Florida

THE LEGEND · 11-26-2007, 08:06 AM

I'll be in Clearwater Beach this week. Is there anything to do there?????
Chip Johnson

Ron Ortiz · 11-26-2007, 09:54 AM

I believe that Clearwater Beach is a retirement area with alot of condominiums. You are actually very close to Tampa, where there might be a little more action than the aging of old skin.
There is a long pier that runs along the Skyway bridge for fishing, or some of the small islands to have a picnic, or you can just go to the top of the bridge and contemplate life. The Tampa Bay area offers some fine Cuban restraunts in Ybor City, a mild crime rate in the downtown area, and numerous drinking establishments. If you somehow end up in the "women for the night" area, be cautious as the local police will stop you for any and all infractions, ie. rolling the stop sign, talking to the ladies, running a yellow light, etc. This information is provided to me by numerous acquaintances that have been in that area while touring the vicinity. Other than that I do not know too much about the area as I only travel there for an occasional Tampa Bay Buccaneer game or going through to Gainesville.

Ron Ortiz
U/SA I tend to keep away from big cities.

FED 387 · 11-26-2007, 10:19 AM

If you are into restaurants try "Crabby Bills" BEST CHEAP SEAFOOD in the area in Indian Rocks Beach just about 10 min south of you SIT AT THE BAR dont wait in line for a table, bar takes about 10-15 min tables are about an hour- hour and 1/2 wait plus you sit at 'picnic tables" with lots of other people you don't want to meet or sit with---interesting thing most of their "employees" are on work release from the local prison!!!!!!!!!! or also go to Pappas up in Tarpon Springs for lunch, dinner is a zoo there--get a "house salad and SPLIT IT it is huge as well as all the portions--While in Tarpon check into the "sponge diving activities there all historic and all lots of interesting things right at the waterfront boardwalk area next to Pappas----Take a trip down I think its Gulf Boulevard runs along the Gulf all the way to St Pete beach lots of interesting sites there also look into Johns pass area while there lots to see and do also take in a "sunset" cruise and see the city etc. from offshore relaxing and a change of pace---Up in the Tampa area there is Busch Gardens and a few other amusement park sites to do/see----Check in the lobby of any motel/hotel or most of the restaurants for maps and coupons to most things too---Have fun and enjoy yourself---Comp 387

Dave Turner · 11-26-2007, 12:01 PM

We always made a point of going to Frenchy's Rockaway Grill at the north end of Clearwater Beach. Great food, good times. They have a web site and a "beach cam". Tarpon Springs is just up the road and there is some terrific Greek cuisine up there, plus a sponge or two!!

Have fun!!

Jim Wahl · 11-26-2007, 12:21 PM

If you're traveling down I75 take the Ellington exit which is close to Bradenton and hit the Crab Trap restaurant, best seafood around. Brenda Grubbs and the Summertons live a stones throw from there also. Maybe you could get a party going.

BTW The reason Ron doesn't go to big cities is he is afraid he could be recognized from all the posters on the post office wall. Jim

Myron Piatek · 11-26-2007, 12:53 PM

If you take I-95 through Daytona, then I-4 to I-75, maybe you can drop of my case of stuff.

If not, I'll wait till you get back.

Fill up in GA cause it's cheaper than FL

Then there are the tracks in Bradenton, Tampa and Immokalee!

Sean Ward · 11-26-2007, 02:29 PM

Chip Y-Bor city what a blast i go there all the time

Joe Pinkston · 11-27-2007, 01:23 AM

Chip;

If you want the real Florida experience, go south on 441 through Leesburg, make left onto hiway 44 east and continue until you come to the great metropolis called Grand Island. Stop and ask anyone and they will direct you to the honorable (maybe that's a stretch) Mayor Sean Ward.

Maybe you can get the tour of the town in the Imperial, or if you can fake it well you can get the tour in the wagon. The wagon tour is usually reserved for visiting governors and presidents.

Sean Ward · 11-27-2007, 10:03 AM

Joe that is funny but true .Hey we have your limo all ready to go .I took the IMP to check the mail yesterday Joe we all need together for lunch

11-27-2007, 10:58 AM

Chip,

There's lots to do down here in Tamp/Clear-
water and St.Petersburg. Be careful when traveling in Ybor City, when it gets dark it can be dangerous. I would also suggest a defensive driving course because the drivers down here are nothing like what you see in NC.

Also, Clearwater has a decent 1/8 mile track, if they were racing Friday I would let you use my ride but Bradenton is having the Snowbirds this week so they are closed. Bring me some Sundrop and Brightleaf Hot Dogs and I will take you to the best spot in Tampa in my opinion to get a Cuban sandwich.

Smitty

11-26-2007, 08:06 AM	#1
THE LEGEND VIP Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Fayetteville, n.c. Posts: 1,411 Likes: 0 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Florida I'll be in Clearwater Beach this week. Is there anything to do there????? Chip Johnson

11-26-2007, 09:54 AM	#2
Ron Ortiz Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Englewood, Florida Posts: 989 Likes: 35 Liked 317 Times in 103 Posts	Re: Florida I believe that Clearwater Beach is a retirement area with alot of condominiums. You are actually very close to Tampa, where there might be a little more action than the aging of old skin. There is a long pier that runs along the Skyway bridge for fishing, or some of the small islands to have a picnic, or you can just go to the top of the bridge and contemplate life. The Tampa Bay area offers some fine Cuban restraunts in Ybor City, a mild crime rate in the downtown area, and numerous drinking establishments. If you somehow end up in the "women for the night" area, be cautious as the local police will stop you for any and all infractions, ie. rolling the stop sign, talking to the ladies, running a yellow light, etc. This information is provided to me by numerous acquaintances that have been in that area while touring the vicinity. Other than that I do not know too much about the area as I only travel there for an occasional Tampa Bay Buccaneer game or going through to Gainesville. Ron Ortiz U/SA I tend to keep away from big cities. __________________ Ron Ortiz 2102 STK

11-26-2007, 10:19 AM	#3
FED 387 VIP Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 3,419 Likes: 528 Liked 332 Times in 180 Posts	Re: Florida If you are into restaurants try "Crabby Bills" BEST CHEAP SEAFOOD in the area in Indian Rocks Beach just about 10 min south of you SIT AT THE BAR dont wait in line for a table, bar takes about 10-15 min tables are about an hour- hour and 1/2 wait plus you sit at 'picnic tables" with lots of other people you don't want to meet or sit with---interesting thing most of their "employees" are on work release from the local prison!!!!!!!!!! or also go to Pappas up in Tarpon Springs for lunch, dinner is a zoo there--get a "house salad and SPLIT IT it is huge as well as all the portions--While in Tarpon check into the "sponge diving activities there all historic and all lots of interesting things right at the waterfront boardwalk area next to Pappas----Take a trip down I think its Gulf Boulevard runs along the Gulf all the way to St Pete beach lots of interesting sites there also look into Johns pass area while there lots to see and do also take in a "sunset" cruise and see the city etc. from offshore relaxing and a change of pace---Up in the Tampa area there is Busch Gardens and a few other amusement park sites to do/see----Check in the lobby of any motel/hotel or most of the restaurants for maps and coupons to most things too---Have fun and enjoy yourself---Comp 387

11-26-2007, 12:01 PM	#4
Dave Turner VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Schomberg, ON, Canada Posts: 1,222 Likes: 1,606 Liked 364 Times in 138 Posts	Re: Florida We always made a point of going to Frenchy's Rockaway Grill at the north end of Clearwater Beach. Great food, good times. They have a web site and a "beach cam". Tarpon Springs is just up the road and there is some terrific Greek cuisine up there, plus a sponge or two!! Have fun!! __________________ Dave Turner SS/GT #1153

11-26-2007, 12:21 PM	#5
Jim Wahl Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Central Florida Posts: 5,844 Likes: 666 Liked 683 Times in 129 Posts	Re: Florida If you're traveling down I75 take the Ellington exit which is close to Bradenton and hit the Crab Trap restaurant, best seafood around. Brenda Grubbs and the Summertons live a stones throw from there also. Maybe you could get a party going. BTW The reason Ron doesn't go to big cities is he is afraid he could be recognized from all the posters on the post office wall. Jim __________________ Jim Wahl....NHRA #2239 S/SS - IHRA # 8 Stock, D2 Stock Champion (forever I guess) 2019 Baby Gators Stock Champion 2009 NHRA D2 National Open Stock Champion 1982 NHRA D2 West Palm Beach LDRS SS Runner Up Past President, Southern Stock / Super Stock Association.

11-26-2007, 12:53 PM	#6
Myron Piatek VIP Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Florida Posts: 1,542 Likes: 34 Liked 138 Times in 51 Posts	Re: Florida If you take I-95 through Daytona, then I-4 to I-75, maybe you can drop of my case of stuff. If not, I'll wait till you get back. Fill up in GA cause it's cheaper than FL Then there are the tracks in Bradenton, Tampa and Immokalee! __________________ LOCOMOTION Racing

11-26-2007, 02:29 PM	#7
Sean Ward Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grand Island FL. Posts: 389 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Florida Chip Y-Bor city what a blast i go there all the time __________________ Sean Ward NHRA s/ss/comp#2882 SW4 MOTORSPORTS

11-27-2007, 01:23 AM	#8
Joe Pinkston Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Williston, Fl. Posts: 352 Likes: 2 Liked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: Florida Chip; If you want the real Florida experience, go south on 441 through Leesburg, make left onto hiway 44 east and continue until you come to the great metropolis called Grand Island. Stop and ask anyone and they will direct you to the honorable (maybe that's a stretch) Mayor Sean Ward. Maybe you can get the tour of the town in the Imperial, or if you can fake it well you can get the tour in the wagon. The wagon tour is usually reserved for visiting governors and presidents. __________________ Joe Pinkston 2155 S/ST

11-27-2007, 10:03 AM	#9
Sean Ward Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Grand Island FL. Posts: 389 Likes: 0 Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Florida Joe that is funny but true .Hey we have your limo all ready to go .I took the IMP to check the mail yesterday Joe we all need together for lunch __________________ Sean Ward NHRA s/ss/comp#2882 SW4 MOTORSPORTS

11-27-2007, 10:58 AM	#10
Terrance Smith Guest Posts: n/a	Re: Florida Chip, There's lots to do down here in Tamp/Clear- water and St.Petersburg. Be careful when traveling in Ybor City, when it gets dark it can be dangerous. I would also suggest a defensive driving course because the drivers down here are nothing like what you see in NC. Also, Clearwater has a decent 1/8 mile track, if they were racing Friday I would let you use my ride but Bradenton is having the Snowbirds this week so they are closed. Bring me some Sundrop and Brightleaf Hot Dogs and I will take you to the best spot in Tampa in my opinion to get a Cuban sandwich. Smitty