Thursday, February 20th, we would begin the journey home. This part we had not really planned. There was some thought to travel north to St. Augustine, Florida and then home from there. However, as I looked at the maps we determined we really wanted to drive Alligator Alley. This is actually I-75 across Florida from Ft. Lauderdale to Naples. Originally is was a road with a lane in each direction. Now it is I-75 and raised. In my reading, I learned that at one time you could find alligators coming out to the asphalt to sun themselves in the warmth of the sun and road. We didn't see that at all.
They do have viewing areas where you can park your car and climb a tower to view the area. We stopped at one of these an had an actual alligator sighting. I was at the top of the tower trying to get the best spot for a picture of this canal of water. Claude came up a little slower and immediately saw the snout of the alligator sticking up out of the water. Cool.
At this viewing platform, we were looking at what is called a "tree island". These are critical in this area. They form places for birds to nest and small animals to find home under the trees. The park service actually goes to these spots and takes out any invasive non-native vegetation and plants native vegetation.
We went on down Alligator Alley and then turned north to find our hotel in Wesley Chapel, Florida.We drove to Blaze Pizza for dinner. Our Blaze Pizza closed in Lexington. It was nice to find one here.
Our hotel this night was a Holiday Inn Express with this chaise lounge in our room. I nestled myself down there for a good evening before bedtime.
Friday, February 21st, was the most disappointing drive of the trip. We thought we would be driving over marshy land that came inland a bit from the coast. According to our map, there were no cities and only one main road. It was not that at all. Our destination was Perry, Florida. We would eat at a Mexican restaurant. We were amused at the antique stores firetruck with Santa on it that was parked on Drew St. Drew is our grand-son-in-law. Nice meal.One of the things that caught Claude attention was the Perry phone book in our room. How long has it been since your saw a phone book?
Saturday, February 22nd, we aimed to get Dalton, Georgia. It is south of Chattanooga, Tennessee. I loved passing the trees full of Spanish moss. This does not hurt the trees. We had homes with this in Shreveport, Louisiana and I loved it then too.We entered Georgia at 9:50am.
We stopped at a JP Travel Center in Jackson, Georgia around 1pm for a break. This character was out front. He is the bulldog mascot for the University of Georgia.
Our hotel in Dalton was excellent. There was a Bojangles across the street. We were definitely back in Mello Yello and Bojangles country. We found our way to a Texas Roadhouse for a steak dinner for Claude and salmon for me.
Sunday, February 23rd, would be our final day on the road. We had our Bojangles biscuit breakfast before leaving Dalton. We entered Kentucky about noon. We would be home in the early afternoon.
We unpacked the car. Unpacked the suitcases and put everything away. I started laundry. I also started posting our pictures on Facebook from our trip. Around 4pm we left our home to pick up a prescription for me, get Jimmy John's for dinner, wash my car and get bread and milk for our home. We would return home for a quiet evening in our recliners! We Were Home!! Great trip but home is always good.
