To Florida I Will Go?
When I decided to go on this trip, planned out places to stop, highlighted my map, etc., I didn't plan to go to Florida. I had already been there many times growing up so I just figured it would be a game time decision if I went. Sitting in the hotel in Savannah I formulated a plan to be in and out of Florida in one week. So far so good, I am on track.
I started out Monday morning by heading South on I-95. I hate driving on highways, they're so boring. If you're thinking, that's a problem since you're on a road trip... no kidding. Obviously there will be some highway involved, I typically just take the scenic route when I can. So when I got the chance in Georgia to veer off course for a bit, I did. I was only on the scenic route for a short while and saw nothing worth mentioning, but I did make a new friend out of the detour. Just as I was about to get onto the highway I saw a building next to a gas station that had hand written signs all over it for peaches - A.K.A. "Peach World". I love peaches. So I stopped and quickly discovered that 1. there were no peaches and 2. there was a frozen peach drink that did the trick. After a few brain freezes and some awesome conversation I realized I had two options; stay longer and keep talking, which I would have been happy to do, or get back on the road and make my drive a whole lot easier. The latter won out.
On the road again.
My plan when I woke up was to get a solid amount of driving done while still seeing things along the way. I had to make it to Miami by Tuesday night and the drive from Savannah to Miami, in case you're wondering, is something like 9 hours. Too much for one day. So without a stopping point for the night, only a general idea, I kept going south. I detoured a lot, all the while my windows down enjoying the fresh beach air. At this point I've officially packed away all my winter clothing. I've barely worn a jacket at all in past few days, actually. It's a little odd to see everyone on Facebook posting blizzard pictures while I'm baking in the sun. I'm certainly not complaining though, I'll take it. Thanks, Florida.
I ended up in Daytona Beach Monday night. Lucky that I did, because it brought me to one of the most unique experiences on this trip so far, Blue Spring State Park. If you are ever near Orange City in the winter and you like manatees, go there! They live there in the winter. It's a natural spring that is always warm, somewhere in the 70's, I believe. The water is crystal clear and there's at least 40 manatees if not more on any given day. The spanish moss covering the trees hanging everywhere adds to the magical feeling in the park. I couldn't stop staring at them, such beautiful, endangered creatures. After riding that high, the next 7 hours of on and off driving I wish I could say were a piece of cake, but they weren't. They were long. I stopped along the way at places briefly and took the A1A most of the way, Florida's version of the PCH with less cliff views and winding roads. I climbed Florida's oldest lighthouse, drove through the space coast, the gold coast and I finally reached Miami. I was greeted by an old friend from college, his mom, and his adorable pitbull, Mia. Thanks so much for having me, again!
It was really awesome spending time in Miami with someone from there. To me, that's the best way to see a place; to go off advice from people who live there instead of being sucked into tourist traps. I only had two nights and one day to spare but I packed so much in. I started at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens and was not disappointed. If you're ever there don't hesitate to go, it's completely worth it. There's Chihuly glass sculptures, thousands of plants to see, and a butterfly garden. They also have rainbow trees, easily my new favorite tree. Tom, my tour guide, asked if I knew why they were rainbow and I responded "because they like everybody?" I got a good laugh out of that one and then discovered the real reason is because of all the oil and resin in the bark. When it peels over time and the oxygen hits the tree it changes color. The darker parts have been exposed longer and this makes it multicolored. Fascinating and beautiful, I think anyway.
Don't worry, I did go to the beach briefly at the end of the day and jumped in the ocean. I was in Miami after all, I feel like that's what you're suppose to do. If you're at all like me and into seeing the sights more than just laying on a beach for a few hours, go to Wynwood. Trust me when I say this. Every sidewalk, building, and even lamppost is covered in street art. All the restaurants and shops are painted crazy colors to fit into the scene. The street art isn't just people tagging their name like graffiti, they're mostly huge amazing murals. I found myself ignoring my GPS and just turning down random side streets to find more. I wish I had the patience to pull off something like that. I mean, wow. I'm glad I got to see a different side to Miami than the one I had in my head, I like the new version way better.
I saw two national parks today and I can't wait to tell you all about it in a few days. Next time though, stay tuned.
- G.
The Photo:
Bertha in Wynwood.
Wynwood Art District. Miami, FL.
2/08/17.
