Sounds like you're having a great time, Diane. I'm really enjoying your updates, please do keep it up. Brings back many happy memories. Miami is full of unusual people and we have remarked many times on the strange lack of clothing of many of them at night as well! 12 days to go for our next trip.
Tonish
Originally Posted by Macka
Here lies another story. Before the trip we invested in a new sat nav, a lovely lady with a proper British accent. Our last one went all american on us when we down loaded the USA maps, I had to enter the freeway each time I drove down the M6 and had to use turning circles at every roundabout. Anyway I digress, we decided to use route 41, taking advice from this site. I researched the route, printed it all off and then lost it when we got to the states. But we had the map from the car hire depot and our lovely sat nav Lady Garmin. To avoid confusing her we asked not to use motorways, as we knew she would want us to use Highway 75, little did we know how devious she could be. So we set off from Miami Beach, got to down town OK and started to head south to the 41. We had turned lady G's volume off to save her voice. All went to plan until we hit a diversion the Saturday morning traffic was quite busy and we just couldn't find a way to go the way we wanted. Lady G was re routing and flashing instruction at us, so we gave in and gave her her voice back. Following her demands we ended up on highway 27. We really wanted to follow the 41 up the west coast, so re programmed her to take us to Naples, the devious little minx took us to the 75 and along alligator alley the preferred route for her all along! We didn't mind too much as we were at least heading in the right direction. As everyone already told us this is a very straight flat road. However we found a local radio station for alligator alley and had a natural history lesson during the journey, it was really interesting. There are many "refuge's" where you can pull off for a break. We had a picnic from the deli next to our hotel, so pulled off for lunch. We walked over the grass to look at a gator in the lake, I was wearing flip flops and ended up with black ants crawling all over and biting my feet. Swift trip back to the car and I refused to get out again. Once we got to Naples we picked up the 41 and drove north up to Siesta Key. It took us about 6 hours, but we did have a detor of Miami Dock yards, stopped for lunch and went shopping to publix, and it was Saturday traffic. We couldn't get into the accommodation until 4.30pm so didn't rush. We could probably shave a couple of hours off that easily if we wanted too. Lady G came into her own and delivered us to the door, with a slightly smug tone to her voice. I know others do this trip frequently , I'm sure Katie's Grandad could give you better advice than us. Which ever way you go I'm sure you will enjoy it.
Diane.
Diane.
Hi, things didn't quite go according to plan, we wanted to go to the News Cafe for breakfast but ended up there for dinner. As for Ocean drive I liked the start, from 1st to 5th street then from around 17th north. The bits in between are lovely, but too many restaurants trying to get your dollars. For anyone visiting for the first time be aware of menus showing no prices, you may end up with a bill for much more than you thought. We also liked the boardwalk, so many beautiful people showing off, and some jokers too. We didn't walk it at night just to be on the safe side. Mr M was wary of us wearing watches and jewellery but we saw far more bling than either of us had on! We are now on siesta key, not quite Sanibel but I will trip report later when I get use to this iPad!
Diane.
Sounds like you are having an amazing time Diane, keep the trip reports coming, they are a really enjoyable read
Wendy
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