FLA

Florida Jim

Florida Jim
So we left Sonoma on the Sunday after Thanksgiving thinking that all we had to do was drive to the east side of LA and we would be out of the morning commute. Of course, the fact that it was the worst travel day of the year escaped us well, until we tried to do it. Suffice to say, I-5 from Dublin to Palm Desert was a parking lot of biblical proportions. After reciting several sermons along the way, we got in late.
The crazy part was coming out of LA on I-10; the westbound side was a jam for over 50 miles it was like the whole city was coming home at once.

Coming out of El Paso on Tuesday morning we were driving into a blizzard white-out conditions; visibility down to a couple hundred feet.
We had planned to go to Dallas to stay with friends but the storm was moving that way so we stayed to the south of it and missed Dallas altogether.

Someone is going to have to explain this one: in Louisiana, about half-way between Baton Rouge and the Mississippi border, is an exit for Baptist Pumpkin Center. This is an official green Interstate sign and is a legitimate exit but what in the hell is it?

Thursday at 7:30 am, 45 degrees, clear, we entered Mississippi; the sun was shining through the trees to the right of the road and streaking the road with dappled light and sun-rays. Piney woods, swamp and little traffic on what may have been the smoothest road of the trip. It was like canoeing on slick calm water in a swamp at first light really beautiful.

A stunning sunset as we approached home.
And just to make sure we understood reality, rush hour through Tampa.

I wouldnt trade a minute of it.
Best, Jim
 
originally posted by Florida Jim:

Someone is going to have to explain this one: in Louisiana, about half-way between Baton Rouge and the Mississippi border, is an exit for Baptist Pumpkin Center. This is an official green Interstate sign and is a legitimate exit but what in the hell is it?

First of all, welcome home, Jim. Glad that you weathered all vicissitudes to do it. Now, about that infamous road sign: it's actually for two towns in LA: Baptist and Pumpkin Center. Pretty prosaic, huh? Yeah, your own imaginings were infinitely better, I'm sure.

Mark Lipton
 
Mark,
A sensible response - who'd have thought?
I must admit, my mind was wondering after several days on the road so concepts like the Great Pumpkin and John the Pumpkin were in amongst my ramblings.
I wonder how many other weary travelers have tried to figure that one out.
Best, Jim
 
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