On the road again

John and I decided to dedicate our drive back to Seattle to the two loved ones we lost this winter: Lilly and John's dad Steve.

We left Fort Lauderdale at 6:01 a.m.  We were determined to drive A1A the length of Florida. Dumb us. We didn't realize how many harbors, bays, military installations, and other impediments would block our drive straight up the coast of Florida.

The sun came up over the Hillsboro light house as we drove by.

We had breakfast in Boynton Beach with Johns best friend Brett so we could say good bye.

 We then detoured around the port of Palm Beach and the headed over to Jupiter Island. Oprah invited us to stop for coffee but we told her we didn't have time. So much wealth on Jupiter!

Poppy, our new rescue mutt, proved to be a great traveler. She slept on the bed most of the drive today.  

Most of the east coast of Florida is fully developed. High rise condos or gated residential communities block much of the coast.  The only stretches of coast that are not developed are state parks or national seashore.  But we did find pockets of natural beauty.

We drove thru the "Gold Coast", the "Treasure Coast", the "Space Coast".  They looked pretty much the same- strip malls, condos, gated residential developments.  But we saw many more surfers in towns like Vero Beach, Junoe Beach, and Cocoa Beach.  We passed "world famous" Ron John's Surf Shop in Cocoa Beach.

We detoured again to see Kennedy Space Visitors Center.  It's not where they actually launch rockets, but they do display one of the shuttles.

Merritt Island National Seashore was beautiful.  From it you can see where they actually did launch the shuttles (but you can't get near the launch site)

Lunch was a picnic made in Vanna at a Florida state park.  (We can make meals again because I myself replaced Vanna's propane fridge this winter!)

We continued on A1A as much as possible, ending up in Daytona Beach.  John and I agree Daytona Beach is the tackiest, least attractive beach community we've ever seen.  I think if god wanted to give this country an enema he'd put the tube in Daytona Beach.

Tonight we are in St. Augustine, the oldest city in America, founded in 1565.  St. Augustine is much more interesting and beautiful than Daytona, but that isn't saying much.