20 March 2018
The day started around 6 am and if you believe in omens, it started ominously. I was getting a glass of water at my bedside and managed to spill it on my iPhone. Fortunately, the phone still works. I packed the car the night before and it is pretty amazing what the Thule cargo box will hold. It is rated for 168 lbs but I suspect I packed it only with around 140. The jeep is totally stuffed but at least I can see out the back window so the cargo box was worth the investment.
I pulled out of the driveway at 8:45 am and headed for the Florida Turnpike. Just north of the Coconut Creek exit, traffic started slowing. Then it stopped. Dead. Still. It eventually began to crawl and then stop again. As you might guess – no accident – no FHP – no reason for the slowing and stoppage. Around Jupiter, it picked up and then cars started getting pulled over by FHP which slowed it again.
Once I got past Jupiter, the pace accelerated and I cruised to Orlando without any problem. Once on I75, I was surprised at the lack of traffic. It was busy but not nearly as busy and on Mondays that I typically travel I75. Around Lake City, the skies opened and everyone was caught in a deluge. My Sirius even broadcast two thunderstorm warnings.
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I was curious as to how the cargo box would affect mileage of the jeep. Normally, when on interstate or turnpike, the jeep averages 31 mpg. When I first got up to 70 mph on the Florida Turnpike, the mileage dropped to 29. Not bad. However, the winds picked up along the Turnpike and I found the mileage eventually dropped to 29. I guess the cargo box decreases the mileage anywhere from 2 to 5 mpg depending on the winds. I can live with that.
As I got to Tallahassee, there were wind warnings in effect, so I suspect if they don’t die down tonight, I’ll be pulling 29 mpg again.
Some sage once said a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. The sage obviously never tried to get out of the state of Florida. After 7 hours and 17 minutes of driving and covering 459 miles, I checked into Country Inn and Suites off exit 199.
Tomorrow is around a six hour drive to New Orleans to meet my brother and his wife. They were originally going to take the train from Jackson, MS but flooding of the Mississippi has closed the tracks between Jackson and New Orleans so they opted for a bus ride. Dinner tomorrow night is at Arnaud’s.
Fred, Safe travels. I look forward to following you. Getting out of Florida always seems to take forever.
Yea, I know and then it’s 194 miles to Pensacola tomorrow just to get to the state line. Oh well.
Glad to hear that you are safely on your way. You are already missed here. Maybe we can see Maclay Gardens next year. And maybe they will reopen the Nicholson Farmhouse again. Loved that place.
I got to Tallahassee around 4 pm and didn’t know when the gardens closed, so I decided not to go. Azalea time next year sounds good.
Yes, azaleas bloom after the camellias. White flowers come out first for both. Then colors.
Well, I didn’t know it, but camellia species bloom throughout the year—you just need a variety of camellias for year-round color.
http://www.tallahasseenurseries.com/extending-the-camellia-season/
I imagine azaleas are the same. My orchids and bromeliads bloom at disparate times. So much for Spring !