May 7, 2025
Day 1,314 of the Adventure
So today, we spent between twelve and thirteen hours on the road driving. It was not a pleasant drive either. It was also a reminder why I hate leaving the backwoods. Due to some business dealings we were trying to get set up, instead of flying to Florida for a few days, we were driving. This enabled us to keep a flexible schedule going as we planned to stop at multiple locations. The previous day, we had already spent the first twelve hours on edge fighting traffic and detours that took us through construction zones and industrial parks. So much for navigating the simple route. Today though was a whole new level of infuriation. The fastest and presumably most efficient route was a turnpike through the length of Florida that was also a toll road. I'm willing to pay a toll for the convenience but almost nothing of this road was convenient. I discovered that once you've committed to the toll road, the state of Florida has you by the throat. You can't get off if you want to get back on. So, no gas stops, no bathroom stops, no any kind of stops unless you are willing to put up with the Florida toll road options. This option was referred to as a "service plaza". Plaza might be an adequate description, but the "service" part of it was ridiculous. The parking and navigating of them was like a maze. Fuel was expensive, there were acceptable food options as fast food options were concerned. However, a single, lonely, unmotivated attendant was on station at some of them and others seemed to have no one. I waited in a line for some time for someone to take an order with no success. I then was told I needed to be in the "Kiosk Line" whatever the heck that was! I presume it was the line leading to a computer screen for taking orders? I guess? I wanted a quick sandwich to go and get back on the road. No, I was being forced to stop and learn a new touch screen menu with language I was also expected to learn. Not a foreign language, an unnecessary and confusing tech language that I'm sure if I had a pre-teen with me would have understood it perfectly. But no. With other folks also wanting to get some quick food and be off on their journeys, several of us were looking like we were not as hungry as we thought. There was also a convenience store looking portion that maybe would be easier. But no there as well. With $3.50 soft drinks and zero convenience items beyond chips and...... more chip. headed for the door. Every 35 to 40 miles or so, we were offered another experience at the "Service Plaza and with the exception of gas, I avoided every one of them. This day, I became convinced that the conspiracies I'd been toying with were actually coming into reality. Sigh......... I experienced the whole "Once in the Matrix you can never leave the Matrix? kind of day. I still have no idea how I'm going to pay my toll. I fear there will be a day when two black suited strangers will appear at my door, demanding payment for services rendered to me on the Florida Turnpike.
Adventure Quote: “Because to take away a man's freedom of choice, even his freedom to make the wrong choice, is to manipulate him as though he were a puppet and not a person.” ― Madeline L'Engle
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