Killjoy driving down from Ohio.

[BAD MERC]

Yes friends. Killjoy is coming to Sarasota in July :banana: . He is coming from Columbus and bringing his Marauder. I will be the first to say that I will make the short jaunt to Sarasota to meet him and have a drink :beer: . I would love to get a dozen or so Marauders along the way to meet him. Keep this thread alive please.

[magindat]

Yes friends. Killjoy is coming to Sarasota in July :banana: . He is coming from Columbus and bringing his Marauder. I will be the first to say that I will make the short jaunt to Sarasota to meet him and have a drink :beer: . I would love to get a dozen or so Marauders along the way to meet him. Keep this thread alive please.

Oh, I'm so there!

[Hotrauder]

Put me on the list..I know some people down there.:D Dennis..it should fit our schedule, one west coast meet per year. How lame is that? We need to fix it now.

[KillJoy]

Thanks guys!

My family and I will be heading to Sarasota in July. We are leaving Columbus on Sat the 14, and need to be home by Sun the 22.

So far, the only thing that is definately known is: I am going to the Everglades :D Never been there, and I wanna go :up:

Anyone have any other ideas?????

KillJoy

[mcb26]

What is your route?

[KillJoy]

What is your route?


We are not quite sure yet. We have not decided if an Iron-Butt 1 Day drive will happen. If it does, the misses and the youngin' will be flying ;)

If it does not, it then depends where we will be staying the night. This is MOST LIKELY in Georgia. Then it depends where at in GA. If in Savannah, we will be coming in on 95. If Atlanta, then 75.

There is only a few miles difference between the 2 routes.

KillJoy

[Zack]

Good luck finding a rest stop on I-75.

[KillJoy]

Good luck finding a rest stop on I-75.


Didn't really think about that!

I just spoke w/ the misses. It looks like we are both going to take the Monday off too. That means we will be in FL all day Saturday! :woohoo:

KillJoy

[BAD MERC]

You don't need a rest stop if you meet another Marauder owner along the way! If you're driving to the Everglades - you'll pass about 7 or so of us on your way from Sarasota. When you're ready - get a few phone numbers from some of the members along the way. Mine is 239-770-3630. See ya in July.

[KillJoy]

you'll pass about 7 or so of us on your way

WOW! That is about the TOTAL active members in OH!!!!

KillJoy

[Budman]

Just get your ass down here..lol!

[KillJoy]

:bump: ???

KillJoy

[KillJoy]

Less than 2 Months!!!

Starting to get excited!!!

:D

KillJoy

[CRUZTAKER]

I'm flying...no story there. :hide:

;)

[Hotrauder]

Looking forward to seeing you. If we can put it together. Keep us posted. Dennis

[Cobra25]

Keep me posted when you guys plan on meeting. Maybe I can get a few from over here to go.

[KillJoy]

Sat (7/21) would be a good day for a meet :up:

KillJoy

[MarauderTJA]

If my schedule stays where it is now, I will be there. Put me on the list. The 21st (for now) works for me. Count on us taking good care of you KillJoy and meeting you with an awesome cadre of SSM Marauders.

[MarauderTJA]

Good luck finding a rest stop on I-75.

In Georgia it will be a problem, but not on I-75 in Florida. Plenty of rest areas there. I would take I-75 down from Atlanta as opposed to I-95. Better road, less traffic.

[KillJoy]

In Georgia it will be a problem, but not on I-75 in Florida. Plenty of rest areas there. I would take I-75 down from Atlanta as opposed to I-95. Better road, less traffic.


:up:

We were considering stopping Sat night in GA. Not sure if the smalls is up to a 20 hr 1 day drive. :rolleyes:

KillJoy

[MarauderTJA]

:up:

We were considering stopping Sat night in GA. Not sure if the smalls is up to a 20 hr 1 day drive. :rolleyes:

KillJoy

Hope you have a portable DVD player for them. Will certainly help with the ride for you guys.

[CRUZTAKER]

Count on us taking good care of you KillJoy and meeting you with an awesome cadre of SSM Marauders.

You're in good hands Stevo. Enjoy the meet.;)

[KillJoy]

EXACTLY 1 Month until we depart!!!

Man, we are soooo looking forward to this Vacation!!!!

KillJoy

[CRUZTAKER]

So far, the only thing that is definately known is: I am going to the Everglades .....
KillJoy

Uhhh....you do realize how far from where we are staying this is? I mean a 400 mile round trip to see.....:dunno:
And the area is so large, what do you hope to accomplish on a 5 hour drive?

How about we do Myakka State Park, which will look very similar for all you know, and is only 25 minutes from where we are staying? It's very...Evergladish.:P

We can get up really early, be there when the park opens, and hope see alligators on the roadway, perhaps wild boar, armadillo, and a vast array of other wildlife. Panthers have been known to roam the park. I know of some spots where we can walk up (really close) on some 15 footers dozing in the sun. We can do an airboat ride and see all types of birds and snakes, and more gators. We can make our own breakfast, and feed the buzzards.;)

The beauty part, we're back in Sarasota for low tide.

I told you, I know of quite a few secrets in the area.
I want to take you up to the Sunshine skyway at low tide and wade to the islands. I do a similar trek across the intercoastal waterway at Longboat key as well.

If we are lucky to catch some really low tides, I will show you where thousands upon thousands of Starburst, Jungle, and White Starfish reside off Longboat near Mote Marine. Dozens of varieties of sea life to be found at Ft. Desoto. Treasure at Egmont Key....ewww...maybe, maybe not.
Places where you must tip toe as there are so many sand dollars underfoot.
Horse conchs, and Lightning whelks the size of basketballs near the Manatee inlet. We can trek the Mangroves of Perico Bay where schools of 8lb snook mingle around us.

I know of some nice areas to dig in Venice where I have found 4-5 inch Megalodon teeth, and many others spieces as well. There is always the Peace River, where fossils are abundant in the brackish cool water near Arcadia.

I have several friends that own charters if you want to fish. I know I am up for a half day, if not a full day if we can get on a list early at M-Jacks. I need to call my sources near Cortez first. Much cheaper, and used to be free if we assist the tourists and cut bait. Part of the fun for me. I have all my own deep sea gear at the trailer.

I spent most of my childhood in Sanibel, Captiva, and across the barrier islands up to Tampa. I know of lots of free and cool thing to do.

Unfortunately the dog track up the street from where we are staying is closed. That track is a blast.

Gotta fish off the Sarasota pier at Hart's Landing in the evenings, and share beer with the homeless.
I am hip on the night life as well.;)

Can you tell I am excited as well?

[arejayesss]

Hello, I am relatively new to this site, just adopted my baby 6/12/07. I live in Bonita Springs which is on the way to the everglades. Bonita has lots to offer like, uhhh, mexican restaurants, and uhh oh yeah. The Naples-Ft. Myers Greyhound Track. I've never been, but live next door to it. I suppose Bonita Beach is pretty nice, nothing spectacular though. Ok, so I guess you probably won't be stopping in Bonita Springs, but at least let me know when you are driving by so I can honk at you!!

[CRUZTAKER]

Hello from Casa Mar Siesta Key!

Nice place and convienently located within the island.
We arrived ahead of Stevo and expect him today sometime later this afternoon.

Reunited with the parents last night, our trailer looks nice. They have done a lot of upgrades since we have been down.

It's amazing how much Sarasota has changed in two years. Where the hell did the Quay go!?? I thought that was a relatively newer place to be raized so soon.

We're off to do some shopping...waiting for Steve, Heather, and baby.

[MACFORD88]

ThatS Awsome Over Here In The West Cost We Never See That.

[KillJoy]

We arrived on Siesta Key safe and sound about 2:00 Yesterday afternoon. 1200 mile drives suck :( But, we did it in 2 days, so.... it wasn't tooo bad.

This place is beautiful, and the Beach is AMAZING!

I doubt I will be online much, so have a good week all!!

:up:

KillJoy

[RoyLPita]

Enjoy your vacation, Steve. Make sure the little one does not get burnt to a crisp.

[Cobra25]

We arrived on Siesta Key safe and sound about 2:00 Yesterday afternoon. 1200 mile drives suck :( But, we did it in 2 days, so.... it wasn't tooo bad.

This place is beautiful, and the Beach is AMAZING!

I doubt I will be online much, so have a good week all!!

:up:

KillJoy I don't know how far you are for Fort Lauderdale but this friday we have out monthly meet in Davie at the Tower Shops. If you come, dinner in on us.

[MarauderTJA]

Hope you and Cruztaker can make over to the Tower Shoppes this Friday night. I am planning on coming across the alley that night if all goes well and the weather holds up. Possibly a couple more of us west coasters will be joining me as well.

[Cobra25]

Hope you and Cruztaker can make over to the Tower Shoppes this Friday night. I am planning on coming across the alley that night if all goes well and the weather holds up. Possibly a couple more of us west coasters will be joining me as well. That would be Great. I know they would have a good time.

[KillJoy]

Hope you and Cruztaker can make over to the Tower Shoppes this Friday night. I am planning on coming across the alley that night if all goes well and the weather holds up. Possibly a couple more of us west coasters will be joining me as well.


:(

I spoke to the misses. It is a 426 Mile Round Trip drive for us to be able to make it. She does not want to make the drive, and I do not want to leave her at the Condo alone for the day.

I'll keep trying, but I am NOT hopeful.

:o

KillJoy

[Zack]

:(

I spoke to the misses. It is a 426 Mile Round Trip drive for us to be able to make it. She does not want to make the drive, and I do not want to leave her at the Condo alone for the day.

I'll keep trying, but I am NOT hopeful.

:o

KillJoy

Leave her behind, wouldn't be the first time. :beer:

[Cobra25]

:(

I spoke to the misses. It is a 426 Mile Round Trip drive for us to be able to make it. She does not want to make the drive, and I do not want to leave her at the Condo alone for the day.

I'll keep trying, but I am NOT hopeful.

:o

KillJoy I know most likely you won't go , but if you do the weather looks good for the trip and we always have a great time their. Tell her Dinner & Drinks are on us. Also their are some store's their she can do a little shopping. ( All Women love that ). I'll pm you my cell # in case you have any questions.

[CRUZTAKER]

I appreciate the invite...but a 500 mile round trip isn't in order this time.:(

We're (Jessica, Gage, and I) are taking in all of our familiar sites and locations from St. Pete to Venice and in between as usual.

[Cobra25]

I appreciate the invite...but a 500 mile round trip isn't in order this time.:(

We're (Jessica, Gage, and I) are taking in all of our familiar sites and locations from St. Pete to Venice and in between as usual. Well your always welcome to join us anytime your in town. The door is always open. Have a great time down here.

[Budman]

It's seems hard to leave the beach.:)
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/1975/yupper023ap7.jpg
http://img381.imageshack.us/img381/3695/yupper029hu9.jpg

[FastMerc]

You Buckeyes having fun down there I hope?See you all soon...

[MarauderTJA]

:(

I spoke to the misses. It is a 426 Mile Round Trip drive for us to be able to make it. She does not want to make the drive, and I do not want to leave her at the Condo alone for the day.

I'll keep trying, but I am NOT hopeful.

:o

KillJoy

Fully understand and you have to keep the Mrs happy. Enjoy your vacation my friend.

[CRUZTAKER]

Ahhh...the end of an awesome get away.

Big thanks to the incredible generocity of the Budman and his wonderfull wife Dawn. :bows:
Your resort is outstanding, and the location on Siesta is excellent.

The first 7 seven days gave us wonderfull weather to do all the little entertaining things we enjoy down here. You folks really need rain, so I have little complaints of the rain over the last three days.

The three of us were able to rent wave runners and privately tour the mangroves near Palma Solo and Anna Maria. Gage has the need for speed and these babies ran nearly 50 knots.

We spent the day at Myakka and saw wild boar, gators feeding, snakes, armadillos, buzzards, and many other birds.

We waded various parts of the intercoastal, and both sides of the Skyway and found some awesome shells.
Cooked, cleaned and scrubbed, and left many at the beach for tourists to find.;)

I took Gage on his first fishing trip. The best I could muster was a descent incoming tide at Harts Landing on the new pier. What was supposed to be a 1 hour adventure turned into 4.5 hours and 3 dozen shrimp. Gage caught a half dozen pin fish which we promply diced up and hooked on the bigger rig. He got one Black, I believe you folks call them gags down here, over a dozen red snapper, and a handfull of "I have no clue what those are" fish.:P

He was totally proud of his first try, and had tourists asking us what rigs and bait we were using, as he was nailing 6 to their one in 15 minute increments.

We toured Mote marine with Killjoy, and saw some great animals.

We did putt-putt, but never made the driving range and course.

We never made it to Venice however.:( Sorry Tallboy.

I will post some pics later. Dialup at our trailer in Bradenton is horrible.

[Budman]

It was a pleasure meeting both Steve and Barry and their families.I had to work all week,but got to spend time every night at the beach to drink some beers.It is just amazing how you get to know people by the chat room.No one was uncomfortable talking/bs'ing.It was like we knew each other for years.The beach is different now that they are gone.True friends made indeed!Cannot wait to gtg again,sometime soon.

[KillJoy]

THIS post is LONG overdue, and probably a lot shorter than it should be.

First off, Thank you Bob and Dawn for your gracious hospitality you showed us. It is simply amazing the friendships one can make takling to someone thousands of miles away over the interweb!

We stayed at Casa Mar Condo Resort (http://www.casamarresort.net/)on Siesta Key, in Sarasota. Our room was on the first floor, beach front. Every time I looked out the back window (the ENTIRE WALL was a window!) I was simply amazed at the view. White sand beach; nice rolling waves; and BEAUTIFUL sunsets nightly!

For us, the Vacay was well needed, and Heather finally got cought up on some long overdue sleep. Smalls actually enjoyed the ocean too! :D

Unlike Barry, we didn't head out too much. :( Smalls' schedule kept us nearby. We did, however, have dinner at a sweet little hibachi joint (Saga). I even tried saki! Not too bad. Kind of like warm White Zinfindal. The sushi was good. The steak was even better. Possibly better than I have had at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. We had lunch on day at this cool little outdoor joint. It was called the Daquiri Deck, and they make some killer refreshments using EVERCLEAR! Gotta love it!! We Joined Barry and his family at Mote's Marine (a sea based zoo). We saw sea turtles, manatees, sea turtles, fishes, sea turtles, sharkes, sea turtles, rays, and did I mention we saw sea turtles?!?! :D

The trip was right about 1200 miles each way, but it was not too bad. We stopped in SC for the night, both coming and going. On the way back, we stopped in Orange Park and had burgers and hotdogs w/ Dennis and Sheila at their place. Dennis has some cute grandkids ;)

Overall, our trip was simply amazing. Good times, good food, and amazing friends. Standing in the ocean at midnight, beer in had, and good buds to BS with, is something that is hard to leave. But...real life MUST go on :(

Perhaps a return in the future is in order? If invited, how could we decline???

:up: to Bob, Dawn, and Casa Mar for an AMAZING vacation!

Steve, Heather and Gillian