Florida - USA

I originally thought of using an image of the Walt Disney World castle. As Disney World in Orlando, FL  was a frequent vacation spot when we lived in Michigan. That would be a little too much of a cliche though. One memory that stands out for me is when we visited the Everglades. I expected to see a bunch of alligators. We saw none. This was very disappointing. 

Florida was both a vacation and business spot. I recall mom selling Daytona Real Estate. I recall roaming the large real estate office with its rows of small desks. It seems like a vivid memory at times, but largely faded by now due to the many new memories acquired.  Our family  had part ownership in condos in Orlando and Marco Island. Neither turned out to be a particularly good investment over the long term.

I don't think we ventured far beyond the Orlando or Marco Island area.  The only other memory I have, though decidedly faint is visiting Cape Canaveral Space Center.   I still have a souvenir paper set from there -- never written on. 

Family gathering at the nook in the Orlando condo

One of our many trips to Disney World

Paul and Tina in front of a Marco Island condominium building

Travel Notes About Florida

After moving to the West Coast I found it funny that people in the East vacation in the Caribbean and Florida. And those on the West go to Hawaii. Not surprising considering the geographic location of Hawaii.  But I guess I would have thought more people from the West would go to Florida, as it is about the same distance as Hawaii.

Another thing I still am not able to reconcile in my mind is Disneyland.  After having been to Epcot / Disney World so many times, Disneyland seems so unimpressive and old (Especially considering our family visited Epcot the first year it opened). Perhaps that is why I have only went to Disneyland once since I've moved to Orange County -- 4 years ago.