Road Trip through Texas and Florida!! Any tips?

[Victoria Smith]

I will be leaving Wed Oct 26 to drive from Oklahoma to Florida. I will probably head south through Houston and go east on Hwy 10, then down through Tampa to my destination, Fort Meyers, FL. The alternate route Google suggested was going east across Arkansas, through Memphis & Birmingham before continuing south through Florida. I would even be willing to go through Austin or Atlanta if it meant finding a really cool raw vegan restaurant, or shop where I could buy some organic plants, clothing, etc. I must be in Fort Meyers before Wed at 6pm though.

I will be leaving FL to start driving back on Sun Oct 30 and must be back in Oklahoma some time Tues Nov 1st as I must work on Wed. I can drive 15-20 hours in a day if I have to with some rest breaks. I may take one route there and a different one back. Just depends on what I plan to see and do along the way.

I plan on taking plenty of raw fruits and veggies for the road and can hit the local grocery store before I head back home. I don't think I'll take a blender or juicer since I'll be staying in a hotel and don't want to disturb the other guests,

This will be my first time to leave Oklahoma in a few years and I'd like to see some interesting things along the way and would appreciate any info about good places to eat. I definitely plan on stopping at Leafy Greens Cafe in Tampa. Will probably try their raw mediterranean pizza: walnut & hempseed crust w/ cashew hummus & olive tapenade, fennel, cucumber, tomato & z'attar (spice mix). Has anyone tried it? I also found a great cafe / juice bar in Fort Meyers - Chef Brooke's Natural Cafe. There is a FL chain called "Loving Hut" and, although it isn't raw, I may try their vegan pho soup.

Any other tips for things to see and do along the way such as good grocery stores, interesting shops, farmers markets, cafes, great beaches, scenic areas, etc. I am on a limited budget so it can't be too expensive and I don't care so much about the touristy stuff plus it can't be too time consuming.

I will be staying at Sanibel Harbor Resort Th, F, Sat night, splitting the room with two friends which will make it $50-60 per night. I plan on walking on the beach every morning and doing some of the free exercise classes at the hotel's gym.

Of course the spa has facials, massage, etc but I don't want to spend too much. One thing looks very interesting though. They have a BioEnergetic Transduction Resonance Bed which bathes your body in sound waves and is supposed to be very healing. It is $75 for 55 minutes. On the one hand, I don't want to spend the money but on the other hand, I've spent $50 before just for a message and this is supposed to heal your body of stored stress. Has anyone heard of this?

I hope I can buy some fresh citrus fruit to bring home. Any other tips, suggestions, etc are appreciated!

 

[Victoria Smith]

Oops, meant to say I have to be at the hotel by THURS evening at 6. Anyway, thank you so much Suezee.  That is all VERY helpful information! Why is Chef Brooks last choice? What would be best place around Fort Meyers to go with my 2 friends for lunch or dinner? (They are omnivores).

[Victoria Smith]

For some reason the body of this didn't go through the first time so I deleted and re-posted. I apologize to the person who made a comment on the original post. Thank you- I'm sure I'll have a great time!