Plenty to ponder on our travels

Happy Thursday! 

And…that’s all I have. Readers recognize when I hit a writing wall. It usually happens in the middle of the week when I’m slowing the pace.

It’s easy to keep hammering on political issues. I could do that all day, every day, every week. Certainly, plenty of material in Citrus County, especially recently.

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I’ve learned, however, that’s not healthy for anyone. Yes, yes, yes…we have multiple challenges. Can’t fix ‘em all in a season, so balance is key.

Even the hard-core government geeks notice when I lower the volume.

“So good to hear a positive note,” one person wrote this week.

With that in mind, we took the JWC limo on Wednesday for Travels with Bunny: Inverness through Citrus Hills to C.R. 486, then to C.R. 491, heading north through Beverly Hills and Holder to S.R. 200, back through Hernando, then home to World Headquarters III.

Random thoughts:

— The Pandora soundtrack was an oldie but goodie: “Just Wright Citrus.” I created this playlist a few years back as inspiration to keep fighting the good fight even in the face of adversity. I write about community leaders in a way that is, occasionally, uncomfortable. This soundtrack keeps me focused.

— That Home Depot at Kensington Avenue…my, my, my. You know, we mentioned it here some, but it didn’t seem to get any traction, that having the main entrance off Kensington seems, um, convenient for Home Depot but not for anyone else.

Quite a bit of activity taking place over there on Kensington and 44. It's clear that a heavy traffic presence is expected. On the surface, this seems to spell concern for Citrus Hills residents, especially if motorists start cutting through their neighborhoods to C.R. 486.

Prediction: We’re going to hear about it after the store opens.

— I’m happy to see Inverness getting a Wawa, though I’ve drastically reduced my intake of chocolate chip smoothies. I thought Inverness was special in Wawa’s eyes until on recent Travels with Bunny, I noticed a new Wawa in Bushnell and one being built in Williston. Really? Williston before Inverness?

Our first Wawa in Lecanto was a very big deal. The second one in Crystal River, kinda big deal. The third? Well, our collective approach to traffic has significantly heightened. Does the Wawa fanbase overcome the anxiety of attracting more traffic to an already clogged intersection at Independence/S.R. 44?

— Beverly Hills needs something. I don’t know what that is, but it needs something. The stretch of C.R. 491 where it’s three lanes in each direction and the center turn lane — that’s a wide batch of ugly asphalt. We need an "aha!" moment here.

— Drove by the Holder industrial park site where the data center wants to go. Saw several roadside signs, the typical circle with a slash through it; at the C.R. 491/S.R. 200 intersection, a manatee warns motorists about data centers.

I’m a big fan of homemade anti-anything signs. It’s the best way for a neighborhood to let the outside community know if potential intruders are lurking. Plus, folks take ownership of an issue dear to them.

— S.R. 200, once the bane of driving existence in Citrus County, isn’t all that bad. For random driving purposes, I now prefer it over U.S. 41, and that’s saying something. I’m telling ya…the concrete plant has destroyed that once-beautiful drive between Hernando and Holder.

— Bunny generally snoozes during our travels. She keeps the conversation light.

— I read in the Chronicle about the bottleneck of traffic that squeezes through the town of Hernando. This is now our reality countywide. No one is happy about it, but what can we do? 

I knew someone who would say, “You can’t change the weather, but you can change your attitude!” Same with traffic. I can’t change the traffic, but I can change my mental approach to it. I’m never going to enjoy heavy traffic or the wait through three signal changes at some of our busiest intersections.

But I refuse to allow that to taint my approach. I’m stuck in traffic, so what? It doesn’t last that long, and I’m usually 45 minutes away from just about anywhere in Citrus County. Plus, I know a few shortcuts.

Traffic is no fun for sure. But I’m still out there driving, cranking tunes, with my best friend along for the ride.

Have a great Thursday, friends.

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