Daytona

The day after Thanksgiving I was traveling once again. I headed down to Daytona Beach Florida to attend the America Outdoor Association conference for the Ranch. I got there a few days early to do some exploring. And it was an...interesting city to visit. It didn't make sense to rent a car since I was staying at the beach across from where the convention would be held so I decided to get fancy and try an Uber for the first time. I didn't expect it to be so quick so when the guy called to tell me he had already done a lap past the arrivals I had to have him come around again. He said "oh wait, I think I see you, are you that heavy lady?" I cringed because I could see who he was referring to but I was next to her. He actually turned out to be a nice older gentleman though and we discussed national parks on our ride to the hotel. I stayed right on the ocean and it was a really warm day so I spent the afternoon sunning myself on the beach. The next day Jess drove up from Orlando and we got to visit which was amazing. It was great to catch up with her.

Historic sands of Daytona

Then I was on my own in Daytona and since I am so cheap I decided to use public transportation rather than just Uber around the city. I saw online there was a scooter rental place about a mile down the road so I thought that would be fun to try. I showed up right when they opened and realized it was Sunday so they didn't open for another hour. I wandered the  beach and came back but still no signs of life and it was a windy cool day so I said screw it and went to the movie theater to see Moana. The next day I was determined to get somewhere so I stalked the public transit website until I was confident I knew where I was going. I boarded the bus and was heading to the racetrack.

The patron saint of Daytona

I noticed that people would pull the rope to signal for a stop as soon as the bus pulled away from the last stop so I got close to where I thought my stop was and pulled the rope and instead of waiting until the next stop the driver just pulled over and let me off! I didn't want to be that idiot that signaled for a stop and didn't get off so I disembarked a mile from the race track and had to walk past the airport on the grass since there were no sidewalks. I finally ended up at the ticket office for Daytona and purchased my ticket.

Toyota entrance

The experience was amazing. It is so hard to grasp the scope of how massive it is and even when you are there it is mind boggling. We got to drive around the racetrack and get out and see the banking which is insane at 31 degrees.

Start/finish line

We also got our pictures taken in the winners circle. I thought it was nice that they had a pro photographer there shilling for you to buy their picture but they also offered to take the picture on your camera as well. Or maybe that's an elaborate scheme to take a crappy pic on your camera so you are forced to buy their professional one. We also got to go in the press area, in pit lane, and up into the stands.

Winner!

It was well worth the money and I would love to go back and check out a race. Across the road from the race track was a mall so I browsed for a bit before boarding the bus back to the hotel. It was over an hour ride but I got to see more of Daytona so I didn't complain. The next day I was feeling confident about public transit so I again headed out to the streets. This time, the bus stop wasn't where google maps said it was and I was wandering around a side street that didn't look very promising when this old man stops me and says "excuse me miss? you dropped your smile". Please. There was also a construction worker randomly walking (and I could see no construction) so I decided to just walk back to the main highway and catch the bus there. Well the construction worker cycled back around to where the construction was actually happening and did a few laps before stopping to talk to me. Because I was early, I ended up talking to him for 15 minutes. He made it about 5 before he asked if I had a boyfriend so next thing you know I told this guy that I am in school and saving up to buy a car (he recommends Toyota) and I am catching the bus to pick up my paycheck at the Hampton Inn because my boyfriend is at work. I was so relieved when I saw a bus that I just jumped on it. Turns out it was the wrong one and I ended up at the transfer station for an hour (not the nicest part of town). I finally got the right bus and wouldn't you know, it goes out on its loop and it stops where I was originally picked up and with my luck there is a person who gets on (paying in quarters!) so I am ducking in my seat so that the constriction worker doesn't see me in the window. Oy.

Ponce Light

I had an uneventful ride 10 miles down the coast to Ponce Inlet. It is a lighthouse with a museum complex and it was wonderful. I spent 3 hours there going through all the exhibits and found it fascinating. They also let you climb the tower (203 steps) for a 360 view.

203 steps

 After leaving there I walked over to Lighthouse Point Park and walked out on the jetty and watched 3 idiots on jet skis try to avoid getting swept out to sea.

Boardwalk at Park

I then set out on the generously named "walking tour" which wasn't much but there was another tiny museum that I stopped at.

Walking tour

I grabbed dinner and waited for the bus to take me back up to the hotel. Then the real fun began at the conference where it was jam packed for 3 days. I met some amazing people and learned a ton. I don't know that I would recommend Daytona as a vacation spot unto itself and I wouldn't recommend going out after dark but it was an ok spot to kill a few days and hey, I had an adventure!