Driving through the South

Driving from Delaware to North Carolina was uneventful -- I've taken that drive dozens of times. The drive from North Carolina to Pensacola was a little harder. I was ready to call home and cry by the time I arrived at the Florida/Alabama border. It's such a depressed area. If you're born here, and want to grow beyond the borders, how do you find the resources?

Just some random thoughts as I was passing through...

As I was getting ready to arrive in the Atlanta area, I was looking for a good way around it. Interstate 285 isn't good, nothing really is. The best way through Atlanta is through Atlanta. Much like life -- the fastest way is best, even if it may be painful.

After leaving Atlanta, I headed further south on 85 towards Lower Fayetteville Road, I drove over the crest of the hill. It seemed as if there was cross traffic on the interstate. In reality, it was an overpass, visually lowered by it's placement at the foot of the hill.

The raw and bleeding red clay earth exposed beneath floating docks in north Georgia stood as testament to the crippling drought in the region. How much is too much? When do we learn that the earth has limits, and we're rapidly approaching them? The parched, normally teeming lakes were a poignant reminder of our reliance on a healthy ecosystem and our responsibility to help maintain it.

The Florabama border was truly the most depressing though. The Police said it best -- "Another industrial ugly morning, the factory belches filth into the sky". The only difference here is that it was close to sunset. The factory smoke must create some vibrant pinks, reds and yellows in the dying light, but what a price to pay. How does breathing that air affect your health? It can't be good.

It sounds like a I had a dreary trip, but I didn't. I watched the seasons change as I drove, from snow in Delaware to budding trees in Atlanta. Strangely, Florida wasn't in bloom. I wonder if that had to do with the factories, or if Atlanta had an early spring due to the drought. It was good distraction from everything I had on my mind. I'm looking forward to spending a day on the beach tomorrow, clearing all the cobwebs and dust from my soul. It should be a great day!