Start – 4137.5 km
Finish – 4241.5 km
—————
104 km or 62.4 mi

My last day in Florida. Had no idea when I camped for the night that I was only about a mile from the state line. Had I known, I would’ve blown right through the state of Alabama. Certainly, I wouldn’t have stopped at Gulf Shores State Park. Ay Carumba!

The morning was a slow start. I take my time in the mornings and wait for the dew to clear off before I pack up the tent. I’ve really only noticed the dew getting heavier since Oklochonee or however it’s spelled. Anyway, got on the road, and was almost instantly in Alabama. Bridge to enter into the state and woohoo! Alabama.

There were a couple of photos that I really wish I had stopped to snap but as I passed them I thought, “Eh, I’ll see the exact same thing up ahead.” I didn’t. Clerks calling you “Honey.” Head nods. The accents became much thicker coming into Alabama. Also, true to southern hospitality, nearly every motorcycle rider waves in this state. You know, they stick their hand out to the side as they pass. Two fingers. I do the same thing. Because, you know… camaraderie.

Went through two towns, Lillian and Elberta (which has a fine-looking strip-mallish looking building with the sign “Elberta Social Club” atop. Was glad that my life didn’t consist of membership there. Maybe I AM snobby. But I can’t help that I’m better than most. I kid. Obviously.

Came to Foley and took Hwy 59 down to Gulf Shores. Driving and driving through chains of corporate entities…. home depot, lowes, burger king, o’charleys, etc… Finally got to Gulf Shores, and went to the state park. On the approach to the park, I became depressed looking at it over stripped woods. Barren. Flat. RVs. Nothing.

I pull up to the ranger station and go inside. There are a couple of older fellows there, retirees. The building reeks like a public school gym locker room. Ugh. I can’t breathe. I expect at any moment that I’m going to have to go outside and run through tires in full football gear and then drop and give someone twenty. I couldn’t get out of the building fast enough.

Get to the campsite and there is absolutely nothing. (The video does a swell job of explaining that.) Go into town to the public library. Find out inside that there’s a Starbucks back up in Foley so make the drive up there to smoke, drink, do some internet stuff.

Stay until 10 or so. There is nothing of interest in Gulf Shores to me. I’m ready to move on. Go back to the site and I change the batteries in my head lamp (the light that straps with a band onto my forehead) only to find that the light isn’t working. Damn. I JUST bought batteries to replace what I thought were dead ones. I set up camp with a small yellow lantern. Read for a little bit. Pass out. (Fooled around with the headlamp some this morning and got it working. Was a loose connection.)

All was just going fine, what with me sleeping and all, up until around 5:08am when garbage trucks decided to swing by and empty all 10 of the dumpsters in the campsite. You know, the ones right outside my tent. Whatever idiot in city hall decided that Saturday morning at 5:08am is the ideal time to pick up trash at the state park should be relieved of his duties. Seriously. Maybe even time behind bars. Or six weeks at Gulf Shores State Park.

Tried to go back to sleep, but by then it was too late. Got up and read some. Took my shower (again, the bathrooms have that gym locker smell to them, blech). Packed my bag, and headed out. Since I was AT the beach, I thought it might be good to actually go and see the water. There won’t be too many more days when I’m close to water’s edge.

Sitting in Foley now. Planning out the trip to Biloxi. I may hang out for a bit in Mobile for lunch. Blue skies right now. I hope they remain that way as both of my plastic ponchos are gone, destroyed by the wind. I don’t want to stop for a poncho.

Photos here.

Scott’s roadtrip across America is proudly sponsored by Miami Tour Company. For info on the best tours in Miami, visit MiamiTourCompany.com.