Well it is finally December and coming down the homestretch of another year of “Vehicle Relocation” services. The week before Turkey week, I completed trip number #46 and the week following, put trip #47 in the books. #46 was filled with clouds, rain and temps around 80 degrees. #47 was a mix of sun, cloud, wind, temps in the 10’s and SNOW!!!! More on that later! Also, both trips originated out of Georgia with starting points about 50 miles apart.
Drive #46 going south out of Atlanta Drive #47 going north out of Calhoun GA
On the morning of 14 November, I started out of downtown Atlanta for my day long drive to the Tampa area. The only hitch in getting this trip started was an expired license plate!. Technically, the plate was up to date, but the company employee who was assigned the vehicle at the time, never put the new sticker on the plate and the registration paperwork was missing. UUUGH..
Finally, after about an hour of phone calls and waiting, I obtained an electronic copy of the registration (have done this before with companies and their vehicles) and set off on my journey.
After battling Atlanta traffic for a short bit, I eventually made my way down I-75S to Tampa. Pretty much a straight drive down 75, also taking the I-475 bypass around Macon GA (mentioned this bypass before and highly recommended, going north or south). The 75 stretch in central and south Georgia is pretty wide open, so I was able to make great time. The 75 portion in north Florida is also usually fairly free of traffic. After a little more than seven hours of driving, I had reached the town of Bushnell FL, my intended stop for the night.
Just off the interstate, I easily found my hotel I was planning to use, but didn’t really like the area. I opted to travel closer to the Tampa region and try Brooksville FL. Good choice. Using my hotel app (WYNDHAM..a little plug), I picked out a Microtel INN which was located near plenty of restaurants. Very clean, well landscaped and equipped with a BAR! First ever for a MICROTEL that I have seen. Anyhow, since it was still sort of early in the day, I set about finding something to eat and yes I found a nice local Mexican restaurant, “EL SOL de MEXICO”. Nice place with reasonable prices. Good atmosphere. When I made my way back to my hotel, yes, I had to test the Bar out. The night clerk also served as my bartender. “THE CORK & TAP” is the name of the “micro” bar.
The hotel offered a morning breakfast but it was just a little more than a grab and go type spread. A couple of granola bars and a cup of juice and then I was back on the road for the remainder of my journey.
Taking I-275S into Tampa was a little hectic, due to construction and intermittent showers, but I made it and had a successful delivery. Additionally I made it to the Tampa airport (definitely one of my favorite airports) to catch an earlier than scheduled flight back to Atlanta.
As I mentioned, after trip #46 was completed, the calendar was showing Turkey Week, so why not do more driving. Down to the beach in Florida for a working vacation. The weather was nice but a little on the cool side, so not much beach action that week.
Following Thanksgiving, it was backup to Georgia and prepare for trip #47. Metro Chicago, here I come (again).
The morning of the 28th of November, I drove into Atlanta and parked at the airport. From there I took an airport shuttle service north up to Calhoun GA (about 50 miles). I met my point of contact for this trip and they handed over the keys to a Grand Cherokee and I was off and running. No delays getting started! YEAH!!
Continuing on north on I-75 up to Chattanooga TN, then exiting on to I-24W (really I went in a north west direction up to Nashville). In Nashville, I merged on to I-65N with my destination of Noblesville IN 310 miles ahead.
Having done similar drives, I was hoping to make it to Noblesville IN. This town is a northern suburb of Indianapolis. Technically, to get there, I took the I-465N loop around INDY. I have stayed there before and it is a nice little town and is only 200 miles shy of the metro Chicago area. The only drawback in this town, I can’t ever find a good Mexican restaurant!! The local Applebee’s was my spot (again) for a little food and drink.
I stayed in a hotel I had never tried before. Just around the corner from the Applebee’s, I found a Baymount. Very nice and very clean and had a great breakfast offering. Following breakfast on the morning of the 29th, I headed up to Chicago. More specifically, the suburb of Oak Park.
(snapshot of the Metro Chicago area. Oak Park is due west of Chicago off I-290)
After taking a few country back roads (about 30 miles worth) out of Noblesville, I merged back on to I-65N. Once in Illinois and getting to the Oak Park area, you have to take a variety of different interstate roads. Because I try to avoid the toll roads, I probably have to take a few more roads than might be necessary, but fortunately it was the right time of day and very few slow downs or back ups. Below is a picture I lifted from a quick video I shot during one of the slow downs.
For those not too familiar with Chicago. The tall tower in the picture is the Willis Tower. Formerly known as the Sears Tower. Still one of the tallest in the world. Many years ago, after
I graduated from Navy boot camp (located in North Chicago), I went to the top of tower and ate dinner while on liberty!!
Anyway, back to drive #47.
I have stayed in metro Chicago quite a few times, thanks to this business, and on this trip, I opted to try a different hotel. I ended up staying a few miles north of Oak Park, in the Glenview area and found another nice Baymount hotel. I also looked for a local Mexican place for a bite to eat but couldn’t find one so I tried a local pub, “Buddy’s Bites and Brews”. A neat place with a sort of Irish theme.
On the morning of the 30th, following a good complimentary breakfast, I made my way back to Oak Park and finalized another successful delivery. I snagged an Uber and made my way to O’hare airport (one of my least favorites). The trip back to Atlanta went smoothly except for the fact I got back into the A-T-L just as afternoon traffic picked up…uuugh. Oh well, I made it home safely.
The cold weather and snow I mentioned in the opening. Yep, Chicago. There really were just traces of unmelted snow in the shady spots off the roads and intown, but it is that time again. Oh well!!
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it. Hoping to hit the big 5-0 regarding the number of deliveries this year! We shall see. Don’t forget to share with others and don’t forget, I AM FOR HIRE!