378 miles via I-75, I-275 (around Tampa), FL 589, US 44, US 19/US 98 and I-10. Cumulative miles: 378. We took one bio break, one lunch break and one refueling stop.
This is a trip by car, sans RV, so there is no need to keep track of truck miles.
In case you were wondering, Rusty is with my son Tony. So no dog on this trip, either.
Before starting the trip, the purpose being to attend a wedding of one of Ooma’s dear friends, I agreed to get a real haircut. That may not seem like a big deal, but it is. I have always cut my own hair. This was maybe the third professional haircut I have had in my 73 years of life. It was performed in Ooma’s condo, by Stephanie, another condo resident who has been doing women’s hair for many years. She made an exception for me, apparently out of pity. Ooma thinks it looks good. I am not qualified to judge.
The trip was difficult only because I had cajoled Ooma into taking US 19/US 98. I have fond memories of this route because I found it very pleasant for hauling an RV. It is flat and lightly traveled and the difference in time from the longer-but-faster I-75 (where I don’t go the speed limit when hauling my 5th wheel) is negligible. It isn’t quite so pleasant for a woman with back pain – too much stop-and-go. I regretted taking her on this route which she found very unpleasant. Won’t happen again.
While on I-75 south of Tampa we were passed, on the right, by a red sports car traveling about 100 mph. It weaved in and out of traffic, nearly hitting a van. It then took an exit, followed by a state trooper who pulled him over at the bottom of the ramp. Karma.
One of the reasons that Ooma was open to the US 19/US 98 route was that it allowed her to drive across the Sunshine Skyway Bridge which she says is her “favorite bridge.”
