# FloriDopers - Shall we give me a going away party? **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 19, 2004, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081 "2004-02-19T22:16:06Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 6:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/41 "2004-02-23T18:12:47Z")
I’m here, even though this isn’t a going away party for **FCM** , much as she would like to have us believe. 😃 It was Turkey Lake Park last year, and it was HOT HOT HOT, so I’m glad it’s in April. I think any one of those dates works for me, and I can make brownies again. Are we firm on a date and place yet, or are we still figuring that out? ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/42 "2004-02-23T20:11:15Z")
While we’re mentioning closer springs, what about [Blue Springs](http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.asp)? It’s closer to Orlando than the Ocala parks, and, depending on how fast the 301 shortcut is versus a pure I-10/I-75 trip (not ever having been that way myself,) may not be too much farther for FCM. Me, I’d prefer either the park by UCF (by the Econ…forget its name, even if it has facilites…but as of my last visit there it DOES have trails! :eek:,) or Rock Springs or Wekiva Springs. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/43 "2004-02-23T20:51:23Z")
> [@Ludovic](#): > > While we’re mentioning closer springs, what about [Blue Springs](http://www.floridastateparks.org/bluespring/default.asp)? It’s closer to Orlando than the Ocala parks, and, depending on how fast the 301 shortcut is versus a pure I-10/I-75 trip (not ever having been that way myself,) may not be too much farther for FCM. > > Me, I’d prefer either the park by UCF (by the Econ…forget its name, even if it has facilites…but as of my last visit there it DOES have trails! :eek:,) or Rock Springs or Wekiva Springs. I hope you aren’t talking about Blanchard Park… ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2004, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/44 "2004-02-23T21:16:04Z")
Well, Blue Springs would be closer for me, but farther for **Shibb** and **swampy**. I would be happy with any site under a 2-hour drive from Orange Park. And so far, the parks that meet that criterion are Blue Springs, Silver River, or Rainbow Springs. Dang - we’ve got some colorful options, huh? Be it hereby noted that not everyone will be happy with the final choice, for such is life. Since we’ve got time - like almost 2 months, I’ll entertain a few more suggestions then we’ll go majority rule. Then again, who could possibly _not_ be happy at the prospect of meeting ME! :D:D:D ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/45 "2004-02-24T19:48:27Z")
dutchboy: > [@](#): > > I hope you aren’t talking about Blanchard Park… I sure was…while it’s not “parky”-parky, it _does_ have facilities (IIRC), and is damn convenient for me. I threw it out there to see if there were any other bites for it, not expecting there to be much interest. I do like the trails, however, small as they are. And there’s tetherball!!!11!!1 (oops, I was gonna be a hustler about it or no one will play me :(:(:() FCM, In recommending BS (heheh,) after I posted I realized that I didn’t know where the other non-Orlandopers were. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/46 "2004-02-24T20:47:38Z")
A five hour drive is no big deal for me. I’ll just come down and spend the night. Just as long as I know where I’m going I’m good. So, don’t worry so much about me and distance. I just wanna go to a dopefest. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/47 "2004-02-24T21:00:39Z")
No, **swampy** , you just want to go to _MY_ DopeFest. Because having met me, you need another **FCM** fix. Don’t be embarrassed - stronger and straighter men than you have fallen under my spell. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/48 "2004-02-24T21:32:23Z")
I’m good with Blue Springs, and Ocala is not that far either. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 9:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/49 "2004-02-24T21:34:58Z")
Oh, if I may suggest, someone make a Big Ass sign so we know where to go once we get to the park? I ended up wandering around for an hour before I saw a lime-green Beetle pull up, and **Beagle** didn’t find out until it was too late that he couldn’t bring his doggies into the park. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2004, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/50 "2004-02-24T22:33:04Z")
I find balloons are better for attracting attention than mere signs. Of course, I could simplify things by wearing wings and carrying a wand… 😃 ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/51 "2004-02-25T00:06:28Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > I find balloons are better for attracting attention than mere signs. Of course, I could simplify things by wearing wings and carrying a wand… 😃 And a cute pink tutu? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/52 "2004-02-25T00:15:50Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > Well, Blue Springs would be closer for me, but farther for **Shibb** and **swampy**. I would be happy with any site under a 2-hour drive from Orange Park. And so far, the parks that meet that criterion are Blue Springs, Silver River, or Rainbow Springs. Dang - we’ve got some colorful options, huh? > > Be it hereby noted that not everyone will be happy with the final choice, for such is life. Since we’ve got time - like almost 2 months, I’ll entertain a few more suggestions then we’ll go majority rule. Then again, who could possibly _not_ be happy at the prospect of meeting ME! :D:D:D Like I said, if we do this on a weekend I should be able to make it. I’ve been to Blue Springs before, but it was a long time ago for diving. I don’t remember how far it was. Ocala would also be fine, I don’t know how far that is from Jax, but I don’t think there are any direct, simple highways between the two. Maybe US 441. - Shibb, posting from the hallway of his Holiday Inn Select, since the single is too weak inside his room. I think I’m freaking out the other guests. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/53 "2004-02-25T00:28:01Z")
In the interest of being difficult, I may have to shift the proposed date back to the 24th. Something came up this evening that may require me to go to Maryland the weekend of the 17th. I should know for sure by the end of the week. And, for the record, I will _not_ wear a tutu, pink or otherwise. Just wanna be clear about that. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/54 "2004-02-25T00:28:03Z")
In the interest of being difficult, I may have to shift the proposed date back to the 24th. Something came up this evening that may require me to go to Maryland the weekend of the 17th. I should know for sure by the end of the week. And, for the record, I will _not_ wear a tutu, pink or otherwise. Just wanna be clear about that. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/55 "2004-02-25T12:02:35Z")
OK, it’s official - the weekend of the 17th is not doable for me. I’ll be in Maryland that weekend. So I declare the date to be the 24th of April. My other personal preference is one of the parks in the Ocala area. Does anyone know about either one of those? Since my inlaws live in Ocala, I may be able to go visit them and scout out both sites in a couple of weeks. Gee, I’m sounding kinda bossy here. So what? It’s my party, dagnabbit! 😃 Saturday April 24 at either Silver River or Rainbow Springs, unless someone lives near Ocala and is willing to be invaded by Dopers. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/56 "2004-02-25T12:32:08Z")
> [@FairyChatMom](#): > > OK, it’s official - the weekend of the 17th is not doable for me. I’ll be in Maryland that weekend. So I declare the date to be the 24th of April. > > My other personal preference is one of the parks in the Ocala area. Does anyone know about either one of those? Since my inlaws live in Ocala, I may be able to go visit them and scout out both sites in a couple of weeks. > > Gee, I’m sounding kinda bossy here. So what? It’s my party, dagnabbit! 😃 > > Saturday April 24 at either Silver River or Rainbow Springs, unless someone lives near Ocala and is willing to be invaded by Dopers. 😃 24 is ok, unless something happens. I really don’t know anything about Florida other than Gainesville, plus I’ll need a ride, so I don’t have a preference. ---
**Author:** ![swampbear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampbear/32/467_2.png) [@swampbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampbear)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/57 "2004-02-25T12:47:55Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally Posted By FairyChatMom:_ > Of course, I could simplify things by wearing wings and carrying a wand… Hey, if **anyone** is gonna show up dressed like an over the top gay decorator, it’ll be me, ok? 😃 The 24th be fine with me btw. ---
**Author:** ![FairyChatMom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fairychatmom/32/21906_2.png) [@FairyChatMom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FairyChatMom)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 12:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/58 "2004-02-25T12:49:33Z")
**swampy** , I _dare_ ya! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2004, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/59 "2004-02-25T16:25:20Z")
Anyone need a ride? I’ve got four seats, air conditioning, _and_ a rubber duck sitting on the rear deck… ---
**Author:** ![Bear\_Nenno](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bear_nenno/32/3358_2.png) [@Bear\_Nenno](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bear_Nenno)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2004, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081/60 "2004-02-26T00:44:25Z")
I am also available for a ride. (Grrr, not _that_ kind of ride, people!!) I have a couple extra seats too. My AC works too. I don’t have any rubber ducks, but I could put the top down and let you stare at real ones… [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-shall-we-give-me-a-going-away-party/230081.md?page=4)