This is real, this is actually happening. I left my home on Wednesday afternoon of March 2nd, and I couldn't help but feel as though I would simply be back in a few hours. It really didn't set in that I was embarking on a trip that would take over a month to complete, filled with incredible moments an challenges.
As I hugged Josefina goodbye, I remembered to always make safety my priority, with full head to toe gear, decked out in my high-vis covers, I was as ready as I'd ever be.
The trip to Orlando where I'd spend my first night was non-eventful. After-all the Florida turnpike offers a speedy straight shot on extremely well kept roads at the expense of tolls every quarter of a mile and a boring monotonous route.
It got dark out and I quickly realized that the Z1000's halogen headlamps do not make for confident nighttime riding on unlit interstates. It especially did not instill confidence in me when I saw friendly deers grazing along the highway shoulders; I thought to myself "please don't f***ing run onto the road, PLEASE!"
Sure enough I'd make it safe and sound in what feels the Dallas of Florida, Orlando. If you haven't yet visited Orlando, it can be summarized most famously by the parks which generate millions of visitors per year. Keeping with the theme of imaginative and curated theme parks, Orlando feels as though people sat around a board room in the 1950's and designed a city to fit the narrative at the time. "The people will live here, the parks will be placed here, the women will shop here, and the men will work there." As a result, the car-dependent city feels a bit.... plastic.
In any event, my personal quarrels with the city were more than made up for with the incredible hospitality I received from my longtime friend Lucas and his incredible partner Tiffany. You guys are awesome thanks again for having me!
We had some food at Teak Neighborhood grill where I ordered a buffalo chicken flatbread pizza: just what my body needed after a quick 300 mile trip on the bike. The next morning we all worked in their apartment, I took some meetings, and did some yoga for my back. Lucas whipped up some lunch which I low key could eat every day for the rest of my life and I'd be happy about it! Oven baked salmon, rice (Brazil Pô!), mushroom Alfredo sauce, and lemon dressed broccoli *Chefs Kiss*.
I would embark around 2pm for my next destination of Niceville Florida. Did you know the pan handle of Florida is in Central Time?! I didn't! Anyways, I'd continue on I-75 north, interstate blues. I-75 would meet with I-10 just outside of Gainesville and I'd be acquainted with the interstate that will accompany me pretty much to Santa Monica California!
The ride was monotonous, but my goal in the first leg was of course to simply get out of the behemoth of a state that is Florida. I'd arrive at my Aribnb but not before stopping by Publix for what would likely be my last Pub-Sub for the rest of the month. My host Yohancé received me super well, turns out he is an accomplished author, pianist, entrepreneur and much more. You can check out his work on his website here. I purchased a signed copy of his memoir, cause how often do you meet a published author? 
I took a much needed hot shower and went to bed after chatting with Josefina. I was tired, as I managed to travel over 670 miles in two days. Nonetheless I was excited at the prospect of exiting Florida and potentially hitting 5 states the next day.