A Long Hot Slog : July 9, 2020 - Boca to Baton Rouge

Well, today I beat my previous distance records for driving my motorcycle in one day: Today I drove 880 miles from Boca Raton, FL to Baton Rouge, LA in 14 hours (with gas stops).  My previous record was in late June 2018 from Spearfish, MT to Spokane, WA for 814 miles.  In September 2017, I drove 646 miles from Boca Raton, FL to Athens, GA.  However, today, the temperature got to 98 degrees.  My motorcycle was not happy.

I got up at 2 am, and left the garage at 2:45 after having a light breakfast.  It was not uneventful - on the way to Orlando, FL,  I had to slow down for a major auto accident - at least 10 highway patrol and EMS vehicles were flashing all their lights - a real light show in the dark.  Then I stopped for gas at the Canoe Creek Service Area - there had been a hazardous material leak from a large tanker truck - foam everywhere.  Hazmat suited specialty teams were on cleanup.  Lots of action for 5 am.  

Man, Florida is a big state.  Not only do you have to drive the whole length of the state up - but then you have to drive West through the panhandle.  It is like driving through two long states just to get out of Florida.  Alabama was a welcomed sight.  However, I had to make a decision: storm clouds were forming.  I got off I-10 at the next exist, Chippy, FL.  Do I wait it out or just put on my rain gear and gut it out.  I called my advisor (Janis).  She said go for it.  I did.  I slapped my motorcycle into "rain mode".  The rain washed off all the bugs I picked up in Florida.  The sun appeared and the temperature rose to 95 degrees, and continued to climb until I reached today's destination.

So, I rode from 3 am  (Eastern Time Zone) to 4 pm (Central Time Zone).  A real gruel on the Interstate.  I have something to look forward tomorrow: I will get off the Interstate at Beaumont, TX - and I do not ever see them again for the rest of the trip.  I will drive 6 hours to College Station, TX - a piece of cake after today.

One major observation so far:  no one wears a mask (except at my Comfort Inn)..  I did not see one person wear a mask at any of the gas stations.  Even the people going in and out of the station marts.  What the hay?  It is like no one is even concerned about the virus.  I don't get it.  I steered clear of  these people.

Another final observation, I listen to news stations through my helmet as I drive.  Is there anything else happening in the world other than the virus.  So many experts saying the same thing a million times.  Sheeez.  Tomorrow, all music.

Lights out from Baton Rouge.






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