day 1
Mike got delayed so we got off to a late start, 9am. Meetup at the Shell station had a little excitement thou. A mom and pop Sandhill cranes with a youngster where hanging around looking for handouts. My understanding is there is a $1,500 fine for feeding or otherwise disturbing them.
Mike checking the cranes and cranes checking Mike
After a stop for gas in Okeechobee, we where off to Yeehaw Juction and the Desert Inn.
This is up west of Ocala when we really got into the county roads. I love getting off on these country roads, rarely any traffic, usually not straight and interesting little towns out in the middle of nowhere.
Here's what I mean, we stopped under some shade trees for a break, next thing you know these kids came dashing over to check us out - lots of talking - them not us.
There are lots of little towns like this one with big oak trees covered in spanish moss.
Nine hours, 3oo miles, to this migrant filled motel (we had made reservations). Can you see the bus they use to transport the workers. The motel didn't have much - even had to ask for towels - LOL.
The great rates part is probably the best on this sign.
Day 2
Here's how day two got off to a nice start (after we discovered none of the locale restaurants where open for breakfast). Next to no traffic, and a little fog in the air, and a nice four lane divided highway.
A little ways down a quite back county road, Mike spotted a sign pointing the way to this.
You miss this stuff on the superslabs.
Even "sunshine" liked the view, sound and rest.
This was our first view of the Gulf, somewhere berfore Ochlockonee Bay, Fl
Scenes like this along US98
A restored hotel anong the way to Pensacola.
At Day;s Inn Downtown Pensacola, FL
Trying to get this blog going.
Day 3 June 15th Wed
We left Pensacola early, after a good breakfast, headed for the Dauphin Island Ferry. Missed the 9:45 by 15 minutes. Got second spot in line thou, and a chance to chat others waiting for the ferry. The fellow ahead of us is a minister, ex-navy chaplin, and now living in Ohio.
Our ferry ariving - "the Fort Morgan".
Most people like to ride up front, with the wind in their face.
Arrival at Dauphin Island.
We missed the Alabama sign in the rush to get to the ferry we missed.
US98 rides right along the shoreline in Mississippi. We stopped at a Wendy's for a good break in the heat.
Finally, the state we're looking for.
After crossing this bridge. Lots and lots of these in Louisiana.
Homes along the shore use to be on the ground - and got washed away in the storms. Codes over the years, have slowly been causing them to be built higher and higher above sea level.
Made it to New Orleans around 6:30pm.
