3/7/99 - Day 27 - Okay, so it's been a while since I've updated the site.  Here's what has happened.   Last Sunday, I began the day with an uneasy feeling.  My throat hurt a bit.   I was hoping it was a small cold - something that I could handle.  I took a nap after returning from church that afternoon.  I felt significantly worse after I woke up.  My head was hurting, my throat was worse, and I felt very hot.  Things got worse that evening.  I decided if I was still feeling very bad the next day I would see the doctor.  Through the night my fever continued to swelter between 102 and 103 degrees Fahrenheit.  I made an appointment and saw the doctor the next day.   I was run through the normal routine, then the doctor poked around and checked my throat.  "Looks like you have strep," he said.  Remembering my childhood battle with strep, I was not enthusiastic.  He told me that it was definitely strep or some other bacteria.  A throat culture was taken to confirm that it was actually strep.  I called the next morning to find the results were positive for the strep bacteria.  I made a few more calls and they filled a prescription for antibiotics that would rid me of the bacteria.  I have been taking antibiotics since Tuesday and now appear to be over the bacteria.  After resting a few days I continued my visit.  On Friday, I finally bought the car I've been wanting.  I took the plunge and bought my Lexus.  I should have it by the end of this week once the loan is complete. Yippee!  Today I plan to head down to Tampa, Florida.  I'll do some things with the loan.  I'm also going to see some family and friends.  I should be back in Charleston during the latter-half of the week.

So what are my long term travel plans?  I think I have completed this portion of my travels.  It seems I've just been taking care of personal stuff for the past week or so.  I will probably head back up to Michigan with my new car and continue work.  I certainly don't plan to end my travels though.  You'll probably see me out there again soon travelling down South or out West, or maybe even up in Canada land.  Stay tuned - I'll keep you updated.

3/9/99 - Day 29 - Hello from (mostly) sunny Florida!  I've made it to the California of the East.   Monday night I stayed overnight somewhere outside of Ocala.  The next day I made the rush to Tampa.  I needed to get to the Credit Union.  Timing was critical for the loan and I needed it completed by Thursday.  I had some trouble finding it and wound up there later than I had wanted.  Once there I set up an account and saw the Loan officer.

Monday was one of those days where you knew something wasn't right.  I had a good feeling that this day was going to be a bad day.  I went outside to take my afternoon dose of antibiotics while the woman was preparing my loan..   I zipped open my duffel bag and looked inside.  Large amounts of red goo greeted me.  My cough syrup had leaked - half of it was empty.  I had placed my medications inside of a Wal-Mart bag so it wouldn't get into the rest of the bag.   The red goo seemed to ignore the plastic boundaries I had set and leaked throughout the inside of my duffel bag.  I had many important things in this bag and wasn't happy to see the red goo layered over everything.  I set the bag on top of my car and attempted to wipe the goo off my items.  The stuff spread like fire and I wound with a puddle of syrup on top of my vehicle.  It leaked into the doorsill and onto the hinges.  I was very frustrated.  I made many trips in the Credit Union to clean my items.  In a bout of frustration I threw out my bag.  Later I regretted the decision because of the sentimental value of the bag.  Unfortunately it wasn't there when I checked the trash today.  Keep in mind all this was happening while my loan was being prepared.

Unfortunately what needed to be completed that day could not be completed before they closed, so I lost a day of progress on the loan.  At this point I just desired to grab a room at the Westshore Marriott, swim a little, and relax.  This was all I wanted to do.  I would not have my way.   The Marriott was booked solid - so were all of the hotels in the area.   Great!  (sarcasm.)  I eventually found a dwarf-sized room with a double bed at the Fairfield Inn in Brandon.  It's not a bargain, but at least I have a place to stay.

Today was less eventful and much less frustrating.  I stopped at the mall and a couple other places before stopping again at the Credit Union.   I got the documents sent that needed to be.  I got back to the motel and called some friends and family.  I got a call back from a former neighbor and old friend.  We and her daughter used to hang out together.  Okay, I practically lived there.  We all got together and had a good evening of conversation and memories.  The next few days does not hold much for me.  I'll probably be here until Thursday or Friday completing my loan and visiting friends.

For all of you who are enduring a snowstorm or under two feet of snow - I'm waving to you from a warm and sunny Florida!

3/21/99 - Day 41 - Hey everyone!  I'm home again.  I was so busy getting organized and unpacked that I haven't updated in a while.  I'll make the story short.  The loan was completed, I picked up the car, hung around Charleston for a bit, then headed home.  On the way I stopped in Lexington, KY to visit my Grandmother.  I had a nice stay there - had some time to take it easy.  I'm trying to catch up on work and life now. 

It amazes me it has been 41 days since I left on this trip.  The more I think about it, the more I realize what an experience it has been.  I definitely have some memories.  But my journey is not complete.  I have more travel.  I'm not sure when I'll leave again, but I will.  Maybe a month, maybe two.   I have two thoughts as to where I may go next.  I may trek through the South and then drive Westward, or I may take an extended tour of Canada. 

I hope my travels have inspired you to follow your dreams.   Is there something you've always desired to do?  Whether the dream be big or small, do it before it's too late!  Have fun!

'Til next time...

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