THE GRAND ADVENTURE 2017: "BROWN PELICAN ON THE PIER"

Day 3: Splitting the drive into three days made the day of arrival an easy three hours or so. My total drive time was exactly 17 hours and just over 1,000 miles. I didn’t break any speed records and stopped as I needed to stretch my legs and have a snack. And…I spent a whopping $61 in gas to get down here! Hotels were $137 including tax. Food was around $20 because I brought most of it from home. Since I love to drive, I don’t count my time because the drive is half the fun and all the entertainment. My room is budget but certainly not cut rate. It has a pool and kitchen and is very close to the beach. There is a grocery about a mile and half away so I bought what I will need for the week for $85. I’m thrilled to have pulled this off without spending a mint! I don’t think I will ever go a whole winter without seeing the sun again.

I could hardly wait to get to the beach. It is unseasonably cool here right now. The high yesterday was 62 but, since it snowed in West Virginia, I will take 62 and sunshine on a beach any day of the week! I have been in Florida in January when it was so cold, we had to wear our ski parkas, hats and gloves to Disney World. By midweek it will be in the mid-70’s so I’m good with that.

One of the first times I ever traveled alone was a year after Hubby #2 and I split up. I came to Florida to visit my sister/friend from high school. I drove all over the state. From Jacksonville to Tarpon Springs…Sanibel to Captiva to Naples…Ft. Lauderdale to Flagler Beach to Kissimmee and back to Jacksonville. It was a wonderful trip. Traveling alone takes courage and planning but it’s doable in one way or another, regardless of your budget.

So, I’m here safe and sound. I’m in a safe area and a secure hotel. I’m getting the lay of the land and looking for fun things to do. I’ll keep sending youthese little “picture postcards”!

““Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:28‬ ‭NIV‬‬