From Sunshine to Sunshine Florida Back to Austin

After a nice visit in Florida, it was time to head back to Texas. I woke up around 3am. Since Florida is in the Eastern Time Zone, this is actually 2am Central Time. Basically, I was getting up the same time a lot of people would be leaving the bar and going to bed. After getting ready and packing up the car, I made sure to top off my car.

Night view of an illuminated 7-Eleven gas station with glowing sign and fuel pumps under overhead lights

For breakfast, I had the leftover pizza from Bocca Lupo.

White pizza box with red branding reading Hot & Delicious PIZZA and Courtesy for You text with decorative design

The morning started a bit cool at 59 degrees.

Car stereo display showing SiriusXM playing Lady by Styx on 70s on 7 channel, temperature reading 59°F at 3:41

Right now, Florida is experiencing a lot of issues with drought and wildfire. I ran into this firsthand with really smoky roads. At some points, I had to slow way down because it was very hard to see.

Highway driving through dense fog at night with vehicle taillights visible ahead and street lights glowing through the mist Extremely limited visibility while driving on foggy highway at night with only faint taillights visible in distance Heavy fog obscuring highway view with orange-tinted street lights barely penetrating the dense mist Near-zero visibility driving conditions with only abstract streaks of yellow and red light visible through thick fog

After a while, the smoke cleared and the sun started to rise.

Highway driving at dawn or dusk with dark blue sky and tree silhouettes lining both sides of the road Pre-dawn or post-sunset highway scene with gradient sky transitioning from blue to orange on horizon Early morning highway view with warm orange and pink sunrise glow illuminating the horizon Morning highway view with cell tower visible against sunrise sky and street lights still illuminated

It also got a bit cooler the farther north I drove.

Car dashboard displaying 48°F outside temperature, Trip 1 at 73mph, and odometer reading 006064 miles with 48.1 MPG fuel efficiency

The forests of North Florida were very scenic.

Daytime highway driving through rural area with pine forest on right side under clear blue sky Straight highway stretch through dense pine forest on both sides with clear weather conditions

At rest stops, they don't mess around. There's armed security there.

Blue sign reading THIS AREA PATROLLED BY ARMED SECURITY NIGHTTIME at wooded rest area

Before you know it, I was out of Florida and into "Sweet Home" Alabama.

Florida welcome monument on interstate with FLORIDA text on pillars and palm trees lining the highway Green highway sign marking ALABAMA STATE LINE on interstate with pine trees in background Large green Welcome to Sweet Home Alabama sign with American and Alabama flags flying on poles Alabama welcome center entrance with three flagpoles displaying American flag, Alabama flag, and POW/MIA flag White marble or concrete monument engraved with ALABAMA WE DARE DEFEND OUR RIGHTS at state border welcome area Highway driving through Alabama with dense pine and oak forest lining both sides under clear blue sky Elevated highway bridge crossing over water with vehicles ahead and green directional signs visible Approaching brick-walled highway tunnel with large arched openings and vehicle visible in adjacent lane

The drive through Alabama didn't take too long. Mississippi was the next state to go through.

Rural Alabama highway with blue welcome sign on roadside, pine forest and smoke or haze visible in distance

I stopped at a gas station in Mississippi. It was the first time I saw an abstinence-only condom machine in a bathroom.

Hygeia brand condom vending machine display showing Colors, SuperStrong, Pleasure Ribbed, and LifeStyles Ultra Sensitive varieties with personal protection information text

After my gas stop, I was on the road again.

Highway bridge section with metal guardrails and green exit sign for Biloxi visible in distance Elevated highway bridge with concrete barriers on both sides, vehicles ahead and flat forested landscape visible below

Mississippi was soon in my rearview and I was driving through Louisiana. This was the first state I encountered any major traffic jams. It seemed between New Orleans and Lafayette, there were a couple accidents and the traffic became stop and go.

Highway with blue welcome sign and motorcycle pulled over on shoulder, surrounded by dense forest Highway approaching overhead sign gantry showing Exit 135 and Keith Allen exit, bridge structure visible ahead Driving through green steel truss bridge spanning waterway under blue sky with scattered clouds Interior view through steel truss bridge showing repeating arch patterns and structural framework overhead Rural divided highway with single vehicle ahead and dense tree coverage on both sides under partly cloudy sky Highway traffic with pickup trucks ahead on tree-lined route under blue sky with puffy white clouds

After fighting traffic, things seemed to open up once I hit Texas. I was happy because Texas meant I was getting closer to home!

Rustic building or restaurant with outdoor deck silhouetted against bright sun shining through trees Rest area flag plaza displaying multiple state and national flags on tall poles under blue sky Blue Star Memorial Highway historical marker with brown background, blue star emblem, and gold text honoring Armed Forces Rest area landscaping with newly planted trees in grass median viewed from vehicle side mirror Highway at sunset or sunrise with dramatic wispy cloud formations and bright sun low on horizon

Now, it was time to drive through Houston.

Urban highway approach with city skyline silhouetted in distance at golden hour, overhead signs and traffic visible Houston downtown skyline view from highway with high-rise buildings visible against evening sky

After Houston, I got to watch the sunset.

Highway at sunset with dramatic wispy cloud formations in blue and orange sky, traffic visible ahead Evening highway driving with motorcycle ahead and vibrant sunset displaying orange and yellow hues against blue sky Highway at dusk with colorful sunset sky transitioning from deep blue to golden orange near horizon Twilight highway scene with colorful sunset clouds and darkening sky Divided highway at twilight with vehicles ahead and pastel sunset colors visible through cloudy sky Highway driving at dusk under dark blue cloudy sky with faint orange sunset glow on horizon Rural highway at sunset with dramatic streaked clouds in pink and orange tones and utility poles silhouetted Evening highway scene with spectacular layered clouds displaying pink, orange, and yellow sunset colors Highway at sunset with vivid horizontal bands of orange and yellow clouds against darkening blue sky Highway at dusk with trees silhouetted against soft pastel sunset sky in orange and purple tones

By the end of my drive, I was definitely tired. I walked into the apartment and found a pleasant surprise! Victoria did a little more decorating at our apartment and put up a Packer's flag. This was definitely awesome!

Green Bay Packers flag with large G logo hanging on beige wall above framed photo collage, door with coat hooks visible

This drive was definitely a long drive. I drove it straight through and watched the sun rise and set. I was able to visit Alabama, a state I had never been to before. It was definitely nice to be back in Austin and the surprise Victoria had for me was great!

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