U.S. Road Trip Day 19: Destination Florida

So, we walked out to my car this morning and lo and behold, it is pouring rain. I commented to the fiancé that luckily we parked the car closer to the building, not knowing what we were going to encounter as we passed through the exit doors. All my windows were down and the sunroof was also opened! Turned out last night the fiancé was supposed to open the trunk, but he held down the unlock button which automatically draws down the windows. Neither of us noticed it last night and so we came out to an exposed car. I rushed to my car and closed up all the windows, then ran over to the truck where I had left a new roll of paper towels. I pulled sheets after sheets and piled them on the car seats. The fiancé started to wipe down the interior starting with the walls and dashboard. After soaking most of the water from the seats I grabbed a blanket and towel from the trunk and placed it over the car seats and layered the top with two small mats that are spill proof. We headed back in to the hotel to grab the complimentary breakfast and wait for the seats to dry a little. After breakfast we got into the watered down car and continued on with the A/C blasting.

Along the way, I noticed a small city to the right and wanted to stop in. The fiancé’s butt was going numb from the layers so he agreed.  We were in Mobile, Alabama. It was a tiny city with a couple of skyscrapers, and plenty of small boutiques and small eateries. We parked the car along a one-way street next to a park. I removed the blankets and towels to dry in the back while the fiancé and I go exploring.

I first notice the narrow streets and narrow sidewalks. The city was waking up to sun and the trees that lined the streets were shaking off their leaves. As the sun peered through the leaves in the park, a few city residents stroll out of their homes and greeted us. It was a bit humid out, but with the morning ambiance, it didn't bother me.

Though the streets were quiet, it wasn't a creepy quiet. It was a small town quiet that makes this small city seem quaint and charming. As the fiancé and I strolled down the street, holding hands, I start to wonder how old these streets must be, the city must have seen different fashion from the different decades, the history the walls can tell you, and the same air someone historical must have breathed. I really enjoyed the quiet, it is only then a mind can take in the area and give you a feeling of peace.

We didn’t find much, just a few historical monuments, so we headed back the car and continued on. 

We arrived in Florida at 9 AM and stopped into the welcome center for another break. Not more than 30 minutes into the drive it starts to pour. Then lightning and thunder joined. We decided to avoid tolls and take the eastern route where we can go slow and avoid all the tourist traffic. Finally the weather cleared and we arrived to our home at 6 PM. I called my mom to tell her I have made it home safe. I empty my trunk and looked at my new apartment. This is now our new life.

Square green sign reads "Welcome to Florida Home of the 1997 World Series Champions"

Clouds Forming 

Huge down pour