Day One – Lets Go Already!

Just a Few More Things!

First things first. We've planned, prepared, made numerous lists, and at the last minute we decide all that planning just wasn't enough. It really was, but when going across the huge country that is the United States for the first time its easy to forget about the chain stores everywhere.

After the last minute shopping at Bass Pro and Walgreens for a variety of random items we finally make it on the road by 2pm. Heading out on Highway 27 we cut through the middle of Florida. First stop of the day is for gas in Clewiston. The next stop is somewhere around Seabring, FL. Finally we reach our destination for the night around 7pm, San Antonio, FL, which is near Dade City, which is close to Tampa. Upon entering the town I spot my first Muffler Man of the journey. We're staying at James' cousin's house, who is also named James. We meet and greet, change shoes and then off to see a local car show by 7:30pm. We walk around town center looking at the remaining cars at this little gathering.

Now we're off to his cousin's parent's house. There are more introductions and names to remember: Lisa, another James and Mathew, and Janet and Frank. We all take a group picture together and head out to dinner with James, the cousin. We make it to Poncho's Villa at 9:30pm. This is a little Mexican place where we stuff ourselves with dinner and drinks. We head back to our "home" for the evening and I settle into bed and do some reflecting on what the hell we've set out to do.