Saturday, October 25, 2014

To Daytona Beach, Florida

This morning we traveled the short drive to Daytona.  Beautiful, warm, blue skies....  what more could we ask for ???

We ride-shared to the Daytona International Speedway where we went on a shuttle tour.  A Porche Club was on the track racing so we didn't actually get to ride out on the track but we saw everything else, including the $800 a seat skyboxes.  No chance of ever buying a ticket for a seat in one as they are scooped up by corporations.  


 This is from the $800. seats!!




These banks are 31 degrees







They are upgrading the seats and replacing by cutting the number of new seats.  I asked why they are cutting seats and the answer was because of TV contracts.  Less people are coming to the races because TV is so good.  I was really surprised by that.











Left the speedway and went to an early dinner with about 18 others. Wonderful, bayside dinner out on the patio at the DownUnder.  Extra french fries went into the bay for the catfish ! ! !   Amazing!!  Took the gulls a few minutes to catch on to what was going on so the fish got most.













Wonderful, bittersweet evening.  Tomorrow is our Farewell Dinner with Fantasy RV Tours.  

Friday, October 24, 2014

St. Augustine, Florida

Beautiful, sunny weather here in Florida but not happy about all the signs warning about snakes.  In case you don't know, I do not like snakes......

We started the morning with a trip to the local lighthouse and museum. 




Caretakers lived in the house right next door.


Next was a ride on the Little Red Train around the historic city.  












 More Spanish Moss that is really an air plant !

 







So many churches in the south.  I think our guide showed us about ten in a few blocks, every denomination is represented...                                              


















After a wonderful lunch at the Columbia Restaurant, a family owned Cuban place, we went to Ponce de Leon Fountain of Youth ! !   
This "fence" is made from mostly oyster shells.  Very strong and has lasted many, many years.










WOW, the water was terrible...  so much for making you younger LOL.








Tonight's drivers meeting was very bittersweet.  It is our last one for this tour as we are headed to Daytona Beach tomorrow and it is the last stop on this Grand East Coast Tour.  Ken is already looking at the map to get to our next stop on our own.  We will be staying in a couple of Thousand Trail Parks and having time to rest before we fly back to Oregon for our sweet granddaughter, Kristina's wedding !!  So excited for her and Chris to start married life together.