Although gas prices seem to be on the downhill track of a very steep roller coaster ride, they are still "up there!" probably shouldn't whine about it, in the blink of an eye, the ascent could once again begin. Taking advantage of the recent decline, a five hundred mile road trip to southern Florida was just completed. We have been fortunate that over the years, exploring our vast country has been a great opportunity, others may never see. Five hundred miles round trip, not particularly far, in fact, in this case, we were still in the same state, Florida!
Having lived in the northeastern climates much of my life, usually meant driving westward to seek out new and exciting places. As a former resident of New England, we had a tendency to think of the area as one big state, saying "I lived in the Connecticut section of New England." in fact some states in the great country are larger than the entire New England region. It's all relevant, two hours of driving on the interstate in Connecticut could mean stuck in the gridlock of the major metropolitan corridor, while here, two hours on the Florida interstate system, traveling to another of its larger southern metro areas, might mean you've covered over one hundred forty miles in the blink of an eye, especially if I am driving. Open road, all windows open, radio blaring, pedal to the metal, Mr. Bill "white knuckling" anything he can hold on to, we are heading south!
Not many roads crisscross this long state,the center still being a wide open space or a watershed area, finding a direct point to anywhere is an issue, unless you live on either coast. Most small towns are exactly that, microdots in the middle of nowhere. Getting to route sixty, we head south towards the county seat of Bartow, an historic and eye pleasing, small city. Before we actually reach the perimeter of Bartow, we head east. Wahneta is a minute village, ninety-nine percent Hispanic, located on the southeastern outskirts of Winter Haven, yet it seems as though it is a village that time has passed by. You'll find this is the norm in some of the remote regions of this elongated state. Finally route sixty, not much better than the previous thirty minute drive. Having driven across the great plains a number of years ago, seeing nothing but cattle ranches, turf farms and an occasional Dude Ranch, totally brought back memories of that area. Only thing missing were the giant corn fields. At one point, we gazed upon miles and miles of perfectly manicured citrus groves. One would imagine during orange blossom season, bees and humans are in a state of frenzy as the distinctly pungent smell of sweet citrus flowers hangs heavy, creating an aroma and a state of mind simple referred to as "orange blossom intoxication!"
Yeehaw Junction, yes, that is the correct name, will be our last populated town for a while. Having passed this way before, on the way to Vero Beach, I was pleasantly surprised this area still existed. The residents, albeit few and far between, are hearty souls. Miles and miles from anywhere, on the outer reaches of cell phone coverage, only once have I seen a resident, even then, this leathered and weathered skinned older gentleman, with the wide brimmed cowboy hat and puffed jaw full of chew, might possibly have been "just passing through!"
These farm lands of central Florida are vast flat lands, receiving irrigation from numerous lakes and waterways crisscrossing the tabletop flatness, stretching as far as the eye can see. Although the preferred mode of transportation for skimming over the swamp lands and clogged waterways of the area, is an air boat, I've yet to ride in one. Speed and danger appealing to me, I will add that to my bucket list!
I find the drive along Florida's Turnpike, interesting. One meandering streams is clogged with aquatic life. The beautiful water hyacinth, with its gorgeous and delicate purple flower, looks almost like a carpet of color, floating and basking in the tropical sunlight. For all its beauty, this delicate looking flower is sinister, blocking sunlight to the waters below, actually smothering and killing all life on the stream and eventually spreading across the waterways. Boats traveling these streams and ponds, must proceed with caution. To avoid further propagation of this species, boat propellers must be cleaned regularly.
When I think of this southern state, tropical always comes to mind. Somehow the further south you go, this word, TROPICAL, is so much defined. If possible, even the flatness of the landscape, is almost submerged into the blueness of the ocean gently tickling the shores. Coconut palms, swaying in the warm breeze, suggest a way of life that is refreshing yet slow and refined by day, but as the scorching sun sets, the nightlife begins.
We are staying on the edge of the inter-coastal waterway. From my balcony, I see the vastness of the Altantic Ocean. The only things separating us from this sheer blue calmness is the waterway. Looking to my right, the inter-coastal opens up to the sea, just a mere stones thrown away. What fascinates me are the luxury boats up and down this narrow body of water. Even the smallest are sleek, fast and just "toys" for the numerous rich and famous that populate this section of the southern coastline and extremely fun to watch. Maybe it's just me, lounging on a boat, sipping a glass of fine wine or being served dinner on deck while floating along, now that IS the good life!
Time moves forward at warp speed, it is already the next day, time to head back up the coast. Without many choices of highways, Mr. Bill not feeling in tip top shape, we shall head back the way we came. Once we approached the familiar Yeehaw Junction, we opt to go further north, our westward drive will begin in Kissimmee. Not that the scenery is different, it's just a different way. Approaching central Florida, our home base area, the first noticeable difference, traffic! Not that the southern peninsula area wasn't busy, but the snowbirds have headed home and the highways and local roads just seem more normal and less congested. Central Florida, a tourist mecca year round, people driving in areas they are not used to, this is more like.....yikes, watch out for rubbernecking! Although this is my stomping ground, driving it every day, with gridlock more the norm, my immediate memory tells me, the further south you go, the less hurried way of life, Miami being the exception, but if it's pure tropical sunlight, anti establishment you yearn for, there is always the Florida Keys, that will be MY next stop!
Having lived in the northeastern climates much of my life, usually meant driving westward to seek out new and exciting places. As a former resident of New England, we had a tendency to think of the area as one big state, saying "I lived in the Connecticut section of New England." in fact some states in the great country are larger than the entire New England region. It's all relevant, two hours of driving on the interstate in Connecticut could mean stuck in the gridlock of the major metropolitan corridor, while here, two hours on the Florida interstate system, traveling to another of its larger southern metro areas, might mean you've covered over one hundred forty miles in the blink of an eye, especially if I am driving. Open road, all windows open, radio blaring, pedal to the metal, Mr. Bill "white knuckling" anything he can hold on to, we are heading south!
Not many roads crisscross this long state,the center still being a wide open space or a watershed area, finding a direct point to anywhere is an issue, unless you live on either coast. Most small towns are exactly that, microdots in the middle of nowhere. Getting to route sixty, we head south towards the county seat of Bartow, an historic and eye pleasing, small city. Before we actually reach the perimeter of Bartow, we head east. Wahneta is a minute village, ninety-nine percent Hispanic, located on the southeastern outskirts of Winter Haven, yet it seems as though it is a village that time has passed by. You'll find this is the norm in some of the remote regions of this elongated state. Finally route sixty, not much better than the previous thirty minute drive. Having driven across the great plains a number of years ago, seeing nothing but cattle ranches, turf farms and an occasional Dude Ranch, totally brought back memories of that area. Only thing missing were the giant corn fields. At one point, we gazed upon miles and miles of perfectly manicured citrus groves. One would imagine during orange blossom season, bees and humans are in a state of frenzy as the distinctly pungent smell of sweet citrus flowers hangs heavy, creating an aroma and a state of mind simple referred to as "orange blossom intoxication!"
Yeehaw Junction, yes, that is the correct name, will be our last populated town for a while. Having passed this way before, on the way to Vero Beach, I was pleasantly surprised this area still existed. The residents, albeit few and far between, are hearty souls. Miles and miles from anywhere, on the outer reaches of cell phone coverage, only once have I seen a resident, even then, this leathered and weathered skinned older gentleman, with the wide brimmed cowboy hat and puffed jaw full of chew, might possibly have been "just passing through!"
These farm lands of central Florida are vast flat lands, receiving irrigation from numerous lakes and waterways crisscrossing the tabletop flatness, stretching as far as the eye can see. Although the preferred mode of transportation for skimming over the swamp lands and clogged waterways of the area, is an air boat, I've yet to ride in one. Speed and danger appealing to me, I will add that to my bucket list!
I find the drive along Florida's Turnpike, interesting. One meandering streams is clogged with aquatic life. The beautiful water hyacinth, with its gorgeous and delicate purple flower, looks almost like a carpet of color, floating and basking in the tropical sunlight. For all its beauty, this delicate looking flower is sinister, blocking sunlight to the waters below, actually smothering and killing all life on the stream and eventually spreading across the waterways. Boats traveling these streams and ponds, must proceed with caution. To avoid further propagation of this species, boat propellers must be cleaned regularly.
When I think of this southern state, tropical always comes to mind. Somehow the further south you go, this word, TROPICAL, is so much defined. If possible, even the flatness of the landscape, is almost submerged into the blueness of the ocean gently tickling the shores. Coconut palms, swaying in the warm breeze, suggest a way of life that is refreshing yet slow and refined by day, but as the scorching sun sets, the nightlife begins.
We are staying on the edge of the inter-coastal waterway. From my balcony, I see the vastness of the Altantic Ocean. The only things separating us from this sheer blue calmness is the waterway. Looking to my right, the inter-coastal opens up to the sea, just a mere stones thrown away. What fascinates me are the luxury boats up and down this narrow body of water. Even the smallest are sleek, fast and just "toys" for the numerous rich and famous that populate this section of the southern coastline and extremely fun to watch. Maybe it's just me, lounging on a boat, sipping a glass of fine wine or being served dinner on deck while floating along, now that IS the good life!
Time moves forward at warp speed, it is already the next day, time to head back up the coast. Without many choices of highways, Mr. Bill not feeling in tip top shape, we shall head back the way we came. Once we approached the familiar Yeehaw Junction, we opt to go further north, our westward drive will begin in Kissimmee. Not that the scenery is different, it's just a different way. Approaching central Florida, our home base area, the first noticeable difference, traffic! Not that the southern peninsula area wasn't busy, but the snowbirds have headed home and the highways and local roads just seem more normal and less congested. Central Florida, a tourist mecca year round, people driving in areas they are not used to, this is more like.....yikes, watch out for rubbernecking! Although this is my stomping ground, driving it every day, with gridlock more the norm, my immediate memory tells me, the further south you go, the less hurried way of life, Miami being the exception, but if it's pure tropical sunlight, anti establishment you yearn for, there is always the Florida Keys, that will be MY next stop!
No comments:
Post a Comment