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DAY 101

Week 15

PANAMA CITY BEACH (Florida, USA) to OCALA (Florida, USA)
via MANATEE SPRINGS ~ State Park (Florida, USA)

Friday September 29th, 2006

TODAYS MILEAGE – 280 miles or 451 kilometres

TRIP MILEAGE – 13881 miles or 22339 kilometres

Did I have a cheeseburger in paradise??? Nope – can't stand them!!!

You know, it's pretty tough to take, waking up to the sun rising over white powdery beaches and the sweet salty smell of the ocean comes wafting through the door as you step through the door with a fresh cup of coffee in hand.

Can there be any better moment in time, yeah – probably, but remember I'm travelling alone.

It was a leisurely 5 hour ride on into Manatee Springs State Park at Gump and Zan's suggestions. I spent the best part of 3 hours just wondering around the State Park, playing "Tommy Tourist". A good place to visit if you're in the area.

Highlight of the visit, other than the scenery, flora & fauna was watching this 3–teeth, NASCAR lovin', urine sample swillin', (hopefully) temporary American with the IQ of a urinal biscuit. This wanker was grabbing water snakes by the tail, which had me hoping that they were actually venomous. Sure as shit, one was going to bite him as he was slower than a politician having a good idea.

I was waiting for the inevitable to eventuate with the big lens on my camera, but not wanting to make it to obvious, which was as easy as hiding half a mongrel in your Speedo's.

Nothing happened, so I wondered off for 20 minutes and came back to this sheet stain specimen crying foul to a Park Ranger - he was bleeding from where he got bitten on the thigh by a Joe Blake. He was crying blue murder until I pointed out that I'd be a bit cranky if some big boofhead kept grabbing me on the tail while I'm out for a stroll.

The Park closes at 5PM so I got back in the saddle and camped 55 miles (89 kilometres) down the road at Ocala (Florida), which allows me to pass on another of my travel tips.

When looking for a hotel room, go to a hotel and jump on their open internet connection and suss out what it costs for a hotel in the area. Then walk into the hotel and ask what their best rate for the night is. Ask if that includes the AAA (Automobile Association of America) and if it's cheaper for an upstair room compared to a downstairs room. If they quote a higher price in person, go back to the car and book the room online for the cheaper rate. It works and I generally save $10 to $50 a night depending on the property.

Sometimes you'll get quoted a cheaper price in person, either way, it's money in your pocket.