First two days -- from Bloomington, IN to Pensacola, FL

First day of driving takes us to Cullman, Alabama. Once again this is an American town in which it is impossible to find a decent place to eat. Actually, this is even worse. Cullman has only one place that calls itself a restaurant, all others are fast-food places. Eventually, this "restaurant" called All Steak turns out to be a fast-food paradise in disguise and terribly overpriced, too: a salad consisting of a pile of ordinary lettuce and three (two and a half, to be precise) shrimps costs $10! Later in the evening we notice another curious thing: we had not seen a single Budlight neon in this town. Obviously, we overnight in a county that does not sell alcohol.

Anyway, we sleep well. Despite malicious weather forecasts, next morning starts only grey and with freezing rain dripping, but there is no sign of winter storms. After digging the car from under the ice we start looking for breakfast. This brings to mind one more of my favorite American food anecdotes: all my life I have heard legends about American tourists in European hotels' breakfast buffets, which are usually loaded with various kinds of vegetables and fruits, breads, cereals, porridge (hot oatmeal), cheese, ham, egg, yoghurt, etc., and how their first reaction to the selection is "Gosh, there is nothing to eat here, no pancakes and no maple syrup!". Now finally, after travelling a few thousand miles in this country, I understand them; I can truly share their despair when staring at my breakfast plate with a cheese omelette floating in fat and a pile of pancakes covered with sweet syrup.

After the healthy morning starter we head to Ave Maria Grotto. We are the first tourists there in three days. Leaving the icy Grotto in peace we drive to Pensacola, Florida in constant rain. Given that passing big cities via congested interstate highways at the speed of 65 miles per hour is always an experience, driving between huge trucks in heavy rain really gives thrills.

While approaching south the landscape becomes gradually pretty familiar to us, who originate from close the Arctic circle; the highway is lined with thick and green pine forests. Increasing amount of green introduces a summery feeling. Unfortunately, the outside temperature does not support the impression very long. The rain also becomes heavier when we reach Montgomery (AL) for lunch. Once again, a little hunting in a strange city (with erroneous map) brings us to The Montgomery Brewing Co.'s Brewery & Cafe.

We arrive at Pensacola at dark, and dine at Mc Guire's Irish Pub and Brewery to notice that the Deep South still has its discrimination policy going strong; a pint of beer served to a woman is smaller than one served to a man.