New York - Florida

[Charlie McCormick]

Hi,

Thinking of staying in Manhattan for one week and on Captiva, Florida for another week - with a one week road trip in between. Two adults from UK with two kids (11 and 16). At the moment, we're looking at a night in Washington DC, then down to the Smokies, possibly then to Charleston or Savannah and then into Florida. Any ideas or comments?

[Abigail]

If you find yourselves near Chattanooga, TN, I recommend stopping by Lookout Mtn. and Ruby Falls. There you will find Rock City, strange and kitschy and lovely---with a relaxing walking tour of an extensive garden created around natural rock outcroppings. There's a spot where you can see seven states (Lookout Mtn. is known for this) and some odd little gnome statues... The gift shop has loads of tacky knick-knacks.

[chuck d.]

hello there. I live in florida and I haven't heard anything solid lately but last I heard sanibel and captiva islands were completely destroyed by hurricane charley. You may want to do a lot of research before hand b/c the devastation was just tremendous. I was just down in ft myers last week and it's still quite obvious that a cat 5 hurricane came through the area. There may be some resorts open for business I just don't know for sure. I've heard that the hurricane sliced one island in half forming a new island, could be speculation don't know. an alternative could be the barrier islands near sarasota(long boat key, ana maria island etc) very nice as well. so long.