Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Branches Southeast Thanks, Florida, for a Great Week!!!

I just came home Tuesday night from a wild 2853 mile road trip that included a week in FL. Spent 4 great days in Daytona (I love that place when it's not Bike Week, Spring Break or Race Week!), Hit my usual spots (Iron Horse, Boot Hill, Froggy's), and a few new ones (Panhead's on Ridgewood Av and some irish place on Intl. Spdwy. near A1A), and the Shark Lounge. Went swimming every day - and found out Wed. that some kid got attacked by a shark at Daytona at the same time (afternoon of Friday the 13th) that I was swimming there! Cruised the beach in the SVT (did get stuck in the sand one of the times I parked). Stayed at the Sunshine Beach Hotel on Ocean Ave.... I highly recommend this place! If you get a coupon out of one of those travelers guides, it's dirt cheap ($23.95/night), it's clean, right on the beach, and my room had a full size fridge, stove/oven, sink and microwave. Friendly (American!!!) staff/owners there too! How can ya beat it? This was my 3rd time staying there. All in all, a great 4 days in Daytona (as they usually are)!

Then I went down to Lakeland to visit an old friend for 3 days. Found out NOT to hit Orlando at rush hour!!! But did exchange thumbs-up with another 'Tour owner in traffic. Went to Saddle Creek Park, almost tramped on a 5' gator on the shore. He wasn't amused... Also went to Ft. DeSoto beach (beautiful), and waded across the bay out to the island. We snorkled for hours, and I brought back a box full of sand dollars packed in sand.... Got my Yankee skin fried red, then went back to Lakeland, stopping by my old house in Tampa ('81-'82), to snap a pic or two. The drive home was relaxing (until I hit a blizzard in VA/WV), and made 1000+ miles in a little less than 18 hours.

Since my return, I've been contemplating buying a modest house in Daytona/Ormond Beach, and spending the winters there, and the summers here in PA (too damned hot there in summer!).... Ya never know...

This all is probably of little interest to you guys, but I just wanted to thank the friendly people of FL for such a great week! I'll be posting pics of my adventure when I get them all developed and scanned...

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Zilla
2K SVT Contour
#1441 of 2150 - D.O.B. 1/11/2000
green/tan
-= everything on it =-



[This message has been edited by Zilla (edited April 24, 2001).]

Zilla,
I'm glad you enjoyed yourself while you were in FL. Maybe next year we can join you in Daytona. What is the phone number to that hotel you stayed in??? I'd like to check it out. Side note...shark attacks are relatively rare, I think in FL you have a better chance at being struck by lightning....ironic eh?

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95 Mystique LS Young America edition, V6, MTX, See my profile for details.
http://www.geocities.com/FLCEG

Thanks! I'm hoping to make it back in the fall!

The number for the Sunrise Beach Hotel is (904)253-1673, toll-free reservations (800)251-1673. It's on Ocean, halfway between Main St. & International Speedway Bvd. Keep in mind, this place definately is NOT the Marriott. But it is a decent place, and cleaner and better run (even a clean pool) than your average cheap Daytona motel. Here's a pic of the view out of my door/window...




[This message has been edited by Zilla (edited April 22, 2001).]