I have honestly been meaning to write this post long ago. Today I find myself with some spare time as I enjoy the Miami sunshine. So, here it is. Starting at exit 21 on the Baltimore Beltway (695) it took a total of 20 hours for us to reach Miami. The trip could have been much shorter had we not stopped to shop a couple times. These shopping stops were our walk around stops. Let me elaborate. Long periods of sitting such as our trip from Maryland to Florida or long plane rides slows down the blood flow in your legs leaving you predisposed to deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and pulmonary thrombosis. Although, the trip can be made in a shorter period of time it's best to be health wise and safe.

Below I have outline the exits by state and added tips.

Maryland

*109 exits

*Speed limits range from 55-65

*Gas prices are reasonable $2.13-2.35 per gallon

Virginia

*177 exits

*Speed limits up 70 miles per hour (mph)

*Gas prices are at a premium at the top of Virginia. I make sure I have enough gas to get me at least to the lower part of Virginia where prices are reasonable.

*Speed traps are usually up and running around the Spotsylvania and Ashland areas.

North Carolina

*181 exits

*Speed limits up 70 miles mph

*Reasonable gas prices

*Look out for the signs counting down to South of the Border. They are cleaver and keep you informed as to how many miles you are from South Carolina. If you want a real treat, plan to reach South of the Border at night when it's all lit up.

South Carolina

*183 exits

*South of the Border. Be sure to stop and take a look around.

*Gas prices at South of the Border come at a premium. If you need gas, get it before you reach South of the Border.

*Speeding through work zones in South Carolina can get you a $200 fine and 30 days in prison.

*The left lane is used as a passing lane.

Georgia

*111exits

*Gas is usually priced higher at the top of Georgia.

*Speed traps are aggressive. There have been times when I have spotted a police at each authorized vehicle lane which connects the north bound and south bound traffic. They park in the grassy areas that separate north and south traffic and behind trees and shrubs. With all that being said, my advice is do the speed limit in Georgia.

*The left lane is used as a passing lane.

Florida

*380 exits. The longest of the states. The 380 exits are only the exits off I-95. It does not include the Keys. Florida is a long legged state.

*Florida has a new sign to welcome you. There's one just like this that sits on the road as you drive over the line from Georgia into Florida. I like it.

*Gas is priced higher at the top of Florida as you skirt the beaches. Farther down the prices come down until you reach Miami; then they shoot up.

*St. Augustine is the oldest city in the USA and is home to my favorite shopping outlet at exit 318. It was founded on September 8, 1565, by Spanish admiral Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, Florida's first governor. It is known for its Spanish colonial architecture as well as the Atlantic beaches. I plan to vacation there in a beach home one day.

* If you love pulled pork and ribs, you will want to stop at Daytona Pig Stand just off exit 273. I love the tractor trailer that sits on the lot. And it is right there with Harley Davidson if you want to check out a motorcycle.

*Make a stop at Daytona Beach. You can drive right up on the sand, park and have lunch and enjoy the Atlantic. It will cost you $10. The beach is accessible and free for pedestrians and bicyclists 24 hours a day, depending on tides and weather conditions. Driving and parking on the beach is open to vehicles from sunrise to sunset from November 1 through April 30 and from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm from May 1 through October 31. Take a look at these beach tips.

To get to the beach From St. Augustine take I-95 South, exit 261A and head east on U.S. 92 toward Daytona Beach. Have fun.

GUILTY (A Marston Series Book 1)

By Brigitta Moon

A not guilty verdict. A kidnapping. A midnight trial. Six sitting in judgement and one empty chair. Revenge- is it sweet or just a bitter seed? Coach Terrence Jackson is the man who has divided the town of Marston. There are those who believe in the coach and his innocence and then there are the victims who despise him, his smile and his crime. He has a dark past- a previous life no one knew about until the not guilty verdict.