Monday, October 13: Got up in my airport hotel way way too early and got on 6:10 am flight to Seattle, where I saw this balloon arch at one of the gates as I made my connection. Landed in Orlando three time zones away early enough to start my drive to the Gulf of Mexico beaches off the panhandle. Took a slight detour so I could go to the ridiculous Buc-ee’s as I’d been so fascinated by the first one I ever saw on our Texas trip last year.

 
Tuesday, October 14: Woke up in Live Oak, Florida, then drove west, turning south when it seemed like there would be a beach. Struck out in the first town I ventured into; there was a beach, but also many many people and vehicles and very few parking spaces, so I moved on. A little ways west at Santa Rosa Beach, I lucked into the one open spot in a lot for public beach access, so was able to spend a bit of time walking on the sand and dipping my toes in the water.

 
Wednesday, October 15: I didn’t want to pay hotel prices close to the beach (it was a holiday week and seemed a lot of families had come to the beach) so stayed inland a bit, where there was still plenty to explore. I had dinner at a local chain (maybe a chain? not entirely sure) that had hushpuppies with cheese sauce as an appetizer, which is pretty much targeted directly at me, so I ordered and at them all (plus a burger … hey, it’s vacation).

 
Thursday, October 16: Headed back toward Orlando, stopping to explore whatever caught my eye, like some abandoned buildings in a very small town or one of the fields of cotton just along the side of the road (all this before I got on the interstate).

 
Friday, October 17: Woke up in St. Augustine, a town I’d never been to before. Checked out of my hotel and walked across the street to a boadwalk through a wooded area that ended at St. Augustine beach, so I got to have a bit more time on the sand near the water (the Pacific Ocean this time). Then I ventured into the historic section of the town, where I took a quick look at the fort (the Castillo de San Marcos) and had lunch in a beautiful courtyard in the touristy shopping district. Then it was time to get down to Orlando. My plan was to go to the condo Mr. Karen and I had rented for our time there to drop off my luggage and relax a bit before taking my rental car back to the airport, where Mr. Karen was picking me up after spending several weeks on his own road trip adventures. But the management company for the condo didn’t get me the door code when promised, and by the time I chased it down it was too late for me to feel confident I could get to the condo and back to the airport in time, so I just dropped off the rental car and hung out at the airport with my luggage until Mr. Karen arrived.

 
Saturday, October 18: Donned yellow to support the No Kings protests. Celebrated our 39th wedding anniversary on our first day at Walt Disney World: visited the horses at the ranch, took in a dinner show, then finished the night with parade and fireworks at the Magic Kingdom.

 
Sunday, October 19: Had a late breakfast at one of the resort hotels, then headed to the Magic Kingdom. Stayed for the Halloween party, which meant different parade and fireworks show than the day before.

 

*****
On this date in 2024: No journal entry
2023: A Week in Photos: 2023, Part 45
2022: A Week in Photos: 2022, Part 45

2012 to 2021: No entries
2011: Report Card Monday, 11.14
2008 to 2010: No journal entries
2007: Talos IV on a Tuesday
2006: Run for It
2003 to 2005: No entries
2002: No Thanks