Ms Traveling Pants » south florida travel

I Did it My Way – Touring Palm Beach via Segway

MsTravelingPants — Mon, 15 Aug 2011 21:33:20 +0000

Over the past year, I have accomplished many firsts.

Learning to fly a helicopter

Paddleboarding

Flying a plane

Jumping out of a perfectly good plane – Skydiving

And, as the title suggests,

I did them all MY WAY.

With the list continuing to grow, I have added yet another virgin ride. To appease many of my worry warts, I stayed put on the ground. In fact, I even remained on two wheels, but as you can see from the post’s image that I had to push the limits a bit; “Look Ma no hands!”

After hearing stories and positive feedback from my circle of adventurous types, I navigated my way from Fort Lauderdale to Palm Beach to ride the famous Segways that I have been dodging for years throughout my “by foot” travels. Finally, I tested the tourist toy that has taken the world by storm, the Segway.

The tour was led by Palm Beach Segway Tours. Our ride started on Clematis Street with the route winding through the downtown to over the Intercoastal waterway into wealthy Palm Beach, along homes owned by Jimmy Buffet, Henry Flagler, and numerous “other halfers.”

I have to say I’m a natural at maneuvering most types of vehicles, but this was a little tricky. My pilates classes and paddleboarding came in handy as a Segway requires balance. One drives the Segway by pointing and flexing one’s feet. Then the steering of the vehicle is owned by your hands. I have to say after having driven planes, choppers, boats, cars from Honda to Lamborghini, this mode was difficult to gage the width of the vehicle because it’s a human size, but wider than you expect to turn corners and more.

We did have the opportunity to not only go without hands, but do some stunts. As I was a novice and my PIC was a veteran on Segways and not afraid of heights because he is a pilot, we attempted going down stairs. I was reluctant, but as in most other cases, I was motivated by competition. With a little coaching, I was able to conquer a 4 step staircase onto the boardwalk.

I would like to note that although you don’t need to physically push the Segway or peddle it, it is demanding. The following day, I was tired. Also, during the ride, my feet went asleep. It requires a good center of balance, directional skills, and perhaps a part of you that wants to let go.

With that said, I entitled the post “I Did it My Way – Touring Palm Beach via Segway.” I wanted to reiterate that I believe that every occasion in life may be a good time or a good story, which is exactly what “My Way” communicates with the pluses, minuses, and bonuses that we reach in all of our lives. This Segway ride was yet another way for me to test the waters and live in the moment. So, get on one and experience the tingling, almost asleep foot and unbalanced sensation yourself.

Please keep me posted on you adventures either Segway or otherwise. I close this post with a little of “My Way” by Frank Sinatra. Here’s to good times and good stories!

Choose Your Own Adventure: Plane, Train, or Automobile?

MsTravelingPants — Wed, 25 May 2011 23:27:12 +0000

Do you remember the Choose Your Own Adventure books from childhood?For those that need a refresher, these books are adventure mysteries written in the second person where the reader assumes the role as the main character. At the end of each chapter, the reader reaches a decision point. The story is guided by these decisions pointing the protagonist to go to Paris or Rome, to run or hide from the villain, to open the green or red door, or numerous other challenges.

Recently, I was posed with a Choose My Own Adventure way to view Florida. My choices included experiencing South Florida by plane, train, or automobile. With the Floridian topography as such that train and automobile are trips rather flat, minus the few hills or more truthfully dumps that pepper the Turnpike North and South, I decided that the most beautiful choice was from a bird’s eye view. So, I signed up for a flying lesson in a Cessna four-seater airplane with Learn to Fly Center in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Without more than a few minutes of instruction, to dos, and most importantly to don’ts, my instructor, Paul, kindly showed me to my pilot’s seat. Now this wasn’t a fabricated pilot’s seat in a simulator, but the real deal. I was to take the controls from the get go. Shocked, I was certainly engaged as I got a play by play taxiing down the runway using the foot controlled, rudder pedals to steer before pulling my first throttle and taking off from the Pompano Air Park. Surprisingly, the speed, direction, and altitude came to me much easier that my first flying lesson and first ride in a helicopter late last year. Paul guided me through the gentle steering in order to head a steady course over the Atlantic Coastline up to West Palm Beach County over to the Everglades and returning back to base.

Although I spent most of the flight with my eyes focused on the horizon and controls, I indeed passed the controls to Paul for a few moments to snap documentation of the Best View of South Florida.

Likewise, with a VIP passenger in the backseat (aka Ms Traveling Pants’ Dad), I was able to score an action shot or two of my debut as a airplane pilot. Quite appropriately, I have named this shot, “Would you trust this pilot?”

I look forward to another Choose Your Own Adventure Day.

As always, I promise to relay the good time, good story, or both.

Until my next adventure….

What’s hot in Fort Lauderdale for Super Bowl 2010 or Spring Break?

MsTravelingPants — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 18:22:25 +0000

Coming to Fort Lauderdale to escape the wintry weather for Super Bowl 2010 or perhaps Spring Break 2010??

Here’s a list of my favorite spots to enjoy in FTL…

Must do:

1) The beach and boardwalk: Take in the main beach drag, A1A, that follows the blue Atlantic Ocean waters and is lined with a beautiful boardwalk for pedestrians, bikers, roller bladers, and more. You will see the Super Bowl numbers featured in the post’s picture at the A1A & Las Olas Intersection, which is my favorite section of the beach for laying out as well as in front of the Elbo Room & Spazios (both worth a visit for a beer with a view).

2) Intercoastal and Water Taxi ride: Often called the Venice of the United States, a trip to Fort Lauderdale is not complete without witnessing the architectural beauty of the houses or as I like to call them, “McMansions.” You can see some of the canals from the waterside restaurants such as Shooter’s, Taverna Opa, Pier 66, but there is something about getting the feel of the New River, Las Olas, and doing it from the water on the Water Taxi which allows for getting on and off at multiple stops all day.

3) Are you a high roller or looking for a good club scene? The Hardrock Casino is ideal for a little gaming and a night at Pangea (especially on Friday or Saturday night). The casino is located a short drive or cab ride from Fort Lauderdale in Hollywood, Florida. There you will find a Mecca of restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, and an array of concerts.

4) Interested in gator watching? Holiday park is located West of Fort Lauderdale past the suburbs of Plantation and Weston and into the Everglades. At Holiday park, you can take an hour long airboat ride through the Everglades to see birds, alligators, and other “swamp things.” Afterwards, you can take pictures and hold alligators as well as witness an alligator expert demonstrate the strength and agility of the park’s many alligator residents.

5) If you are interested in great views of the beach (like picture below) and some of hot South Florida beauties stop by the W Hotel for its pool party called Salvation Sundays from 12:30pm to 8:00pm (21 and over).

Must eat:

1) For something with a beach view for lunch or dinner, try Casablanca – Right on A1A sits this historic home serving up seafood, American and Mediterranean fare, & nightly entertainment.

2) For something on the Intercoastal with a constant parade of the luxurious boats, experience Taverna Opa. At this Greek eatery, let the ouzo flow freely with dancing staff, napkins flying, expert belly dancers, & sturdy tables to loose your inhibitions with your dinner companions or new friends.

3) For high end, fine dining experiences, try Johnny V’s on Las Olas, da Campo Osteria, or Steak954

4) Off the beach on Sunrise Blvd, you will find Canyon. It is a small, but very popular Southwestern restaurant with a twist. Whatever your choice from the menu, do try their specialty drink, the Prickly Pear Margarita, which is well worth the trip.

Look forward to seeing you down here in Sunny Florida for a festive Super Bowl, Spring Break, and beyond!!

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