Embarking on the next stage of our journey, heading north....

We left Florida on Monday April 28th and headed up thru Florida. We had a wonderful "winter" season in Florida and became official Florida residents by the end. Will cherish our favorite Happy Hours especially at the Dolphin Bar

We drove north thru the center of the state and panhandle and crossed into Alabama to spend the night in Dothan. We asked about spending the night at the local CrackerBarrel restaurant, but manager and the signs out back opposed that plan. However they did provide direction to Walmart which worked out very nicely. There was a gas station there too at 20 cents less than our fill in Florida. We did 525 miles the first day. We had to track the cold front and excessive warm and humidity colliding with it. Over the past 2 days 26 people lost their lives in the storms, tornadoes, wind and rain. We got into Dothan Alabama before dark and settled in before the rain and lightening. There were more storm cells and unstable weather north of us. I could sleep well after praying for those who lost their lives. In the morning we headed out but soon realized we started north, instead of west and had to make a correction. The detour took us through lovely farm land and humble homes nicely situated in the countryside. As we traveled west through Alabama along Route 84, a.k.a. The El Camino Trail, the old east to west route to Texas we saw a lot of green country and rolling hills. The road was lightly traveled but in fairly good condition. Much of it is under reconstruction becoming divided 2 way. There were no delays for us but it will be even better next year. After driving 400 miles today we had intended to spend the night in Brookhaven MS, (there was both CrackerBarrel and Walmart's available there) but I'd been watching the radar and a heavy rain shower began as we entered Brookhaven along 84. We saw only rain and opted to continue on. The truck got a good washing and most of the bugs were cleared off the camper hood. We rode on another hour to Natchez MS. No CrackerBarrel but Walmart was right on 84. We stocked up on what we needed and the clerk gave us excellent directions to the Mississippi river to view the bridge. We walked the park overlook. Had a beer and watched the sun set over the Mississippi. Then walked around the block to the Pig Out In. It was delicious.