Looked on Google maps and streetview, Naples now is nothing like what I saw 48 years ago. Only thing in that part of Florida that remotely resembles what I rode through is the old Tamiami Trail through the swamp. I remember signs advertising upscale planned communities, and turned at one with a nice new road over an arched bridge to see how fancy they were building. The road ended in a swamp, no buildings of any kind. I'd like to ride around the southern tip and down the Keys in the winter, minimize the bugs, but then I'd have to deal with the snowbirds. The slow careless kind, even in 1970 they were a pita to deal with on some of the roads. Looking at streetviews, I think I like the old Florida way better. Crab burger shacks, unpainted wood buildings, no theme parks, drive all the way across Orlando in less than half an hour, no interstates, drive around the Sebring racetrack that wasn't fenced off, and ride for miles through swamp land, cattle country, state parks and palm forests without seeing anybody else.
Never been to Miami, Sarasota is as far south as I think I have been, my Grand Mother lived in Clearwater, visited Mickey, Busch Gardens, Sunken Gardens met some mermaids at Weeki Watchi, been to Daytona more times than I care to count.
Moldie, I think I know which community your talking about. I just rode by with the navigation displaying the elevation. That place is an astounding 8ft below sea level. We just rerouted and came to Everglades City instead. Now we're waiting this tiny storm out.
07-12-2018, 02:02 PM
