Deep South Trip Day 5: The West Side of Florida

I woke up a little before sunrise. Sleeping in my car made the windows a bit fogged up. Warm ceiling light illuminating a hotel room wall at night, with visible ventilation duct and corner of a window

I hit the road and watched the sunrise. Dawn breaking over a foggy highway in the southern United States, with pine trees silhouetted against an orange-pink sunrise and morning mist across the roadway Atmospheric sunrise view through heavy fog on a southern highway, with dramatic orange and pink clouds backlit by the rising sun and dark tree silhouettes flanking the road Early morning sun breaking through layers of fog and clouds on a tree-lined highway, creating a dramatic silhouette effect with dark pines against the glowing sky

I made it to a McDonald's for breakfast. I had to order from a kiosk. This was the first time I've actually seen these kiosks. McDonald's restaurant with iconic golden arches in Florida, featuring Spanish moss-draped oak trees and American flag at half-staff under a bright blue sky with white clouds McDonald's self-service kiosk displaying the new $1-$2-$3 Dollar Menu with touchscreen interface for ordering McDonald's table tent number 34 with Welcome Home message next to a white coffee cup at a restaurant table McDonald's bagel sandwich wrapped in branded paper with napkins on a serving tray, part of their breakfast menu

After breakfast, I went to Walmart for some supplies and then hit the road. My goal was to make it to the Wicked Dolphin Distillery in time for a tour.

Wide Florida highway stretching toward the horizon under a dramatic sky filled with puffy white cumulus clouds and patches of blue View of a Florida bay or waterway from a highway bridge, with cloudy skies and distant shoreline visible across the water Rural Florida roadside scene with palm trees, utility building, and cleared land under partly cloudy skies, showing recovery or development area

I made it to Wicked Dolphin in time!

Wicked Dolphin Distillery building in turquoise paint with palm trees in Cape Coral, Florida, featuring the distillery's logo and tropical landscaping

After my tour of Wicked Dolphin, I hit the road for Victoria's brother Michael's house. It was 90F (32C)!

Vehicle dashboard display showing trip statistics of 349.6 miles at 41.1 MPG fuel efficiency, with 174 miles remaining range and odometer reading 22,205 miles Straight rural Florida highway stretching into the distance under a partly cloudy sky, with scrubland vegetation and utility poles lining both sides Wauchula's General Store circa 1900 historic mural painted on a building exterior, showing a vintage black and white photograph of the original storefront Florida highway bridge or causeway lined with palm trees under blue skies with white clouds, vehicles traveling in both directions

I made it to Michael's house and gave him his boxes of stuff. We hung out and BSed for a while. One of his cats was curious and came by to say hi. The other one hid. This cat's name is Simba. Orange tabby cat sitting attentively on a wooden coffee table in a living room, looking directly at the camera with bright yellow-green eyes

Michael's wife Kayleigh came home, and we decided to get some takeout from Bob Evans. Sunset sky with pink-tinted clouds above Florida palm trees and pine trees, capturing the soft evening light in a residential area Bob Evans restaurant at sunset with warm orange sky, showing the brick and siding exterior with multiple vehicles in the parking lot

There were cool sunset colors in the sky for our drive back. Golden hour sunset over a Florida commercial strip with palm trees, buildings, and an American flag silhouetted against the orange and pink sky Twilight view of a Florida commercial area with palm trees silhouetted against a peach and purple sunset sky, with street lights beginning to illuminate Dusk settling over a Florida highway commercial strip with palm trees and businesses visible across the road under a soft pink and blue sunset sky

I got a baked chicken with coleslaw and mac and cheese meal. It hit the spot after a long day of driving! Takeout meal in black compartmentalized container featuring grilled chicken breast, macaroni and cheese, and coleslaw with plastic utensils

Michael got me a Cigar City Tampa Style Lager. It was one of the better lagers I have had! Hand holding a can of Cigar City Brewing Tampa-Style Lager beer with cream and gold vintage-inspired label design

In the meantime, Michael's other cat made a short appearance. This cat's name is Shadow. Black cat exploring a spacious room with light wood flooring, dark cat tree, and sliding glass doors in a minimally furnished space

In the meantime of Shadow barely making an appearance, Simba was looking for some love. Orange tabby cat lying on its back on blue bedding receiving belly rubs, showing relaxed posture with paws stretched out

We ended up watching some TV and then getting to bed somewhat early. I know I was exhausted from all the driving I did. Dropping the boxes of the stuff off at Michael's house was the primary purpose of my trip. It was nice to complete that part of the trip. After sleeping in my car the last few days, it was nice to get a good night's sleep in a house.

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