Pretty drive from Tallahassee to Wesley Chapel, northeast of Tampa. Around Inglis we saw a sign for Withlacoochee Gulf Preserve and thought we should go see if we could see an alligator. Well, the preserve was closed even though a sign stated it would be open. We drove out to Bird Creek Beach and looked around. We had gone over a small river going out so stopped on the way back and walked down to the water hoping to see an alligator. It was beautiful--a number of birds singing, the air and water so still--very peaceful, quiet, and humid. But no alligator.
There were many large puddles of water in the region. Apparently, there was a large storm last night that dumped much rain. There were also tree branches and palm fronds on the road, so we suspect there was quite a bit of wind as well -- maybe something like we encountered near Hot Springs, Arkansas a week or so ago.
It really appears that Florida is built on a large sand bar. Everywhere we go we see sand--along the streets (especially where there is construction), in yards, along riverbanks... everywhere. As we drove south there were mile upon mile where nothing could be seen but the road ahead and trees to the sides. The undergrowth was incredibly thick. The brush grows well in this sandy, tropical environment. If Lewis and Clark would have encountered this type of ground cover the Pacific Northwest may not have been found yet.
We purposely chose Westley Chapel because it was several miles from Tampa. We had in mind something like maybe Oakley, California or Medford. NO WAY. There are six traffic lanes in each direction in most places--3 lanes for left turns. Incredible. I really can't think of what to compare the traffic to. Way different!
We had a running conversation today about tolls. One of us is so against tolls--no transponder, maybe not having correct change, etc. The other one thinks the worst anyone can do is pull us over. The one toll road we saw--one thinks we were on the toll road, and one doesn't. The road turned from 4 lanes to 2 (like Oregon's US-97). If it was toll--the one sign we saw stated they charge by license plate--we may get a bill in the mail later (the vacation that keeps on taking). It was fun bantering back and forth.