Sunday, January 27, 2019. I woke up at dawn to a cold and misty morning. Sleep had been sporadic the night before. I had stopped at a rest area about 20 miles south of Daytona and dozed but never quite fell into a deep sleep. I think my mind was anxious to be on the move again. After all, today I would reach Daytona Beach!
There were several reasons I was looking forward to Daytona. First of all, I’d never been there before and I grew up watching MTV’s Spring Break from Daytona. (A long, loooong time ago!) So the place has had legendary status in my mind since high school. Also, I wanted to see International Speedway up close. But most of all, I thought it’d be really cool to drive the old stomping grounds of my favorite sister-in-law, Meredith (shout out MerMer!!)! – Actually, she’s my only sister-in-law, but that doesn’t matter, she’d still be my favorite regardless!
Sadly, the weather was not going to cooperate that day. There was a rain system in place that covered the entire state of Florida! I was in for a bitterly cold day of high wind gusts with torrential sheets of pouring rain.
But I wasn’t going to let one measly little typhoon deter me, dammit!!
First, I needed a quart of oil so I pulled into the Walmart on Dunlawton. My car had recently developed a vacuum leak and it had increased my oil consumption a bit. Nothing I could do about it on a Sunday, though. Next I followed Dunlawton east a couple miles and over the bridge then I saw Daytona Beach right over the horizon.
I stopped at the 7-11 and got doused pretty well on my way inside. I said to the young cashier, “You’re gonna think I’m crazy but….what’s the best beach to go to today?” She nodded slowly and said, “Yes, you’re crazy!” We both got a kick out of that and then she enthusiastically suggested I go to Crabby’s and check out their pier! Sounded good to me!
It was twice as cold and three times as windy on the pier!! (That little B—- at 7-11 set me up!) And there wasn’t even anyone laying out at the beach! I’ve never felt so cheated!
I’m kidding, of course! I was having a ball! I knew I would probably end up with pneumonia from being the only fool dumb enough to go out that day, but I didn’t care. I wanted to soak up every bit of this experience!
I wouldn’t get to see as much of Daytona as I wanted that day but now I have a legit excuse to go back! I’m going to have to take a mulligan on Daytona.
So it appeared my tour of the Sunshine State was coming to an end. I sure did have A GREAT TIME!! I will miss you, Florida. I really will. You left an indelible mark on me. My soul thanks you.
And one last stop in Jacksonville for an out of this world burger at Epik Burger
Then on to Georgia to find a mechanic.
….later that day….
As I slowly cruise down Gloucester street, “Hmm, Brunswick, Georgia is a nice looking little town. Reminds me of Texas. Maybe I’ll stop here for one day!”
johnparrishtravels 