BigTom

If you like action fiction, Wayne Stinett has a series set in the Keys, the fallen series, First One is Fallen out and there is a series building on the same characters. Set in middle Keys and is very entertaining reading. Of course I like anything set in Florida even the Travis Magee series.

I read that book in 1959, still have it and am about 1/2 through it now. started reading it again last night. It is available for E-book, I have it on my Kindle

No Kindle version, only in paper. It was a small release and sometimes hard to find, I have probably bought and give away 10 or more.

You can find it on amazon, make sure you get the right one, there is another with the same title. Make sure it is about the Keys.

Don't know if any fiends like to read, I go through 3-4 books a week, at my age not a whole lot more to do, and especially enjoy books about Florida. I found one that anyone interested in Florida Keys will enjoy. It is titled Charlotte's Story, a Florida Keys Diary. It is about a couple that go to live on Elliot Key in the 1930s. Very interesting and a true story that will give a view of how wild South Florida used to be. You can still get on Amazome, it is out of print and was never printed in a large number but anyone interested in Florida History should read it. Tom

Most of us who grew up in Florida don't need sunscreen, we have enough sense to stay in the shade as much as possible

Last few times I stayed in 1500 loop, it was worse than 2000 loop, they put large groups in 1500 and it is a small loop. One trip there were at least 50 kids and adults in one group and they had about 6 sites with tents every where you could put one, the p[ace was a mad house with unsupervised kids running everywhere. 2000 gets crowed mostly in the back of the loop and kids are playing in the street, but very never have I seen a large group completely take over the whole loop like I have seen in 1500. Also a lot of free loaders will park in the 1500 loop and make it even more crowded. The 200

I am reading along also

Disney's rental price is high, you can buy and just leave the cart cheaper than renting one if you are going to be there over a week. I have purchased several for less than $600 with good batteries in them.

following along

I am here too

I feel the same way, we use to go 6-8 times a year and held passes, last year we went one time, Halloween and have only 1 reservation for this year. We have begin to take what it cost and taking a Disney cruise instead. Still spending as much money, but enjoying it more.

Yes, I had a shorty wetsuit, but the water is still cold.

I went to swim with the Manatees at Crystal Springs one year when there was ice on the boat, the water felt warm but it was real hard to get out of it, the air was in the 30s when we got out. You have to be careful, even though the water feels warm, it still is cold enough to chill you.

Of course they travel through Atlanta, you can't go north out of Florida with out going through Atlanta.

I live about 20 miles south of Legoland, I usually figure about 1 to 1 1/2 hour for the trip to Fort Wilderness depending on time of day and time of year. Roads are always crowded during winter months and snowbirds are never in a hurry to go, with nowhere to go and no reason to get there, why hurry?

I always use Disney transportation, the traffic is terrible around WDW and I am on vacation and in no real hurry anyway.

At the same time living without AC has its draw backs, my wife and I always carry a light jacket or sweater when we go out because most people have their places so cool it is uncomfortable and since I broke my arm it starts to throb when it is chilly. Try finding a sweater in the Keys in June, I don't think they even sell them in the winter there, but I did find a sweat shirt in the markdown bin.

It is not a slab, foundation, 2 rows of blocks filled in and poured floor, no crawl space.

When we had this house built in the 80s we doubled the windows, installed ceiling fans and did not have AC installed. We got AC when my mother would not visit us and decided we needed AC and had it installed. If she had not had it installed we probably would still not have it. We didn't have heat installed either and still use a fire place for heat when needed. We also live in a rural area, so it is usually a little cooler than an area with a lot of pavement.

Never really thought about it, but there should be plenty of room for most any tent under 20' X 20'. My pop up is about 20' long when open and there is no problem with it. There is one or two sites with trees in the pad that might be in the way for a very large tent.

One thing about Florida heat, the sun is the main problem, if you stay in the shade and have a fan to make a breeze it is not too hot. The problem is being too active during the hat part of the day, why do you think they have siestas in Mexico. At night it usually cool off after the sun goes down and being surrounded by water there is often a breeze after dark. We haven't even turned on the ac yet this year, out of the house all day and it is cool enough at night with just a ceiling fan.

Is there a gathering for fiends at Halloween this year?

Deer do a lot of damage in Florida too. Not only to vehicles, but they eat a lot of crops farmers are raising they even will eat an orange tree. I loose some every year and know some who have to fence off their trees to raise them. Once they get 4-5 years old the deer no longer brother them.