Florida Keys / Key West GTG - Oct. 2-9

Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 ASPH

08/17/2007 07:56:25 AM · #28

Originally posted by ericwoo:

Originally posted by MelonMusketeer:
If anyone is interested, I will try to see if Clyde Butcher is going to be at his Big Cypress gallery that week. It would be very good if I could get him to meet us at the Anhinga trail and talk about things eco- photographic with all of us.

Clyde Butcher.com

Check out the "news letter" link, and/or the "America the Beautiful" link from the one above.

Now that would be cool, too,

Absolutely!!!! If you could do that Waddy, that would definitely be a highlight of this trip. I've done the "Swamp Walk" at his place a couple of years ago, but not with him as the guide. That would be fantastic if he could make it to the Anhinga Trail to meet us.

dagaleaa

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

08/17/2007 09:52:09 AM · #29

I was interested in this possible trip, but my vacation plans got changed from August to September. I will be away for two weeks on a trip to Maine, but I am uncertain as to the dates. This trip to the Florida Keys will probably be too close to my already planned vacation.

dagaleaa

Panasonic Lumix DMC-GH2

Panasonic Lumix 20mm f1.7 ASPH

08/17/2007 10:04:20 AM · #30

There is a Holiday Inn in Marathon that is really nice. I've stayed there several times. ALso, in Islamorada there is a resturant called The Lorelei that is wonderful----great food, drinks, and atmosphere. The website: //www.loreleifloridakeys.com/

There is a bar at the entrance of the Florida Keys called " The Last Chance Saloon". It is a bikers bar full of colorful locals, and it is so fun...look for " the bird man"!
//bikerezine.com/trips/floridakeys/pages/fDSC00040_JPG.htm

The Caribbean Club is in Key Largo...this famous bar is where the movie " Key Largo" was filmed with Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall.

08/17/2007 05:51:28 PM · #31

Originally posted by dagaleaa:

YOU GO TO THE LAST CHANCE and CARIBBEAN CLUB???? It sounds like you would be a lot of fun to hang out with. Too bad you can't make it.

Dawn, it' too bad that you can't make it because you definitely seem to know all the good and "colorful" places. I don't know the Holiday Inn in Marathon (but I certainly appreciate the suggestion) but I know the Last Chance Saloon, the Caribbean Club, and the Lorelei. The Lorelie is a definite "must see" place for the sunset and a great seafood dinner. I've watched the sunset from there and eaten there many times and I have always had a good time there.

jrtodd

Nikon D850

08/20/2007 11:13:39 AM · #32

Sherry and I will leave DeLand and drive to KW on 10/4 around 5:00PM and try to drive straight through, the hold up will be not stopping in Miami for Cuban food. We will come back 9th. I am all about going out to the Tortuga's, that is a great trip.

Just some suggestions, we have stayed at the Key Lime Inn a few times and the Lighthouse Court, which is across the street from Hemingway's House but parking sucks.

Message edited by author 2007-08-22 16:43:01.

Tamron SP AF 17-50mm f/2.8 Di II LD Aspherical (IF) for Nikon

08/25/2007 09:22:28 AM · #33

I'm leaving this morning to make a "dry run" of this trip to scout out accomodations, excursions, and photo ops.

Check back in over the next couple of days to see some images of where we will be going and also to consider the accomodations that I'll be arranging. We are about 5 weeks away from this GTG and reservations for hotels will have to be made soon.

levyj413

Nikon D7100

08/26/2007 12:37:34 PM · #34

Oops. Looks like I spoke too soon.

My wife has apparently only focused on the dates for the first time, and really doesn't want me to go away that weekend. That, plus the incredibly high cost of flying from DC to Key West.

So I guess I'll miss it. Have fun!

Jeffrey

MelonMusketeer

Nikon D7000

Nikon MF 50mm f/1.4

08/26/2007 12:48:32 PM · #35

Originally posted by levyj413:

Oops.

So I guess I'll miss it. Have fun!

Jeffrey

Bummer, Jeffery. You will be missed.

I think that Clyde Butcher will be busy with his "America the Beautiful" exhibit, and will not be available at the time of the GTG. The only option would be to drive out to his gallery if he is there, but that is about 80 miles out in the Everglades, so not a good option. The gallery would make a great stop for anyone coming (or going back) across the south end of the state from the Naples area though. The drive across hy41 is a lot more rewarding than the drive across I 75, though not as fast.

08/26/2007 03:59:42 PM · #36

I just got back from the Keys a few minutes ago. Look for a slight initerary change in the middle of the GTG. The change will probably be to take the first night in Key West and move it back to the Middle Keys part of the trip since I found a good place to stay there and there is so much to see and do around Marathon.

I'll post the information on accomodations after I review all of the options and narrow them down a little. So far, it looks like I've been able to find rooms for under $100 per night for every stop on this GTG.

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 24-85mm f2.8-4.0D

08/28/2007 05:01:27 PM · #37

I've held off posting in the hopes that I'd be able to make it. But, alas, it looks like I won't be able to join you all.

Have a great time.

Becky

Nikolai1024

Nikon D300

08/28/2007 05:07:00 PM · #38

Originally posted by rjkstesch:

I've held off posting in the hopes that I'd be able to make it. But, alas, it looks like I won't be able to join you all.

Have a great time.

Becky

oh.. man.. we lost levyj413 and you. This is not right. Who is going to be reading the guide book?

We'll miss you.

Nick

08/30/2007 04:57:03 PM · #39

I have just updated the original post to include the details on hotel/motel accomodations

Please make your reservations ASAP as we are only 5 weeks away from this GTG.

Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM

08/30/2007 07:05:28 PM · #40

Here is a link to Economic Car Rentals from BookingBuddy.com for car rentals at Miami International Airport for Oct. 2 - 9.

$135.87 for the week is a pretty good price.

Message edited by author 2007-08-30 19:42:25.

idnic

Canon EOS-60D

08/30/2007 08:10:23 PM · #41

Thanks for all of the work and for the PM, Robert. You're priceless! :)

_eug

Nikon D50

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

08/30/2007 08:55:43 PM · #42

Originally posted by levyj413:

Noooooooooooo!

Dude, I was so looking forward to giving you a signed copy of "Censored" in person! I know how much you enjoy that image. lol

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

08/30/2007 09:42:29 PM · #43

Looks like I spoke too soon, too. This time I'm letting you know we probably will be going. That is, if my husband's boss will let him off those 8 days.

I'm hoping enough that we've reserved the flights and the car.

Tomorrow, the hotels.

Becky

08/31/2007 07:14:43 AM · #44

That's great to hear Becky. I look forward to seeing you and your husband again.

I really enjoyed the Red Rock GTG in April that you organized and I hope to get this one as orgainized so that everyone has a good time. It looks like our numbers are up to about a dozen confirmed or probable.

JuliBoc

Apple iPhone 6s+

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

08/31/2007 12:41:34 PM · #45

Robert, the first post is a little confusing. In the itinerary part you say we will be driving to Key West on Oct. 5, but in the reservations part you say we will be staying in Marathon the night of the 5th.

I am definitely in for the 2nd through the 5th (driving home sometime on the 6th, depending on the activities for the day.) I am making my hotel reservations today, and want to be sure that we will still be in Marathon the night of the 5th.

rjkstesch

Nikon D700

08/31/2007 01:47:27 PM · #46

Originally posted by JuliBoc:

In an earlier post, Robert said, "I just got back from the Keys a few minutes ago. Look for a slight initerary change in the middle of the GTG. The change will probably be to take the first night in Key West and move it back to the Middle Keys part of the trip since I found a good place to stay there and there is so much to see and do around Marathon. "

His most recent update is the lodging part. It looks like he missed updating the itinerary.

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

08/31/2007 02:36:32 PM · #47

Originally posted by JuliBoc:

I see what you are talking about.

Originally posted by rjkstesch:

His most recent update is the lodging part. It looks like he missed updating the itinerary.

Exactly Becky. In trying to maintain a logical layout for the information it got a little complicated. I forgot to change the dates in the itinerary. I went through it and made it a lot easier to understand.

For clarification:

On the nights of the 2nd and 3rd we will overnight in Islamorada...
On the 4th we will drive to Marathon and overnight for the 4th and 5th...
On the 6th we will drive to Key West and overnight for the 6th, 7th, and the 8th.
On the 9th, those who are still with us will drive back to the Miami area.

_eug

Nikon D50

08/31/2007 03:01:02 PM · #48

Since I'm not a driver, is anyone interested in car-pooling? I'm willing to split on gas. I'm in Aventura (northeast Miami-Dade).

08/31/2007 03:20:55 PM · #49

Originally posted by _eug:

Since I'm not a driver, is anyone interested in car-pooling? I'm willing to split on gas. I'm in Aventura (northeast Miami-Dade).

Check with

Nikolai1024. He asked me a couple of months ago about riding with me. I told him he and his girlfriend (or wife??? I forgot) are certainly welcome to ride with me. However, I might have some trouble making arrangements for somebody to care for my son and get him to school for the part of the week that this GTG coincides with school. So I might have to spend "school hours" with you guys in Islamorada on the 2nd and the 3rd, pick my son up from school (less than an hour away) and stay at home for those nights. Worst case, I will meet up on the morning of the 4th to continue full time on the GTG. I still have to figure this one out.

So, it might work out better for all if you three could share a ride.