Road Trips

Road trip (n): A vacation or sudden trip involving travel on the road -

interstates, highways, or back roads

TC and I absolutely love traveling; we even love the road trip part. Most likely it’s because they’ve become second nature to us.

From the time we started dating in 2008 (we met in 2006) until now (3 years into our marriage), we’ve traveled over 30,000 miles – and that’s just the trips we can remember with both of us in the car (not counting our individual trips or flights). This happens when your families live 13 hours apart, you meet in a city that’s over 5 hours from back home and your friends are from all over the country. We’ve road tripped with friends and traveled to see their families from Washington, Vermont, Alabama and Ohio to Florida, you definitely cover some ground.

After traveling 34,314 miles, you learn to entertain yourself in the car. For example, last year we caravanned to Nashville with my family. Because we were all going our separate ways on Christmas day, we could not share a vehicle. I tried to get creative on how we could still stay connected with each other. I decided I would work on the props for our  Christmas Eve photo booth and entertain the family as we rode. Hilarious. Conversation and fun for me, TC and our travel buddies.  

We’ve played all kind of car games. Asking “brick or wood”, “soccer or football”, “blue or yellow” is now the radio tune when things start to get too quiet. We’ve dreamed on car rides. We’ve reminisced on car rides. We’ve shared thoughts, feelings, fears and hopes on car rides. We’ve taken scenic detours (what’s a 30 minutes or 10 more miles in the grand scheme of things?). We’ve laughed, cried, prayed, and sat in silence.  

We typically don’t fight about driving. In fact, I’ve never met a better travel buddy. We don’t stress out if we take the wrong turn. That’s because Trent drives. I navigate. And if we get off course, we know we will eventually get back on track and maybe see something unexpected on the way.

Typically road trips mean it's vacation. So we count the driving part as a break too. We’ve collected quite a few tips for making our trips fun, so we thought we’d share with you...

·       Pick. Are you the driver, navigator, activity planner?

·       Locate. Find markers that you can look forward to in order  to help determine travel time remaining. It always helps us gauge our travel.

·       Stop. See what fun stops are along the way. We recently stopped at Noccalula Falls on a trip to Tennessee last week because it’s less than five minutes from the interstate. We stretched our legs, read some history and took pictures for the memory books. Try it…

 

·       Read. Find a book you both are interested in (somebody will have to read out loud or listen to a book on tape), and make it a conversation starter (TC doesn’t LOVE to read….but he LOVES reading, cue me)

·       Research. With smart phones around these days, the road trip can be more than its even been- Research! The passenger(s) research NOT the driver. When we are headed through a city or traveling to a city, we will research what significant historical events occurred locally, find major landmarks, and research what they are known for.

·       Play. Name that tune, Going on a Picnic, Find the Alphabet…create your own game. These pass a lot of  time.

·       Eat. We usually don’t take snack if we can afford it in our budget because it give us a great excuse to wake-up. However, don’t get caught hungry…hungry equals grumpy and road trips are 10x better if everyone is happy.

·       Stay. If you have to stay overnight en route, find a local place for dinner or breakfast- might as well make the most of it. Don’t pressure yourself to make the trip in one day if conditions are not conducive.

·       Pack. A camera, a phone charger, a GPS (smart phone, map, GPS), layers or blankets in case your travel buddy is colder or hotter than you, snacks if you need them and a great attitude.  I promise you - whatever attitude you pack will make or break a trip. I've been broken down on the side of the road on a trip more times that I have fingers. I've always made it to my destination and met pretty great people in the process. Make the breakdowns adventures too; though I highly recommend getting roadside assistance. Side note: I don’t take a pillow for the trip because I try to make it my goal to help the driver stay awake…the older I get, it’s a little harder to stay awake, but I imagine it is for TC too).

·       Enjoy! Have fun! These can be the moments that make life an adventure.

Every couple has their areas of tension…so if yours is traveling, hopefully this can help. P.S. I realize there are no kids in our current travel...without a doubt it makes a difference, though I'd like to think this is still entirely possible. Perhaps more patience on the road will be needed once we have children?   

Our next road trip is in a week….

Rainy Morning

I like when the week ends with a rainy morning. It's perfect for sleeping in or staying tucked inside with a book, blog, and coffee.

One of our best friends was in town all week so we were able to take a vacation day this past Wednesday. Middle of the week vacations might by my new favorite. Granted, you only have about 24 hours for fun, but it makes you feel like you have two two-day work weeks. Can't argue with that. For our out-of-town venture we went to Pensacola Beach, Florida. The weather was absolutely perfect - warm enough to swim, cool enough to not feel you were having a heat stroke. We spent all day (with the exception of lunch break) in the sun. We have burns to prove it. The getaway was great. The catching up and laughing at old jokes - even better.

Trent is running a 5k this morning and I found Google Picasa's new photo edits...A "5k" of some sort is on my bucket list, but not on a rainy morning.

Too cold for me, but the guys loved it

The water was crystal clear. I'm actually glad I edited this photo, because now it actually looks like what I remember.

Bucky fed seagulls for the first time.

Girls Just Want to Have Fun

     A girl's weekend surpassing all expectations.  It's hard to summarize all of the funny, enlightening and overwhelming details of a girl's weekend at its finest. The beginning, a simple trip to America's Mart in Atlanta, which if you've ever been is really not simple at all. If you have never been, it's stories and stories, and building after building of vendors, wholesale companies, marketing firms, business consultants and more. Ultimately the combination amounts to aisle after aisle of motivation and inspiration. 



        It started with a dinner at the Georgia Aquarium after check-in. VC (my cousin) confirmed our attendance with RSVP's to the emailed invitation. Good girls-weekend decision #1 . Everything was so elaborate...catering by Wolfgang Puck, entertainment by Dancing With the Stars and a fun environment with a whale shark in the backdrop. Dinner was quite possibly the best meal I've had since Le Cellier in Epcot several years ago. Now on my MUST do list is a visit to a Wolfgang Puck restaurant in some yet un-visited city on my list - two birds with one stone.  Southern comfort food at its fanciest. A great hotel at a super rate, and you have an efficient Friday night in Atlanta. I feel it deserves kudos!



Girl trips with my mom, aunt, cousin (and usually my sister and grandmother, but both had previous committments) are always filled with cram-packed days. We see and do as much as possible. So without exception we woke up early and hit the mart. Floor after floor. No stopping. Until.....

The Deen Brothers! They were doing a cooking show and, of course, as fans of both the Cooking Channel and Paula Deen the family had to stick around and wait 45 minutes for the grand appearance! They may be the most funny and clever hosts I've ever seen...okay so the only ones I've seen. Either way, they have immensely magnetic personalities. Another dose of motivation and inspiration as they shared their humble beginnings.

Back to the researching, shopping, and discovering. We sampled the Gourmet Food temporary vendors and snacked...every shop had a snack. Good for needed energy. We ended the shopping day with a wonderful dinner at the Mart with wonderful people, George and Laura. They were incredibly encouraging and helpful. Glad we crossed paths....Funny how a series of events end.

My mind is still whirling as I process everything to help aid in potential business ventures. Ideas roamed the Mart and now they dot page after page. I'm excited about the future. For me. For Trent. For my parents. For our families. All it takes is a few ideas, turned into a plan, turned into an open door, turned into an exciting success. I've felt motivated from the start of 2012. I know there is so much God has for each of us, but I am convinced we are to take each opportunity and make the most of it. There were so many people, young and old, who have seized the opportunity and ideas before them. And that was just in one place...think about the thousands of other people outside of a small corner in Atlanta. It was exciting and convicting. No more sitting idly by. No more wasting time. We've been called to more...so why let it slip by? I have one life and a God greater than he that is in the world (1 John 4:4). No excuses. If God is for me, who can be against me? (Romans 8:31). He has not given me the spirit of fear, but of power, of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:17). I'm praying for every endeavor and every effort of my family. May God light the path. May He make His face to shine upon us (Numbers 6:24).

Can't wait for the next girl's weekend.

The Christmas Date Weekend

"You'll see a dixieland Santa Claus leading the band to a good old Creole beat. And golly what a spirit, you can only hear it down on Basin Street. Your cares will disappear when you hear 'Hallelujah, St. Nicholas is here' when it's Christmas time in New Orleans." Christmas in New Orleans by Louis Armstrong

Goodness what a wonderful weekend! TC and I went on our 4th annual Christmas date, our second as a married couple. This year, I planned our Christmas day-date to New Orleans, Louisiana. We wanted to go last year, but several events transpired keeping us from doing much beyond dinner and Christmas light-sight-seeing. Last year was just as special though; however, this year was simply, fabulous fun. I tried to keep our location a surprise, but keeping a surprise from TC is one of the most complicated tasks. He's sneaky and managed to guilt me into spilling the beans Friday.

 

We toured the French Quarter, listened to the jazz bands dotting Royal Street, visited antique shops, admired French influenced architecture, walked the Riverfront, enjoyed Cajun/Creole cuisine, observed human statues and tap-dancing artists, endured volunteering in a tumbling show, enjoyed the lights and Christmas decor, devoured beignets and cafe-au-lait from the famous Cafe Du Monde while esteeming the speed and maneuvering of the employees efforts in food preparation. All day was such an experience for the senses. Such a city of culture. We did not see all we could have, but as the sun set we headed out to "Celebration in the Oaks," a light display in City Park. The perfect festive finish.

On our way home, we entertained ourselves with singing along to the radio. Never a dull moment. We also discovered we could describe ourselves as "Adventurous homebodies." We love travelling, adventure  and experiencing something new, but we always love being at our home.

We spent Sunday morning in worship and fellowship at our church. On Sunday evening we joined with my precious dad in Christmas shopping. Afterwards, dad had us over for a wrapping party for all unwrapped gifts where we were greeted with, quite possibly, the best hot chocolate I have ever had. Christmas movies filled the background. Mom is already in TN where our tender, Tennessee Christmas is waiting for us. It's my mother's birthday today, so "Happy Birthday, Mom!" I'll sing my song to you in person tomorrow.

No. 4, 6, and 15 were a complete joy

        



Cafe Du Monde



Maybe the best shrimp and grits ever



The radio song that greeted us on our arrival downtown; a very warm New Orleans welcome. (It felt like a movie - a soundtrack pre-selected and perfectly timed)

A few things have been laid on my heart recently. Excited to share them in January.



Market

Every Saturday morning during the Fall, downtown has an outdoor market. Today, Mom and I gallivanted around town, starting with the Market on the Square. The city market allows locals to sell their homemade good and crafts on Saturday's in the Fall and Spring. It's a great way to highlight talented culinary and organic artists and encourage city commerce. Not only is it good for the city and local artists, it's an excellent adventure and successful check mark on the MUST DO list! No. 13, you were fun. We came away with scrumptious pumpkin butter jelly for biscuits in the morning and a dainty bouquet of fresh flowers.  

 



Autumn

My favorite time of year...Autumn. Good things happen this time of year. I met my husband this time of year. My fondest college memories are this time of year. Bonfires this time of year...I could go on. And I will, but first things first. I missed blogging about the adventures Summer held, so I won't be guilty of the same during my preferred season. Literally, I love everything about the Fall. A few weeks prior to the first date of this cuddly season, I created a MUST DO list to help me embrace everything I've come to love about "this time of year" (sorry to be redundant).  Here it is:

1. Go to a football game, preferably Alabama. Roll Tide
2. Visit a pumpkin patch.
3. Carve/Paint/Decorate pumpkins. These are cute.
3. Attend a festival celebrating some food of some sort. Pecans? Sausage?
4. Go to a concert.
5. Make Fall-ish Dinners
6. Throw or attend a costume party...I've got a theme in mind...
7. Get lost in a corn maze and Not Call 911.
8. Roast a marshmellow or two at a bonfire.
9. Create a Fall playlist (there are actually songs that set a Fall mood).
10. Visit a small town and check out their Fall decorations.
11. Fix a few Fall-ish Desserts
12. Have a cup of Fall flavored joe from a local coffee shop.
13. Go to an outdoor market.
14. Watch Charlie Brown and the Great Pumpkin

I am sure there will be more things added. Glad I've got TC who loves adventures as much as I do. I'll keep you posted on our progress!

Suggestion: Create your own Fall MUST DO list with your friends or family!