Blog#20-Titi! Don’t Look!
On to Tallahassee
When I got up this morning, I made coffee and then sat to drink it and read some more. The birdseed had brought another raccoon last night. He pretty much cherry-picked all the nuts out of the mix, waking me up as he raked through it looking for his favorite parts. The sunflower seeds were left and this morning I expected the jays to come eat. Instead, I had this guy. Not sure what he is. Nose isn’t very pointed and he was rounded out as well. He was polite and did not bother me. Squirrels soon joined him. I was glad I didn’t leave more than a handful of seed out, or Paul might say something after all.
Brown Rat, AKA Wharf Rat
I packed up and drove over to the little camp store and found my containers of water were now containers of ice. Effectively ice blocks, and there was nothing missing. I left Big Lagoon and headed for Destin to get my cooler.
Leaving Big Lagoon. What does this mean?
I passed through Pensacola and stopped briefly at Gulf Islands National Seashore. The park headquarters were closed. What kind of National Park is closed, especially during spring break?? Probably one that had it’s budget cut.
Gulf Islands National Seashore
Growing on the beach
It was shocking to me that I walked only 140 feet from my car to the ocean. I think it was the ocean, but it could have been a lake. Zero waves. I saw a crab in the water, so I’m convinced it was the ocean. The fog was so dense that when I walked to the shoreline, it appeared out of the gloom—and so much closer than I expected. Startling. I saw a ghostly figure go by in the mist—he also, just appeared.
Ghost on paddle board. Might have been Jimmy.
The beach is white sand. Really, that just means that it’s Parrot Fish poop. (They eat the coral and excrete sand) I filled my coffee mug with some and am bringing it home. I can’t see why the National Park would deny me a cup of poop.
Young Blue Crab
Found the Bass Pro Shop in Destin and bought a Yeti. I didn’t like the mid size Cabela ice chest. Too bulky and not as much interior space. I also bought some more DEET- aerosol this time, because the pump bottles are difficult and they empty out too quick. Expensive stuff, the old 98% pure. Picked up a citronella candle as well. I do not like being bitten.
I am staying at the Baymont Inn and Suites in Tallahassee. They put me on the ground floor at the back of all the buildings—quieter, I guess. This hotel has rooms that open directly to the parking area—no hallways. I don’t feel so good about that, being in the back. But the good news is my car is only 15 feet from the door, and I have to bring in my Yeti. Wouldn’t want anyone breaking into my car for that.
Growing in the sand
I itch all over. I must have a dozen bug bites on my scalp, and more on arms, legs and neck. Everywhere my clothes touch, I itch. Everywhere the sheets touch, I itch. The more I think about it, the more I itch. I am getting paranoid, thinking there must be bugs in my car. In my plastic chest of drawers. In this bed. Maybe it’s bedbugs. Maybe it’s lice. Maybe I’m going out of my mind. I’m going to use the hell out of that DEET tomorrow in the Okefenokee Swamp. Oh man, why did I book 2 nights there?
Have had too much time in the car to think about my bug bites. I decided to take a shower and felt much better. My stomach is a bit upset today, and nothing sounded good for dinner. So I went to the IHOP next to the hotel. Had pancakes, eggs and crisp bacon with a glass of milk—easy on the gut. The waitress asked if I was a senior, and of course I said yes. Dinner was $8.
Notice the only service offered
It has been raining since I arrived and it is 75 degrees. The humidity is awful—I feel like I’m back in Colombia. Need another shower already. I mistakenly assumed the hotel would have a washer and dryer. I will have to hold off another day.
I passed this exit on my way–for those who don’t know, my maiden name is Cary. Good to see some Irish representation here in the south.
I am going to have to fall asleep with NCIS Los Angeles playing, because it is after midnight and I can hear every word on the television in the next room. I’ll just take a quick peek out my window to make sure that my car is still there.
I feel safer in the campgrounds than in these strange cities.