September 10, 2001
Another trip is ended and we can start sorting out the memories and
stories. Sixteen days, eleven states (plus D.C.), and less than an hour of
rain while "on route". Pretty nice trip.
September 8, 2001
Part of the day was spent in the very attractive countryside of Virginia
then it ended in the frantic traffic of Washington, D.C. In between were
some sobering moments.
September 7, 2001
We crossed both South & North Carolina and made it just over the line
to Virginia. Some gorgeous country but plenty of congested city, too.
September 6, 2001
Eight days after driving into Florida, we drove out. Eighty years of
development have completely altered most of Florida's coast beyond
recognition even though the towns are still there. It would be great to
have enough time to visit some of the town museums and city hall picture
galleries.
September 5, 2001
Car trouble (relatively minor) struck today and our incredible run of
almost perfect weather ran out. Maybe we got all the bad luck out of the
way at once.
September 3, 2001
We made the big turnaround at Miami, our journey's most southern point.
Had a great visit with an aunt of mine, and have just turned west. We're
on our way to Tampa.
August 31, 2001
We got to see, but not touch, the ocean at St. Augustine and had a chance
to do laundry in Jacksonville. We ended the day by ducking into the
nearest motel soon after we turned south and into an approaching storm.
August 30, 2001
Today we felt as if we really connected with the 1920 journey when we
visited two springs where Frank & Gertrude camped. One of these was
the location of their 1920 Thanksgiving dinner. Rain drops were just
starting when I finished registering at the motel at the end of the day.
The "on route" dry streak continues.
August 27, 2001
Rain started while we refreshed ourselves in Huntsville and continued
during the drive to visit Chris's aunt in nearby Decatur. We have had
great weather while on the "official" route although it seems to
rain a lot at all other times.
August 26, 2001
As we drove from Cincinnati on Saturday, we just managed to avoid the rain
that was moving in. It caught up only after we had checked into our motel.
Today's weather was beautiful until we checked in then a real downpour hit
us. Maybe we can keep all the rain at night.
August 25, 2001
The trip is officially underway. We're barely out of Ohio but we are far
enough to realize how much more interesting US-25 is than I-75. It winds
and rolls and actually has trees overhead. Not efficient but neither is it
boring.
August 14, 2001 - Prelude
Late in the autumn of 1920, my Great-Grandparents headed south from Ohio
to spend winter in the warmth of Florida. Not at all uncommon today but
not something that everyone was doing eighty years ago. For the drive
down, they formed a two car caravan with their Ford Model T and another
couple in an Overland. They returned, via Washington, D.C., four months
later.
Throughout those months, Granny kept in touch with the folks up north with
numerous letters. Their daughter, my grandmother, saved hers and those
letters have formed the basis for plans to retrace their adventure. The
full text is available on this site and I hope to accompany each day's
report on current activities with Granny's writings for the same
territory. Launch date is August 25th.
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