My wife and I will be playing "tourist" in the Miami/Everglades/Keys/Fort Lauderdale (maybe Orlando) area from Dec 3 to 14. I would like to know if here are any Model Engineering/Industrial Archeology museums/sites/events/people that may be of interest to visit in the area. It is not obvious from this website where the center of activity or meetings are for this group. I shudder at the thought that I might be labelled a "snowbird" - I'm actually missing good skiing time to make this trip! But $200 airfare plus a $400 voucher from Delta made this a prime opportunity to have some new experiences in Florida.
BTW - Thanks to his posting on this website last year, I have met a fellow hobbyist here in Salt Lake City, who has now become a close friend. At the time, we both thought that we were lone engine builders, cast ashore on a desert "inland". Since that connection was made thru your group, we have now added our 18th member to our informal circle of home machinist in Utah, Idaho and Wyoming. THANKS, F.A.M.E!
South Florida is an interesting place, lots of sun, lots of party, and lots of shopping. When people retire and move here they leave the basements and shop behind to live in a condo. I would recommend you visit Everglades National Park, get there mid morning, have lunch at Flamingo. If you want to get closer there are the airboats run by the Indians. There are lots of marine centers and museums but the best is in Tampa. There is no model engine club I know of. We started the web site because the state is so long and the few builders are so far apart. Over my 10 years, I have visited with about 7 people with shops in the garage. There is a group Florida Flywheelers ->link<- who restore old engines and farm equipment. They have a 240 acre village for events near Lake Wales about 100 miles south or Orlando. In February and March there will be pioneer Days and the Strawberry festival that bring out old engines and tractors north of Tampa.
As a snowbird from across the pond I find the lack of model engineering clubs in Pasco County and Florida generally a bit frustrating. None the less I do produce various engines and make things in my little workshop, just for fun.
Are there any other model engineers in Pasco, Hernando, Pinellas or Hillsborough counties? I would love to chat, my Email is steam707@hotmail.com
I also go for a ride on the Central Pasco and Gulf Railroad at Crew Lakes. their website is:-