This is One Long Ass State!

Day 49 Navarre FL - Dunedin FL


427 miles

The title is Jim's eloquent description of Florida...

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It rained overnight, but it was sunny when we pulled out of the Navarre Beach Campground at 8:30am. We took US87 north to I10. Traffic was lighter that we expected as we headed east toward Tallahassee. The Tom Tom and computer were directing us to use I10 and II75 to get to the Tampa area. We decided against all interstate driving, took I10 for part of the day and then took US19 south (Florida/Georgia Pky) just east of Tallahassee, it was also 50 miles shorter. We are so glad we did...we've been on this road before but for what a nice highway it is. Four lanes and divided, way off the beaten path and the northern part of it is the 'old Florida' of tall, moss draped live oaks, and sleepy towns that time seems to have forgotten. . until it gets closer and closer to the greater Tampa area and then it turns into the multi- laned,endless strip mall thing,that is.

We're in Dunedin, between Clearwater and Tarpon Springs, and back to Dunkin Donut land. We were really road weary and the last thing we wanted to do was cook and clean up a meal. We know there is an Italian and Greek population in this area so we knew we could find a good meal. We had a late dinner at Bambino's Pizza and it was very good.

This is a lovely area and the causeway to the islands is almost across the street. I hope we get the time to explore a little. We've passed through this area many times on the way to other places, but have never really seen much of the shoreline and islands here.

We're tired, after a long day and are going to bed early. Tomorrow we're going to Busch Gardens. A Saturday on a holiday weekend...can you say crowded?