Site Seeing Trip
 

Hi Folks.

I'm taking the Jag down to the Keys in late May and we'll head straight down from Erie using 79 and 77 to Georgia and the coast then 95 to the keys and come back up the West coast of Florida, see Pensacola then wander back up to Barrie through Georgia again and along the coast for a bit.

Since many of you live somewhere near where we're headed, can you suggest any must see attractions?

Also, any very good Jag dealerships in case of issues? Not that there will be any (he says tapping on the wood dash).

Thanks for your time.

Hey RJAG, may want to drop by the Regional section for FL area and see if those guys respond with some additional sights. I do know that Pensacola has the incredible Navy Air museum..went about 15 years ago, and I can still remember being in awe of that day.

Hi Roger,
Here in Central Florida, the Spaceport out at Kennedy Space Center is always a hot tourist stop. Cocoa Beach is very close by, and worth seeing if you like beaches. Best of all, I am in between both, and would love to treat you and your party to a nice pizza at my little place. We could take some great pictures of 2 XKR Coupes together. :) If you are interested, let me know and we can set it up.
Regards,
Brian

The Georgia mountains are not to be missed! If you are coming through send me a PM and I will provide some routing and restaurant recommendations based on 25 years of motorcycle and XK8 touring.

Matt stole my recommendation for the Naval Air Museum. I have been a half dozen times and am still in awe.

Jaguar of Palm Beach is really good. My brother lives right up the road from it and he made a few trips there when I was searching for the perfect Jag. Granted I haven't dealt with their service department, but sales and parts people were very cooperative. They even gave me (by way of my brother) a complimentary stuffed Jaguar...its cute (*ahem* very manly)

Thank you Folks. That's the kind of info I was looking for. I wasn't sure that Pensacola would be worth it but now I'll plan it in for sure.

I had heard about a mountain hwy, I think in Georgia area that's supposed to be quite the drive.

Brian, I'll take you up on the Pizza if I can buy the beer. The twin pics will be great.

I'll pm those that request it in a few weeks as I get closer to departure.

Many years ago I purchased a new 1977 Toyota Celica GT Liftback, 5 on the floor, all black with the black on black package and my first road trip was to Niagara Falls Canada. I took the old road up Rt15 from Virginia and I must tell you that it was one of my best road trips ever, old towns and small communities. It was Great! My suggestion to you is take a camera and take the back roads and explore you will have a great time.

Sounds good, just let me know when you'll be passing through and we'll set it up.

I think that having a Stuffed Jag calls for a revised Avatar, I'd like to see that "Manly" picture! I couldn't possibly make one with mine, because it was.................for the wife. At least, that's what I told her! :)
Brian

I did a Google Earth of your route south, two points on the projected path may be worth a little time to explore.
1. Route 77 crosses the Blue ridge parkway near Ft Chiswell, VA, one of the better scenic highways in the east.
check out
http://www.virginia.org/BRP/home.asp...FVhd5Qodx2Hw2g
2. Savannah is a historic town which I consider worth an overnight stay.

Good luck on your trip.

RJAG, my two recommendations are the drive over the Smokey Mountains, from Gatlinburg over the top to Cherokee,

http://www.blueridgeparkway75.org/

Then, when you are in Florida, don't take I-10 all the way across to Pensacola. You need to take in The Emerald Coast, which begins in the Panama City area. These are some of the most beautiful beaches in America, and there are areas where you can ride alone for miles and miles, looking out at the Sugar Sand and the Emerald Green water. Of course, there are a lot of great places to visit, stay, and eat. Sounds like a great trip. Wish I had the time to do one. Good luck!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emerald_Coast