Alabama, Florida, and Georgia

I will be honest. It was really hard to leave New Orleans. I woke up this morning two hours later than I should have, and lay there soaking in the sounds of the city, imagining that this was my home, and I was getting ready to join the chatter outside. I could live here in a heartbeat. There is a warm and wholesome feel about the French Quarter that I will not soon forget.

The drive through Alabama felt like an extension of my previous day's drive through Louisiana, but heading into Florida, I was soon greeted by occasional Palm trees and bridges spanning small extensions of the Gulf. My plan was to stay in Tallahassee, but that was quickly derailed when I saw a sign for Seminole Lake. I left the highway, and the miles began to add up. Seminole Lake is beautiful, sitting on the border of Georgia and Florida. There were Blue Herons, and flocks of little black water birds everywhere. I hoped to spot a gator, but was met only with impostors in the form of logs and muddy outcrops. Instead of going back to highway 10, I called Katy and asked her if she could find an interesting place to stay in Georgia. While she was busy with the research, I decided to wander aimlessly around the town. I ended up at a park. My license plate piqued the interest of a gentleman sitting on a bench, reading a newspaper. He came up and introduced himself. As we were chatting, he mentioned that he had been out of work for two years. He looked off into the thick pines, paused, and said "I'm pretty much homeless now.....there just ain't no more work". I could see what he meant. The opportunities for work in the area don't seem to go beyond gas stations, the dam facility, and a factory miles off in the distance. Strange how a short conversation with a stranger can be humbling.

Katy soon called and pointed me towards Thomasville. Meandering down back roads and small highways, I was surprised at how well the scenery fit what I had imagined. Rustic old mansions, partially obscured by moss-drenched live oaks, separated by remnants of old cotton fields, and thick forest.

Nothing fancy tonight. A gourmet dinner presented by Whataburger, and guest accommodations provided ala Best Western. I have also included a picture of the Mississippi that I forgot to post yesterday. You will have to forgive me. It was 1 AM on my last post, of which I had to type with one eye closed to keep the text from spinning. I blame it on the beignets....