Pit Stop - Little America, WY

Scenic Route Part Two - Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, & Cape Canaveral, FL

Back on the scenic route, here are a few shots passing through Merritt Island, Cocoa Beach, and Cape Canaveral.

We cruised a bit through the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, and then bopped around some of the outside areas of the Kennedy Space Center. We've visited the Space Center several times in the past, but it was getting late on this particular day and the facility was already closed.

But even passing through on a lazy afternoon, headed into dusk, you can still see plenty of awesome birds, alligators, deer, and the occasional armadillo.

And don't forget, the one, the only Ron Jon Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach. It's part surfers' paradise, part kitschy souvenir headquarters. But, it's always worth a fun stop! (interior photos in the next post)

Surfer's Paradise: Ron Jon Surf Shop - Cocoa Beach, FL

Sometimes on a long trip you just need a place you can stretch your legs and engage some brain cells for a few minutes. When we're cruising through the Space Coast, we HAVE to stop and give the Ron Jon Surf Shop an hour or so of our time.  

These days, there are smaller Ron Jon shops in multiple locations, but this is THE Surf Shop of the Florida Coast. The 52,000 square foot flagship store boasts massive collections of surfboards for sale; as well as all kinds of surf and swim gear, skateboards and skate gear, swimsuits, sunglasses, clothing, bikes, towels, and so much more.

They have a really cool section of shells, starfish, and other ocean finds. I suppose that one little section helps keep this stop "educational" in nature!  Otherwise, Ron Jon is best experienced as a bright, fun, spirited stop.

If you need gear of any kind for your vacation, you'll probably find your highest quality choices in Ron Jon. If you're not looking for an investment, but perhaps you're in the market for cheap souvenirs, they have those as well. Post cards, shot glasses, window clings...  How about jewelry? I know my kids love collecting necklaces, pendants, bracelets, anklets, and rings, made of colorful shells or in the shape of sea turtles, dolphins, or other ocean life. Yep, they have all that!

And, most importantly, THEY DO HAVE PUBLIC BATHROOMS.

They are upstairs in the very back corner of the store, so you literally have to walk by every product on the sales floor to get to them, so it's certainly not a quick in and out pit stop, but it ranks up on the fun scale for memorable pit stops.

It is a two story store, but elevators are available if needed.

Plenty of parking is available behind the shop, and it is free. So, next time you're cruising through Cocoa Beach, and you've seen the million bill boards plastering the entire state of Florida, go on, and give Ron Jon a whirl.

Tamiami Trail - From Miccosukee to Miami, FL

Random drive-by musings from the Tamiami Trail...

The Tamiami Trail is a 275 mile stretch of US Hwy 41, from SR60 in Tampa to US1 in Miami. Upon it's completed construction in 1928, it was considered a marvel of human engineering for cutting through the rugged, swampy Everglades to connect Florida's East and West coasts.

Since then, the road, which essentially acts as a dam choking off the fresh water supply to the Everglades, has done a great deal of damage to these valuable habitats, with dire consequences to both wildlife and humans.  Modern efforts are underway to raise portions of the road into bridges, freeing the flow of water, thus restoring life and vitality to the region. 

In the mean time, get "off the beaten path" and onto the Tamiami Trail for access to Shark Valley, the Everglades, Miccosukee, Big Cypress, Fakahatchee, and so much more.

We'd definitely love to check out the Miccosukee Indian Village. Unfortunately we got there right at closing time and missed it this trip. But we love perusing Native American Arts & Crafts, and learning about the cultures of different tribes, past and present, so this sounds like something we would really enjoy. I'm not sure the kids would enjoy the alligator wrestling, but reviews seem to indicate that part is easily skipped in exchange for enjoying all of the other onsite activities.

And who doesn't love a good hokie tourist attraction? Skunk Apes, anyone? Next time we're down in Ochopee, we're definitely going to hit up the Skunk Ape Research Center. Sounds like these guys have quite a story to tell!