Cricket Court

From Valdosta to Gainesville, there was very dense fog on the freeway.  By the time we reached Gainesville, it had lifted, and we saw the blue skies and palm trees of Florida.

We got on the Florida turnpike, and stopped at the Canoe Creek Plaza for lunch.  The turnpike seems to be remodeling their plazas, and there was construction everywhere.  At Canoe Creek, when you enter the building, there's a huge sign which says "RESTROOMS OUTSIDE".  Huh?  Turns out to be restrooms in a trailer - not as bad as you might think, but still a little weird.  There seemed to be a big fire raging right across the road from the plaza.  Tons of smoke and flames billowing up above the trees - what's up with that?  No one seemed at all alarmed, and there were no fire trucks or anything there.

The food court turned out to be four sets of tables and chairs out by the parking lot.  We each bought a muffin and ate on the road.  The most unsatisfactory lunch stop ever.

But after all, the sky is blue, the fog is gone, the temp. is 80, and we're almost to Palm City!

Laurie wanted to surprise Dylan with dinner at Flanagan's, and we were the surprise.  We sat at Flanagans's and waited for them to arrive - our server was excited, too.  It really was a surprise for Dylan :)  He couldn't believe it!

Valdosta

Richard planned our trip so that we would drive through Atlanta on Sunday morning, hoping that traffic would be much lighter in our nemesis town.  Yay!  It was still stressful, but a great improvement over previous expeditions.

We were listening to the local NPR station on our way through.  The laugh of the day was that the station is partially funded by the Legal Seafood Restaurant, located across from the Atlanta Aquarium!
That's like having the Chinese Buffet next to the Humane Society!

We had the Sunday Buffet at Shoney's - it was the best ever!  Everything tasted like real home made food - it was really delicious.  Dinner in Valdosta at Olive Garden.

Geocaching

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12/02/2012	You found Ivy League Hotel		Visit Log
We are passing through on our way to spend Christmas with family in Florida. After a long day on the road, we checked in to our room and realized that there was a cache right across the street. We quickly found the beautifully camoed container Took nothing, left our flashlight. There were two bugs in the cache but we didn't think we could help either of them. A great start to our evening, unfortunately, it all went downhill from here.
12/02/2012	You found Rain Water		Visit Log
Not bad once we figured out what to look for. Cords were right on. Signed log and replaced as found.
12/02/2012	You posted a note for sam's other place		Visit Log
When we saw that this one hasn't been claimed in 9 months, we figured "Why bother?" the owner has ignored numerous calls for maintenance.
12/02/2012	You found It's Academic		Visit Log
Almost DNFed this one too. Signed log and replaced as found.
12/02/2012	You couldn't find Not Eggzackly		Visit Log
A frustrating evening after a long drive.
12/02/2012	You found Trash to Cache in a Flash		Visit Log
A find in Valdosta! After DNFing 4, it felt good to grab a smilie. Took 0, left our flashlight. TFTC
12/02/2012	You couldn't find Kimberly's Park		Visit Log
Don't know, cords put us in the middle of the road. Didn't feel comfortable searching someones front yard.
12/02/2012	You couldn't find Dinosaur Park		Visit Log
Should have known better than to search for a cache that the locals can't find. Cords took us to the middle of the path, no luck.
12/02/2012	You found Is anyone selling cold drinks out here tonight?		Visit Log
A challenge, almost gave up. Signed log and replaced as found
12/02/2012	You couldn't find Tall is Small		Visit Log
Very busy drive through. It wasn't in the obvious spot, we didn't search further

Dalton

After we crossed the Tennessee State line, and before we got to Nashville, we went past a horrible crash on the southbound side.  We were in stop-and-go traffic bumper to bumper traffic for 3.2 miles.
There were signs alongside saying "Emergency Scene Ahead".  That's a first for us (thank goodness).

Two semi-trucks had crashed through the guardrail - just sheared that guardrail completely off - and rolled down an embankment.  There were four huge wreckers waiting to do their thing.  There were two heavy equipment vehicles with cranes to do the preliminary lifting.  Many police cars and ambulances - and all of these emergency vehicles had their lights flashig and blinking - it was quite a sight.

Fortunately, thinks were very quiet and smooth after that.  We had good weather, moderate traffic, and a short travel day.  That was enough stress for one day, anyway!

Lunch at Shoney's, dinner at O'Charley's.

		12/01/2012	The 13th "Bush"?	Georgia	Visit Log
		12/01/2012	Heritage off the Track	Georgia	Visit Log
		12/01/2012	April Rain on Loveman Island	Georgia	Visit Log
		12/01/2012	Sonic, Mommy, Sonic!!	Georgia	Visit Log
		12/01/2012	Kid's Car Cache	Georgia	Visit Log
		12/01/2012	Red Headed Step Child	Georgia	Visit Log
		12/01/2012	The Five Zero Wally World Cache	Georgia	Visit Log
		12/01/2012	STOP!! THERE IT IS

Elizabethtown

Last year going south we saw many dead deer by the side of the road.  This trip we didn't see one at all until we were almost to Indianapolis.  Indiana also has the honor of providing the first yucky bathrooms - messy, beat up, with no warm water!

We found Indianapolos traffic to be really heavy.  The exits were confusing.  Thank goodness for Nuvi.

We ate lunch at Roadhouse USA - fish and chips.  Great chips!  Later we had the same kind of great chips at Mulligan's in Stuart.  Unique chips.

		11/30/2012	G.W.A.T	Kentucky	Visit Log
		11/30/2012	Stop By and Say Hi	Kentucky	Visit Log
		11/30/2012	Food and Fun for Kids	Kentucky	Visit Log
		11/30/2012	Wilmoth Walkway	Kentucky	Visit Log
		11/30/2012	Row of Trees 2	Kentucky	Visit Log
		11/30/2012	Bluephoria	Kentucky	Visit Log
		11/30/2012	Skyscrapers	Kentucky	Visit Log
		11/30/2012	Elizabethtown