Spring Break Florida trip

[86Scotty]

Well, I dusted off Tryptovan (yep, I've finally named my van) and headed down to Florida to get away from the cold, wet Tennessee winter. For the past 10 years or so we have gone to a Florida State Park called, ahem, Topsail Hill Preserve State Park. Quite a mouthful. It's a beautiful piece of state owned land on the Gulf of Mexico, and we have tried a few times to go somewhere different, but it's just that good. Lovely secluded sites, very well cared for grounds, Seafood, seafood market, donut shop, ice cream, pizzaria all within bike riding distance, and the beach only about a 1/2 mile through the dunes on a paved trail or wooden boardwalk. We got there just in time for the sunset the first night

It is still cool enough in Fl in March to enjoy AC free camping, which you can't do very much of there, unless you like being soaked with sweat. We had a decent site but not the best one I've ever gotten there. Most are more secluded than this

We went on a long hike one day deeper in to the wilderness than we've been before and found some picturesque wildlife, but no gators or snakes this early




And we picked up these ratty kids that wouldn't stop asking us for food

Topsail is a great destination since you can park and ride your bikes safely everywhere. I'm training for some Spring road bike events so I rode about 15 miles to Seaside one day where they are famous for their boardwalk with classic Airstreams turned in to snack/ice cream/beer stands

There is also great fishing, kayaking etc. on the ocean or on the inland lakes, just beware of gators.
We love to check out the planes that fly over the beach constantly from nearby Eglin AFB
I've got a new camera and was able to get some pretty good shots this year!


Nothing like walking the beach at sunset for us though. We go EVERY night

[SCBrian]

Great pics. Looks like everybody enjoyed themselves. Camera upgrade has been on the upgrade list for me as well.

[twogone]

Very Cool!

[larrie]

Looks like a lovely spot to relax and watch the world go by.

[shenrie]

great pix of the sunsets! ive only spent a short time in florida back in the 1900's, but those photos took me right back, thanks!

love the one of the anole too. i love reptiles and spend lots of time seeking them out. freaks my friends out when I just pick up snakes they think are rattlers.

[BrianW]

I'm really curious: does anyone know what kind of aircraft is in the first picture he posted, above? The one with two engines, front mini-wings, and the unusual nose? Looks like it has a NASA logo on the front, too (round blue logo toward the cockpit).

Sounds like a great trip! We were thinking of going down to FL over spring break, but it didn't work out (a bit of a drive from PA, too). Maybe next year.

[SCBrian]

Originally Posted by shenrie

ive only spent a short time in florida back in the 1900's.

Your older, more experienced than I thought! LOL.

[86Scotty]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I'm really curious: does anyone know what kind of aircraft is in the first picture he posted, above? The one with two engines, front mini-wings, and the unusual nose? Looks like it has a NASA logo on the front, too (round blue logo toward the cockpit).

Sounds like a great trip! We were thinking of going down to FL over spring break, but it didn't work out (a bit of a drive from PA, too). Maybe next year.

Thanks all, I thought the same thing (NASA) but I don't know what it was. That actually wasn't the coolest thing we saw. About 30 miles inland we always pass a small private airport, and just as we cleared the trees coming up on it, an Osprey was landing right in front of us on the grass, apparently just out training. I had never seen one, and couldn't pull over due to traffic to get a pic. The Osprey is truly an amazing plane/copter.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bell_Boeing_V-22_Osprey

[daveb]

Originally Posted by BrianW

I'm really curious: does anyone know what kind of aircraft is in the first picture he posted, above? The one with two engines, front mini-wings, and the unusual nose? Looks like it has a NASA logo on the front, too (round blue logo toward the cockpit).

Kinda looks like a Boeing 737 P-8A.

Those are some nice shots.

[BroncoHauler]

"Tryptovan"? For some reason I passed over that until just now. Sounds like you're a big fan of Thanksgiving. Taking a nap in the van can't be all bad either.


Herb