eSCAping Type 1

After taking a road trip, it’s impossible to get in your car and not want to just go. To head to a different state. To explore. To see something new. Knowing you don’t need a ticket, or reservations, or plans… You could just go.

Except that being an adult sort of gets in your way.

So, my husband & I suffocated a whole year before my glorious two-week Spring Break came and we took off again! Having conquered the West, our next goal was to head as far south we could: Key West.

Now, everyone always asks (sorry I sound like a damn influencer) which road trip is my favorite, & it’s impossible to answer because they’re all so different! [Read all about our first cross-country road trip here.]

This time we had more of an itinerary; we actually made plans to stay with friends and family along our route, spending a few days in select cities.

So, with our focus more on doing rather than driving, we left Bogart home and started our 4383.5 mile, 2017 Road Trip #2.

Day 1: Louisville

With a set plan of driving 8 hours, we woke up bright and early and ready to take advantage of the first full day! Just kidding.

Somehow, we slept in and still made it to Louisville, KY by nighttime. The drive itself was far from exciting – New York, Pennsylvania, & Ohio were nothing new. BUT we were finally on another road trip, and anything’s better than driving through Nebraska, so our spirits stayed high!

Although Louisville was basically closed when we finally got there, their restaurants were not. And because of that, I discovered my new found love for bourbon. Thanks, Kentucky!

Day 2: Nashville

We spent the next day enjoying Nashville, despite not being on a bachelorette party, nor liking country music.

Well, we enjoyed what we could… Cody had to give me a piggyback ride through the entire city because it’s a whole ton of inclined walking that my year’s worth of planning didn’t actually account for. I was now using a cane, but Gladis sure was not cut out for this adventure.

We did eat some fantastic BBQ at Jack’s, and every single bar had awesome live music. We also stopped at Antique Archeology’s Nashville location, to check off “American Pickers” Store #2. I just wouldn’t go back there without a wheelchair.

So we drove on, to hit up Birmingham. Why? I really have no idea.  It’s a run-down city with actually nothing there. Should’ve stayed in Nashville…

Day 3: New Orleans

Except that because of our unplanned abundant driving, we were able to reach our next stop earlier than expected: New Orleans! Not quite en route to Key West, but still a place we fondly added to our “Return Here” list.

We spent a full day walking (yeah, a better mobility aid definitely would have improved this road trip) through the French Quarter, eating beignets at Cafe du Monde, listening to jazz musicians outside the St. Louis Cathedral, shopping at boutiques and visiting casinos… Basically every touristy thing we could fit into 24 hours.

Plus, we got to sleep at a friend’s house, so a real bed & shower at the end of the hot day made everything even more perfect. I can’t say we’d survive Mardi Gras, or even a NOLA weekend, but I highly recommend stopping there & can’t wait to go back.

Day 4: Florida

After 3.5 road trips, Cody & I have officially driven through 42 states. So I feel completely confident in saying that Florida drivers are the worst drivers in America.

I say this not to offend anyone, but to give fair warning that if you are planning on driving anywhere in that state, add at least two hours onto your intended travel time. Not because of tourists, not because of traffic jams, but because these drivers literally just pick whatever lane they want to drive in, and then go whatever speed their heart desires. Maybe slower traffic sticking to the right is only applicable in the 41 other states we’ve driven through? Who knows.

Regardless, it took a FULL day to get to Tampa – not even our intended destination.

Day 5: Naples, Key Largo

Desperately needing some time to relax outside of the car, we spent the morning in Naples. It was beautiful and expensive and entirely worth every second because I saw a manatee from the pier.

Quick explanation so you understand the significance of this: manatees have been my favorite animal ever since 2nd grade when we did a fundraiser project for endangered species. Swimming with manatees has a solid spot on my bucket list. So, basically, I wanted to jump in the ocean with this creature when I saw it. Damn Ataxia.

Anyway, we could’ve spent all week on this beach, but we’d go bankrupt, and one of the coolest drives in America was awaiting us, so on we went!

The aptly-named Overseas Highway is a 113 mile drive from the Everglades, through the Florida Keys, to Key West. It’s a 2-lane road with beautiful stretches over the ocean and plenty to see, but nowhere to pull over. That small drive alone is an entire adventure in itself.

Because of all this, we decided to spend the night in Key Largo (the closest island to the mainland) in order to dedicate the entire following morning to the drive. It’s technically only four hours, but you’re going to want time to experience it. Trust me.

Day 6: Key West

For the record, I am terrified of bridges and was actually dreading this part of the trip. Driving over 42 of them seemed like my nightmare.

I’m happy to admit I was wrong.

The Overseas Highway remains pretty level the whole way, taking you from island to island at a comfortable pace. You’re only ever about 20 feet above the ocean, and there’s enough intermittent land to keep you sane.

Now, about halfway through you’ll reach the famous 7-Mile Bridge: driving seven straight miles surrounded by nothing but water.  The good news is that this section was recently rebuilt – you can even walk on parts of the old bridge, still standing next to the new one. So, that made me feel safer.

It’s a completely unique and memorable experience. I mean, who else can say they’ve literally driven over the Atlantic Ocean? Road trippers and James Bond, that’s who.

Plus, your ending destination is a beautiful, tropical location. I’m not sure which is better – Key West itself, or the drive there.

By the end of our first week we had driven through seven new states, spent time exploring four unique cities, and made it to the southernmost point in the United States.

With two days to spend in Key West, plus our drive up the East Coast to head home, our second road trip was far from over.

Continue reading about week #2 here!