Second Day of Travel to Captiva

We rose early around 5:30-6:00 , dressed, packed the car, and had a quick breakfast in the motel lobby.  Had  waffle(Al), bagel, juice, and coffee.  Remember Room # 232 for next time we stay here.  All personnel are very helpful and friendly at the desk.
After filling up with gas across the street right next to the ramp, we were on the road by 7:30 headed to our next stop in Ocala, FL.  We stopped at a Chick-fil-a for lunch which was the quickest service that we ever had.

This was a picture of a rest stop as we entered the state of Florida.

We arrived at the Best Western in Ocala about 5:00 without any traffic jams or slow ups. Smoothest trip in a long time. Our room # 136 was on the first floor near the exit at the end of the hall.

We had dinner at Olive Garden in the bar as the restaurant was very busy with a long line waiting for tables.  I had Linguine di Mare- Shrimp and mussels sautéed with homemade pomodoro sauce and whole grain linguine and Al had Chianti Braised Beef & Ricotta Gnocchi-twice braised beef in a Chianti red wine sauce served over light ricotta gnocchi in a creamy carbonara sauce.

Second Day of Trip to Captiva

 Today  we left Rock Hill, SC about 7:30AM traveling to Ocala, FL which is about 465 miles. We had breakfast of waffle, eggs and muffins in the lobby restaurant.  It was a cold morning and the car windows were frosted over.  Our stay here was very pleasant and the access to the interstate is as good as it could be.  We took I-77S and had a 30 minute delay due to an accident shortly after
leaving.  We drove to I-95 and then took US-301 all the way into Ocala to SW 10th St. (Fl-200)  which goes to the Best Western  at  3701 SW 38th Ave,  We avoided I-75 traffic and congestion.   US-301 was a good route, even with the slower speeds and driving through towns.  There was more traffic on 301 than I remembered last year.  We experienced wonderful weather today with sun all the way.  Temperature rose to hi 60's.  We arrived about 4:00 and was pleased with the room 435 and service here.

 

We had dinner about 6 at the Olive Garden.   As last year we again ate in the bar area at one of the side booths to avoid waiting for a table in the dining room.  But our dinner was not that enjoyable as a group of people (10+) crowded in  around a high top table for 4 next to us and was very loud and noisy screaming out to each other and others arriving for their party in the dining room.  They also flustered the waiter who lost control of his service to the bar area.  We ordered the same items as last year--We started with Calamari and  Al ordered   Braised Beef and Tortelloni - tender slices of slow-braised beef, portobello mushrooms and asiago-filled tortelloni tossed in basil-marsala sauce.   I had Eggplant Parmigiana - lightly fried, topped with homemade marinara and melted mozzarella, served with a side of spaghetti.   My dinner was not good, the eggplant was soggy as if it had been cooked and set for awhile.   The manager ended up quickly comping the dinners .......we think he realized things were a bit out of control as he began checking on some of the other tables who had been complaining. We ordered glasses of wine but never received them and told the waiter not to bother bringing them.  Overall, a bad dining experience. Thumbs Down!

 

I turned in early again but Al stayed up late on the computer and watched TV.

 

2nd Day of Travel to Captiva 2015

Today we left Rock Hill, SC  about 7:30AM traveling to Ocala, FL which is about 465 miles. We had a quick bite in the lobby restaurant but nothing great to write about.  We took I-77 to I-95 and then to US-301 all the way into Ocala.  We avoided I-75 traffic and congestion.   US-301 was a good route, even with the slower speeds and driving through towns. We experienced wonderful weather today with sun all the way.  Temperature rose to hi 60's.  But we heard that North Canton had more snow coming again today.
US 301took us to a right turn onto 10th St ( FL-200) and then straight to  38th Ave to  the  Best Western in Ocala at 3701 SW 38th Ave.   We arrived about 4:00 and  are  always pleased with the room and service here.  

We had time to rest a bit before having dinner at the Olive Garden at 5:15 where we ate in the bar to avoid a wait for a table in the dining areas. We sat at "our" table at the bar ....same as last year.   Al had a Manhattan and I had a glass of wine.  Al ordered   Braised Beef and Tortelloni - tender slices of slow-braised beef, portobello mushrooms and asiago-filled tortelloni tossed in basil-marsala sauce.   I had Eggplant Parmigiana - lightly fried, topped with homemade marinara and melted mozzarella. Served with a side of spaghetti.

We finished with coffee for Al and cappuccino for me.
Our server was the bartender whose sister also worked with her....both with long red hair.....thought they were twins but not.  This place was packed when we left with people waiting for tables. Good to come early.

I turned in for an early night about 9:00pm ....very tired from the drive.  Al was up for the late news.