In the past five months, I drove through every state in the southeast to northeast, then a loop through part of the southwest, of the United States.
To describe all I saw, experienced, and learned along the way could fill a book, and someday may. The kaleidoscope of people I interacted with are beautifully diverse. While daily lives, political leaning, and so much more differ widely, in both my friends and acquaintances, I find common threads of community care, family values, and personal responsibility.
For me, I needed to "run away" without leaving my life behind and I needed time alone to think and to be. I also needed to (re)connect with people and places I love. So I minimized my daily routine, left my local haunts and nearby familiarities, and plunked myself down in new places to purposely require growth - growing to love myself a bit more while appreciating this country I call home.
My mode of choice for all travel is road trip, most often in my 7 year old Honda Civic. Miss Blueberry has 121k miles and is still a delight to drive.
In May and June, I worked during the week, then traveled nearly every weekend from my home in northeast Florida: to Melbourne FL, to Disney World, to Charleston SC. I spent time on the beach, in theme parks, and on dance floors, and met at least 25 new wonderful people that month alone!
In July, I was turning 35, so I decided that I would travel 3500 miles. I figured the best approach would be general travel plans, friends' places to crash or nights in hotels pre-determined. A short list of places I absolutely wanted to go, and a long list of "it would be nice if" ideas. For practicality, my adventures were in two big trips, a total of 20 days on the road ... with a stop over at home in the middle to recalibrate, ensure workplace needs were met, and, well, to wash laundry.
My first big trip was an escapade north from Jacksonville Florida (where I call home) to New York City on July 1 to July 9 -- I wanted to see the Fourth of July fireworks show there. Short story: I did. And it was amazing. Beautifully synchronized show and a great neighborhood atmosphere.
While I was there, I took in the sights: I ate steamed dumplings in Chinatown and cannoli in Little Italy. I was hustled to buy a handbag, then told off by the hustler because I wasn't carrying enough cash. I took the subway everywhere. I cried when I visited the 9/11 Memorial. I was hosted by wonderful people who introduced me to their friends, walked the high line with me, and took me out dancing. The 14 hour drive (each way) was punctuated by overnights in Washington DC (where I walked the monuments at sunrise), and in Raleigh NC, which I'll claim as home any day.
Then I went home ... for 10 days of work and sleep and laundry ...
Then, July 21 came. Thai was Day 1 of big trip number 2, rounding out the month and the bulk of my summer adventures. It included a multi-stop trek across the Florida panhandle to New Orleans LA, up and over to Dallas TX, and then arcing across Arkansas to Knoxville TN, before heading home, finally, and for a while, to Jacksonville. It also included my birthday and I had beignets. During the trip I saw friends, long lost and newly made. At one point I spent an entire day wading around in a lake. I listened to local radio and ate at local restaurants all along the way.
In August I went to a four day professional conference where local and state elected officials talked about their big ideas and even bigger concerns for their communities. I learned a lot.
September brought an unexpected trip to Raleigh, as my home did not have electricity for several days and I had time off work following Hurricane Irma. When I say I visited Raleigh, what I mean is the lovely bit of acreage where some dear family lives. It's a place of respite and reprieve, where I go to clear my head and find rest. I would need that rest, for the next week brought a planned whirlwind business trip to Atlanta ... I was in the city a total of 18 hours. Somehow I still found I had friends who would meet for late night dinner (Waffle House is always open).
I'm posting this on October 1. While I planned on a journey of 5,000 miles, I actually traveled 10,000. As of right now, I have no travel scheduled until Thanksgiving, and then no additional travel planned until New Year.
As much as I enjoyed the season of travel, I am now looking forward to this period to focus on home. I brought home with me several memories, some pictures, and a lot of peace and healthiness. Whether on the road or at home, I am in a good place.
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