Chicago to Panama: Day 1

Panama sunset at 37,000 ft.

Another cold, grey January day in Chicago. Time to leave for one of our favorite Latin American cities: Panama.

First leg: 2-1/2 hours from Chicago to Houston, then another 3-1/2 hours from Houston to Panama. Ran into some weather just outside of Houston (all the way to Cozumel). 90-minutes of heavy chop - so bad, it shut down the in-flight Direct TV. The seatbelt sign never went dark. Then, when they could finally navigate the aisles, the flight attendants passed out a lunch that included a large serving of (meat or fish) and spiced lentils. As if the bumpy ride didn't produce enough intestinal disturbance ... they load you up on enough legumes guaranteed to set off a smoke detector. Who thinks these things up !?!?!

Our flight attendants were from Columbia, and asked if I spoke any Spanish - to which I replied, "I know 3 words: ceviche, cerveza and banos". They assured me this would cover all my needs.

Arriving early in the evening, we stowed the luggage, we headed down for dinner at Barandas in the Bristol Hotel - in the heart of the business district.

Southward-Ho: Day 13 (Return to Chicago)

Last day on the road. Pictures look grey and cold reflecting the look of winter in the heartland.

Crossing the Mighty Mississippi into Illinois, we left Missouri now seen only in the rear-view mirror. A cold wind began to blow a fine icy mist across the road. We drove on through mile after mile of empty farmland sleeping under a light dusting of snow.

Here and there were pastures sprinkled with horses - their eyes closed, facing away from the wind.

A lone grain elevator stands in a vast plain, beside railway tracks, while Honest Abe presides over a cluster of cherry pickers.

In a few hours, we return full circle to Chicago.

Were we really in warm, sunny Florida just a few days ago?

Southward-Ho: Day 12 (Memphis to Champaign)

Watch out for low flying rolls! Passing through Sikeston, MO near the intersection of interstate routes 55 and 57, we encountered the original Lambert's Cafe, where the tradition of throwing hot rolls to diners fresh from the oven, has been practiced since 1976.

To find our table, we passed by dozens of satisfied diners and the smiling lady pounding out Christmas songs on an old upright piano. We poured over the menu that included frogs legs, chicken fried steaks, homemade meatloaf and more.

It was cold outside so we ordered coffee. When they arrived the mugs were large enough to bathe a small child.

Each table had a giant size roll of brown paper towels, and a large plastic weave basket filled with small packets of whipped spread.

After the enormous plates of fried catfish, sweet potato, baked beans, chicken salad, and sliced apples arrived, we were visited by a succession of servers carrying large steel bowls, ladling out oversized spoonfuls of black-eyed peas, fried potatoes and vegetables. And the food tasted better than the tempting aroma.

Eating all we could manage, we trudged out into the winter chill through the gift shop. Visit their website at www.throwedrolls.com

Southward-Ho: Day 11 (New Orleans to Memphis)

Pralines (Praw-lenes), a Creole confection since the French settled Louisiana. Oh the crunchy, sweet melt-in-your-mouth delectable confection available on every street corner shop in The Big Easy.

Each cook has their own secret recipe, and here's one posted in the local newspaper "The Times-Picayune". Bon apetit!

"Microwave Buttermilk Pralines"

3/4 Cup buttermilk

2 Cups Pecans

2 C Sugar

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 tablespoon butter

Vanilla to taste

1 teaspoon baking soda

Stir all ingredients in a microwave-safe glass dish, except for soda. Cook on high for 12 minutes, stirring well every 4 minutes. Add soda, cook on high for 1 minute. Beat by hand for several minutes until glossy. Spoon onto wax paper placed over newspaper. If pralines don't harden, put back in bowl and beat some more.

Southward-Ho: Day 10 (Marianna to New Orleans)

To this Yankee, Christmas trees, holly and mistletoe seem to be in a natural setting solely where drifts of snow cover empty fields, brown lawns and leafless trees. So it's something of a delightful surprise to find them beautifully arranged inside a welcome center in the deep South.

On Route 10, westbound visitors who stop at the Mississippi information center step into a shimmering holiday wonderland.

Feel a chill in the air? Step into the parlor and stand beside the hearth whose mantle is covered with antique dolls.

In the next room, a long table features a miniature village set into drifts of cotton snow.

A beautiful sight ... walkin' in a Southern wonderland !

Southward-Ho: Day 9 (Orlando to Marianna - almost Pensacola)

Lost in Florida. On and on through the swamps, trailer parks and rolling horse country.

The turnpike was under road repair, and closed to traffic for a good stretch of the road between Orlando and Ocala, in the central part of the state.

No detour signs were posted, so the unwary visitor had little idea of where they were, or how far the detour would extend. Even the GPS seemed baffled.
Shortly before dusk we saw a glimmer of hope (and the Mr. Auto Insurance display). What should have been a 6 hour drive from Orlando to Pensacola, stretched into 9 hours on the road. By Marianna, in the panhandle, we surrendered to the rain, darkness and road-weariness.

Southward-Ho: Day 8 (Venice to Orlando)

A few feet into the soft silvery sand of Venice beach, the sandals are quickly shed. It's still a few short weeks before the snowbirds from the rust belt (and Canada) arrive, so it feels like a private beach. Visitors can count the number of fellow beachcombers on one hand.

There's a bikini-clad 20-something girl stretched out on a faded striped beach towel catching some early morning rays.

Standing knee deep in sun-warmed Gulf waves, a lone fellow culls for shells.

The only sounds are the waves, native birds and the soft crunch of steps on the footbridge.