.
Nice of Tennessee to welcome us.
Weather in Kentucky was okay.
Looks like the weather is getting worse.
Now we know we're getting near home.
Solid ice on the roads and driveway to welcome us home from 80 degree Florida!
Respectfully submitted by
IOOK Vice President
Bob - N0BIX
=====
Many thanks to Bob and Jean for sharing their HamCation and Key West experience!
It looks like you had a good time!
