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Orlando, Florida – 1/13/2015

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JANUARY 13, 2015 (Tuesday)

When we finally got up (around 9:30 AM), we decided to head out to Universal (again). The chances of rain today were only about 20%. We left around 11:00 AM and headed into Orlando on I-4. Almost as soon as we got on I-4, it was bumper to bumper. We couldn’t figure out any other reason except for a wreck (which it was).  When we finally passed the wreck, it was bad. A large semi had taken out about a quarter mile of metal railing and then caught fire. It took us about an hour to get by it.

The weather cleared, though the birds are still down and not flying much.
The weather cleared, though the birds are still down and not flying much.
Edie was fascinated with the hubcap on this semi.
Edie was fascinated with the hubcap on this semi.
After about 45 minutes and going very little distance, we finally got to the bottle neck and the wreak.
After about 45 minutes and going very little distance, we finally got to the bottleneck and the wreck.
Three lanes diverted to the shoulder.
Three lanes diverted to the shoulder.
It was a huge stretch of guard rail taken out.
It was a huge stretch of guard rail taken out.

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The driver escaped without injury. I shudder to think the sheer number of curses that were mutter towards him by the thousands whose schedule he seriously rearranged today.
The driver escaped without injury. I shudder to think the sheer number of curses that were muttered towards him by the thousands whose schedule he seriously rearranged today.

Since it had taken so long in stop and go traffic, we took the closest exit and decided to alter our plans and go to AAA and get my international driver’s license. I searched on our GPS and found the one closest and we headed that way from the exit. Once we got to the AAA office (about ten miles away), it was an insurance office not an AAA office. They were kind and gave us a map to the nearest AAA office, where we headed. We headed right back to the exit we had originally taken and continued for only about a quarter mile. Once at the AAA office we were able to get my license and a couple other things for our travels (a money belt and a wallet for Michael that blocks people trying to get numbers off credit cards). We’ll try for Universal another day soon.

Needed gas. The new prices combined with the Prius makes a fill up pretty painless.
Needed gas. The new prices combined with the Prius makes a fill up pretty painless.

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I've never parked so close before.
I’ve never parked so close before.

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On our way again and Edie spots a predator.
On our way again and Edie spots a predator.
I am an occasional fan of BBC's Top Gear.
I am an occasional fan of BBC’s Top Gear.

 

 

We headed home around 2:30 PM. We got back on I-4 and the traffic on the other side of the freeway was still stop and go – even more so. It was backed up as far as we could see. When we drove by the accident area, they were still trying to get the truck and the tank off the truck. Felt sorry for all the people who had no clue how long the wait would be.

We made it to the real one.
We made it to the real one.
They offer a lot of discounts to things and places.
They offer a lot of discounts to things and places.

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We've rented a car in Rome for two days. Edie is our driver, she loves it. They play chicken at every intersection. The highways are Nascar on steroids. In addition to the international driver permit we bought several hard to find travel accessories.
We’ve rented a car in Rome for two days. Edie is our driver, she loves it. They play chicken at every intersection. The highways are Nascar on steroids. In addition to the international driver permit we bought several hard to find travel accessories.
On our way back to our side of town we drove past the truck. They had the tractor on a flatbed.
On our way back to our side of town we drove past the truck. They had the tractor on a flatbed.
Not sure what they were going to do with the trailer.
Not sure what they were going to do with the trailer.
Getting ready to sweep. I had a bobcat like that one. Used it at our place. Sold it when we went on the road. It was the best wheelbarrow I ever had.
Getting ready to sweep. I had a bobcat like that one. Used it at our place. Sold it when we went on the road. It was the best wheelbarrow I ever had.
We drove another 4 or 5 miles and hit our exit. The back up had the traffic at a standstill.
We drove another 4 or 5 miles and hit our exit. The back up had the traffic at a standstill.
Celebration Post Office again.
Celebration Post Office again.

We headed back to our home and stopped at the nearby Logan’s Roadhouse (again).  Michael and I got the two for $14.99 special. He got the salad, chicken tenders, and mashed potatoes. I got the salad, steak tips, and mashed potatoes. Very good but way too much food.

Logan's has two new fans.
Logan’s has two new fans.
Our booth, the peanuts are fun and salty.
Our booth, the peanuts are fun and salty.
They come piping hot every time.
They come piping hot every time.
Edie and I were hungry and dove into our salads.
Edie and I were hungry and dove into our salads.
They have a nice salad.
They have a nice salad.
Edie had a variation of her onions and steak.
Edie had a variation of her onions and steak.
The chicken tenders were as good as the buttermilk breaded chicken.
The chicken tenders were as good as the buttermilk breaded chicken.
One of the fun parts of a Logan's Roadhouse.
One of the fun parts of a Logan’s Roadhouse.

 

When we got back to our home, we discovered that housekeeping had been in and we had fresh new towels. That was our day. Hope yours was great!