Stories from the Road: Key West and Why I'm a Trucker

[Tobin S.]

I originally posted this story a long time ago in the lounge. I'm posting it again at the request of a DUer.

I was experiencing full blown insanity by the time I was 23. I was hospitalized that summer for mental illness for the first time. They sent me on my way with a pocket full of anti-depressants. That was like bringing a squirt gun to fight a three alarm fire. I was feeling like I had nothing at all to lose and thinking that I might wander around the country for a while, just to see it and take time to try to sort out my head.

I moved out of an apartment that I had been renting. I stored my belongings at my folks' house. I didn't own much. Then I cleared out my bank account, packed a bag, and hopped in my little 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit. It was 1996 and you guys will probably be surprised at how much faith I had in that little car. It had a diesel engine in it and I got a lot of strange looks along the way when I pulled up to the truck pumps at the truck stops and filled 'er up.

I'm from Dayton, Ohio and I took off southward down I-75 to visit with relatives. I stopped in Putnam County, Tennessee and visited with my grandparents for a day. They were surprised to see me and probably shaking their heads in wonder when I took off. Things that made perfect sense to me at the time sounded like nonsense to everyone else. Next stop was South Carolina to visit with an aunt and uncle and cousins. I only stayed there a few hours. Even in my detached-from-reality state of mind I could tell that they were uneasy with my presence.

Then I was off. I had seen everyone I wanted to see. I'd done everything that I needed to do. I was jobless and homeless. I had my life savings (about $400) and a credit card with a $500 limit. I was venturing into the unknown all alone. I felt totally free, and maybe I was.

I wanted to see Florida. So I pointed the car southbound down I-95 and to Florida I went. I saw on my map that there was a coastal highway on the east side of the sate called highway A1A. I cruised down that highway on a warm, sunny day with my moon roof open taking in the ocean and the scenery. There were houses that probably cost millions of dollars along that road. Then it was down to Miami. I didn't like that city. It was too crowded for my anti-social outlook. So I kept cruising along down Highway 1 and into Homestead.

That was not long after Hurricane Andrew had ripped up Florida. Palm trees looked like telephone poles because their tops had been torn off. Buildings were still being totaled. It was night and I had driven all day. I stopped in a motel and the lady working the counter noted my Ohio license plate and asked me if I was looking for work. I told her that I was on vacation and she looked at me like I had mocked her departed mother. I guess it might have been offensive to be on vacation in that demolished city.

The next day I went to the Keys. I think the most interesting part of those islands is the highway that connects them. There were spans of several miles where I was driving over water. They may be the longest bridges in the country, but I don't know for sure. I drove all the way down to Key West. I was not impressed and headed back up to Marathon Key where I found an old motel to stay at for the remainder of the day and that night. It was located on a little cove and they had a beach with some beach chairs there.

I got a twelve pack of Coors and then went for a swim. Afterward, I sat in one of the beach chairs and drank beer. I was the motel's only customer. Then a goat walked up to me. Yes, a goat. He seemed to want some of my beer so I let him have some. Then I took a look around and noticed that there were some other farm animals there; some chickens and ducks.

By the time the goat and I got a good buzz going, it was starting to get dark. I figured I would stay out for a little while longer. Then a swarm of mosquitoes came along and changed my mind with a quickness. I literally ran back to my room. The bugs were all over me and in my hair. I bet that if there was anyone watching me they would have been laughing.

The next day I decided to head back northward, only this time up the west coast of Florida. To do that I had to go through Alligator Alley which I do believe was a toll road. There was nothing on that road. I don't even think there was an exit ramp on it and we're talking about a road that goes through the Everglades nearly the entire width of Florida.

I stopped in Tampa and hung out at Venice Beach for a little while. Then it was time to get back home. I was just about out of money. I stayed the night in a little motel in Georgia on my way back and that was my only stop between Tampa and my parents' home in Dayton. It was too late, though. The diesel was already running through my blood.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

1. Fascinating trip (in more ways than one!) my dear Tobin!

You do write well. I can see just where you are, all the way through.

Thanks for re-posting this gem!

[Tobin S.]

7. Thanks for the kind words, Peggy.

[OriginalGeek]

2. one of my little brothers was born in the old Venice hospital

My mom and her sister are from there (my aunt and uncle still live there). I love visiting there. In Nokomis, an even smaller town right next to Venice, is the cottage my grandparents lived in for probably 60 or 70 years and there is a grapefruit tree the same age as me bc Grandpa planted it the day I was born. Which is neat except I hate grapefruit. My little brother got a tangerine tree. :/ I love tangerines.

The cottage was sold out of the family long ago but I still drive by it on the way to visit my aunt and uncle and say hey to my dumb grapefruit tree.

[Callmecrazy]

5. I have a lot of family in that area...

My folks run Gulf Surf. A quaint little Motel on the north end of Casey Key about a quarter mile off Blackburn Point rd. and the swing bridge. Cousins in Nokomis and Osprey. Gramma lives in Venice. Folks live in North Port. I love taking the two-hour drive up Alligator Alley and U.S.75. It's a great getaway from the bustle of Fort Lauderdale and Broward County.

The thing I love the most about the Keys is the drive. From Key Largo to Key West the average speed is about 45-50 miles an hour. It's about a three hour drive to cover 130 miles. Nobody flying past you or driving up your ass. And you wouldn't believe how good your gas mileage is. Beautiful scenery makes the time fly.

[OriginalGeek]

6. yeah I fairly recently found I love it too

We went to Key West for our anniversary last year and had a wonderful time. Except for getting stuck for about 3 hours going through Marathon I think - there was an accident and traffic was maybe 1 mph for a long time but I didn't care. We stopped in Largo on the way down and took a ride on the African Queen of Humphrey Bogart movie fame (Captain even let me drive for a few minutes! well, steer). I absolutely love doing cheap cheesy touristy things lol. We stayed in a beautiful place on Duval right behind Hemingway's house and it was one of my favorite vacations even with the July heat.

I bet a dollar we have people that know each other in the Venice area. A very close family friend owned the Dairy Queen in Venice for decades but he retired and sold it a while back. He grew up with my mom and my aunt. We'll have to look up Gulf Surf next time we stay overnight down there - but it looks like we better think about it way ahead of time!

[Callmecrazy]

12. PM me when you start planning...

Book early. The place has had people coming there every season for over fifty years.
Mom loves her baby boy (me) and I can get you a decent discount.

http://www.gulfsurf.com/

[OriginalGeek]

13. lol - will do!

[hibbing]

3. Thanks Tobin n/t

[Tobin S.]

8. You're welcome.

[Worried senior]

4. I really enjoy

your writing.

[Tobin S.]

9. Thank you very much.

I'm glad you like it.

[hunter]

10. Wonderful story!

Florida is one of the few states I haven't visited.

In my mad years I'd mostly drive south to Mexico or out into the California desert in my little Toyota. It held everything I owned, most importantly my tools, a couple of big water containers, and food. I once replaced my car's head gasket in a K-Mart parking lot.

The car died permanently, nearing 300,000 miles, shortly before I met my wife. I sold it to a wrecker for $35.

I didn't have a car when I asked my wife out for our first date so I borrowed my brother's brand new car.

I sometimes wonder if my wife would have gone out with me for a second date if I'd shown up in my Toyota. I'd gotten my head together by then, meds working well enough, and I had a real career type job, but my Toyota still looked like a crazy homeless person had lived in it. Which was true.

[Tobin S.]

14. Thanks, Hunter!

I'm glad you liked it.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

11. Did you get a chance to stop at Robert is Here in Florida City?

Produce stand that serves the best Key Lime milkshakes. One of my all time ultimate food items.

[Tobin S.]

15. No, I did not.

But I'll be sure to check it out if I'm ever down that way again.

[kwassa]

16. I used to hitch a lot, and get rides from truckers.

Early 70s, when it was still common. From Ohio to the East Coast several times, and once from Ohio to Wyoming.

I've driven completely across country four times. My favorite interstate is I-70 between Denver and St. George, Utah.

I've been down to the Keys, and Key West is my favorite place in Florida. I've also stayed in Key Largo. My grandparents retired to Bradenton, on the west coast. I lived for about six months west of Fort Lauderdale.

and the older I get, the less I like to drive. At least, city driving.

[Tikki]

17. Love, love to read your writings...

On The Road....it's always there, somewhere, in many, many of us.

Tikki