I'm finally settling into my new normal here in Florida. The 2600 mile drive from Idaho was the road trip of the decade and we saw more Bucees and Little Americas than I care to mention. By the way, we stopped at one every chance we could for potty breaks, snacks or to browse the junk they had to offer. The drive was interesting, and we noticed how different areas of the country tend to vary. For instance, Wyoming is flat, very pretty and prone to rain and thunder storms. Missouri and Tennessee on the other hand, are humid, with lots of hills and green trees. I would have loved to stop in to visit with the Missouri cousins but we were in a hurry and they seemed farther south than where we were driving. We loved Nashville, everyone had that lovely Southern style one will only find south of the Mason-Dixon Line. I want to visit Nashville again soon and explore the country bars and go to the Grand Ole Opry.
I found out right away, Orlando is very different from Los Angeles, Seattle and Boise. Florida is California on steroids weather-wise and to be honest I'm loving it. Palm trees are in abundance, the greenery is fantastic and the sun shines bright. I guess I should mention it's warm, very very warm. The humidity is off the charts and it's only July but I'm okay with it. By the way, two showers a day and plenty of perfume and deodorant are a must, just saying...
I'm pleasantly if not wonderfully surprised as to how much I like it here. I've been to areas close to my house that one could easily compare with Newport Beach or San Marino. There are other areas where the old homes are fantastic, weeping willows and large horse properties are in abundance. I forgot to mention there is a pond or lake everywhere. I missed the greenery during my five years in Boise.
Florida is the South, I knew it would be geographically but wow, it's really the south. Everyone is so nice, kind and very helpful. Young and old alike call me ma'am and I like that to be honest and I don't feel like I'm an old crone or ready for a wheelchair. The south has always been known for it's politeness and these are very polite people. I love hearing the southern accents and being treated with the respect and kindness that was never in my west coast experience. People are friendly, want to talk and find out who and what you're all about. I find this to be very satisfying.
Ice tea is a southern experience, so when one orders ice tea, always remember it's going to be sweet tea unless you specify it is to be unsweetened. I am very careful with my sugar intake so overly sweetened ice tea is not my style. Plus sweet tea is icky, and it's over kill if one happens upon a cookie or a piece of key lime pie. Southern BBQ is in abundance and the potato salads are fantastic. I've yet to try the ribs or southern fried anything but it's on my agenda along with southern style baked beans but no fried okra, yuck!
Now that I'm moved into my house, my porch sitting experience in behind the screens. Sitting out in my lanai after dark is another Florida experience that is hard to explain. My house backs up to a small jungle and the sounds coming out of it after 9:00 pm are hard to describe other than; I'll never venture over the fence and out into the hinterland of trees after dark. Poor Toby is scared to be out there with me and Stuart braves the sounds as he feels the need to always be on guard. The bugs are defiantly as big as cats here, and a wise friend told me straight out to get a screened in porch. Thank goodness I listened as the first two weeks here, while I was living at the lake, I was chewed to bits by mosquitoes. Now porch sitting is a comfortable, bug free experience although it's still hot at 9pm.
Every afternoon after the first of June, it tends to rain cats and dogs. Please do not think I'm talking a simple sprinkle, or a Seattle rain storm. This is a heavy downpour of Biblical proportions. The wind will whip like crazy and the lightening and thunder is not for the faint of heart. Recently the main water pipe from the street to my house was mangled. It turns out it was a lightening strike! Like I said, lightening is not for the faint of heart. All this ex-Californian can say is; what will a hurricane be like?! Holy cow!
Publix seems to be the grocery store of choice. I must admit, I miss Fred Meyer as I knew the layout of the store and all the products. Publix is near the house and it's new, clean and it's very customer service oriented! Some of the products in my Publix are very different than what is sold in the PNW. I was strolling the aisles recently and found three or four different varieties of corn bread mix, fried chicken batters and even southern fried okra and grit mixes. There are a lot of Caribbean foods that look interesting and I will try them out eventually. With that said, I finally found my cast-iron pan and will need to re-learn how to cook fried chicken.
Wildlife is in abundance here in Central Florida. The birds are gorgeous, and I saw my first gator in the large pond up the main road from my development. He was floating in the water, giving a eerie presence. I've been told some never see a gator and I saw one on week three, I'm definitely blessed! That being said however, never walk close to a body of water or walk a dog or two close either. They don't pay much attention to outsiders unless you venture close to the edge so I'll keep my distance, thank you very much.
Driving here is the biggest challenge. The roads are full of careless drivers who pay no attention to who or what is on any side of them. I was told Florida is horrible place to drive and I believe it now that I'm here. I'm very close to the Disney resort area so that's another breed of human drivers all together. These are people who come from who knows where, have no clue as to how our streets and highways work and could care less. It's scary and one takes their life in their own hands when they drive the streets near Disney!
Living in the eastern time zone has been a challenge. TV watching-wise, I've had to adjust my thinking to when The Five is actually on, Jesse Waters is not on during dinner nor is my favorite podcaster. I'm now 3 hours ahead of my previous life and those 3 hours calls with my cousin now end at 1:00am. Flights to London from Orlando are now only 7 hours, and I start my Words With Friends games earlier as everyone is still asleep on the west coast. I'm used to it but I had to change my thought processes.
Florida is most definitely a way of life. I've been here a month and already have my tan back. Outdoor exercising is something to do in the early morning or after dark during the summer months. Tank tops, shorts and flip flops are most defiantly staples to any wardrobe and floppy hats seem to be the uniform of choice. I'm not a hat wearer so I guess I'm out of style here. Florida is casual, easy going and very friendly. As glad as I am I made the original move out of the PNW, I'm more than happy with my choice of Central Florida. My house is perfect, I'm completely unpacked and new location is awesome. I've met several in this community and my new neighbors are all lovely. Now that I'm a licensed driver and the car is registered, I can now call myself a Floridian but, I will NEVER EVER move again!
This guy was fence sitting and enjoyed teasing the boys!
