Sorted Lives

I had a death in the family. It was my great uncle with whom I have many fond memories of as a child. His child (my second cousin) stated he did not want a funeral service nor a memorial service, but after talks with the rest of the family members, she decided she would have a small gathering in his memory. Several family members flew in for the service and I thought it was the right thing to do and drive down. He and my great aunt were an important part of my childhood. I remember how they use to take me and my two brothers (separately and alone) for one week to their beach house. We always thought that was “the greatest thing.” I remember helping my great aunt cook the dinner my great uncle and I caught. He use to take us fishing and crabbing. Now, I wasn’t much on the fishing, but I use to love to go crabbing. As I look back, all of my fondest memories I have as a child are with the entire family being at their beach house (and there were at least 50 of us).

Driving back to town, I decided I would take the backroads. I could have taken the Interstate, but it adds 50+ miles, and more stress because “you never know what is going to happen.” Now, my ride down to my folks was down the backroads, but my Tuesday sucked ass and I was more focused on getting to my parents house rather than enjoying the ride.

After the memorial service and a gathering at my parents house, I headed out. I decided my route back home would be take me through the backroads. First, I headed up CR 762. I forgot how serene the road really is. No one in front of me, I just drove…and drove.. until I hit CR 761. Again, no one in front of me, but road. I gazed at the creeks and rivers before me. It was almost like a Florida that was forgotten.

I eventually made my way into Arcadia about 15 minutes later. I was stopped at a light and saw the County Courthouse (photo above). I continued to drive into “old time Florida.” I had forgotten how quaint how the center of the state really is — and how much the backroads have changed. Some 18 years ago when I first started making this trek, it was all 2 lane highway, no street lights… But now, 4-lane cruising, lots of lighting. Very much unnoticed driving down to my folks.

I made my way through Ft Ogden, Nocatee, Arcadia, Brownville, Gardner (yes, these are towns), Zolfo Springs, Wauchula, Bowling Green, Fort Meade, Bartow, and of course the BOOMING METROPOLIS of Eloise before hitting Winter Haven.. I was amazed at how much these towns have grown over the last 18 years. I enjoyed, quietly, each town, and was reminded that each town held something special to the people who lived there.

Finally arriving home some 3 hours later, I was reminded of an old Florida left behind. Like many interstates throughout the US, we have sprawling cities that have no “real” history or no life. These backroads are not made up of Stuckey’s, McDonalds, and now, Starbucks. The towns along the forgotten stretches of highways go on for miles, and miles. With no interstates nearby and no Starbucks. It reminded me of a simpler life. It may be a time forgotten. But, these towns along our US Hwy system remind me that there are places where people came, and settled…and didn’t care about progress to make them the metropolis of the world.