Satya's blog - Florida trip July 2007

Went to various places in Florida, as far south as Miami. Drove over 1k miles (much more). Used about 5 tanks of fuel (over 60 gallons). Got 35 mpg on one leg, and an estimated average of 29. Someone (me) forgot to note the milage in Titusville.

Sunday: Left Chas southbound on 17 and then I-95. After several stops for baby, maps, etc., arrived Jacksonville. Tried to enter the Busch brewery, which was closed on Sunday. Discovered that Florida drivers don't use turn signals. Had lunch at Red Chillies on Baymeadows Rd (Ave?). Their South Indian food was good, all else sucked. Buffet. ~$10 each. Went to hotel, checked in. Drove around Jacksonville. Had ice cream for dinner.

Monday: Left Jacksonville fairly early and drove down Phillips highway. Tried to get gas, discovered my Amex wouldn't work. Used Visa. Went to St. Augustine via US1, drove through looking at stuff. Got on I-95 to Melbourne. Had lunch at Basil Leaf in Melbourne. It was okay. ~$7 each. Tried getting on A1A scenic highway. After a few dead ends, got on. Not scenic. Just hotels. Got off at Vero Beach. Took I-95 at rush hour. Much traffic. Stopped at Costco claiming to have gas, but it didn't. Got gas elsewhere. Missed the I-595 exit at Ft Lauderdale due to poor signage. Got to the hotel Hyatt late due to searching for A1A. Discovered that Florida drivers have no courtesy, will cut in front of you, and will tailgate at 75mph (speed limit 65).

Tuesday: Drove around, saw downtown, looked at the port, looked at Las Olas Blvd at night. Much driving between hotel and port. Expensive lunch and dinner -- $10 each at Siam House, ~$17 at Riverside Hotel on Las Olas.

Wednesday: Sawgrass mall, more driving around. The hotel was 10 miles from the port. Dinner: Pizza, rice.

Thursday: Took A1A to Miami. More scenic than Monday. Saw Bayshore marketplace (parking is a minimum $5 for 3 hours, 1.50 for each additional hour). Got lost looking for Old Cutler Blvd, which contrary to tourist map does not start off US1 near downtown. Saw Coral Castle (nice, but not worth the trip and price of admission -- $9, I think). Went to beach and put baby in water (he did not like it, nor the sand). Learned that Miami places (TGI Friday's and a mediterranean restaurant called Sultan -- Sultan did not have water but sold bottles for $2/bottle.) include tips in the bill. Returned to Ft Lauderdale via I-95.

Parking in south Florida is usually pay-and-park via automatic machines, or in less touristy places, parking meters.

Friday: Went to Andrew's Diner, which was closed until next week. Headed north on I-95 to Titusville, Fl. Went to Kennedy Space Center. Saw shuttle fuel tank and the tip of an SRB in the distance. 3D IMAX. Other stuff. Hid under shuttle mock-up for rain. Got completely wet. Got wetter going to car. Ate Taco Bell and went to hotel.

Saturday: Went to KSC's Astronaut Training Experience. Skipped the movie. Got into simulator, which was fun. Other activities. Aced shuttle landing simulator. Space camp must be booked in advance and lasts a week. Ate at Denny's. Left for Charleston, SC. From Jacksonville to home much rain. Traffic was down to 35mph on I-95 at some points. Still, made decent time and got home by 8.

Update: Added the prices for some of the restaurants.

Last updated: Oct 11 2007 22:05