Florida USA

Home Sweet Home, back in our Rv.
Before leaving Fort Lauderdale we wanted to have a look at the beach, and before leaving Florida the kids wanted to visit Universal Studios. Next stop Orlando. It just happened that at this time the Daytona 500 was on and Derek wanted to see it.

 

 

NASCAR’s Daytona 500, Florida USA

First Daytona
So many people, very organised, typical USA crowd management. We parked the Camper in a big grass paddock, caught the school bus to the Daytona track car park, past the Trump supporters, through the Jesus supporters, dodged the anti-vaxxers, through the security line up and we were in.
The stadium was full, Trump graced us with his presence serving as Grand Marshal and opened the race.
NASCAR’s Daytona 500 2020 “Gentlemen, start your engines!”
What a race, it looked a bit like a USA interstate highway but without the trucks. Before the race could finish it was rained out and had to be resumed the next day.
It ended the next day with a horrifyingly specular finish were the car that was coming first and now in third place, chased after the second place car, who clipped the first place car, causing it to flip and end up coming in on its bonnet, sparks flying.
Newman left hospital on February 19th two days after the race.

 

 

Daytona 500, Florida, USA

 

Universal Studios Florida USA

Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure Park Orlando,

We bought two days and got two days free. Touristy places were already becoming quiet, but there would have been a mutiny onboard the Ram dually if we had not stopped here.

Derek and I must be gluttons for punishment, neither of us do motion well but we still did the high Incredible hulk rollercoaster, came off looking a little pasty and wobbly on the legs.
On the second day the kids went off on their own and did every ride in the park some more than once. This was a good system they could then tell us which ones were worth doing.
Vote for the best ride - Islands of Adventure park - was Hagrids Magical Creatures Adventure a rollercoaster and Hogsmead streets. Worst (for me) Harry Potter and the forbidden journey – The queue was much more enjoyable than the ride, motion based 4D simulation, the kids thought that it was ok but then they could open their eyes.
Universal Studios – The Wizarding World of Harry Porter – Diagon Alley - Harry potter and the escape from Gringots, fun and not nearly as sickening as the forbidden journey.
A great four days ended with a Mardi Gras parade, and plenty of bead necklace catching.

 

 

Ichetucknee Springs State Park, Florida USA

After the crowds and craziness of Orlando we stayed a few nights camping at Ichetucknee Springs State Park, beautiful and peaceful.

Goodbye Florida.