After much debate and logistical concessions, four friends and I have decided to go to Southern Florida this spring. It will be a sort of reunion for the "old group" from our college days, and we want to go about it "old school." In other words low budget and almost devoid of all but the most primitive planning (destination-wise that is).

Now on to the purpose here... If any of you have been to this area and have any advice, it would be greatly appreciated. Also feel free to post any random ideas for a memorable "college-style" road trip.

At the moment my one goal is to end up in Key West, eating steak, sipping some ol' Makers, and enjoying a genuine A. Fuente Don Carlos.

Post away.

This is just off the cuff but MAN key west is overrated. I'm biased but I always stay in marathon on vaca key, just find a cheap lil' botel on the canals and enjoy fucking TARPON fishing from your back dock.

I was going to jump in the canal for a swim, but re-decided when a 6 foot shark swam under the bridge railing I was standing on. I later caught a lobster (One of those weird claw-less southern ones) to the delighted cries of the cuban kids my buddy was pals with. Tasted great grilled fresh, attracted a feisty heron who we nick-named patsy.

Plenty of beaches, Deep sea fish launches every morning, 7 mile bridge is right there, on the other side of it is bahia honda, real nice nature preserve/natural beach... smuggled out some conchs for food there too.

Key west is only about 40 minutes from there, I'd usually spend a night.... whatever night it is that they have the gathering in the center plaza. One day+night in KW is enough for me.

Miami is fun, lively, nice beaches and amazing girls (If you're lucky like me you'll get some topless college hotties) and Ft. Lauderdale has a nice beach too. Good nightlife. Lots of fun to be had, unfortunately most shit is expensive so good luck with THAT.

Make sure you stop at the ol' daily swap meet in lauderdale, can find a lot of real good shit if the cubanos haven't wrecked it alllll yet (I haven't been in a couple years).

There is a drive through safari close by, it can be fun if you like that kind of thing, very worth it.... I also saw a horridly offensive animal act so it's all very natural (heh heh) there.

Cross the everglades on route 41 (Tamiami trail), that's the real 'glades, not that alligator alley 6 lane Bullshit. Get an airboat ride. Just pick one, somewhere in Indian country. We got an awesome one, between the grizzled veteran driver and the college fratboy crowd it was a blast. He talked about/showed us all the cool shit, showed us the local gators (they bait them with marshmallows of all things) then fucking TORE SHIT UP in the airboat, I mean everyone was holding on for dear life as this guy slalomed foot deep glades at 60+ mph....... ahhh great memories.

Thanks a lot man. You've got me interested in the airboat ride, sounds like a blast.

Yeah, but you gotta do the Duvall Crawl.

If you REALLY want to do it college style, let me tell you, Duval St in Key West is full of bars. There's like 50 bars and it stretches from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic (which is like a mile and a half). People just walk everywhere 'cause there island is so small. Good fishing and diving.

When exactly are planning on being in Miami? Depending on what scence your group is into Winter Music Conference and Langerado's coming up soon. There's always music for all sorts going on. But if you want minimal planning head towards the Keys, there you're bound to have lots of good wholesome fun with little planning necessary. Miami's a whole different story.