Tifton, Georgia

My first night on the road and I'm cradled in the uniculture. I'm caravaning with my cousin to Highlands, NC. It's about an 11 hour drive but with two cats and a tricky back, my cousin felt more comfortable breaking up the trip.

The I Ching speaks of difficulty at the beginning when crossing the great water. My teacher used to say that opposition helped fuel undertakings. Today we got entangled in a bumper to bumper back up on Interstate 75 near Ocala. Three lanes of gridlocked traffic as far as the eye could see. Ninety minutes to go less than 5 miles and then presto, the traffic moving at (or above) the speed limit again. No sign of an accident. No police cars. No traffic advisories. Further north, we drove through several blinding downpours with gusting winds and near zero visibility.
Despite the inconveniences we arrived at our intended destination - a Hampton Inn in Tifton - Georgia, safe and sound,. Clean room, pets welcome, and all the franchise restaurants you can think of within 5 minutes. In theory, I could arrange my trip so that I spend every night on the road, in almost identical surroundings, and spare myself the discomfort of difference. I will make a concerted effort not to. I will also make a concerted effort to avoid Interstates when possible. I want to wallow in local in hopes of reconnecting with the country of my birth. Even though I've been back in the States for two years, I still feel like a stranger in a strange land here. I don't recognize the place. It confuses me and makes me a little sad.

P.S.  Next morning on the radio I learned the traffic back up was due to an unfortunate accident. A horse somehow fell off a transport truck, was badly injured, and had to be put down. Difficulty at the beginning.