Day 16: Kennesaw to Ocala FL

NOTE: I posted two days (15 and 16) today -- I've finally caught up. And my cell phone is back in commission.

We made it through Atlanta with no problems. One of the freeways was closed due to a serious accident, fortunately not ours. The trucks and us headed south to Macon which is in the center of the state. Trucks ( more than 6 wheels) in Georgia are restricted to the right two lanes of the highway. And they seem to abide by it which at least gives poor outnumbered cars a chance.

After we passed Macon, we noticed that the car to truck ratio dramatically changed in our favor, but they were still banished from the left lane. South of Macon, Jim wanted to get off the freeway to get a Georgia peach. They had a sign for a produce store called "We're Nuts" which advertised peaches. When we got off the freeway and travelled the mile to the store, we discovered we were driving through cotton fields. The cotton was a little soggy though due to the band of thunderstorms that traveled through here yesterday.

Turns out peach season ends September 1, so Jim did not get his Georgia peach. He had to settle for some Georgia chocolate covered pecans instead.

I encountered a new Rest Stop "experience" in southern Georgia, the XLerator hand dryer. When I went into the restroom I thought someone was vacuuming. Turns out they were drying their hands. this device looks like a large hand dryer, but has the power of a hurricane. You need to make sure you do not have any loose-fitting rings before using this -- it will blow them right off your fingers.

I'm adding Butts County GA to my growing list of strange place names. The highway in Georgia has signs that say. "Speed checked by detection devices." ????

We arrived at the Welcome Center in Florida and were greeted by palm trees, sunshine, a temperature if 85 degrees and this sign. The restrooms have ceiling fans and bugs, and the Visitors Center asks you whether you want a regular map, or a large print one.

We headed south and got as far as Ocala. We luckily got the last room in the Best Western. Found out that LSU is playing Florida tomorrow and we are near Gainesville. We will get to Jim's Uncle's house in Naples tomorrow. You may not hear from me until we commence our return trip next Wednesday. We've had a great time so far, but are looking forward to seeing Jim's uncle and spending a few days off-the-road.