8 May 2022
I’ll be back on the road tomorrow to Cedar Key, Florida. Enough with the pandemic! Besides, everything in and around the house seems to be breaking down – including me. First, it was my iMac computer that died. I had to replace the hard drive. Then the internet in the house died. Of course, I had to spend an hour on the phone with a representative from ATT going through diagnostics before he reached the conclusion that yes, I did indeed need a service call to my home. Luckily, the service technician came the next day and replaced some components to the outside junction box and replaced the router with a new one.
Then the electrical receptacles by the sink went out (except, strangely for one pair). Dinnen Electric came the next day and it was found the ground fault interrupter (GFI) had gone bad.
Next to break was the toilet. First, once flushed, it started to make groaning noises. After it quit that, it began to continuously run. I used Kyle Plumbing and when they found out my toilet was a Kohler, they said they didn’t carry the parts and would have to order them. We agreed to replace the entire guts of the tank as the originals were getting a little ragged looking. Simple toilet parts used to be inexpensive. These cost $75.
Next, I had to rewire the lamps in my bedroom. It got to where they would flicker on and off. At least I was competent enough to accomplish that on my own.
Hurricane season begins on June 1st and ends on November 31st. I always try to get my palms trimmed before June 1st. Coconuts become cannon balls in 100 mph winds. Luckily, my next door neighbor directly across from me is in the business and he scheduled the trimming the day before bulk trash pickup to save me the land disposal charge. He and his crew did an excellent job and my yard has never looked so good!
And then, when I was getting ready to post this blog, I found that I could log on to WordPress (the blog software) but when I went to start, the page continuously reloaded. I called iPage (the web hosting site) and after trying really hard to solve the problem, they kicked it upstairs to a more technical person. I got an email saying they would have a response in 24 hours. True to their word, I got an email the next day saying I wasn’t the only one with the issue but they had fixed the problem. Sure enough, since you are reading this, they did!
Instead of waiting around for something else to break, I decided to schedule a little trip. My first stop is Cedar Key, Florida, a quaint little town that reminds me of Key West before it got rediscovered for the fiftieth time and turned into a playground for the rich and famous.
I’ll spend two nights at Cedar Key at the Island Hotel and Restaurant. I also hope to do some hiking (bad hips not withstanding).
From there I’ll drive 2 1/2 hours northwest to stay two nights at the Lodge at Wakulla Springs, just below Tallahassee. I used to go to Wakulla Springs when I was doing my library science degree at FSU back in the late 80’s. I also swam in the river (they have a great swimming area there) but you have to be watchful for alligators in the swimming area – that and the Creature from the Black Lagoon – since it was filmed there. I’ve also scheduled a boat ride up and down the river. The lodge serves three meals a day and hopefully they are as good as I remember from my Tallahassee days.
From Wakulla, it’s a long drive to Clayton, Georgia (approximately a 7 hour drive). I’ll be staying at the Beechwood Inn for two nights. Clayton and environs seems to have some quality dining opportunities. The first night will be at the Julep Kitchen, a farm-to-table establishment. The next night is at Lake Rabun Hotel and Restaurant for dinner. I tried to reserve a session on horse back riding but the stables apparently don’t take advanced reservations. They keep telling me to call back closer to time. Don’t know how much closer I can get so if they aren’t interested in my business, too bad.
The next two nights will be in Bryson City, NC. This will not be my first rodeo in Bryson City. My first time there was with my best friend Crag Knox when we had hiked in the area. I remember we ravenously opened a restaurant one morning. We had the country ham with red eye gravy. My blood pressure went up about 100 points with all the salt in the ham, but damn it was good. Since then I’ve been back to Bryson City many times, mostly associated with the Deep Creek Campground. That first time, Bryson City was a sleepy little town at the foothills of the Smokeys. Today, it’s a real tourist destination. This time, I’m roughing it at the McKinnley Edwards Inn not the Deep Creek Campground (no showers).
Hopefully, during my two days in Bryson City, I’ll get some more hiking in and a trip to Gatlinburg to get my dose of salt water taffy.
Next up is three nights with my cousin Jimmie and her husband Stephen in Greensboro. I’ve gotten to where I really like this town. It has a lot of interesting parks and museums. Unfortunately for Jimmie and Stephen, they treat me too well and I keep turning up like a bad penny.
On the 20th of May, I’ll head to Jacksonville and spend the night at a rather less bucolic inn, the Hilton Garden Inn. Actually, I’ve had some pretty good experiences at their Garden Inns. From Jacksonville, it’s a 7 hour drive back to Fort Lauderdale. Actually, it’ll take longer because I-95 slows to a crawl near Palm Beach.
You may have noticed I keep saying “I hope to get some hiking in.” The reason is one of the breakdowns seems to be my hips. I was diagnosed with bursitis in both hips where the ilium and trochanter meet. Currently, I am in no pain and that’s why I hope to get some hiking in. What prompted the doctor’s visit and diagnosis was the pain, at one time, was so bad I couldn’t finish my morning walks. It’s also the reason I’m camping inside lodges, inns, and hotels, as well as my cousin’s house.
I hope to blog every day, or at least every other day if not internet. Stay tuned! And yes, I’ll be wearing my mask.