25 June 2017
Bridge out. That was my notification after my GPS routed me the back way to I-75 just south of Macon, Ga. That meant I had to suffer through 10 miles of “recalculating route” in order to complete the detour.
I had just said goodbye to Tom and turned in the key when my GPS asked if I would like an alternate route due to a problem ahead on the road. I said yes. Yet, it led me to the bridge out, showed it on the map when I arrived, and insisted I cross the washed out bridge. I declined.
As I was following the detour, I came upon a severe wreck along a stretch of country road where a wrecker was pulling a car up an embankment deep in the woods. There were two ambulances and numerous highway patrol on scene and since the ambulances were not going anywhere, I assumed there were fatalities.
Later, I must have passed twenty vintage vehicles, a part of some kind of rally. It varied from pickup trucks to Volkswagens, all vintage.
Once on I-75, I hit three major downpours to the point I had to slow down due to hydroplaning. Just before I reached Ocala traffic slowed to a crawl even though the rain had abated. I never cease to wonder at drivers who slow or stop in light rain but barrel through in heavy downpours.
Silvered Springs is just east of Ocala and I checked into the park around 5 pm. The cabin is new and patterned on the one I stayed in at Fanning Springs.
It seems to be a cookie cutter blueprint for all new cabins. It is really nice but one strange omission is bath soap. Every cabin I’ve stayed in provides bath soap but either I haven’t found it yet or they don’t provide it. Fortunately, I always pack some.
Hopefully, while here I’ll get some hiking and cycling in and maybe a glass bottom boat ride.
I had a great time visiting with Tom even though he lives close in Wilton Manors. I think he had a good time and we both indicated we got a little emotional with the FDR sites.
Tom is always smart and lucky – two excellent traits. His original flight back out of Atlanta was 5 pm which meant 5 hours in the Delta Club Room, not necessarily a bad thing. However, before he left, he managed to get the 4 pm flight. He later texted me he got a 2 pm flight with upgrade to first class. See what I mean lucky/smart?
Early to bed tonight.
