Along
Florida's Expressways (2nd Edition) ,
by Dave Hunter
A new regular feature that RoadTrip
America is developing revolves around the delightful
concept of "fly-and-drive" road trips.
To help roadtrippers plan such combo trips, we're
now publishing articles with itineraries for day
trips from major metropolitan airports (like this
one about day
trips from Las Vegas). Along Florida's
Expressways, a new guidebook by Dave Hunter
(author of the outstanding highway guide Along
I-75), is a perfect complement for a "fly-and-drive"
road trip. The book provides routes and information
for crisscrossing one of the most popular tourist
states in the country.
One of the very
best features in this new second edition is right
inside the front cover. The Florida Map Index
provides a quick overview of all the sections
of the eight interstate highways and eight expressway/toll
roads covered in detail inside the book. This
is a major enhancement over the first edition.
With the Florida Map Index, a reader can find
information about any section of any covered highway
in a couple of seconds.
Dave and his wife
Kathy drove over 5,000 miles in 2007 researching
these sixteen major highways in Florida. The guidebook
identifies all of the gas stations, restaurants,
motels, rest areas and special attractions found
at each exit. The table of contents page has been
redesigned, making it easier to learn how to use
this guidebook.
If you have never
seen one of these types of guidebooks, you could,
at first glance, feel a little overwhelmed by
the sheer quantity of information as well as the
complexity. Because Florida's major roads diverge
in every direction of the compass -- not only
north/south or east/west, but also in meandering
diagonal routes across the state -- Hunter has
developed simple conventions that help make what
could be a navigational nightmare a "no-brainer."
Within a few minutes of browsing Along Florida's
Expressways, all becomes clear. Hunter has
done an amazing job of presenting comprehensive
material about a complicated network of thoroughfares
in an easy-to-understand framework.
For non-Floridians,
the information provided in the introduction about
Florida's traffic laws, the history of Florida's
native Indian population and the almost perverse
address numbering system used in the Florida Keys
would alone justify purchasing this book. But
the addition of the excellent "in case of
hurricane" evacuation route information,
suggestions for which lanes to use at major intersections,
and insider's tips about attractions and travel
deals make this a must-buy for anyone planning
a road trip in Florida -- even locals. The author
also provides some insider tips for dealing with
the "Unofficial Welcome Centers" found
along I-75 -- these are often venues promoting
real estate condominium options, and it's nice
to know what to expect before you stop.
Whether by car
or armchair, traveling with a road guru like Dave
Hunter is a truly delightful adventure. This new
book is filled with choice discoveries like the
rollercoaster-like terrain in the Tallahassee
Hills, the intriguing story of the long-lost "Yellow
Fever Treasure," the "Stretch Your Legs
Trail," the Devil's Mill sinkhole, the "Garden
of Eden," and the nightly performances of
the "Mighty Wurlitzer" theatre organ
at the Roaring 20's restaurant in Ellington. In
the "white pages" section of the book,
the author shares riveting historical tales. Two
that will stick with me are the story of massacre
at Matanzas Inlet (just south of Palm Coast) and
the successful landing of German saboteurs by
submarine near Jacksonville in 1942.
Along Florida's
Expressways is an invaluable companion for
anyone who lives or travels in Florida.
Mark
Sedenquist
4/11/08
|
