scenic drives in Florida Archives - Page 2 of 2

Day 86 – Gulf Coast Drive Along the Florida Panhandle Part 3

Day 86 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Getting to Destin

I made it to Destin around 6:30 last night. As I passed all the bear crossing signs around dusk, I thought I might spot one until I realized this freezing weather probably sent them into hibernation! Actually, it made me wonder if all bears hibernate. It seems like Florida bears could just travel south for the winter. In addition to looking for bears, I kept an eye out for mileage signs to Destin. I only saw signs for Panama City which I thought I heard Dottie say over our lousy cell connection was about an hour east of Destin.

I was moderately perplexed as my GPS estimated my time of arrival to Destin to be the same time (in my mind) that I reached Panama City. I kept contemplating what I could have misunderstood when I realized I had crossed into the Central Time Zone!! I haven’t been on CST for months…I’m getting closer to home! Sadly, however, I have to admit that I always thought Florida was in the Eastern Time Zone. It magnified the fact that while I’ve visited all over Florida in my lifetime, I’ve never been to the western part of the panhandle! I sure have missed out. I should have used my high school graduation present, a week stay at Dottie’s condo, years ago.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 84 – Gulf Coast Drive Along the Florida Panhandle

Day 84 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Today was close to an 8 hour travel day from Southeast Florida to the Florida Panhandle in the Northwest. I think in the last five days I’ve donated at least fifty dollars to Florida tolls. I imagine I could have purchased the Sunpass and paid for it through reduced tolls already! That way, I could have avoided the “change provided” toll plazas as well! So far, Florida and New York break the bank in the toll category. On the positive side, at least I saw a bald eagle wading in a small marsh alongside the turnpike. I sure would have liked to snap a photo!

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 83 – Road to Flamingo, Everglades National Park

Day 83 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

The Everglades National Park

After dropping Carol at the airport, I continued on to Wellington for another night at Page’s before heading to The Everglades National Park in the morning. I passed by acres of farmland, some merely plowed and barren and others planted with vegetables and fruit. The Everglades in Southern Florida span over 4,000 square miles. The area is so large that the 1.5 million acre National Park occupies only 20% of the area. The widest river in the world, 50 miles, slowly flows through the grassy wetlands whose highest elevation reaches only ten feet.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 81 – Ocean Reef Outing

Day 81 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Miami Traffic

I’m curious to know the population of the Miami Metropolitan Area. I have never seen so much traffic. I feel like I can say I successfully drove in New York City while being in South Florida. The eighteen toll booths decreased to four lanes and later two. I would have happily participated in an alternating merge, but I quickly learned the word “merge” is not in the Hispanic dictionary. I wondered if the next part on VANilla I might have to replace would be a bumper or my steering wheel squeezed into pieces by my white knuckled grip.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 79 – Riding in Wellington, Florida

Day 79 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Wellington, Florida

I spent the day with Page in Wellington, Florida. We ran a few errands and then stopped by the barn just a few miles away to ride horses. The six stall barn is situated between four turnouts, an outdoor arena, and a house where Page’s daughter and trainer live. Upon our arrival, the horses stood in the crossties tacked up and ready to go. I rode Bug, her grey hunter, and she rode Splash, her paint cross hunter. Val joined us as well, and she rode one of Page’s jumpers.

We wandered the paths near the horse show grounds until Splash began acting colicky. As a result, we shortened the trail ride, returned to the barn, and awaited the vet. Luckily, it wasn’t anything too severe, and his belly ache was under control within the hour.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!

Day 78 – Northeast Florida

Day 78 of a Year Long Road Trip Along America’s Scenic Byways

Castillo San Marcos National Monument

We began our morning in St. Augustine, Florida. After my visit to the oldest house and school in Florida, I stopped by the Castillo San Marcos National Monument. This fort, built by the Spanish, was never defeated in war, but changed hands by treaty. The fort built of coquina walls, between 1672 and 1695, replaced wooden structures used to protect St. Augustine against the French in 1565. In 1702 and again in 1740, the fort successfully survived a siege by the British.

ON THE ROAD AGAIN!