Road Trip


Road Trip

Every year I go away in the summer to escape the heat of south Florida and to see some beautiful scenery. My go-to place is the mountains of North Carolina, what we Carolinians call The High Country at the highest elevations of the Blue Ridge Mountains. I’ve been going here for several years and renting a condo on Sugar Mountain. Cute little “cabiny” place which I have enjoyed. This year, however, I’m going to my own place, a rather deluxe, if I do say so myself, camper in a nice, wooded campground.

I bought the place at the end of last summer after much internal debate. How long will I be able to make this drive at my age (which is golden). What if the river rises? What if the snow buries my piece of paradise when I’m not there? In spite of all the dire answers, I bought, and now I’m preparing to spend the first night in the 38 foot camper I bought last summer. My “RV guy” (every helpful person up there is a guy of some sort) checked the place out last week and has pronounced it good to go – or in my case, good to stay right where it is. I could never even think of moving it.

I’m leaving tomorrow, on Thursday. Will get to South Carolina that night and continue on the next day. In my car will be four and a half months of clothes and supplies, my new laptop computer so I can continue my Heartwarming series, the Cahills of North Carolina (latest book pictured below), my sweet little Willie (see below) and, thank goodness, my generous son,  John (on the left below) who has agreed to ride up with me and fly back. Love that kid! I also will pack healthy snacks (for John – I like Cheetos) drinks, and audio books. You’d think I was going to Alaska!

All this makes me wonder…what do you do to prepare for a road trip? Are you single like I am, and does it bother you to go alone? Or is every trip the opportunity for a new adventure? I hope I never lose that childlike sense of excitement when the car is loaded and I turn the key.

Whatever your plans for the upcoming summer, I hope you have a great time and a new adventure.
Cynthia







Comments

  1. Cynthia, I’m so envious of that amazing locale. Those views! I can picture you sitting outside with morning coffee (or tea) and taking in that panorama. Spending 4 months or so there will definitely be inspiration for many more Heartwarmings. The year I retired I took a train trip across Canada by myself, meeting my hubby at the end in B.C. I was a bit nervous at first, but the whole trip was wonderful and I enjoyed being by myself. :). Have a great time and at some point, send more pics!

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    1. Interesting Janice. A therapist once told me that being nervous is normal at the start of a journey. But our bodies can't sustain that kind of stress so we naturally calm down.

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  2. Have a great summer in your new place, Cynthia. I admit, I don’t like to travel alone much anymore—actually never did—but I’ll fly anywhere! Of course that means missing out on the sights along the way. And sharing the adventure as you will with John and Willy. Enjoy!

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    1. I am still a bit nervous when I fly which is really holding me back. I want to go to Europe so badly, but the thought of a nine hour flight s daunting.

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  3. Hope you have a relaxing, productive summer! Snacks are absolutely vital to the success and sanity of any road trip. And liquids. Start with the caffeinated, ease off with a water or two, then perk up with something sugary. Best!

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  4. I love your spirit, Cynthia, and admire your gumption. You go, girl. Have a fantastic time and be sure to post lots of pictures.

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  5. I love that you got your own slice of the heavenly mountains. I'm sure I couldn't make a road trip alone. Would love to, but consider me chicken.

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  6. Ladies, I wasn't as confident this time around. In the past, even after losing my husband, I got in the car and took off. This time I'm happy to have my son ride along. But if he hadn't agreed, I would have gone by myself. Well, not by myself - I have Willie but having a dog can add a responsibility if there is a problem. And Roz let's make the trip together some time!

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  7. Thanks for all the tips, ladies. I appreciate each and every one.

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  8. My husband doesn't like to travel, so I'm always heading off on my own. I went to Europe to visit my daughter and the two of us went all over, staying in hostels and having a grand time. When I went to RWA in NYC a few years ago, my kids thought I was nuts cause I went all over Manhatten by myself, including subways, which they think are scary, apparently. But I HAD to see the Statue of Liberty and I didn't know anyone, so it was either sit by myself or go explore. :) I love your pictures!

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  9. How exciting! Love those pictures. It looks like a very special place.

    My last solo road trip was when we moved from Wyoming to Oklahoma. Hubby had already moved while I sold the house. Then he flew up and took the baby (who's now 30!) back on the plane while I took the dogs and drove my car. He says the baby cried the entire plane ride, so I guess I had the easy shift. I've flown alone and taken public transportation alone many times, but I'm a nervous driver in strange cities. Once those self-driving cars become mainstream, I'm all set.

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  10. What gorgeous photos--I lived in in the NC mountains, so I know how beautiful it is there all year round. Road trips are the best, and exploring solo has a special quality all its own and I can't get enough of it. I just know you'll have a fabulous summer in an inspiring place! Thanks for posting the pictures.

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  11. Have keys, will travel. :-) I'd love to do what you're doing! Those mountains are beautiful! My daughters live in south Florida and I'm waiting until Fall to visit again.. :-)

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    1. I am all for "have keys will travel." Have so many lady friends who don't like to drive or who won't drive at night. I actually love to drive by sun or moon. Not so much by pouring rain.

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  12. When we were first married, we used to make the trip between Winnipeg (go to North Dakota and drive even more north) and Brockville, Ontario (half way between Toronto and Montreal on the St. Lawrence River). We drove in winter mostly. Lots of adventures. Talking books were a lifesaver, since radio was limited and sometimes missing. You know how they say putting up wallpaper tests a marriage? Try a 30 hour drive...

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    1. I'm taking audio books this trip too. Can't imagine my son and I will have the same tastes, but we'll try.

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  13. Thanks for all the stories, ladies. LeAnne I would have gone anywhere with you in NYC. Driving in the winter has its own challenges. My old 1968 Impala used to conk out all the time. But my father said I had to have a "big car." That thing could have pulled a train.

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  14. Luckily, both my husband and and I are travelings. We've a 30 foot camper and we'll hit Flag this summer, and California, and Colorado. I'm so looking to the journey. We're in AZ, so we want out of the heat!

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    1. Don't blame you a bit, Pam. When it gets hot in Florida I go higher and more north!

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  15. I love road trips, whether alone or not, but my husband really doesn't, so I don't make all that many. My friend Nan and I usually get at least one writing trip a year in, though. Enjoy NC!

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