FL residents and vacationers - looking for ideas and experiences

[Flyn]

Yeah, sun and nice weather doesn't get old.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

We have arrived just west of St. Augustine (5-6 miles), where hotels were much cheaper. About 1160 miles done so far. I used the Peach Express lanes from the south side of Atlanta till they ended. Will have to go back and register my car. But it beat sitting in the parking lot of traffic for hours.

Another good thing, FL now recognizes the IL IPASS, so once I burn up my $7.65 on my Sunshine Pass I can toss the temporary one.

 

[blue-sun]

Thank you sir. Made it to Paducah, at which point my gas tank and stomach commanded we stop.

My mom is in Hopkinsville, we know we're almost there when we see Paducah! It's like being in the 1980s in that area sometimes (both good and bad)

 

[CMNTMXR57]

We have arrived just west of St. Augustine (5-6 miles), where hotels were much cheaper. About 1160 miles done so far. I used the Peach Express lanes from the south side of Atlanta till they ended. Will have to go back and register my car. But it beat sitting in the parking lot of traffic for hours.

Another good thing, FL now recognizes the IL IPASS, so once I burn up my $7.65 on my Sunshine Pass I can toss the temporary one.

I thought there were two separate toll systems down there. One does recognize I-Pass/EZ-Pass, the other doesn't.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Inside the Tollway - Illinois Tollway

www.illinoistollway.com

 

[CMNTMXR57]

Good. It was the Florida Turnpike then that wasn't when I was last down there. This makes life so much easier.

Now if a few other toll agencies across the states would interact...

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Or just get rid of the tolls.

noon here, still haven’t gotten out of the hotel. Clock is ticking ?

 

[CMNTMXR57]

Ha... That first part...

You're still on CST in your system. So it's really only 11am to you.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

I can’t find the thread, but every time I hear “Jacksonville” I think of that energetic FBI agent from McMillions (didn’t this have a thread)?

Also, Ash from Ash vs Evil Dead

 

[Flyn]

In Florida, if you don't pay the tolls, they send you a letter asking for the toll money with no penalties. Refreshing. You owe us a dollar. Probably costs them more to send the notice than they get.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

In Florida, if you don't pay the tolls, they send you a letter asking for the toll money with no penalties. Refreshing. You owe us a dollar. Probably costs them more to send the notice than they get.

Better than IL. Here if you miss a toll it’s the full price of the toll plus a $20 administrative fee.

IL sucks donkey balls

 

[blue-sun]

I can’t find the thread, but every time I hear “Jacksonville” I think of that energetic FBI agent from McMillions (didn’t this have a thread)?

Also, Ash from Ash vs Evil Dead

View attachment 107755

I think of Jason from The Good Place. His character was from Jacksonville and a diehard Jaguars fan.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

So I’ve thing I’ve noticed, Verizon has some lousy coverage around town (St. Augustine). There were places in Old Town where I had signal, but no internet/LTE. Speedtest works time out.

Out by the highway where our hotel is I’m getting over 100 down and 40 up.

 

[Flyn]

I had a small tornado hit my house today. Took out some shingles and forced open my french doors. Power was out from 9 A.M. until now. Amy and I threw 10 bags of ice in the fridges and freezers to keep them going. We were picking up branches for a couple hours. Insurance adjuster is coming out tomorrow.

I knew, when I heard the train sound and the trees were going crazy that it was not good. Branches down all over the place. Stop signs flattened in the neighborhood. No injuries as far as I know.

 

[frank]

by me in venice only had some strong winds and power loss for 2 hours or so. was up in Treasure island and no issues at all today up there.

 

[Flyn]

Scared the crap out of me. I had to force the doors closed and push my exercise bike up against them to hold them shut. I saw a pool floatie go through my lanai screen. The wind was actually pushing me around when I ran out back to look for the tornado. I saw my shingles bending up from the roof and blowing off. Knew it was bad then. I got my son out of bed and told him to get dressed. The dog was freaking out.

 

[frank]

Have friends off 41 in north port near the lowes and they were out of power about the same amount of time as your were. It’s crazy! Ft Meyers had a bad storm come in also.

 

[Flyn]

Yeah, the news is saying high winds but it was tornadoes. I heard the train sound which, people from Chicago know, is a tornado. The clouds were going crazy. Driving to the store to get ice, we saw two stop signs that were bent horizontal to the ground. Traffic lights were out all over and traffic was being rerouted on 41. I was literally having a hard time staying on my feet in my back yard. Ran back inside because that's crazy. I have been through two hurricanes down here and this was worse.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

That wasn't a tornado, the g/f had a big salad for dinner last night and was farting up a storm this morning. Damn near blew me out of bed and into the bathroom.





Okay, okay. It was her snoring that almost drove me to sleep in the tub. Almost.

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Made it to Clearwater. Tapped out. I’m done driving for a few days. Traffic sucks and I ran out of patience. I swear it must be illegal to use your cruise control in FL, cause it seems like no one knows how to maintain a fucking speed.

Need to find a better hotel. At some crap Clarion off of 19 that I’m not spending four nights at.

 

[blue-sun]

Made it to Clearwater. Tapped out. I’m done driving for a few days. Traffic sucks and I ran out of patience. I swear it must be illegal to use your cruise control in FL, cause it seems like no one knows how to maintain a fucking speed.

Need to find a better hotel. At some crap Clarion off of 19 that I’m not spending four nights at.

Here's where we stayed, there's a nice roogtop bar with a cool view.

https://direct-book.com/properties/PierHouse60ClearwaterBeachDirect?locale=en&_gads_gcid=731761819&_gads_gclabel=4ZV2CPGWq7MBEJuZ99wC&_gha_gcid=100233201&_gha_phid=a98d8ce5-8c0f-417f-afc2-8a127289fd19&_src=DemandPlus&booking_source=cpc&campaign_id=14788230469&checkInDate=2022-01-20&checkOutDate=2022-01-21&currency=USD&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2ZCOBhDiARIsAMRfv9IZt9ghk2qmnF_Gcg_GiMvt8QASlgDO489iZvRF3nIrzQ7IDe940o4aAr-JEALw_wcB&meta=Google&room_rate=&utm_source=GoogleHotelAds&items[0][adults]=2

 

[SpeedSpeak2me]

Here's where we stayed, there's a nice roogtop bar with a cool view.

https://direct-book.com/properties/PierHouse60ClearwaterBeachDirect?locale=en&_gads_gcid=731761819&_gads_gclabel=4ZV2CPGWq7MBEJuZ99wC&_gha_gcid=100233201&_gha_phid=a98d8ce5-8c0f-417f-afc2-8a127289fd19&_src=DemandPlus&booking_source=cpc&campaign_id=14788230469&checkInDate=2022-01-20&checkOutDate=2022-01-21&currency=USD&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2ZCOBhDiARIsAMRfv9IZt9ghk2qmnF_Gcg_GiMvt8QASlgDO489iZvRF3nIrzQ7IDe940o4aAr-JEALw_wcB&meta=Google&room_rate=&utm_source=GoogleHotelAds&items[0][adults]=2

Looks like a solid place. Cheapest option is $280 night. ?

 

[cdh027]

Looks like a solid place. Cheapest option is $280 night. ?

How's the weather?

 

[blue-sun]

Looks like a solid place. Cheapest option is $280 night. ?

yeah it was pricey, but the location is nearly perfect and it was a decent enough room.

 

[cdh027]

How's the weather?

Ahhh, just checked. Starting tomorrow it's supposed to be high 70's/low 80's and sunny for 15 fucking days straight.