Retired and Trippin

At 7:30AM we drove away from Russellville, AR on a cold 25 degree morning. At least the sun was coming up. Our route was 7 north to Harrison; 65 north to Springfield, MO; I-44 west; 13 north to Clinton; 7 north to Harrisonville; I-49 north; I-435 west to Kansas in the KC area and home. Hwy 7 in Arkansas is a scenic route with hills and curves galore. We stopped several times for photos. On the south side of Bolivar, MO we enjoyed lunch at Smith's Restaurant. It was 39 degrees when we arrived home at 2:20 but we saw a high of 44. It was a good day for our final of the trip. We drove 330 miles today and the total trip mileage was 3,109. I only have 6 photos today but you can click here to see them -  Final Day Pics

At 8:00AM it was sunny and 21 degrees as we drove away from our hotel in Vicksburg, MS. Our route today was I-20 west over the Mississippi River into Louisiana to the first exit (186); 80 west to Tallulah, LA; 65 north into Arkansas to Gould; 114 west and back roads (directed by Google Maps) to Cane Creek State Park; back roads (directed by gps) to Star City, AR; 212 west; 530 north to Pine Bluff; I-530 north to Little Rock; I-40 west to Russellville, AR, where we stopped for the day. (I-20 bridge from Mississippi to Louisiana) We stopped along Hwy 80 because Chris saw some red berries and red leaves that she wanted pictures of. As we approached Tallulah, LA Google Maps directed us north and west on a local road to bypass the town and supposedly save a couple minutes. The road turned into gravel so we turned around and went back. As we approached the gravel we saw this dump site. All the trash around the "NO DUMPING" sign was amusing to us. In Tallulah we saw a cool looking c...

It got cold last night. Way to cold for Montgomery, AL. When we woke up this morning it was 32 degrees.  It climbed to 34 when we left our hotel. As we proceeded down the highway the temperature actually dropped and our high today was 37. I always thought it was warm in the south. The route for today was I-65 south to exit 158; 26 west to Hayneville; 21 west (or south?); 28 west to Camden; 10 west into Mississippi where it became 19 west; I-20 west at Meridian to exit 77; 13 north to Roosevelt State Park; I-20 west to Vicksburg, MS, where we stopped for the day. In Hayneville, AL there was a big white courthouse called the John "Big John" Williams Courthouse. Sounds like a southern name.  Camden, AL had a very colorful, informative and picturesque water tower. On this trip we've seen lots of log hauling trucks, especially in north Florida. On our route through Alabama today they were especially thick. Chili's was our lunch spot today in Meridian, MS before hammering w...

We got a late start today because we wanted to take advantage of the B&B breakfast. It was worth it. Yesterday afternoon, while driving around Cedar Key for a few miles we had the top down on our convertible. Today we started with it down at 9:30AM. It was sunny and 58 degrees, soon to rise into the 60's and eventually to 70.  Our route today was 24 north and east away from Cedar Key; 345 north; 98 north and west to near Wakula, FL; 20 west to Bountstown, FL; 71 north; I-10 west to exit 130; 231 north to the area of Montgomery, AL. Along the way we stopped at a park where the highway (98) crosses the Suwannee River at Fanning Springs, FL. We were really enjoying the top-down driving but at Wakula, FL the temperature had dropped to 64 and it was cloudy making it a bit cool so we stopped to put the top up. Good thing, because a short time later it started to rain. It was raining steady when we stopped for lunch at Lindy's Fried Chicken in Blountstown, FL around 12:30 (back in...

A beautiful, sunny and warm day! After our B&B breakfast we rode away on our golf cart at 9:45 AM. It was 51 degrees. We spent an hour or so exploring Cedar Key again and Chris did a little shopping on Dock Street. Morning is low tide. It was strange seeing boats sitting in the mud at the marina. This next picture is of the marina at high tide. At noon we had to return the golf cart and then we walked to lunch at Tony's. After lunch we walked the Railroad Trestle Nature Trail. We went to the Cedar Key Scrub State Park to walk but found it uninteresting so we didn't go far.  Back at the B&B we watched a movie and then watched the sun set. We drove a whopping 13 miles today (not counting miles in the golf cart) and our high temperature was 68. A very relaxing day! Tomorrow we start home. Click here to see all photos from today - Day 11 Photos  

It was chilly this morning - 37 degrees when we woke up around 7:00PM. We enjoyed our breakfast at the B&B. At noon we took off on a rented golf cart to tour Cedar Key under sunny skies with a temperature of 51. The town of Cedar Key was established in 1869. In 2019 it had a population of 773. Lunch today was at the 2nd Street Cafe. Food was good but we were surprised to find that they charged us $1 for a glass of water. We enjoyed the sights on/in Cedar Key until we stopped at 5:30. It was 52 degrees. The high was supposed to reach 55 today and it probably did. We walked the boardwalk to Cemetery Point Park and along the way we saw dozens of lizards sunning themselves. They looked like baby alligators. To see all photos taken today click here -  Day 10 Pics

Due to the Chiefs vs Steelers game last night our bedtime was much later than usual. We slept in a little longer this morning and then we went on a walk with Tom & Joyce. At ten minutes after noon we thanked Tom and Joyce for their hospitality, said goodbye and took off for Cedar Key, FL. It was partly cloudy and 65 degrees. Our route was I-75 north; I-275 west and north through St. Petersburg to Tampa; 589 north; 98 north to Otter Creek and 24 southwest to Cedar Key. I had a minor heart attack when we stopped for a bathroom break at a convenience store, bought some peanuts and realized my credit card was NOT in my wallet. The last time I used it was the day before at a restaurant in Lakewood Ranch, FL. I called them and eventually learned that they had my card. I called Tom and he was kind enough to pick up my card from the restaurant and he'll mail it home for me. In Homosassa Springs we ate a late lunch at Two Guys From Italy. At 4:25 we arrived at the bed and breakfast in C...

It was raining when we woke up this morning, our first day of less than ideal weather. The day started with breakfast followed by church with Tom and Joyce. We walked to lunch at the Main Street Trattoria. On the way back to Tom and Joyce's I grabbed a couple phone pics of fairly common birds here in Florida. The American White Ibis, pictured below, is very common near Florida waters. I did some internet research to come up with the name. This next bird is funny to watch. When it hunts for fish it is completely underwater. When it surfaces you only see it's head and neck and it looks very much like a snake. When it dries on shore it stands there with wings spread, like it is here. I believe the bird is an Anhinga, which is also called a snakebird. Later in the day we watched some NFL playoff football while enjoying tasty snacks. We saw the Tampa Bay Bucs beat the Eagles and the 49ers beat the Cowboys. As I write this we are watching the KC Chiefs play the Steelers. GO CHIEFS! I...

We spent today in the Lakewood Ranch, St. Pete, Clearwater area with friends Tom and Joyce. Tom drove us to Clearwater Beach, where enjoyed lunch at Frenchy's Rockaway Grill on the beach. After lunch we walked down the road, hung around the marina (taking photos of pelicans!)and hopped on the Mega Bite dolphin viewing tour on the intercoastal waterway. We saw no dolphins but we enjoyed the sights, including two different flying dinghys. On the way back to Tom and Joyce's house we stopped to watch some wind surfers. Clearwater Beach lunch on Clearwater Beach Joyce & Chris (two hotties) on the dolphin tour boat our first dolphin sighting of the day Back at Tom and Joyce's Tom whipped up some of his award winning chicken chili and Joyce baked us some fresh bread for a delicious dinner. A tasty finish to an enjoyable day. The Tamale stayed in the garage so I did not keep track of mileage. It was sunny all day and temperatures reached 75 or close to it. To see all the photos...

At 7:25AM it was still dawn, 42 degrees and mostly clear when we left our hotel in Quincy, FL. As we drove south on Hwy 267 it actually got cooler. The route today was 267 south and east; 98 east; Lighthouse Road south into St Marks National Wildlife Refuge to St Marks Lighthouse; back out to 98; east to Perry; Alt 27 south and east to Williston; 27 south and east almost to Ocala; I-75 south to exit 213 (University Parkway) where we made our way to our friend's house in Lakewood Ranch. Along the way Tamale rolled over 18,000 miles. On the way to St. Marks Lighthouse, in the national wildlife refuge, we stopped a couple times to photograph deer and birds.  The lighthouse was closed but we walked around the area and took a few photos. It was cool enough that jackets were required. On the way back north through the wildlife refuge we saw an otter crossing the road and then saw it swimming around in the water but I did not get a picture of it. There were numerous ducks and we saw a pel...

This was a short mileage day spent exploring Tallahassee, Florida. We departed our hotel in Quincy at 8:50AM under blue clear skies with a temperature of 42 degrees. It was less than 30 miles to Tallahassee. The first stop was at the Florida State Capitol and the old historic capitol. (in this photo the historic capitol is on the left and the current capitol is the tall building in the center) Behind the old historic capitol we found the FOP Law Enforcement Memorial and an "officer down" sculpture. We drove by the Florida State University campus. Last but not least, we visited the Alfred B. Maclay Gardens State Park. (I originally thought this turtle was a sculpture. When Chris went to check it out I was surprised to see it move!) Back in Quincy we enjoyed lunch at Big Papa's Chop House on the town square. At 2:25PM we were back in our hotel in Quincy for a short nap before I put a clean on Tamale. We drove 76 miles today and our high temperature was 64 degrees. A beautif...