Pensacola,
Florida,
United States
Saturday, February 14, 2009
I booked a ferry boat from Key West to Dry Tortugas National Park for Monday the 16th, so I have to boogie to make it. So no more dilly-dallying along the way. As it turns out, it has been raining non-stop from Texas to the Florida pan handle. I snapped a few pics along the way but not much to show for five states worth of travel. It's interesting that the Eastern edge of Texas is a lot like Louisiana. Soon as you cross the boarder though, the swamps begin in earnest. Part of the highway is a long causeway as you are going over water and thick swampland. I crossed the Mighty Mississippi at Baton Rouge. I pulled over and drove around downtown and also checked out the Loisiana State University (LSU) campus. This town is totally old schooll with clear class divisions between the haves and have-nots. One thing I didn't mention is that Louisiana allows gambling throughout the state, and you see casinos everywhere. I saw a giant paddle wheel boat on the Mississippi and it turned out to be a casino!
I passed through Alabama and Mississippi in darknes so I'll have to check them out on the return. If I can time it right, I might get to see some of the pre Mardi Gras parades in Mobile, Alabama. So I'm going to bed in Pensacola, Florida tonight. One thing that bugs me though, if this is the "Sunshine" state, where is the sun?!"
Heading for Tampa in the mornin' and hopefully sunnier environs.
~JR
