Ooops... typos. The 2 references below to US 305 should say US 301.
Chuck Norcutt
On 1/15/2014 12:06 PM, Chuck Norcutt wrote:
> Congratulations. Where we live (in Palmetto) is at the extreme southern
> end of Tampa Bay. It's still largely an agricultural area (mostly
> cattle and tomatoes) and so is pretty quiet but within a short driving
> range of many larger towns south and north.
>
> I-95 is an awful road but necessary for at least parts of the trip. If
> I knew exactly where you were coming from I might have more suggestions
> for you on how to vary your route. While Savannah is a wonderful place
> to visit I'd suggest that your next stop be in Charleston rather than a
> return trip to Savannah. While both are delightful I think you might
> find Charleston even more so. Or stop in both places if you have the
> time. If you stop at the South Carolina welcome centers when first
> entering the state you can go in and ask for deals on hotel stays.
> Charleston hotels with available rooms will call the welcome center and
> offer the rooms at discounted rates.
>
> I'm not sure or your route once you get into Florida but, if you don't
> know it already, I'll suggest that you avoid as much of I-95, I-10 and
> I-75 as you can. On the return trip from Naples get off I-75 at exit
> 358 onto Florida Rt 326 (NW 77th St). Take that a couple of miles to US
> 305 north. Take 305 north to Baldwin and, instead of getting onto I-10
> stay with US 301 by following it under I-10 and into the little town of
> Baldwin. You'll have to take a right then a left turn once in town to
> stay with the highway and then keep on with US 301 until you get to
> Callahan. Continue straight onto route 200/A1A (301 turns left in the
> middle of Callahan) which will take you back to I-95 at Yulee, FL.
> Staying with US 301 at Baldwin adds very little time to the trip
> and allows you to skip the congestion of I-10 and I-295 around
> Jacksonville. Much more serene.
>
> If you plot your route on Google it will give you exactly what I just
> outlined except for avoiding I-10/I-295 around Jacksonville. Just drag
> the route on the Google map to the continuation of US 301 on the north
> side of I-10 at Baldwin to complete the picture. Neither of our GPSs
> gives us this exact route but we think it's the best. You'll be much
> more relaxed traveling US 301 than the interstates The only places on
> that route not to relax are the tiny towns of Lawtey and Waldo (just
> north and south of Starke). These little towns keep their tax rates low
> by running speed traps enhanced by frequently changing speed limit
> signs. Avoid trouble by closely obeying the speed limits. The towns
> are so tiny that it only takes a matter of minutes to pass through
> either one even at the legal limit.
>
> Good luck with your trip.
>
> BTW, we'll be here until approximately March 25. When you come up I-75
> and hit the intersection with I-275 on the south end of Tampa Bay (about
> 2 hrs from Naples) you'll be about 1-1/2 miles from my house.
>
> Chuck Norcutt
>
>
>
>
>
> On 1/15/2014 7:22 AM, Walters, Martin wrote:
>> Chuck: Interesting story. I'm closing in on retirement (the CDFO is
>> already retired) and our plans are to do the snowbird thing, with
>> Naples, Florida the chosen place. In order to remain outside the
>> long arms of the IRS and Immigration, our stay will be temporary
>> (four months a year, unless we decide to find shelter under the
>> Can-US Tax Treaty). The CDFO spent two months in Naples last year,
>> which helped us make up our minds. There are, indeed, lots of things
>> to do, once one gets acquainted with people and the place.
>>
>> As we both like the warm, we chose in SW Florida. Naples is a bit
>> quieter than Sarasota, Tampa, Miami and Ft Lauderdale, yet it has
>> many services. We got a condo last summer, while prices and the
>> dollar exchange rate were reasonable. This January we drove down to
>> Florida, which was my first view of much of Virginia, NC, SC, Georgia
>> and Florida - mostly from the I-95, however. We did enjoy one night
>> in Savannah, which is well worth a return visit. I return in March
>> to drive the CDFO back to the Great White North.
--
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