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Beyond the Parks Attractions that are not covered by the main Theme Parks. |
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11 Apr 21, 10:38 AM |
#21
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Thread Starter
Imagineer
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This does sound like a fabulous day out, and one to remember for sure!
Hubby gets a bit seasick on small craft but maybe he would take a tablet or something, I'll show him this and some videos and take it from there! By the way, we are so envious that you spend the winter out there My hubby is hoping to retire early in about 6 years (after youngest finishes Uni, 6 long years as he's studying Medicine) then what you do is OUR plan too! I've often read your posts and taken onboard any tips you've given
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Florida - 04,05,06,08,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19, Covid - boo! 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Cruises - Caribbean x7, Canaries, Far East/India/Dubai, Mexico, Mediterranean x4, Greek Islands, Toyo, HK, Singapore Other USA Many other states... but still more to see! |
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11 Apr 21, 10:42 AM |
#22
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Thread Starter
Imagineer
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Thanks so much for this!
Our fave things to do have always revolved around nature and natural/ scenic sights So any more of those kind of suggestions would be really great? I take what feels like millions of photos of nature - be it fauna or flora - Oh and the sea! and clouds - I take literally hundreds of photos of cloudscapes!
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Florida - 04,05,06,08,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19, Covid - boo! 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 Cruises - Caribbean x7, Canaries, Far East/India/Dubai, Mexico, Mediterranean x4, Greek Islands, Toyo, HK, Singapore Other USA Many other states... but still more to see! |
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11 Apr 21, 01:04 PM |
#23
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VIP Dibber
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Myakka State Park is beautiful. We went on the boat trip and saw lots of alligators and other wildlife. Then we did the walk - part boardwalk, part treetops. We laughed at the signs warning you that the vultures liked to peck the rubber on windscreen wipers etc. on your car!
If you're going to Marco Island then go to Tiger Tail Beach and wade across the Lagoon to get there. Knee deep roughly and a bit squelchy but saves a long walk round. I know you've already read my trip report below but definitely from it, for wildlife - John Pennekamp Park near Key Largo is also excellent - you can get a glass bottomed boat, snorkelling, lots of walks, lovely little aquarium and a great cafe. Big Pine Key and the Pub With No Name - key deer country on the Keys Also Hemmingway's House at Key West for 6 toed cats, the Wildlife Sanctuary there, the Martello Tower gardens and the butterfly conservancy. Glad you've got it all booked up
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Index to all trip reports here https://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/sho...3#post15913083 Seattle to San Francisco Road Trip Florida 2017 New England Road Trip 2019 Florida Road Trip 2022 Canada/Pacific NW Road Trip 2022 Cyprus Chill week May 2023 Road Trip California & Arizona 2023 Edited at 12:48 AM. |
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11 Apr 21, 06:42 PM |
#24
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Imagineer
Join Date: Nov 10
Location: Durham
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Yes CL, we're very fortunate to be able to enjoy the winter on Bokeelia, it's very peaceful and very different to the Orlando area.
Further to my recommending Capt Bruce, if you fancy a cheeseburger at Cabbage Key, HERE is their site/menu, Bruce will gladly tie up there. We're picnic takers as Bruce takes us to a lovely lake type body of water off Pine Island Sound, we oft see manatee, gator and a couple of dolphin coming in and out whilst chowing lunch - gator will go in salt water but they need to find fesh water for a swill out now and again When you walk thro from Fosters Bay to Upper Captiva beach Bruce'll bring chairs and sun umbrella so you can sit in the shade inbetween shell collecting [Bruce joins in and finds shells for you too]. Other Dibbers have been out with Bruce and had a great day - far better value than taking the ferry. We've also had sunset cruises with Bruce. Below is an, admitted long, idea of places I've recommended on other SW Fla threads. Have a pick thro and give me a shout if you want more info. Apologies if any of the links have stopped working Depending on when, and where, you are in SW Fla, Cape Coral has a water park, Sunsplash. See HERE SW Fl is a lovely area, ample beaches, watersports, fishing. Naples is a nice place to check out too - excellent soft white beach and long pier - see HERE Naples conservancy - HERE Tin City in Naples - HERE Corkscrew Swamp conservation - HERE Ding Darling on Sanibel (closed Fridays) HERE Edison Ford Estate in Fort Myers - HERE Casino Big M boat from Fort Myers Beach - HERE Everglades National Park boat tours - HERE Babcock Ranch, on SR31 between Fort Myers and Arcadia, good place to visit, nice BBQ - HERE Octagon wildlife sanctuary, just off SR31 between Fort Myers & Punta Gorda; Lauri Caron is an incredible lady who provides home to a multitude of animals, from exotic tigers, a rare black leopard, lions, bears, wolves to donkeys, goats, chickens, ducks, racoons, gators et al - check out the website video. The citizens/local big & small businesses donate food, supplies, manpower to keep them all fed. All volunteers happily donate their time to ensure the majority of monies collected cares for the animals. Hours: check website - HERE Fort Myers tourist website - HERE Visit Florida website - HERE Muscle Car City, Punta Gorda - HERE Shopping anyone? Miramar Outlets with over 140 top designer outlet stores - HERE Sanibel Outlets - HERE
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11 Apr 21, 08:22 PM |
#25
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Apprentice Imagineer
Join Date: Jan 15
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You are most welcome! I’d second what Anji said about Myakka. We love it there too. We also enjoy Fort de Soto, Fort de Soto Memorial, Neal Preserve and Perico Preserve. For manatees, it’s worth visiting the little harbour at Porto Sueno Park off 75th Street (just off the island)-they are often just hanging around, even in summer.
A bit like ChrisS, we spend a good chunk of the year in Florida but spread over the year (typically 5-6 weeks here, 4 weeks in Florida...repeat). Not retired but lucky enough to work remotely. |
11 Apr 21, 10:14 PM |
#26
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Imagineer
Join Date: Nov 10
Location: Durham
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Boy Mqt, have we missed this winter on the island, even on their version of a cold day You'll likely be the same and be keen as mustard to get back. I watch the island live cams, hubs calls it self inflicted torture If you want to join in, Pine Island/other area live cams are HERE. We stay on Bokeelia between Pineland Marina/Tarpon Lodge and the farthest north section of Bokeelia Pier on the live cams.
Hopefully we get back next winter and you as soon as you can too
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Edited at 10:16 PM. |
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11 Apr 21, 10:53 PM |
#27
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Apprentice Imagineer
Join Date: Jan 15
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Oh Chris, I can’t tell you how much we’ve missed it but I guess I don’t have to! You’ll be feeling it the same. We are desperate to get back and I understand your DH’s comments about ‘self-inflicted torture’. We have CCTV out to our garden there and towards the driveway and I almost hate to look at it (and the webcams on Anna Maria).
Hopefully it won’t be too long before we’re back. Are you planning on going across earlier than your normal time or will you wait until November? |
11 Apr 21, 11:16 PM |
#28
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Imagineer
Join Date: Nov 10
Location: Durham
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Well, our plan is to head back at the very end of Oct/early Nov. I bought UC reward tickets in the November 50% off miles sale knowing we wouldn't get, not due to C-19 but my current health situation. Luckily the gamble paid off and VS cancelled the flight within two weeks of buying and they're sitting as a credit. Sale dates were up to 31st Oct so it depends on VS and reward seat availability, credit is until 31 Dec 2022 if it's reward seat no go this year.
Take good care Mqt, here's hoping US borders open before too much longer
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12 Apr 21, 02:24 PM |
#29
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Imagineer
Join Date: Jan 13
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13 Apr 21, 07:05 AM |
#30
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Excited about Disney
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We loved the bird sanctuary on Key Largo. Free but there’s a donation box. We also took a short detour on to Pine Key and saw some pine key deer. They are about the size of a medium dog.
You have probably been before but among our highlights were the Little White House and Ernest Hemingway’s house at Key West. We also went snorkelling at the John Pennekamp Marine Park. You hire wetsuits and a (big) boat takes you out to a coral reef. We saw the most amazing coloured fish. Definitely a highlight and worth taking a sea sickness tablet for 🙂 |
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