Wow, great stuff. Thanks all.

I guess my big question is whether heading south really is worth it in terms of weather improvements.

Like I'd drive 3-4 hours for 10 degrees warmer, but not 3 degrees warmer, or something like that...and as long as I can do a one way car rental, with all the LCCs and now DLs Simplifares, I could probably fly out of FLL for not much more money.

Going back to read over and digest all this now.