We’ll get there fast and then we’ll take it slow
In December 2018 I had a good chunk of time off work, and little desire to hang around Vancouver for the winter, so as is typically my want – I chased the sun. I locked in a trip home for January, but had all of December clear.
I’d long had the desire to do a road trip through the south of USA (still do) but the scale and cost was mounting the more I planned. I then noticed that there was a SpaceX rocket launch scheduled for the following week (a huge bucket list item) – and so my Florida road trip was born.
I flew into Orlando, stepped into my Hyundai and got out of that city as fast as I could in search of a spot for lunch. I found a spot in Sanford, and had arrived less than a minute before the heavens exploded with torrential rain, thunder and lightning – and I realised how much I had missed real weather.
Couldn’t get enough of the trees 
I moved down the coast from St Augustine (beautiful), to Daytona (trash), and Cocoa beach (magic).
I caught my first glimpse of Cape Canaveral on the horizon from Cocoa Beach. I sat at the Rikki Tiki Tavern having a beer and eavesdropping on the conversations nearby. They all looked like locals or even holidaymakers – shorts, old t-shirts, thongs. But their conversation – discussion about terraforming Mars to my left, and genetic engineering to my right – was very unexpected. The genetics conversation was way over my head.
Florida is the butt of many a joke in pop culture, and driving around I could see why – but the experience in that bar felt very much like home, Australia. Appearances are not important. The concept of “class” is near non-existent, and that is sometimes used for jokes aimed at the place, but I for one love it.
The launch itself was INCREDIBLE. It had been a long time since I’d felt that level of child-like excitement, and the experience was far more mind-blowing than I had anticipated. The flame was intensely bright, the roar made my hairs stand on end. And no matter how many times I see a rocket land back on the pad, it’s still as unbelievable as the first time.
So much to geek out on 
Further down the coast I found myself in Everglades National Park, cycling around gators, turtles and an enormous amount of bird life, and eating all the delicious corn and BBQ food I could manage.
I then drove all the way along the Florida keys. I have to say it’s one of the most stunning drives I’ve ever done. Along the way I managed to snorkel, laze by the pool and stuff my face with Key Lime Pie, Cuban sandwiches and Cuban coffee.
So simple, so delicious 
Loves me some pie
It now falls into the category of places I wish I’d had more time with, but will most likely never see again.