I arrived on Friday - Some hints for midwest travelers (living in, moving)

[pinda]

I finally got here Friday. It is more beautiful than I even remember.

I left on Thursday at 5:20 AM from SE Wisconsin, Kenosha, Interstate 94. That was so perfect because I breezed right through Chicago, hardly any traffic and actually missed all cities rush hour except a bit of rush hour traffic in Chattanooga, TN which wasn't that bad or long. I need to stop for bathroom breaks too many times (4 or 5 times for the 13 hour trip). I arrived and stayed at exit # 269 just north of Atlanta, which seems to be a nice area and I did like the Comfort Inn there.

I left there at 5:12 AM to avoid Atlanta traffic and had free sailing the rest of the way and drove for another 10 hours.

Try to stop at larger known gas stations for bathroom breaks. I stopped at some pretty dirty places in Georgia.

My trip was smooth and uneventful for which I was grateful for because my car is a 1996 and I was traveling alone. I loved having my GPS with me, although the directions are so simple from Wisconsin.

I hope this can help someone deciding to leave from the midwest or even along the way. My plans to miss big city rush hour was perfect even though I am NOT an early bird, I did it anyways which was well worth it.

[nhkev]

C'mon do you really expect anyone to believe you? Tell the truth, how many monitor lizards have you been attacked by since you arrived, or how bout all the homeless you must be tripping over, and how disgusting and dirty the canals and beaches are.

[Angelala]

We drive from Indiana and always try to get past Atlanta to Macon Georgia before we stop for the night. And yes, it is very beautiful!!!

[Izmack]

Originally Posted by nhkev

C'mon do you really expect anyone to believe you? Tell the truth, how many monitor lizards have you been attacked by since you arrived, or how bout all the homeless you must be tripping over, and how disgusting and dirty the canals and beaches are.

Touche!

[justNancy]

Originally Posted by nhkev

C'mon do you really expect anyone to believe you? Tell the truth, how many monitor lizards have you been attacked by since you arrived, or how bout all the homeless you must be tripping over, and how disgusting and dirty the canals and beaches are.

I don't think the OP mentioned anything about the economic conditions in SWFL. What I read was a tip on how/when to travel. When I left NH many years ago, I also left after dinner and drove all night. However, it was in January and I hit a bad snow storm in NJ so I had to pull off of the turnpike.

I'll never forget when I first drove across the FL border and saw the sunshine after days of gloomy weather. I felt as if I had just died and gone to Heaven. However, taking a trip to an area and living in it for a long time is an entirely different situation. I mean, without sounding argumentative, I'd like to ask how many here have vacationed on a Caribbean Island or in Central America where poverty is rampant and thought "this is the life!" while enjoying a margarita? I know I did. I only posted this, not to hijack a thread or be negative, but I want to scream when people mention "homeless" as almost nonhuman. The reason we don't "trip over them" is because they're not litter in the streets. They're the faceless men, women and families who are invisible to the rest of society.

[harleygirl07]

Welcome Pinda we bought today!!!! Moving end of October!!!!

[rikoshaprl]

Hooray! Good luck!

[pinda]

Harleygirl,
Congratulations to you. That is so exciting. I can't wait to hear more.

I wasn't attacked by lizards, I love the little cute geccos. I haven't run into the huge amount of bugs yet. You should have seen the huge amounts of mosquitos we had in Wisconsin this year.

Is your name Harleygirl because your ride, drive a Harley? That is a cute name.
Linda

[stahltkd]

Congratulations Pinda! Glad you love it down here.

[NetworkMD]

Congratulations, we came down from Ind in Feb and have also loved it so far. Welcome to the area