I expected my visit to Sebring to be a challenge, just not the one it became.
Writing about a prominent place like Miami Beach is not as demanding as writing about a small city like Sebring.
A Google search for “Miami Beach, Florida” yields about 36 million hits, while a similar search for “Sebring, Florida” returns about 1.8 million results.
However, I looked forward to trying to see what I could come up with.
I was interested in Sebring because I had read its unusual circular layout had been based on an ancient Egyptian city.
The Silver Meteor, one of two trains that connect Miami to New York had an on-time departure. Being at the start of the line has its advantages.
Retro Looking Time Table
The train left mostly empty, except for a group of what I thought were train aficionados, who were photographing every nook and cranny of the train inside and out.
Their enthusiasm drew the attention of the Amtrak Police.
“Which of you are photographing my train?” asked the police officer dressed in a Hawaiian patterned shirt, his undercover garb.
I was impressed how well the officer, who came out of nowhere, had blended in.
“We were…we are Industrial Designers from Austria here for training,” came an accented response.
The police officer nicely explained that general photographs of the outside of the train are okay, but not close photographs of the mechanical underpinnings of the carriages and engines.
“This is America, we get excited easily. I am nice, so I am just going to tell you not to do it again. My friends might not be so kind if you are seen taking closeups again,” explained the officer. “Enjoy the rest of your trip.”
Now, it was just a train of mostly tourists.
The train arrived on time in Sebring.
It was 2.5 miles to where I expected to lodge for the night. Not wanting to lug my pack around, I headed there first to drop it off.
Using my iPhone’s GPS, it showed what appeared to be a simple, straight path under the sunny sky.
Start Of My Walk — Looked Like An Appealing Walk
About a mile into the walk, the sidewalk unexpectedly ended.
No More Sidewalk
Having already ventured a mile and not wanting to double back in the hot sun, I decided to press forward walking alongside the road.
I had now become one of those crazy walkers which drivers gawk at as they stray into the opposing lane of traffic in order to place a buffer between the walker and themselves.
My mom would not be pleased.
An unexpected benefit of the cars whizzing by was the steady stream of air they displaced toward me. It kept me cool and motivated.
As I got close, my Apple Watch tapped my wrist, indicating my destination was just ahead. I spotted the motel, its humble stature making it appear as a throwback to the 1960’s.
However, to my dismay, the two-lane road I was on intersected perpendicular to a six-lane highway.
I was on the wrong side of the highway.
That Was As Close As I Got To the Motel
Not daring to tempt trekking across, I jumped into some shade.
After some rest and careful reapplication of sunscreen, I walked beside the highway in search of crosswalk or pedestrian bridge.
Instead, a “State Prisoners Working” sign greeted me.
After another mile or so, I spotted a standalone marquee for the “Sunset Beach Motel” on my side of highway.
Hoping my deodorant was still holding out against the sweat that poured out of me, I enquired about any vacancies.
“Yes,” she said.
“How much?” I continued.
“$60 plus tax”
That is more than I want to spend, but it sure beat crossing the highway.
“Okay, I’ll take one room for one night.”
“Credit Card, ID, and License Plate,” she replied as she rose out of her desk chair.
“Oh, I don’t have a car.”
“No car, no room,” she stated as her expression became a smirk, seemingly relieved to be spared processing my stay.
It felt as if I was being punished for my ambition to travel the country without a car.
“Is that the law here or something?”
“No, just policy,” was her response.
Recognizing her lack of empathy, I did not bother to figure out why.
Regrouping in some roadside shade, I looked on my phone for other options.
Finding nothing suitable in my budget, I checked the train timetable to see if I could catch the Silver Star, the second train between Miami to New York, to Tampa.
With just enough time to make the train, I turned back toward the station.
“No room, no visit,” I ruminated.
An acquaintance later remarked, “They just didn’t want you around…walking around where 100% of the people have cars sounds like someone that is not really ‘with it.’”
There was an upside: I was not confused for one of the prisoners doing litter cleanup despite what I am sure was a disheveled enough appearance from so much walking in the heat that I imagined the cops being unsure.
// Oliver – Day 12 – Sebring