Friday, February 10, 2012

Confederate Road Trip

Business took us to Orlando and the temptation to revisit old haunts prompted a car rental and some added vacation days in Dixie.  We realized that outside of a brief trip in 1986 we hadn't spent any time in Florida since heading for California in 1976.  Our oldest daughter had been born in the Sunshine State and my first "big city" radio job had been in Tampa so Linda and I have a natural affection for the place.  Like most of America, much has changed in Florida over the past several years.  Disney altered the look, pace, and feel of central Florida and the population of the state has doubled since the 70's. 

Granted, the nation's down economy has hit Florida harder than most other places but still I was stunned by how decidedly downscale the place looked.  Housing is in horrible shape and, as a consequence, many properties looked unkempt and in need of paint.  Lawns often appeared neglected and lots of streets seemed in need of a good hosing.  And, I realize this is completely subjective, I saw more than a few people who have taken "casual" dress to depths not seen before.  I'm no fashion plate but, unless there is a dog to be washed or a yard to be raked, I know enough to put on clean jeans and a t-shirt sans holes.


We ventured north to revisit a couple of spots in Georgia and South Carolina after making the Florida loop.  Savannah was new to us; so we spent a day checking it out.  Augusta had been a brief Army assignment for me so naturally it was only a stop for re-fueling this time. (At ease! Smoke 'em if you got 'em.)


King Street in Charleston, SC
Charleston, South Carolina was a REAL find.  Having never visited, I kept wondering how we could have possibly missed this beautiful gem of a city.  The history alone makes Charleston exciting, but the friendliness and charm of the people not to mention the beauty and cleanliness of its streets and neighborhoods puts Charleston near the top of my favorite places.   It's nice to be surprised by a city at this point in life.  We are already planning a return trip.

Typically, the week went fast and it was time to hop a plane for San Diego and Pacific Standard Time--my zone of choice.  That meant Atlanta and their godawful mega airport.  We did stop to visit fun relatives we actually like before setting the Garmin for Atlanta/Hartsfield and the trip home.  All I can say is, "thank God for Garmin" because without it we would still be circling the plane place looking for the damn rental car return.   Atlanta is the Southeast's answer to L.A.-- about a million suburbs in search of a city.  I've always found it a tough terrain to navigate and an even harder place to like.  Also, it's too damn cold in the Winter and way too hot in the Summer.  To balance the ledger, there is fantastic barbecue and moonshine,  but we won't be moving there.

As always, it is good to be back in America's Southwestern most corner.  Even though Jerry Brown and his cast of mental midgets and crooks in Sacramento make California increasingly hard to love, San Diego is home for now.  Still, the folks in Charleston had better be saving lots of palm salad, shrimp, grits, and steaming bowls of she crab soup because we will be back soon to "put some south in our mouth".

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