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Category: Travel and Places

Nomad Chronicles, Volume One - Leaving Florida

 I had visited my grandparents house in central Florida for a holiday and a family get together. I'd made the mistake of booking an Air BnB on that same day, later in the night. I didn't count on the long drive to follow, I thought I'd get to see the town before calling it a night if I left right after lunch. This was not the case.

 I left around three and found myself driving along the highway, through one city, by a gauntlet of trees, and then through another city. This all came after driving through a score of small towns and waving goodbye to my sister in what felt like the conclusion to our relationship going through a healing process. 
 When I crossed the Florida/Georgia boarder it was both impressive and unimpressive, it was little more than a few signs but it was more than that to me. I'd asked myself way back when I worked in retail "What would happen if I just took my paycheck and drove north? That's it." I never did that, now I work from home or wherever has wifi so I'm free enough to escape my home state.
 I saw a few warnings about the roads freezing over in winter, a few warnings that holding your phone while driving was illegal in Georgia, and I saw what felt like an endless highway ahead of me. As soon as that happened I had to pee.
 I passed a few exits, totally unaware of whether or not a gas station would have a bathroom or if a McDonalds would be open.
 Eventually I took an exit, just to pee and as soon as I got to that McDonalds the lobby was closed. "Fuck that" I uttered and walked back to my car, reasoning that I'd get off on the next exit to pee at a gas station or in a bush.
 I got off at the next exit, now mildly annoyed. I accidentally drove past the gas station. "No big deal." I thought, no big deal until I found myself in backroads desperately trying to find my way back to 95, ignoring my bladder out of fear as the sun began to sink into the horizon. Before I knew it I was driving over roots sticking out of the dirt roads that felt like sugar-sand. Luckily it wasn't, I pictured the sheer horror of trying to explain where I was to a tow truck company or wandering to some house nestled away in this area as I sought help.
 I made it out of there and pulled into a gas station, there was a young lady behind the counter with hair the color of shadows against asphalt, she gave a warm smile that I was unfamiliar with. I wearily asked for the restroom and she directed me to the back of the store.
 After that relief, the rest of the drive was uneventful. My host was a cool guy, he totally understood that I was late checking in as I'd explained that I was coming from central Florida.


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Valis

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Getting out of Florida is not easy. LOL


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lol no, it was not. That being said it was worth it.

by Nomad; ; Report