I'll be at Myrtle Beach is S. Carolina while Redlands is going on. So, Donna suggested that we drive down as it fell right in the middle weekend of our vacation. We plan on driving down on Thurs. and go the the show on Fri. and then head back early on Sat. morning. Just booked a hotel yesterday. Can stay longer if there you guys can convince me.

So what can you tell about this event? Is anyone else going? Any good places to eat? What other must sees are there in the area? I love the paphs. but do have a mixed collection so it doesn't need to be about paphs.

Thanks
Bob Phillips

Hey Bob,
Redland is in the middle of Homestead farm country. I would say that there isn't much to see in the immediate area, besides the 8-10 local orchid nurseries. I would recommend swinging by Pine Ridge Orchids.
If you are interested in wildlife and birdwatching, the Florida Everglades National Park are a stone's throw away, and Key Largo is less than an hour down the road.
The Redland Orchid Festival itself is at the Fruit & Spice park. Most of Miami (and a gazillion restaurants) is about an hour away from the Park. The Florida Turnpike is the main highway to Homestead, and there are some pretty decent restaurants just off of it. Although you can find the usual chain restaurants (Applebee's, TGI Friday's, etc.) nearby on US 1 and Florida City, I highly recommend driving a little further for a special meal: Texas De Brasil at the Dolphin Mall. It's a Brazillian-style churrascaria. That's lots of meat, meat, and more meat.
If you feel like taking a drive down to the Keys for seafood, there is a all-you-can-eat seafood buffet at Whale Harbor on Islamorada.

I plan on going to Redland, and I hope to see you there.

PS - I forgot to mention how hot it gets there in May... There's some pictures posted here from previous years... http://www.redlandorchidfestival.org/
I'm not sure the pictures can convey how hot it gets... I recommend bringing a hat, sunscreen, lotsa water, portable air-conditioning, etc...

So, Donna suggested that we drive down...

I'm not going, but may I please have your wife? :poke:

Paphgirl, I'll tell you what, I won't let you have my wife but I'll share her with you. :wink: