Date: Tue, 27 Dec 1994 17:43:43 -1000
From: pbc@ufl.edu (Philip Chase)
Message-Id: <pbc.30.2F00DEEF@ufl.edu>
Organization: CIRCA, University of Florida
Subject: Buggy event in NE Florida
It's been a while since I posted this, so I thought it was time for a repost.
If you are in the Southeastern U.S. and want to do some buggying, I am hosting
an event in Cresent Beach, Florida January 15th - 18th. It's right after the
KTA in Orlando, so way may get a fair sized crowd of experienced buggyers.
Please spread the word and come if you can. Here's the info:
--------------------
Intentional Lunacy '95
WHERE
Crescent Beach, Florida, located 90 miles north of Orlando, Florida and 65
miles south of the Jacksonville Airport.
CONDITIONS
10 miles of uninterrupted, wide, hard pack beach. Monday, January 16th is
the full moon. Low tide will be at 2:00 p.m. at which time there should be
over 200 ft of hard pack. Winds will be probably be sea breezes in the
midday (11 until 4:30) swinging northeast or southwest in the evening
depending on the position of the nearest frontal system. The beaches are
buggiable in most any wind condition at low tide.
For kite boaters and kite skiers, there are many long bays nearby that should
provide you with smoother water if you want it. Otherwise the Atlantic will
have to do.
THE PEOPLE
There will probably be a good sized crowd from the KTA. You will definitely
meet some of the Florida buggiers and our proximity to Georgia should bring
in some of those buggiers as well.
THE TOYS
Following on the heels of the KTA, there is likely to be a good bit of new
gear for play with. You might even be able to pick up some demonstrator
gear if you ask the right people.
LODGING
The hotel of choice is Beacher's Lodge at 6970 A1A South St. Augustine, FL
32086. Call 800-527-8849 for reservations. Mention my name (Philip Chase)
so they will know that you are part of the group. During our stay they
have a special in which you get three nights for the price of two. I have
shown the undiscounted rates below.
The rooms available are:
Studios - 2 double beds, w/small kitchenette $49 Sunday - Thursday, $59
Friday - Saturday
Queen units - 1 queen, 1 full sofa bed, w/ kitchenette, ocean view
1st floor $64 Sun-Th, $74 Fri-Sat
Upper floors $74 Sun-Th, $84 Fri-Sat.
King Units - 1 King, 1 sofa bed, roll away available, w/ kitchenette,
ocean view
1st floor $74 Sun-Th, $84 Fri-Sat
Upper floors $84 Sun-Th, $94 Fri-Sat.
8 Studios and 22 queen units have been reserved. You can book whatever is
available. These units will be held until about January 6th. After that,
you're on your own.
Auto campers may want to check out Bryn Mawr Ocean Resort 2.5 miles north.
Call 904-471-3353 for reservations.
If you cannot get a room at Beacher's, you will probably have to try Bryn
Mawr where you can get a reasonable daily rate on a trailer or one the many
hotels 4-5 miles to the north. Try La Fiesta Oceanside Inn 800-852-6390
(904-471-2220) or the Ramada at 904-471-1440. There are no hotels to the
south for about 10 miles.
TRAVEL
>From Orlando, take I-4 East towards Daytona (an evil place with wide
beaches where windpowered vehicles are illegal). In Daytona take I-95
north towards St. Augustine. About 40 miles north of Daytona, exit onto
State Road 206 East. Take 206 to Crescent Beach, turn right on A1A and the
Beacher will be about 2 blocks on your left.
>From Jacksonville, Take I-95 south past St. Augustine and exit onto State
Road 206 East. Take 206 to Crescent Beach, turn right on A1A and the
Beacher will be about 2 blocks on your left.
EATS
Some restaurants are available directly across the street and within
walking distance. More are available anywhere from 1 to 10 miles north.
St. Augustine, home of many restaurants is 10 miles north. A grocery store
is 4 miles north.
WEATHER
Highs as high as 80 F but probably more like 65 to 70 and lows as low as 30
F, but probbaly more like 40 to 55. The water will definitely require a
wetsuit if you choose to go in. Skys are usually clear in winter. The
weather has been unseasonable warm al through Novemeber and December--let's
hope it holds.
OTHER FUN
Cresent Beach is with in 10 miles of St. Augustine, Marineland and 5 state
and national parks. St. Augustine is one of the oldest Western cities in
North America and reflects this in its architecture. It's cool! Go visit.
THE FINE PRINT
Please be aware that Crescent Beach is a drive-on beach and that there is a
speed limit of 10 MPH (16 Kph). Typically the police don't mind if you
keep the buggys under 15 MPH. If the police aren't around---frequently the
case---you can go faster if you are careful. I never slow down unless a
cop is in sight or there are too many people.
Buggy pilots should also be aware that we do not have the greatest drop
zone at Cresent Beach. The hardpack is separated from the dunes by 10 - 50
feet of soft sand. The dunes are covered with sea oats and in most areas
there are frequent wooden walkways from the houses on the far side of the
dunes. Flying on more than 100 feet of line could be hazardous to your
kite.
For buggiers interested in a safer drop zone, Anastasia Island State Park 7
miles to the north provides 3 miles of beach with a similar profile with no
houses at all. This has a different group of law enforcement, but their
attitude is similar to that of the police on Cresent Beach.
MORE INFO
More more information, contact me, Philip Chase, at 904-378-6893. Or send
mail to P.O. Box 15146 Gainesville, Florida 32604, USA. Or send a FAX to
904-392-3760. Or--for the best service---send email to pbc@ufl.edu on the
Internet and tell me your phone and FAX number.
-----------------
Philip Chase
Philip Chase Check out the Power Kiting Web Page
pbc@ufl.edu http://grove.circa.ufl.edu/~pbc/powerkite.html
904-378-6893 Have any good power kiting info? I would
FAX: 904-392-3760 like to put it on the power kiting page.
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