[PSUBS-MAILIST] 2026 convention.

[Jon Wallace via Personal_Submersibles]

Looking forward to meeting you Rick.  We've got a few overseas members planning to attend so this will be a good one to meet folks who normally only participate from afar.

In preparation, February is peak tourist season for Florida in general and the Florida Keys in particular.  I'm waiting to hear back from a couple of hotels on pricing but due to the time of year this may be an every-man-for-himself situation for lodging.  If you can find a good rate that you are happy with I would go ahead and book it since I do not expect we are going to get some massive discount that would make it worth waiting for.  I did an Airbnb search and found some four-bedroom houses for rent in the area that would cost less than staying at a hotel if we can group some folks together to share those costs, so that may be a good alternative.  Doug Suhr's house on Lower Matecumbe island at the southern end of Islamorada will be our daily congregation point, so if you can find something close to there you will have a shorter commute and less time in local traffic.  Further south, the upper part of Marathon key is about 30 minutes from Doug's house so finding lodging in the mid-Keys will work as well.  Unfortunately, most of the restaurants and other amenities we will be patronizing are located in Islamorada so lodging any further south than upper Marathon could result in an hour or so daily commute.

Here's some other preliminary information:

1) There's only one road in/out of the Keys so expect and plan for traffic your entire stay.  Regardless of direction; accidents and/or construction can result in long delays.

2) On our website I have provided links to Google maps that shows average travel times for Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, and Key West airports.  If you are traveling through FLL or MIA and have a choice, try to avoid road travel at peak commuter times (7-10am) and (4-8pm).  Although Miami traffic is almost always congested, these peak times can result in particularly slow travel speeds.  If you have no choice, throw on your favorite music or talk radio and just enjoy the experience.  Keep your cool, you'll get here.  Give particular attention to your return times so you don't risk missing your flight.

3) Flights to Key West International can sometimes be cheaper than Miami depending upon the airline and is worth looking into.  It gives you the option of hanging out in Key West for a day or two if you've never been there, and is a less stressful drive to the upper keys even though it's a good 1.5 to 2 hour drive on a good day.

4) Typical February air temps are mid 70's (23C) with water temps about the same.  There should be no need to pack winter garments however there is always a breeze coming off the ocean and at night a sweatshirt or sweater can come in handy.

More information provided as it becomes available.  If you have questions, ask so we can help you plan.

Jon