A week-long stay in Orlando for the SPIE meeitng in May 2006 left one day free of work, long enough for a day-long escape to Anclote Key, a few miles off the West Coast of Florida NE of Tampa. A 250 miles round trip drive, a 30mn boat ride from Tarpon to Anclote Key, and ~500 yards walking to the lighthouse with two batteries and a bag with radio, antenna, ropes, food and water from the landing beach, for 8 hours of fun on the air on a very nice Sunday of Memorial Day weekend.
More than 150 contacts, 33 States, 4 Provinces and 17 DXCC from Chile to Russia with plenty of European stations, including a bunch of French hams... good to speak French on the air ;)
Worth a very early start from, and late return to, Orlando...