| |
 |
|
We Have Arrived!
States: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida
 January 24, 1999
by Wayne & Karen Brown |
3:05 AM (CST): Gas stop - Sidwell, Louisiana
(Magellan GPS Location: 30º 6 minutes 99 seconds North latitude, 93º 49 min. 20 sec. West longitude)
We are now in Louisiana. We crossed over the Mississippi River (about 1:25 AM) which is the border between Texas and Louisiana. The air is thick and heavy here because of the humidity. (Humidity is moisture in the air.)
Karen's turn to drive now.
6:00 AM (CST): Restroom stop - Pensacola, Florida
We made it to Florida!
Pensacola has a big U.S. Navy air base. If you want to join the U.S. Navy and be a pilot, this is where the Navy will send you for pilot training.
My turn to drive now.
6:30 AM (CST): Gas stop - Milton, Florida
(Magellan GPS Location: 30º 36 min. 97 sec. North latitude, 86º 57 min. 71 sec. West longitude)
8:20 AM (Eastern Standard Time): Restroom stop - Florida panhandle
(Magellan GPS Location: 30º 43 minutes 01 seconds North latitude
85º 11 min. 06 seconds West longitude)
11:00 AM (EST): Lunch and Gas stop - Lake City, Florida
(Magellan GPS Location: 30º 11 minutes 09 seconds North latitude
82º 41 min. 61 seconds West longitude)
We stop here at the official Florida State Welcome Center and are officially welcomed with a free cup (a tiny cup) of Florida orange juice.
We stop for breakfast at the Cracker Barrel. I have a large glass of fresh squeezed oragne juice and a breakfast casserole (eggs, ham and cheeze), and corn muffins. Mrs. Brown has two eggs, grits, gravy, and corn muffins.
3:22 PM (EST): CRYSTAL RIVER, FLORIDA!
(Magellan GPS Location: 30º 11 minutes 09 seconds North latitude
82º 41 min. 62 seconds West longitude)
We have finally arrived in Crystal River!
We check into the lodge that we will use as our expedition base for three weeks and take a long, hot shower. After being in the van, since Friday morning, and not changing clothes or washing, we have a serious case of BO!
Now we need to get ready for the expedition and look for manatees! |
|
TODAY'S DATA:
STOP 1 - Louisiana
Location: Slidell, Louisiana
Air Temp: 42ºF
Weather: Clear skies, breezy, no clouds
Car miles traveled: 1,948.8 miles
Average miles per gallon (mpg): 19.2 miles per gallon
Gas Price (gal. of gas regular unleaded): $0.889 / gal.
Gallons of Gas purchased: 15.128 gal.
STOP 2 - Florida!
Location: Pensacola, Florida
Air Temp: 47ºF
Weather: High, thick cloudy overcast, windy
STOP 3 - Florida
Location: Milton, FL
Air Temp.: 47ºF
Weather: High, thick cloudy overcast, windy
Car miles traveled: 2,136.0 miles
Average mpg: 18.6 miles per gallon
Gas Price: $0.899 / gal.
Gas purchased: 11.43 gal.
STOP 4 - Florida
Location: Florida panhandle
Air Temp: 49ºF
Weather: Clear skies, only a few scattered clouds, breezy
Car miles traveled: 2,246.7 miles
Average mpg: 18.5 miles per gallon
Lake City, Florida: We have just been welcomed at the welcome center.
STOP 5 - Florida
Location: Lake City, FL
Air Temp: 61ºF
Weather: a few scattered clouds, light breeze
Cost of lunch: $15.88
Car miles traveled: 2,410 miles
Average mpg: 18.4 mpg
Gas Price: $1.039 / gal.
Gas purchased: 16.507 gal.
Lake City, FL: Karen is smiling after a big breakfast at our favorite restaurant.
STOP 6 - Florida
Location: Crystal River, Florida
Air Temp: 61ºF
Weather: a few scattered clouds, light breeze
Car miles traveled: 2,519.2 miles
Average mpg: 18.5 mpg
Flat Tires: 0
Crystal River, FL: We have arrived! These are the first manatees we saw. Karen is with one manatee. Our minivan and Cobra kayaks are in the background on the left.
|
|
