We set out on the I-95 continuing south in cooler temperatures and threatening skies. I-95 is the route of choice for tourists, businessman, truck drivers, drug dealers, carjackers, and anyone else needing to get from the north to the south in a hurry, on the eastern seaboard. Truck traffic was moderate, the road was in relatively good shape, and we only have about three hours to travel today.

I am now used to the constant green, flat, forested terrain that is inland Florida. The coast is more interesting but I'm not on the coast this morning. That will have to be next year's trip. One of the things I've noticed traveling down the interstate is the number of billboards. There are billboards for almost everything you might want: motel rooms, eateries, car and motorcycle dealers, RV's, adult videos, Disneyland tickets, vasectomy reversals, etc. Being in a hurry, we didn't use any of the products or services advertised on the billboards.

As I was pointing the Goldwing south at about 70 mph, I spotted something unusual in the distance…. a hill. "Hey Lin," I shouted over the intercom, "There's a hill over there on the left!" As we got closer, eyes glued to the highest point we had seen in Florida, we realized the "hill" had a square shape. As we got even closer, it became clear that this hill was actually a grass covered landfill, or as we say in California, the dump. A little disappointing but I thought it might have potential for future real estate.

If Florida were to follow the example of so many other areas around the country, these spots could become exclusive enclaves of the rich, who would insist on building on the high ground for the view. Land values would skyrocket as the well-to-do engaged in bidding wars for this limited high ground. They might even be able to burn off the methane that is created from the composting of our garbage, to be used for their own private energy source. It has real potential.

As about 11:00 a.m., we arrived at my brother's house. He and my sister-in-law had to go into town so we had the whole house to ourselves, a rare, quiet, treat after forty days on the road. Tomorrow and the next day will be visiting relatives and no motorcycle riding. I will take the bike to a dealer for an oil change and new tires. Skip ahead to day 43 if you want to.