Pony Drive 2023
May 4-20 - The Weirder Pony Drive-Part Deux
In 2008, the first Weird Florida Pony Drive took placed, based on the book WEIRD FLORIDA, by Charlie Carlson. During that trip, Charlie met with the Pony Drive on 3 occasions - a tour of Cassadaga, the Spiritualist town, north of Orlando, New Smyrna, one of the oldest towns and did a guided Ghost Tour of St. Augustine. Best part is that Charlie also drove a Mustang! The 2023 trip will also follow the book to many of the “weird” and unusual parts of Florida, adding to the adventure.
This year, the Pony Drive will start in Marianna, visiting the Florida Caverns, once used by the Confederate Army to store munitions. Then heading South to Apalachicola, the home of the air conditioning inventor, stopping sat the World’s Smallest Police Station in Carrabelle - an old phone booth!. From there to Cedar Key- the old lumber shipping port and on to NPD for a tour of their massive car collection and to spend time with Rick Schmidt. Southward to meet up with the Bay Area Mustang Club for lunch at Ford’s Garage in Wesley Chapel. With 2 days to explore Tampa and time with the Tampa bay Mustang club, then to the Ringling Museum, Soloman’s Castle in Ona, to the Edison, Ford and Firestone homes in Ft. Myers. Travelling the Tamiami Trail to Miami and the Vizcaya Estate and the Coral Castle in Homestead.
Next is 2 days to explore Key West and the culture of the Conch Republic. Now to the original Spring Break Capitol - Ft. Lauderdale and the rich history there. Continuing North with a NW turn to Lake Okeechobee and then back to the East Coast to the remaining House of Refuge in Stuart. These were built for shipwrecked sailors to find refuge and rescue during the many sinking of ships along the Florida Coast. Following the Indian River Rd. along the Intercoastal Waterway to Ft Pierce and to Titusville and the Kennedy Space Center. From exploring the Space Race to the World’s Fastest Speedway - next stop - Daytona. It’s always fun to drive on the beach where the original races were held!
Now, on to St Augustine and 2 days to explore the oldest city in the US. With the Fountain of Youth, the Castillo de San Marcos, the oldest wooden school house and many interesting shops and museums, it’s definitely a 2 day adventure. Lastly, Southward again to Old Town in Kissimmee and the Saturday night Car Show and cruise. This will be the Pony Drive’s 3rd stop here and on the last one, they allowed the newer Mustangs to cruise with the old cars - 1st time ever on a Saturday night in 2008.
Anyone interested in joining us is welcome to come for as much of the trip as their schedule will allow- a few days or a few weeks. Hotels have been secured at each stop and most have given us a good discount for the stay. If you like exploring the back rods of the US and enjoying the company of other Mustangers, please join us.
You do not have to be a member of the Pony Drive to join in. You also don't have to do the entire trip. Many only have limited time off, so join in for as long as you have the time.
If, for some reason, the mustang isn't up and running, bring what you got. We're here for the fun and the people are the important part of our FUN!
To register and see the route with hotels, click the menu option "Pony Drive 2023". To get notified of route/hotel updates, click the Facebook icon in the top right corner of this page and choose the "Like" button.
| Pony Drive Organizer | David Turnbull |
| Phone | 954-849-4999 |
| organizer1@ponydrive.us |
