I left the coziness of New Belgium Brewery and made the quick trip to Waynesville. I had left somethings at my friends Blake and Jody place before I had left for my trip to Boston and Maine. So I went there to pick those things up.
The last month or so I had struggled with what I was going to do. I had accomplished many of the things on my unofficial list and felt good about that. I had the opportunity to see and visit with some important people who I still have in my life. I saw cousin’s who I hadn’t seen in many years, I saw a few friends along the way and missed some too, I took my time and went where I wanted and when I wanted. Using not much more than an idea, a map, a computer, and WiFi, I found myself in places I had heard of and places I wanted to see. Some times it was a name of a place or the location that drew me there or even a song. A few times I saw places through a friend I met along the way. I was chased by the weather and but also given great driving weather at times. It was a trip of a life time and the memories will never be forgotten.
But I had to make a decision, one which will for all practical purposes decide where I will live the rest of my life. Now I did keep my mind and eye’s open to places I visited, there were some really cool places even in states I’m not a fan that impressed me. . BUT, the majority of these places had signs which brought fear to this old Florida boy. They said such horrible things like ” Bridge freezes before road” or even “Watch For Ice on Bridge”. How the hell do you see ice on a bridge 65MPH ? At that point I realized that I couldn’t live in a state that has ice on the road. I also figured out that along with that ice there was snow. At that point I understood that all states North of Florida weren’t going to work for me. So, Florida was it, I thought of several places that I wouldn’t mind living in. Again I knew that Bradenton was my home, even with it’s many faults this is where I belong. I always thought that why would I leave MY home town, the place everyone else wants to live? I grew up here and it’s home.
Before leaving NC, Blake, Jody and Palmer the dog went on one more trip to the Cataloochee Valley which is just up the mountain from their home. It was another beautiful day there and the Elk were out lounging around the valley. I really enjoyed my time there, but it was time.
Wait, I’m not done. I’m still in North Carolina, this adventure isn’t done.
My dear friend Rene from Anna Maria had mentioned to me a few times that If I wanted she had her boat in Apalachicola in the panhandle of Florida and I was welcome to stay on it if I wanted to. And of course I wanted to.
So I stayed a few more days in Waynesville and after a couple not so subtle hints, I knew it was time to move on. Blake and Jody were awesome hosts many times on my adventure and I can never thank them enough for their kindness. Time to go!
I loaded up and headed South. As I always do I headed down backroads 74 to the 23 and then to 441. I was excited to see the gas price in Georgia, it was $2.45 at some places. I enjoyed driving the backroads of Georgia. One thing I don’t think I mentioned on this trip was the amount of road work going on in every state I was in. Fixing bridges and interstates, “building back better”. It was good to see.
So I was driving through Georgia and I pass this old restaurant which was broken down, the sign was still up and it was obvious there had been a fire. The sign read General Putnum Motel and Restaurant, Home Cooking. I had to stop. There was road construction going on in front of it, so I had to drive past a bit and come back. I don’t know what it was but it kind of drew me in. I stopped and walked around taking pictures. I thought about what kind of history this place had and I bet the food was good. Indeed there had been a fire and the windows where boarded up, but I didn’t care, what is it about this place? Later I looked up the name. It’s located(if it’s still there) in Eatonon, GA, on 441. It caught fire in 2018 and stands as I found it. BUT, the interesting thing about it is this Motel was used in the movie “My Cousin Vinny”. I knew there was more to this place than just a sign.
Time to move on.
I hit the road heading to Apalachicola a little SouthWest of where I was, so I started hitting some new backroads. I stayed on 441 until I began the right turn to get on the other side of I 75 on the 129. This road the 129 was nice and it took me through a nice town called “Gray, Georgia”, The county seat of Jones county. They had some really beautiful buildings. I took a few pictures annd then headed to an auto parts store to grab some oil just to have. As I was getting ready to leave and with my window down, a gentleman walking beside my truck said “nice truck” I thanked him and he stopped to talk and ask me what I was up to. Very nice guy and I told him what I knew about what I was doing. He looked at me and like many others and said ” I wish I could do that”. I smiled as I pulled away, more nice people out there.
About a year before this trip I had made my way up the southwest side of Georgia and it was really nice. On that trip I went to see Blake and Jody for the first time and it was a great time. When I left that trip and headed back to Florida I was staying in Parrish, Fl. It took me a little over 10 hours door to door.
This trip with a destination of Apalachicola, I soon found that this would be about 12 hours for sure. Some of the roads cut back and forth, others were just straight as an arrow roads for miles of absolutely nothing, but I trusted Lucy Waze on this one, backroads of the 65 to the 98, Just then I smelled it, then I saw it, Salt water and the GULF OF MEXICO! I was back.
I drove across the bridge to Apalachicola and pulled in to a really cool town. Wow, I don’t think I had ever been here, may have drove by back in 2000? What a neat place, I made my way to the marina where my friend Rene kept her boat.
