Merritt Island, on the East Coat of FL, was a lot of fun last week. It is suitable for the kids with shallow water a good distance out from shore. Calema at Kelly Park rents gear and has a good launch. The Space Center is nearby for something to do on a no-wind day.
Hatteras has more consistent wind and more to do outside of windsurfing. We will be staying in Nags Head from the last week of April through Mid-May. Albert & Greta & baby are renting a house next door to ours and other homes on the street are available for rent by the week.
WorldWinds Windsurfing at Bird Island (located on Padre Island near Corpus Christi) has warm water & the best wind of all, but is a long drive from Atlanta. Give me a call at home if you want more information.
I just got back from Cudjeo Key. Cudjeo is 20 min. from Key West. Spent one week in a house on the beach. I have looked at a lot of property down there. I know boat ramps, etc. I take windsurfer, jet ski, bikes. I also do the Everglades National Park going down and coming back to break up the trip. Call me if you like.
I camped at Bahia Honda S.P. a long time ago and it was pretty nice. I've heard that John Pennecamp has wonderful snorkeling. We went to the Islamorada Pro-Am a couple times. The resort there was a great set-up for sailing. Swim w/ dolphins next door. If you want nice, the Moorings on Islamorada was idyllic– beautiful cottages in a palm grove with teak panelling, rockers on your porch, private beach, WSing gear for guests (this was where Mistral put the Robster when they brought him in one year).
If you make it to Key West, might want to avoid happy hour at Sloppy Joe's. Happy hour starts whatever time they open. I went there with some college homies (many) years ago, hoping to soak up some Hemingway vibes. We mostly just soaked up beer.
Several business opportunities occurred to me when we there: Combo Pawn Shop & Liquor Store, Cat Herding Supply Store, Haberdashery. Glenn Tanner is down there somewhere making a living, but I don't think it's any of the above.
The Moorings on Islamorada is a great recommendation. Last week Peggy and I stayed at Rock Reef Resort on Key Largo because it is far less expensive, but still had a couple of cabins on the water and a restaurant across the street. There are also motel units just back from the beach. We picked this location because it is a shorter drive, and had good exposure to wind from the SW clocking around to the North. About ten years ago I enjoyed sailing at Islamorada when the wind was blowing from the SE. I would check the weather statistics before making reservations.
Speaking of business opportunities in Key West, Fried Chicken comes to mind. Imagine running a business when you have no cost of goods to keep your margins down.
Okay, after checking The Moorings website, several things occurred to me. I recall there was an extra, 'insiders' meet-and-greet with Robbie & Kadie near their place, the Mango cottage. You $hould $tay there... for a week! And if you do, it makes TOTAL sense to bring a personal photographer/windsurfing consultant with you. I'll just sleep in my car... maybe they'll let me park it next to the beachfront Massage Hut.
Six years ago I could have recommended a number of ideal locales to keep even the loneliest surf-widows entertained while the constant breezes tickled your folicals, and you drifted across endless ocean sunsets. With three kids demanding ever increasing weekend playstation attention and the economic tailspin dampening my vacation options, the only island I have become intimately familiar with due to my decreasing skill levels is our very own BOZO ISLAND. Very close to home, costs next to nothing to get to. Soft sandy (I think) beaches on all sides, a delightful rocky outcrop with spectacular views at sunset of Aqualand Marina, and a wide and varied selection of fauna species. Fun for all the family is guaranteed every weekday as new and wonderful pecularities present themselves for discovery all the time. Just last weekend the family and I discovered a new array of shells, a diaper, and an empty cigarette pack we'd never seen before. Oh, and, thanks to mother nature's cataclismic climate imbalances, it even now has its very own (just plant your flag and you can name it anything you want) peninsular, so access is guaranteed 24x7. Perfect for bozos like me who end up on its Robinson Crusoe shores more often than we'd like or plan.
Merritt Island, on the East Coat of FL, was a lot of fun last week. It is suitable for the kids with shallow water a good distance out from shore. Calema at Kelly Park rents gear and has a good launch. The Space Center is nearby for something to do on a no-wind day.
Hatteras has more consistent wind and more to do outside of windsurfing. We will be staying in Nags Head from the last week of April through Mid-May. Albert & Greta & baby are renting a house next door to ours and other homes on the street are available for rent by the week.
WorldWinds Windsurfing at Bird Island (located on Padre Island near Corpus Christi) has warm water & the best wind of all, but is a long drive from Atlanta. Give me a call at home if you want more information.
Barrett
Barrett, thanks. Have done 2 of those 3 with the kids but was looking for advice on that string of islands that runs below Miami.
We'd have done 3 of 3 but gas was too expensive last summer to make Texas.
I just got back from Cudjeo Key. Cudjeo is 20 min. from Key West. Spent one week in a house on the beach. I have looked at a lot of property down there. I know boat ramps, etc. I take windsurfer, jet ski, bikes. I also do the Everglades National Park going down and coming back to break up the trip. Call me if you like.
PeelSkid
I camped at Bahia Honda S.P. a long time ago and it was pretty nice. I've heard that John Pennecamp has wonderful snorkeling. We went to the Islamorada Pro-Am a couple times. The resort there was a great set-up for sailing. Swim w/ dolphins next door. If you want nice, the Moorings on Islamorada was idyllic– beautiful cottages in a palm grove with teak panelling, rockers on your porch, private beach, WSing gear for guests (this was where Mistral put the Robster when they brought him in one year).
If you make it to Key West, might want to avoid happy hour at Sloppy Joe's. Happy hour starts whatever time they open. I went there with some college homies (many) years ago, hoping to soak up some Hemingway vibes. We mostly just soaked up beer.
Several business opportunities occurred to me when we there: Combo Pawn Shop & Liquor Store, Cat Herding Supply Store, Haberdashery. Glenn Tanner is down there somewhere making a living, but I don't think it's any of the above.
The Moorings on Islamorada is a great recommendation. Last week Peggy and I stayed at Rock Reef Resort on Key Largo because it is far less expensive, but still had a couple of cabins on the water and a restaurant across the street. There are also motel units just back from the beach. We picked this location because it is a shorter drive, and had good exposure to wind from the SW clocking around to the North. About ten years ago I enjoyed sailing at Islamorada when the wind was blowing from the SE. I would check the weather statistics before making reservations.
Barrett
Speaking of business opportunities in Key West, Fried Chicken comes to mind. Imagine running a business when you have no cost of goods to keep your margins down.
PeelSkid
Okay, after checking The Moorings website, several things occurred to me. I recall there was an extra, 'insiders' meet-and-greet with Robbie & Kadie near their place, the Mango cottage. You $hould $tay there... for a week! And if you do, it makes TOTAL sense to bring a personal photographer/windsurfing consultant with you. I'll just sleep in my car... maybe they'll let me park it next to the beachfront Massage Hut.
Chris Voith
Anything for 1500 Bucks, LLC
Six years ago I could have recommended a number of ideal locales to keep even the loneliest surf-widows entertained while the constant breezes tickled your folicals, and you drifted across endless ocean sunsets. With three kids demanding ever increasing weekend playstation attention and the economic tailspin dampening my vacation options, the only island I have become intimately familiar with due to my decreasing skill levels is our very own BOZO ISLAND. Very close to home, costs next to nothing to get to. Soft sandy (I think) beaches on all sides, a delightful rocky outcrop with spectacular views at sunset of Aqualand Marina, and a wide and varied selection of fauna species. Fun for all the family is guaranteed every weekday as new and wonderful pecularities present themselves for discovery all the time. Just last weekend the family and I discovered a new array of shells, a diaper, and an empty cigarette pack we'd never seen before. Oh, and, thanks to mother nature's cataclismic climate imbalances, it even now has its very own (just plant your flag and you can name it anything you want) peninsular, so access is guaranteed 24x7. Perfect for bozos like me who end up on its Robinson Crusoe shores more often than we'd like or plan.