Saturday, July 18, 2009

We made it!

Nickajack Reservoir TN A few glitches here and there, but we made it down in good time. The best part was when we were able to get off of the interstate and get onto the smaller roads. A little south of Jacksonville, we went rogue and abandoned our MapQuest directions. We found a really cool place called Palm Coast, and we were driving down this tree-shrouded corridor, Spanish moss dripping from the live oaks crouched over the roadway. It was incredibly gorgeous and beautiful. We headed down A1A, through Flagler, Beverly, Ormond, and Daytona beaches. We stopped at a little place in Flagler Beach called Turtle Island (I think it was Island) Cafe, and sat outside and watched the ocean and felt the breeze while we ate a late lunch.

As we drove through Daytona, it made me glad that our timeshare is in New Smyrna. Daytona has so many high rises along the beach, but NSB has an ordinance about how high buildings can be. It's just so much more laid back, and I appreciate that. It was great to get back to our home away from home! After some grocery shopping and a dinner out at PJ's Sea Shack, we're back in and settling in for the night. I feel wiped, and I'm not the one who drove! I'm looking forward to sleeping in and having some time on the beach tomorrow, weather permitting.

Also, there are lots of cool old motels still operating in Daytona--the court-type motels, many of them one story, with just a handful of units. It's very disappointing to see the lack of original signage, though. Even though the motels themselves are still in operation, they've usually added a bland, cookie-cutter backlit sign. Yawwwwn. I hate to think of the wonderful signs that have been lost.

Oh, the picture here is the one I told you about from Nickajack Reservoir in Tennessee. Isn't that just about the prettiest little rest area you've ever seen?

18 comments:

  1. WhoHoo, we made it. Luv U Honey :o)

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  2. Glad you made it, and that picture is gorgeous!

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  3. That is a gorgeous picture. So evocative, reminds me of the shots someone took somewhere of the Joshua Tree ... or is it Charlie Brown's X-mas tree?

    Still, great shot.

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  4. Sounds like a good trip, especially the off-the-interstate part. Did you get some photos of those old motels? Continue to have fun!

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  5. Glad that you made it safely. The picture is beautiful. Helen

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  6. Beth,

    I am happy to see you made it. I am happy that you had a wonderful and safe trip there. The picture is real pretty.

    Allen

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  7. Glad you made it.....take a day trip down to my old neck of the woods.....West Palm Beach....well...actually Jupiter, Fl, north of WPB.

    Enjoy.....LindaMay

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  8. glad you guys made it safely! that does suck about the lack of the original signage for the old motels. at least the places are still up and running, though. and very cool that you got off the interstate and went on the old roads! you know how i'm a big fan of that!

    the first visit with sheeba was fine. i can tell he misses you, but he was a good boy and very affectionate this time!

    soak up some sun for me!

    cousin shane

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  9. Glad you made it! Welcome to Florida. Hope you guys have a great time!

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  10. i have been to New Smyrna...passed thru.....loved Cocoa Beach but the happiest week of my life was in Destin....it is so awesome to be able to go to a place that is beautiful and different from your normal surroundings. So glad you two are having a good time!! XO

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  11. Oh this is so awesome...a pic from my state! he he
    My grandfather lived at Flagler beach on that road A1A which was probably not as nice of a road back then. The house no longer there - when I was a teen, we found what we think was the chimney - but now I'm sure it is gone and all built up. I enjoyed that A1A road as a child. My family drown that often. We spent lots of time - probably in those old motels in Daytona. I loved loved loved going to Florida. We went nearly every year.

    Now we go to Destin. It's a shorter drive.

    Well, ya'll have fun!!!!!!

    Sonya

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  12. Oh dear. I had a very bad bad misspelling. My family does not drown often. Oh my. My family "drove" that road often, is what I meant to say. Good grief. lol

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  13. What a great pic of the rest stop... good photographer, I'm sure!!! = )

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  14. I'd love to be in Florida sometime for a shuttle launch... other than that... I'd need to be educated on what in Florida would appeal to me (nope, not even Disneyworld).

    okay, okay, maybe some of the beautiful beaches might appeal to me.

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  15. Hey Beth, tell the loud mouths in your condo that if they don't hush it down that you'll sick Shane and I on them... I am sure we could intimidate some one (grin).

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  16. Glad you guys made it safely! Enjoy!

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  17. The picture is gorgeous. Glad you arrived safe and sound now all you have to focus on is having a blast!

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