You can only do it in Hawaii (possibly) and Florida (surely)...see the sun rise and set on the water in the same day, and since it's not in the Old Guys' budget to travel to Hawaii, we're making the trip across Florida with the Sunshine State Cougar Club, of which we're all card-carrying members.

The plan is to meet in Ormond Beach Friday evening, take some photos on the beach Saturday at sunrise, then work our way across the state, ultimately ending up in Crystal River, where we'll take photos of our cars again as the sun sets, then spend the night.

Our CruiseMaster won't say much about the route, except we'll be visiting Don Garlits around lunchtime. That way, if he misses a stop (remember Fort Matanzas and the Big Orange a couple years ago), no one will be the wiser!

May 1, 2007...with no Internet access, we were unable to update daily, but here's what happened:

Friday evening - As we gathered at the beachfront hotel in Ormond Beach, Swami handed out goody bags. Among other items, there was an orange with 'BIG' written on it, and a travel brochure describing Ft. Matanzas. Both were probably there because those are the two stops we missed last time!

Julie did her best (don't ask what she did) to convince the boss of the beach patrol to let us come onto the sand BEFORE the sunrise, but it didn't work.

After some pizza, and way more cocktails than anyone needed, we finally called it a night somewhere about midnight.

Saturday morning - Well before daylight, we lined our cars up along the beach, and took photos as the sun began to rise. Then it was a group breakfast at the local IHOP.

After breakfast, we began our cruise, heading west, and staying on the two-laner's. We stopped at 'Cougar Park' (really) for a photo op, and eventually ended up at Don Garlits Museum, where we had some lunch, and then spent a couple hours touring. If you haven't been there, it's a MUST see!

Continuing west, we made our way to Crystal River and the Port Hotel and Marina, where Elvis Presley stayed in 1961, while filming a movie. Apparently, the hotel was so proud of Elvis' stay, that they haven't remodeled the rooms since!

While most attended a cruise in that evening, the Old Guys opted for a nap, and rejoined the group at sunset, where we again lined up our cars, and took more photos as the sun set.

Later than evening, it was dinner, and the party continued until sometime past midnight. Sunday morning, everyone headed for home.

The Swami and Julie did an excellent job of putting the trip together, and they're already at work, planning another Cougar Prowl for next year!