1 May 2024
It was an inauspicious start to the trip. I left the house at 9:10 and as I was about to turn on Riverland I thought “Did I turn the warmer eye off for my coffee?” I made a loop and went back in and yes, I had turned it off. Better safe than sorry.
My second departure was at 9:15 and I headed west on Riverland and immediately got tied up with parents dropping off kids at the middle school. I managed to finally bypass that and get on the Florida Turnpike.
By the time I got to Palm Beach, the digital road signs kept saying the two north lanes of the turnpike were closed ahead and to seek an alternate route. They didn’t suggest an alternate route nor did they tell you where you could get back on the turnpike to go to Orlando. My GPS suggested going to Jacksonville to I-10 but that would add an hour to the trip.
I tried at the Jupiter exit to get back on and that was a no go. By the time I got to Stuart, you could see the north bound lane of the turnpike and it was a parking lot. I kept on I-95 and followed some transfer trucks. I finally got access at Port Saint Lucie and made quick time from there but I was already badly behind. It was supposed to be a 6 hour and 30 minute trip from my house to Quincy but it ended up being 8 1/2 hours.
Strangely, I felt pretty good driving and when my back started to act up I turned on the heated seat. That works wonders. Even my neuropathy seems better today. It’s a little early in the year but the love bugs are back. My windshield was spattered a little bit but not as bad as it can get. When I pulled in to fuel up for tomorrow, I took a little time getting them off the windshield. They sure make a mess.
Tomorrow should be a 6 hour and 4 minute day (if there are no stops) and the route takes me through Mobile and then up to Hattiesburg and then to the park. I need to leave pretty early tomorrow because at 2:30 I’m going to Charles and Minnie Jean’s for a 1st cousin reunion. Charle’s sister Jean will be there and I’m excited to see them all. If I have time, I’ll check in with Roosevelt and if not, drive directly to Charles and Minnie Jean’s. If I can remember how to go. I grew up on those roads but it has been a while.
Tomorrow is also Tanis’ birthday (Archie’s wife) and I want to take them out to eat either tomorrow night or with the other cousins for lunch.
There are no restaurants close to the Hampton Inn in Quincy. It’s a good thing I have half a sandwich from lunch left.
Stay tuned!
