Question for you South GA and FL boys

[mkm]

Looks like I'm making a spur of the moment trip down to the Everglades this coming weekend.  I'm sure most of the ride will be focused on just getting there quickly and safely, but I may have to make a few detours along the way if they're worth it. 


Are there any good gun stores worth stopping at between Albany, GA and the Everglades?  Preferably ones that may be open on a Sunday as well in case I can't hit them on the way down.  I'm specifically looking for a 9mm Kel-tec Sub 2k that takes Glock mags; so, any knowledge of one along the way would be much appreciated.  Can you pick them up straight from the factory? 

Any noteworthy site and/or attraction suggestions are welcome. 

Also, any specific places to avoid?  Insane traffic, dangerous, etc.

[fightingquaker13]

Where are you going in the Everglades? That's my neck of the woods, and I can hook you up with good food and  lodging, if you go as far south as Everglades City. As to guns? Kel-doesn't do retail, so you're stuck with local dealers. There is a local chain called Shoot Straight that has franchises in Orlando, Ft. Myers and West Palm. Don't expect any bargains on guns, but they will let you shoot your own ammo on the range, so I give them props for that.Beyond that, I need more info. You will enjoy it down here, and pack a ten # spinning rod.
FQ

[mkm]

We really have no plans yet.

                                                                     The conversation literally went like this:

them "What are you doing this weekend?"
me    "I don't know.  Nothing planned."
them "We're going to the Everglades."
me    "OK"

                                                                     

When I looked at the route on google, I punched in Everglades, FL/Everglades National Park.  I figured that was the best bet.  That takes me down the east coast and your neck of the woods.  

I just ran it again with Everglades City and it takes me down the west coast and is an hour closer, 10 vs 11.

We're just looking for the most bang for the buck and getting to see/do the most in a short span.  I don't think either of us have ever been there.   I'm open to any suggestions, but low budget (and low sketchy) are preferred.  

The only thing semi-planned so far is that we intend to tent camp.  After the drive and pending weather, etc., we may be spending a night in a hotel.

[alfsauve]

There is a local chain called Shoot Straight that has franchises in Orlando, Ft. Myers and West Palm. Don't expect any bargains on guns, but they will let you shoot your own ammo on the range,

They also have a very big store & range in Tampa.  Just south of the I-4 about 3 miles off of I-75.  (It's located on US301 as I remember. But it's been about 4 years.)

I was only looking for ammo when I stopped there so didn't check out gun prices, but they had a lots.   

[crusader rabbit]

They also have a very big store & range in Tampa.  Just south of the I-4 about 3 miles off of I-75.  (It's located on US301 as I remember. But it's been about 4 years.)

I was only looking for ammo when I stopped there so didn't check out gun prices, but they had a lots.   

Shoot Straight also opened a new store where the old Knight's Gun and Shooting Range used to be on I-19 in Clearwater.  Just south of there is Bill Jackson's-- huge sporting goods store once featured in an AmEx ad.  No bargains, but lots of guns.

If you come by on a Friday around noon, Deer Hunter Guns on Gulf to Bay in Clearwater offers free pizza.  Lots of guns, great people, nice environment.

FWIW

Crusader

[Sponsor]

[PegLeg45]

I am assuming you will be taking US 82 from Albany to Tifton and then I-75 south?

There is a brand new Academy Sports open in Valdosta if you are traveling south on I-75.
There is also a locally owned area store in Adel (about 20 miles south of Tifton on I-75) called Adel Outfitters that has some great deals from time to time on guns. They are right on the interstate.

http://www.adeloutfitters.com/

[fightingquaker13]

If you go the Southwest route (down I-75) There is Collier-Seminole State park just East of Naples on the Tamiami Trail (US 41). It has a nice campground and a boat ramp. I think they rent bikes and canoes, but I'd call. The canals along the trail are full of snook and baby Tarpon. Its convenient to Naples, Marco (which I'd avoid) and Everglades city (which I would definitely visit Its Old Florida at its finest). If you go to Everglades City (which is the Northern headquarters of Everglades National Park) there is a great Restaurant called City Seafood. Its a fish shack on the water, just picnic tables, cold beer and great stone crabs and fried grouper cheap. They also rent kayaks. Once you cross the bridge into Everglades and the speed limit drops, take the first right. Its on your right, you can't miss it (and hell even if you do, its a tiny town, just drive around again ).

 If you want to hire a guide, figure about $350 per day or $50 on a head boat. About halfway between Everglades and the park there's a nice board walk through the swamp which is free, though a donation is requested. Naples has nice beaches, and the birding and alligator watching are good this time of year in the park or along the trail. If you want to see a manatee, go to Port of the Islands (where my old man lives). Its a development about halfway between the campground and Everglades. You literally can't miss it as its the only civilization for miles. There's a guy who will putt you along the canals there a pontoon boat to watch the things. It ain't exactly pristine wilderness as these are seawalled canals, but the place is lousy with them in the Winter. OR, to save thirty bucks, park across the road on the North side of the trail where the road crosses the canal. There's a bridge, cross it, do a U-turn at the flashing lights, and drive back slow. You'll see an unmarked dirt road that is a public fishing area. There is a spillway that separates the fresh water canal from the salt. If its even a little bit cold, like below 70, the manatees pile up in there as the freshwater is warmer. The fishing's pretty good too if the tide is moving.
If you're more into fine dining, take the Trail right straight into Naples. It will take a right to got North, you keep going West and it becomes Fifth avenue, Naples' fine dining/boutique district. Park and walk and find a restaurant that appeals to you.  

Personally I greatly prefer Everglades city to Naples. There is a private campground there, but I don't think they allow tents.

If you choose the East Coast let me know and I can hook you up here as well.

PS If time allows, the Tamiami trail connectsw I-95 in the East, with I-75 in the West (more or less. Its a great drive through the Everglades, though it can be a bit slow as its two lane. It becomes Calle Ocho once you hit Miami and you're right in the heart of Little Havana where the food, coffee and music are great.

PPs If you hit Miami, CARRY A GUN!!!!!!! Everybody else will be.

[mkm]

Thanks FQ for the everglades suggestions and others for the store suggestions.  You're right Peg; we'll probably go through there at night, though.  If I find a gun store, it'll have to be Sunday or something near the glades.

We've finally started to narrow down destinations and plans.  We're thinking go down along the west and see ten thousand islands and the gulf side on the first day.  Probably camp somewhere around Everglades City.  Then, we'll probably relocate to either the central or south (still figuring and taking suggestions on that) portion the next morning and find a place to camp there for night 2.  I'm thinking we go home up the east through Miami just to see something different. How's early Sunday in Miami?

As far as food, festivities, and lodging, good at reasonably priced for normal people is what we're interested in.

There will definitely be guns present.  How many and how long is still to be determined.

[fightingquaker13]

Thanks FQ for the everglades suggestions and others for the store suggestions.  You're right Peg; we'll probably go through there at night, though.  If I find a gun store, it'll have to be Sunday or something near the glades.

We've finally started to narrow down destinations and plans.  We're thinking go down along the west and see ten thousand islands and the gulf side on the first day.  Probably camp somewhere around Everglades City.  Then, we'll probably relocate to either the central or south (still figuring and taking suggestions on that) portion the next morning and find a place to camp there for night 2.  I'm thinking we go home up the east through Miami just to see something different. How's early Sunday in Miami?

As far as food, festivities, and lodging, good at reasonably priced for normal people is what we're interested in.

There will definitely be guns present.  How many and how long is still to be determined.

Sounds like a great plan. Camp at Seminole Collier (do bring some OFF if you're tent camping, it is the Glades) drive East into Everglades City (about 30 miles, but its 60 miles an hour and no traffic), eat a shat load of stone crabs with melted butter as they are half the price there you'll find anywhere else (City Seafood is the best and cheapest but they close at 6pm. There are plenty of other places though, and they're mostly all pretty good). Fish the roadside canals using any bass lure and camp again in the State Park, then blow down the Tamiami Trail to Miami early Sunday AM, figure two hours tops, and that's if you want to stop at the various pullouts and such as the drive is through the Park and Big Cypress Preserve until you hit the burbs of Miami. Then you'll be in little Havana, and there a thousand places to get a cafe con leche and a decent lunch or breakfast. See the beach if you want to, then jump on the Turnpike to 75 and back home.

PS it really is worth hiring a fishing guide for a half day trip, or just taking a boat tour of the 10,000 Islands. Its like you're in Apocalypse Now runing throught those mangrove creeks and islands. You're cheating yourself if you don't do it. Also, when in Everglades city, pick up a copy of my very distant relatives' book. Its by a guy named Totch Brown "A life in the Everglades" and is well worth the $15. Its about his carreer there as a fisherman, rum runner, gator poacher and pot smuggler, you know, just regular folks. Didn't even know we were related till a cousin was doing some geneaology, but I'm proud to claim him.
Have fun and eat a lot of Stone Crabs. order large or medium (prefferably large) as you get more bang for your buck over the bigger sizes, figure a pound a person for a total pigout.

[mkm]

Thanks.  Any suggestion for best beach sunrise?  We may hit Miami very early.  Long way home and one of us has to work Monday.