Hello all . . .

I was thinking of organizing a Crossfire get-to-gether (GTG) in the fabulous Florida Keys for sometime in 2013. For those not familiar, the Florida Keys are a 100+ mile long chain of islands off the southern tip of the Florida mainland penisula. That drive along US 1 from Key Largo to Key West (the end of the road at the southernmost point in the USA) is rated as one of the top 10 most scenic drives in the country. The plan would include an opportunity to meet up in Key Largo (at the top of the Keys) on a Friday late morning / early afternoon and then "caravan" down to Key West (about 2-1/2 hours) for the weekend (a Friday, Saturday, Sunday event). Key West is a big "party town" . . . lots of fun!

Setting this GTG up in the summer months would be the least expensive time for accommodations down here but it might be more inviting for many of you to come down in the winter months to enjoy the endless summer of the fabulous Florida Keys and get out of the cold.

Before I start to get too obsessed with planning this (textbook case of OCD), I would like to get some feedback on the level of interest to attend such an event. The drive down to the bottom of Florida and then on to Key West would be a significant distance for those coming down from other states.

If you have a sincere interest in attending a 2013 GTG in the fabulous Florida Keys , please PM me (or you can e-mail me directly at RedDogNumber1@aol.com) to confirm your interest and also whether your preference would be for a summer or winter GTG. Looking forward to meeting many of you at the 6th annual Tail of the Dragon this fall . . .

Thanks, RED DOG . . . Bob & Cindy Davis

 

No guarantees, but we would love to do something like your idea. Winter sounds good also but always thinking about having to travel in snow thru the mountains when coming from Ohio.

I will watch this thread with interest. James

 

Great idea, Read Dog! Thanks for the thought! Olga and I would be open for either winter or summer.... pricier vs. hotter. Is there a compromise to after Easter and Spring Break?

 

Let's talk about it at the Dragon.... I have a friend with a house in Key Largo ....I would love to do a trip down that way sometime...Like James stated, have to be careful running summer tires and doing a winter trip...we all had some snow one year returning from the Dragon in late October....

 

I am up for a trip to the Keys. Just wish I could put my kayaks and fishing equipment on my coupe...late spring is always nice( before Hurricanes and daily thunderstorms)

 

I am running All Season tires but that is still not much help in bad weather in a Crossfire. My concern is the salt used on the roadway. Florida salt is different

 

Kayaks are readily available for rent (cheap enough IMHO that it's not worth the trouble of hauling around your personal equipment). Here are a couple of links . . .

http://keywestvisitorguide.com/kayak...FQgGnQodXn0AbA

http://www.bestonkeywest.com/kayakin...FQgFnQodbVEALw

Fishing here is best done from a boat and there are hundreds of charter boats ready and willing (all equipment on board for your use). If fishing is your pleasure, when the time gets closer I might suggest you can try to buddy up with other like minded participants to share the cost. World class fishing here!

 

I will make it anytime. But the summer is best for most of the people coming from up north.

 

UPDATE 07/30/12

Many Crossfire owners who expressed some interest in attending a Florida Keys GTG are considering coming down from areas where winter driving conditions could present an issue. Also many owners take out their Crossfires only for "fair weather driving" opportunities. Accordingly I'm convinced that we should plan the 2013 Florida Keys GTG for spring time so participants will be able to enjoy a head start on summer here but not have to risk driving through winter weather conditions to get here.

So as of now, I'm leaning toward a plan for mid May 2013. Also I'm thinking of reserving a block of motel rooms in Key Largo for the Thursday prior to the actual GTG event heading down to Key West. That will allow those coming in from farther away a chance to arrive into Key Largo on Thurdday afternoon / evening and rest up / freshen up. Then we'll have an informal breakfast opportunity on Friday morning just prior to meeting up at the caravan point to organize the Crossfire caravan down to Key West.

Any / all comments and suggestions are welcome . . .

 

That sounds good to me. We will also need rooms in Key West.

 

Dang - I was hoping for early fall, as I have plans in May already. I will be there in October to do a little diving; hoping to drive the SRT down, if I can get all of my diving crap in there!

KevinL

 

Is this dare I ask CAA4?

 

I am on my way to Key West next week! I go several times a year. Although winter is more appealing, the prices are not. After May 1st and probably up to Oct. 1st are your best deals.I have some friends in the tourism business there that may have some suggestions. You would definatly need to plan NOW for next summer. You may find that you might have to back the event up to 2014 if you need alot of accomodations.
I would be glad to help in any way. Count me in!

 

But its to far to travel for 3 days ,and its hot and salty, coud be a Hurricaine,
Sounds like my kind of road trip, only 3500 miles --one way

 

If I was to go I'd never get any further than the Tiki bar at Gilbert's.

 

That's exactly where I'm trying to set up the Key Largo welcome party on Thursday afternoon / evening. Gilberts recently rebuilt their tiki bar area and it's HUGE now. MEGA FUN! Gilbert's will also likely be our staging area to start the Crossfire caravan down to Key West.

 

Hi Jeff, My wife Cindy and I own / operate Luxury Limousine of the Florida Keys, Inc. Celebrating our 16th anniversary this year. Our business is bringing guests and groups in and out of the Florida Keys. Cindy and I know pretty much every one and every place in the Keys but we still would always welcome some assistance. Contact me directly at RedDogNumber1@aol.com.

I suspect that the first year event won't be all that huge as I realize it's a long drive for those not in FL and surrounding states. After word gets around about how much fun the initial 2013 Florida Keys GTG turns out to be, I'm sure it will grow with each subsequent year.

 

This is exactly why I am keeping my roadster a little more tame than the coupe...It must be able to travel a few thousand miles without problems...lol... I am paying close attn...as May would probably work for me... It wouldn't have this yr, as planting season for the farmers seemed to never end with this drout we are having...hopefully next year will be back to normal...anyway...May would at least be good for this IN guy....

 

Hot and salty like pretzels, yep! Hurricanes? Not until June 1!

 

UPDATE 08/06/12 1st Annual Spring 2013 Florida Keys Crossfire GTG

I'm making progress on this . . . MARK YOUR CALANDAR! The 1st Annual Spring 2013 Florida Keys Crossfire GTG is being scheduled for Friday through Sunday May 17th, 18th, 19th with an early arrivals motel and welcome party in Key Largo for Thursday May 16th. I'm lining up blocks of motel room space and putting together various recommended activitiy choices. It's all coming together nicely.

I expect to be able to present a "flyer" on / about September 1st which will include appropriate links to the designated motel(s) as well as to various recommended activity vendors. Stay tuned . . .