To bridge or not to bridge, that was the big question...
Back in 2005 on our first family trip to the Sunshine State of good ol' Florida. As usual I had planned and planned, and my trip became more and more extended with each and every new idea!
The first leg of this trip was to take my little kiddos to Disney World for their very first visit!
My pooped out princess!
Having been to Florida before and always towards the end of spring - NEVER IN THE SUMMER, but also never in the winter...
This time happened to be going in January and as mentioned before, our first stop would be Orlando.
Well, once we got there we found that the locals were wearing winter coats, scarves, and gloves! Wow!!
It was rather a bit chilly and of course I had planned and packed for the hot weather that simply just comes to mind when you think FLORIDA.
*The one of the coldest days of 2005 was January 24, with a low temperature of 33°F.
This time happened to be going in January and as mentioned before, our first stop would be Orlando.
Well, once we got there we found that the locals were wearing winter coats, scarves, and gloves! Wow!!
It was rather a bit chilly and of course I had planned and packed for the hot weather that simply just comes to mind when you think FLORIDA.
*The one of the coldest days of 2005 was January 24, with a low temperature of 33°F.
 So there we were in chilly central Florida actually wearing jackets (luckily I always pack some sort of sweater/jacket for flights)!  |  |
Well regardless of being shocked by the weather, we had a fabulous time (but this part of the story is for another time), our second leg of this trip was heading down to sunny Southern Florida, where we would find much warmer weather and absolutely no jackets needed - not that I mind jackets - I just prefer not to look the same in all of the pictures taken!
During the second leg of this trip we had visited with family and friends, continuing to have a great time!
However in the back of my mind, during the entire trip there was just something about the last leg of this trip that I was really dreading...
However in the back of my mind, during the entire trip there was just something about the last leg of this trip that I was really dreading...
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The third leg of this trip was heading to Key West, which sounded awesome to me (hence why I planned it), however we were planning on driving there from the Fort Lauderdale area, and that meant taking the "Overseas Highway" US - 1, and the thought of that just terrified me terribly!
*The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile highway carrying U.S. Route 1 through the Florida Keys.
*The Overseas Highway is a 113-mile highway carrying U.S. Route 1 through the Florida Keys.
After a while of all this dreading I had told myself that the very next time anything had swayed me from taking "that drive", that I'd take it as a sign not to go and cancel the last leg of the trip. And no sooner than a moment had past when my girlfriend had tapped on the bathroom door (where I was). She had told me what a great time she, her husband, and daughter were having with us visiting them and how much they wished that we could stay longer...
Well guess what...THAT did it!
I know there was no mention of the BRIDGE, but that was enough for me to take it as a sign and not go on that insane drive!
Well guess what...THAT did it!
I know there was no mention of the BRIDGE, but that was enough for me to take it as a sign and not go on that insane drive!
Sure we (Dave and I) were kind of disappointed to not go visit Key West, but I just couldn't do it, and it was no surprise.
*It actually wasn't until 2012 that we finally visited Key West, and that was by cruise liner. Read that story HERE!
The remainder of our trip was still quite lovely and enjoyable. There are absolutely no regrets.
There is just something about driving on a highway or bridge or both with nothing but the deep ocean on both sides of the car for miles and miles and miles that just isn't my cup of tea!
What if there is a storm, or an accident, or...who knows.
No thanks, I still can't even bear the thought!
*It actually wasn't until 2012 that we finally visited Key West, and that was by cruise liner. Read that story HERE!
The remainder of our trip was still quite lovely and enjoyable. There are absolutely no regrets.
There is just something about driving on a highway or bridge or both with nothing but the deep ocean on both sides of the car for miles and miles and miles that just isn't my cup of tea!
What if there is a storm, or an accident, or...who knows.
No thanks, I still can't even bear the thought!
credit: travelcampinginfo.com