Some more of Florida....

We were a bit sad to leave the luxury of our condo in Florida, but were ready to hit the road again on our next adventure. We decided to follow the Gulf of Mexico along the Florida coastline...the water was a muddy brown and very tidal for a lot of it...

..

There were lots of small holiday towns...quite exclusive, with really interesting homes built up high.

 Stu chatted with some people who when we left one of the towns, who said to us''''Y'all come back now, y'hear!"  Seriously, they said that!!  We were in southern USA heaven...it's not just pretend speak on the telly..they actually say it!!
 

 and then you'd drive through towns with beautiful old oak trees lining the streets, that were draped in Spanish moss giving them a spooky but beautiful look.

 We saw a bit of wildlife

as we headed out across the Gulf to one of the many inhabited islands that you reach via giant bridges, that cross the Gulf for about 15 kms! Americans do bridges really well!!

There is housing ALL along the coastline...it is quite incredible to see it all and I guess one of the ways to fit them all in is to build upwards!

The houses looked pretty expensive but were very tasteful and summery....and I think a lot of them were summer rentals.

The beaches on the islands were much cleaner and whiter and full of people

and it was really hot so Stu went for a dip in the Gulf of Mexico...another body of water to add to his International swimming resume...

We had to stock up on some food and drinks and where else would go to do that than this supermarket...

There are so many unfamiliar shops in the US that you never know what you are walking in to.  Fortunately we had seen people come out with shopping trolleys so we knew we could get groceries there!!

That night we drove to a small town called Marianne in Florida and splurged yet again on a $40 motel room....

  and picked up some Taco Bell for tea, where the girl who served us said in her southern drawl....."y'all not from round these parts are ya"....love it!!

The next day we trove to Tallahassee which is the capital of Florida.  I was really excited as I knew the song Tallahassee Bridge, so I wanted to see the bridge Bobby Gentry was singing about.  Turns out it's not the Tallahassee Bridge (this does not exist!) but the Tallahatchie  Bridge in Mississippi. Another of those songs where you get the lyrics wrong!! (Hold me closer Tony Danza springs to mind!!)
We stopped in at the Capitol building in Tallahassee which are always interesting to visit, especially when you come across these sorts of folk,

and gives you a good feel for the city...

 

before making our way into Alabama...