I have never been a coin collector.  However, on visiting one of Florida’s fleamarkets at St. Cloud in 1999, I discovered a stallholder dealing in various coins.  There were several colourful and interesting Albums on display, with information and pockets for each of the State Quarters, and that’s how my interest for the State Quarters began.

The  State Quarters Programme was launched in early 1999, and finishes at the end of 2008.

Whilst serious coin collectors are particular only to purchase newly minted ‘uncirculated’ coins from a bank or coin collecting establishment, you can  have lots of fun (it’s still not too late) to look for these interesting coins in your change.  Even the earliest ones, if slightly tarnished, can be gently cleaned with a jewellery cleaning cloth and will shine nicely in your album.

The programme began as a bill introduced by Delaware Congressman Michael Castle.  Congress members thought that by putting each state on a coin, it would teach people about the USA’s history and geography.  President Clinton was in favour of the idea and authorisation was given on 1st December 1997.

As a result, the US Mint releases (every ten weeks)  five new designs each year.  The coins are being released in the order in which the states became part of the US.  When the programme ends later this year, the American Eagle (on the reverse – “tails”) will again appear on the coins as previously.

The State Quarters are produced at two branches of the US Mint – Philadelphia and Denver.  This means there are two different versions.  A small ‘P’ or ‘D’ can be found under the words ‘In God We Trust’

The coins in order of circulation ……

1999 -  Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Georgia, Connecticut.

2000 -  Massachusetts, Maryland, South Carolina, New Hampshire, Virginia

2001 -  New York, North Carolina, Rhoda Island, Vermont, Kentucky

2002 -  Tennessee, Ohio, Louisiana, Indiana, Mississippi

2003 -  Illinois, Alabama, Maine, Missouri, Arkansas

2004 -  Michigan, Florida, Texas, Iowa, Wisconsin

2005 – California, Minnesota , Oregon, Kansas, West Virginia

2006 -  Nevada, Nebraska, Colorado, North Dakota, South Dakota

2007 -  Montana, Washington, Idaho, Wyoming, Utah

2008 -  Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, Hawaii

Each of the State Quarters have designs of interest to each particular state.  Also the Album I have lists each individual State’s symbols, i.e. State Flower, State Bird and State Flag, together with other details, such as the State’s nickname.

Florida as everyone will know is called ‘The Sunshine State’.  Florida’s State Flower is Orange Blossom, and the State Bird is the Mockingbird.  Florida was the 27th State to join The Union on 3rd March 1845.

There is also another coin ‘The Golden Dollar’ – it isn’t really made of gold, but if you have a special slot for it in your album, it is worth collecting too.  It is the first new one-dollar coin issued in 20 years.  The woman depicted on this coin is a Shoshane Indian named Sacagawea.  The reverse side shows the American bald eagle encircled by 17 stars.

I hope I have whetted your appetite to look through the coins in the purse or pocket.

Although eating out is cheap, we find supermarket food is on a par with prices at home. Be prepared for some surprises too. We find that U.S brands of tea are very weak compared to UK brands, so if you want familiar items such as Yorkshire tea or Marmite you’ll find them in the Ethnic Foods section or alternatively take your favourite tea bags or jar of marmite with you.

You will find that washing detergent is not as good as it is in the UK but will do just for the time you are on holiday.

You will also find that food items are much bigger than at home ie milk is sold by the gallon so be prepared to pick up a gallon of milk when you visit Wal-mart or Publix which will last for several days!

American food tends to be heavily processed and loaded with fat, salt and sugar. We’ve yet to find a decent cheese, cheese sections are unrecognisable from their UK equivalent, with the cheeses mostly looking as thought they’re made of plastic. Look for the health food section for slightly healthier food options. Located in Turkey Lake Road the first Orlando branch of Whole Foods Market is opening in 2008. It will be interesting to see if this does in fact offer healthier alternatives to the usual supermarket fare.

High quality meat and fish, both fresh and frozen are plentiful. You’ll find a lot less fruit and veg than you would at home and the quality is not always great. As an alternative look out for roadside stalls selling citrus and other fruit. We bought a huge box of strawberries for a fraction of the supermarket price. Keep a look out for farmers markets too. On Sundays from October to May there is an excellent one at Celebration.

Although you’ll find a great selection of beer and wine in the supermarkets you won’t find any spirits. Some supermarkets have a separate area outside the main store for this, otherwise look for an ABC liquor store. You mustn’t have opened containers of alcohol in your car and all alcohol must be kept in the trunk (boot). When driving round a supermarket car park, follow the arrows on the road and always stop for pedestrians even if they’re not on a crossing.

You’ll usually have your bag packed for you at the check out. Beware Wal-Mart, where the cashier puts your items into bags on a carousel. With the seemingly American fondness for using as many bags as possible for your purchases, it’s easy to leave something behind. Payment can be made with most U. K credit cards or cash.

Our top tips are read the contents labels but be adventurous and try new foods and brands. A stroll round a supermarket gives you a great insight into how another country lives and eats and is always a highlight of our trip.

Happy shopping!

That’s the good news now it gets complicated. The main difference between the UK and the US is that in the UK fuel is paid for after it is dispensed, in the US it has to be paid for before it can be dispensed.

Most pumps offer a credit card / debit card pay at pump service. Unfortunately in an effort to prevent fraud one of the first things you will be asked for is your ZIP code which even if you know it, unless it is dedicated to your card it will not work and your post code certainly will not. That means you have to go into the shop and pay up front, either in cash or with a card. If you pay cash you have to guess how much fuel you will need, if you pay for too much it will be necessary to revisit the shop to get the credit. It is easier with a card if you do not use as much fuel as you have paid for, the credit is automatically credited back to the card. As a guide most vehicles will take about 12 gallons from empty, larger SUV’s about 15 gallons.

That’s the easy bit done, following the transaction there is sometimes a time limit for commencing fuelling, often 3 minutes. If you do not start the pump before the time limit expires the payment will be cancelled and you have to start again!

At the pump remove the nozzle from the holster and place in the fuel filler, select the grade of gas required, for the vast majority of vehicles this will be 87 unleaded. On some pumps it is necessary to lift the holster to start the pump. On US nozzles the trigger can be latched open by pushing the spring loaded lever down and engaging it in the ratchet track on the bottom of the hand guard. It is an offence to leave the nozzle on auto fill, you must be in attendance. The auto fill will switch off just before the prepaid quantity of fuel is dispensed, it will be necessary to complete the filling process manually. On completion simply return the nozzle to the holder.

Gas is much cheaper than in the U. K, $45 will fill an average SUV!

Surprisingly Hess gas stations in Walt Disney World are among the cheapest in the area, as is Wal-Mart on SR535 (Vineland Rd). RaceTrac also tend to be cheaper. Avoid gas stations in Lake Buena Vista (just outside Disney) as they are incredibly expensive.  

Happy travelling.

There is a selection of 3, 4, 5, and 6 bedroom spacious homes to choose from, either one or two storey, with varying interior floor plans and private swimming pools. Most homes overlook either one of the 2 lakes, or the conservation area. Many of the two storey 4, 5 and 6 bedroom homes have 2 Master suites, one on each floor, which make them ideal for 2 sets of family of friends travelling together.

The community is gated and also offers a communal swimming pool and tot lot/playground – great places to meet and say hello to your neighbours.

The lakes and conservation are home to much local wildlife, and you may be lucky enough to see our family of sand cranes, a racoon and even a friendly otter in the lake. The lake itself is home to many ducks and fish including bass and carp – villa guests are welcome to fish in the lake during their stay – fishing rods and bait are available at your local Wal-Mart store.

Within five minutes drive is Formosa Place. Here you will find a Winn Dixie Supermarket, ideal for essential supplies when you arrive, restaurants including TGI Fridays, The Outback (for delicious steaks and ribs), Giordano’s, Carrabbas, a Chinese Restaurant, beauty salon and a new mini golf. Further along the 192 you are spoilt for choice with restaurants to suit every taste and budget.

The close proximity to the parks makes Sunset Lakes the ideal retreat for spending the morning at any of the numerous attractions, returning to your villa for a rest and swim before returning later in the day to watch the fireworks or enjoy an evening meal. Alternatively, what better way to spend your evening than dining al-fresco at your villa while enjoying the spectacular sunsets the community is named after?

Universal Studios, Islands of Adventure and SeaWorld are an easy 20 minutes drive away, while Busch Gardens in Tampa is approximately 1 hour away. For some retail therapy a selection of Outlet Malls can easily be reached within half an hour.

For golfing enthusiasts you will be spoilt for choice with the many top-class courses in the area.

Sunset Lakes, with its beautiful, tranquil lakes and close proximity to the many attractions and activities the area has to offer is the perfect, relaxing haven to come home to at the end of another busy day.

On Manors North there is a clubhouse, with wireless Internet access, a newfitness gym and a community pool with a maximum depth of 8ft, provided FREE for use by the residents and guests of Manors South and North. At the far end of the entrance road to Westridge is a childrens play area

The Manors South at Westridge is an ideal location for your stay in Orlando. It is conveniently positioned off highway US 27 approximately 3 miles south of the western end of highway 192. Approximately one mile north on US 27 is the local shopping plaza with a Publix supermarket, pizza parlour and other shops.

Highway US 27 also provides quick and easy access to major routes to both the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.

The Manors South at Westridge…imagine the luxury of coming home to the security of your own private home in the Heart of the Most Popular Tourist Destination in the WORLD!

In north Westridge there is a private 2,000 sq- foot clubhouse for guests use
Free Wi-Fi Internet access in the clubhouse for guests use. Designed with holiday makers in mind, it features a pool, lounge, and exercise room, and is for the exclusive use of the owners and guests of the Manors at Westridge!

Furthermore, there is an 18-hole golf course near by, and just minutes away from the Famous champion Gate Golf course.

Attractions

Magic Kingdom - The world renowned theme park. It has 7 different lands. Meet Mickey Mouse and all your favourite Disney characters. Contains over 50 rides and attractions. Save time to watch the Main Street parade.

MGM Studios - The smallest of Disney’s 4 theme parks combines the fun and excitement of thrilling attractions with fascinating behind the scenes tours showing how films and cartoons are made.

Epcot Centre - Take a whistle-stop tour of the 11 different ‘countries’ in World Showcase or take a trip on one of the many futuristic rides. There’s a spectacular laser and fireworks display to end the day.

Animal Kingdom - Disney’s newest theme park, includes such memorable places as DinoLand U.S.A., Camp Mickey-Minnie and Africa. Guests experience high adventure on an authentic African safari, close encounters with ferocious dinosaurs, warm moments with Disney characters and theatres brimming with colourful entertainment.

Disney Quest - An indoor interactive adventure located in Downtown Disney. Explore five floors of virtual fun with over 250 attractions, rides, and games that can only be experienced at DisneyQuest.

Pleasure Island - Disney’s evening entertainment island - seven nightclubs featuring all tastes from rock ‘n’ roll to country and western. Age restrictions apply.

Typhoon Lagoon Water Park - Dive into an exotic, tropical paradise where families can escape to high waves of excitement and cool, relaxing fun. The fun takes place at the foot of Mt. Mayday. Body surf in a 2.75-million-gallon wave pool. Zip down awesome body slides. Feeling brave? You can even swim with real, live sharks!

Blizzard Beach Water Park - Features “icy” slaloms and bobsled runs on 20%-foot-high Mount Gushmore. The park’s “ski jump” is the world’s tallest at 120 feet and the fastest — you free fall up to 60 mph on your backside.

Downtown Disney - Full of entertainment, food, shops and fun for guests of all ages. The area is divided into the West Side, Pleasure Island and the Marketplace. Along with Disney Quest and Cirque du Soleil, Downtown Disney West Side features restaurants, shopping and the AMC 24 Theatres.

Universal Studios Florida - The largest film and TV studio outside Hollywood. Home to many famous rides such as Men in Black, Terminator 2 3D, Twister, ET, Jaws, Back to the Future, Kongfrontation, and Earthquake etc. See Beetlejuice’s Graveyard Revue and Live the Movies®! Rated by many as the best park in the area.

Universal Studios Islands of Adventure - Your journey begins at the exotic Port of Entry and takes you through five uniquely themed islands featuring some of Orlando’s newest rides. Popular rides include Spiderman, Incredible Hulk Coaster, Duelling Dragons and Popeye’s Bilge Rat Barge Ride.

Universal Studios City Walk - This soul-stirring, 30-acre complex surrounds you with a dazzling array of restaurants, nightclubs, shopping, state-of-the-art cinemas and live entertainment venues inspired by popular culture’s most legendary innovators and originators.

Sea World - Visit the world’s largest marine life theme park. See the killer whale show featuring Shamu and family, walk through a glass tunnel with sharks swimming all around you! Try a ride on Kraken, a recently built 65 mph roller coaster or Journey to Atlantis, a water-coaster ride through the mysterious lost city.

Discovery Cove - For an experience like no other, treat your family to an once-in-a-lifetime adventure at Discovery Cove. Here, you can swim, play and interact with marine animals in a lush, tropical setting. A day of swimming with dolphins, gliding with rays, snorkelling through coral reefs. Admission is limited and by reservation only.

Busch Gardens - Worth the drive to Tampa to experience Busch Gardens - a mix of wildlife, marine shows and funfair. Home of Gwazi the largest and fastest double wooden roller coaster in the area. Feel the ultimate rush on Montu - one of the tallest and longest inverted roller coasters in the world!

Gatorland - Gatorland, known today as “Orlando’s best half-day attraction.” Thousands of crocodilians, a gator nursery, a breeding marsh and a children’s water pool are among Gatorland’s many features, which also include an aviary with lorikeets, a petting zoo with emus, nature walks, bird shows, educational wildlife programs, a restaurant and a gift shop.

Wet ‘n’ Wild - Wet ‘n Wild, the world’s premier water park, features a full-day of fun for the entire family. Offering the best water rides in Orlando from the gentle to the exhilarating. All pools are heated seasonally. All-day lockers and shower facilities are available, as well as rental tubes and towels.

Belz Factory Outlet - Buy direct from the manufacturer at 170 outlets. Savings are on some of America’s favourite names. Inside you will discover fashions, footwear and jewellery for the entire family.

Travel Insurance – For peace of mind for anyone with an existing medical condition or even if taking regular medication, it is advisable to take travel insurance with a company that has a ‘health-check’ service, so that exact details of your conditions, and medication can be specifically noted on their records.   It is well worth shopping around as premiums vary greatly.  Moneysupermarket.com can be helpful – and often supermarkets, or various other banks and building societies can offer good rates.

Age can be a factor, with premiums rising greatly for travellers aged 70 or over.

We have found Nationwide to be very good.  The health-check service can involve quite a lengthy telephone call, but often banks and building societies have a freephone number for general enquiries, and you can sometimes get put through that way.  

Medications -  Always ensure that your medications are carried in your hand-luggage. Prescribed drugs in liquid form exceeding 100ml are allowed if you have your prescription details on headed paper from your GP’s surgery.  It can also be advisable to get your GP or hospital specialist to issue a covering letter if you are taking any medication that must not be stored below a certain temperature (I am thinking back to a recent security alert when holidaymakers had to repack most of their hand luggage into their check-in luggage and carry minimum items in a plastic bag – hopefully this won’t happen again).

Gatwick Airport – I am really only familiar with Gatwick South Terminal.  Since the Glasgow security incident, taxis and private cars are only allowed to drop passengers off at the level used by courtesy coaches.  There is an elevator, but this only goes half-way up.  There are still slopes to negotiate before getting to the moving walkway that takes you to the check-in desks.  If, for instance, two people are travelling alone, and one of them is in a wheelchair, it will be impossible for one person to cope with pushing a wheelchair as well as luggage.  Gatwick airport tell me that there is a telephone by the elevator, but to obtain assistance (wheelchair pusher) you must have registered with your airline beforehand that you need special assistance to get to the plane.  Virgin tell me the airline only provides assistance from the check-in desk onwards, and that BAA need to check the airline passenger information that you have special needs, otherwise you will encounter problems.

When you return to the UK,  you will be able to get to the airport taxi rank without having to negotiate ‘the sloping walkways’ –  although the courtesy coach & car pick-up point will be at the original level encountered on your outward journey.  There is generally a long walk from the plane to passport control and baggage reclaim, but there are some elevators en-route.  If you need help, the airline will request a porter to assist you.  Ideally you need to make this request when checking in for your return flight home.

Florida Airports – You should find plenty of porters willing to help upon arrival, and there are ‘Disabled’ lanes for getting through Immigration more quickly – this is always the right hand lane.

Hire of Special Items –   Mobility scooters and wheelchairs can be hired from Randy’s Mobility Centre.  They are based at Eagle Ridge Mall on the 27.  Their website is www.randysmobility.com  Tel 863-679-8570  They will deliver a mobility scooter to your villa if you make arrangements beforehand.  Other medical supplies can be obtained from Four Corners Medical Supply at 1050 US27, Suite 20.

Clermont, Florida 34714.  Tel Toll Free 866-319-4CMS or Local 352-243-7477

Disabled Parking.  Whilst the UK Blue Badge has been recognised, I have heard that now  a temporary disabled parking permit should be purchased, from any of the Tag Offices.  UK residents are advised to take their blue badge and passport along to obtain one – cost $15.  There is a Tag Office at Haines City opposite Walmart on US27.

Disney hire out manual wheelchairs and mobility scooters.  If you need one, it is advisable to get to the park as early as possible.

Many of the large stores i.e. Publix, Walmart, Target etc supply electric ‘buggies’ (shopping carts) for their customers free use.

Several examples are as follows:-

Please don’t walk on the pavement, as this is the road and could be dangerous, use the sidewalk instead.

Don’t trying asking for plasters, in the event of a minor injury, as I did in Sea World.  It took us several minutes to arrive at Bandaid, which we both understood.  Also if you have difficulty finding Paracetemol ask for Tylenol

When asked how long you are staying on vacation (holiday) say two weeks as a fortnight leaves them looking perplexed

When entering any multi-storey building, remember that the ground floor is the 1st floor because to us the 1st floor is really their 2nd!  To get to the 2nd or subsequent floors take the elevator and not a lift.

Their hypermarkets are fantastic and sell everything from food to guns (WalMart).  In the food department, my most confusing moment was looking for jam which turned out to be jelly.  What we know as jelly is actually jello.  Some things are obvious, like cookies for biscuits, candy bar for a chocolate bar and candy for sweets.  For babies, dummies are pacifiers and nappies are diapers.  You will be pushing your small child around in a stroller.

The restaurants are usually really good value but remember when ordering your food if it says chips then you’ll actually receive crisps. (French) fries are chips. If you want brown bread ask for wheat.  Also don’t ask for the bill – it’s the check. Your money will not be in your purse as this is your handbag but in your wallet.  A man’s wallet is a billfold.

For the motorists, your car, sorry automobile, has a hood, trunk and windshield instead of a bonnet, boot and a windscreen.  Remember to put gas in your tank and not petrol. The main road is a highway, motorway is a freeway, a toll motorway is a turnpike and a ring road is a beltway.

Also bear in mind when looking through the villa’s information pack to see what days the bin men come that the Americans put out the trash.

Fanny packs are bum bags and whatever you do, do not ask for a fag instead of a cigarette as you might get some very funny looks!  

And you thought we spoke the same language!

A Little More Information For The New Attractions For 2008.

The opening of the new Waterpark/Aquatica by SeaWorld (there are also a number of new rides, shows and attractions). Seaworld Plan To Open Their New Aquatica On March 1st. 2008.

The Universal Orlando Resort Will Be Opening A New “Simpson’s” Ride In The Presently Closed “Back To The Future” Ride, Hoping to be open In The Spring.

Busch Gardens Are Planning To Open A New Jungle Village Called “Jungala” This Year In Place Of The Old Python Roller Coaster Ride.

The Disney-MGM Studios Is Now Renamed “Disney’s Hollywood Studios, Along With The  New Shows Previously Mentioned There Will Be A New Outdoor Show “Block Party Bash”. Also New Characters For The “Playhouse Disney-Live OnStage” Show, Not Forgetting The Brand New “High School Musical” Street Show.

Downtown Disney Will Have A New Restaurant In Early 2008 Called “T-REX” A Prehistoric Family Adventure, A Place To Eat, Explore And Shop.

NASA had planned to launch five space shuttle missions to the International Space Station in 2007 but a combination of a fluke hail storm and faulty components meant that only three missions were flown in the end. This puts even more pressure on NASA to complete the International Space Station before the shuttle fleet is retired in 2010.

NASA hope to launch five shuttles in 2008 in January, February, April, August and September. The first launch is of the Space Shuttle Atlantis (STS-122) no earlier than January 10, which will deliver the Columbus European Laboratory Module to the International Space Station.

I Hope All These New Attractions Whet Your Appetite Even More. Happy Holidays.

Mary

If you haven’t managed down to the Everglades for the day what about an Airboat Ride.

Boggy Creek Airboats on Boggy Creek Road is only 15 minutes drive from Orlando International Airport on SR436. Using the 417 Toll Road to get to the airport exit at junction 17, turn right at the lights for Boggy Creek and left for the Airport. As you go down Boggy Creek Road it bends slightly to the left and the Airboat Rides are to the right, sharing the location with East Lake Fish Camp and RV ground.

I only mention the directions as I failed to pick up the Airboat Ride sign on the road, drove past and had to turn round.

The 18 seater airboats are superb, and look every bit the part, with the big fan at the back and elevated seat for the Captain. The day trips are just under $20 plus tax with discounts for children under 12, and last for 30 minutes and they run every half hour. This makes them ideal for just turning up, as we did, and going out onto East Lake Tohopekaliga.

Once you leave the docking area the boats are soon opened up to their top speed of 45mph. The Captains know how to thrill you sending the boat sideways at full speed. Like Rally Cars going sideways, it is an effective braking method and great fun. It really lives up to all those images you see on television. Compared to the ride I had on the Everglades, I was very impressed and it saved all that travel in the coach.

Whilst the Captain does his best to locate wildlife for you Alligators are few and far between during daylight hours. If you want to get up close on water to a Gator then they do 1 hour night tours, which for $10 + tax more seem well worth trying. Because the night tours are so popular they have to be pre booked, usually three days in advance. (tel 407 344 9550).

If you want an even bigger thrill then they also offer Parasailing

Depending on your check time you really should allow sufficient time not to miss this ride, one of the highlights of my holiday, and still make the airport. If you are flying from Sanford you obviously need to allow that little bit more time. But it is only 5 minutes off route.

More details can be obtained by visiting the www.bcairboats.com web site.