Thanks for the tip on the mosquito repellant.

The actual decision as to go north or south will ultimately be decided by
the weather.

The northern route is devoid of airports for emergency landing where as the
southern route is littered with them. A major consideration for me.

Weather is another.

I hold an IR so IFR no problem. I do not like long water crossings in a
single engine Piper however.

Lot's to think about.