4,265.4 miles, 28 days, 12 states, 1 woman, 1 car

“It’s not the destination that matters, but the journey that makes it memorable.”

Hello there blog world.
I write this post, from the exact place I started it. My comfy bed of my room, in my simple house in Pearland TX.

I'm not sure how to finish this blog, or even if I should finish the blog. During the last leg of my drive today, lots of things crossed my mind as to how I should finish this adventure.

I suppose I will just write and see where I end up...

What did I learn this trip?
-I love staying in Hotels
-Traveling by yourself doesn't have to be intimidating or scary
-America is a beautiful country
-Arkansas' roads are not very good
-Being away from home for a month wasn't as hard as I thought it would be
-I saw some of the most amazing things\places\people
-I have amazing friends and family all around America
-It is wise to get off the interstate and take the time to travel the road less traveled.

Words can't describe the sense of accomplishment I have, or the amount of independence I feel. I feel like I can handle almost anything now.


So what is my next adventure...where will I go? I'm not sure yet, but I think it is good to take the time I have now to replay the memories and unpack my life that was spent in my car.

Thanks for your support and your love,

My final mileage from my driveway. I'm home.

Much love,
E

KY -TN- TX

Sorry for the delay everyone!

Well, here is a loaded but quick update on my most recent travels!

Rest of Lexington:
I spent the day driving around checking out the Horse Park, Race Track, and Jean Farris Winery. Lovely places and enjoyed seeing the country side!

Sunday morning I headed to Memphis TN and let me must say.. I LOVED IT. I have to go back! I stayed at the Memphis downtown Beale St. What a neat place and would love to go back with friends. Its kind of like a mini-bourbon street with really good music!

This morning I left Memphis by way of Graceland and headed to Texas! A long long long drive but I made it to Ft. Worth area around 6. I am staying with my friend Audrey who went on the cruise with me back in June! So fun to see her place and where she grew up!

We had a lovely dinner, and stopped by a wine bar for a wine tasting and we're back home to watch tv and take it easy.

I will head to Marble Falls tomorrow at some point. Anxious to see my family, but sad my trip is ending. What an amazing experience. I can't wait to give my trip the "report card"!

Hope all is well! Much love,
E

Lexington, Kentucky

Sorry for the delay in my update. Didn't really feel like blogging much yesterday.

Yesterday morning I woke up from Charleston and grabbed breakfast. I headed towards Kentucky around 10:30, drove through some rain storms but it was still a beautiful drive. I arrived in Lexington around 12:30-1:00ish and got checked into my hotel. I dropped off my stuff in my room and went out and looked around town (my hotel is quite far from the city itself). I got back to the hotel around 4 and I hung out here in the room for a bit to decide what I wanted to do next. Who am I kidding, I love hotel bars, so I went the the one here in the hotel and had some chicken wings and a cocktail. When I finished I came back to the room to vedge and clean up a bit. After that I went back to the bar for another couple cocktails and visit with the nice bartender, Bev. She was really excited  to hear about my trip. It was fun telling her about all my adventures!

Up this morning and had breakfast. Back at the room getting myself and my stuff together for the day. Plan on going up to the horse park (north of town) and then hitting up a winery. I'm off to Memphis tomorrow morning (about a 6 hour drive).

Hope all is well!
Much love,
E

Perspective

Good evening everyone.

I write you all from my hotel room in Charleston WV tonight. Crazy I've been so many places. Sad to see my trip winding up, but happy to replay all the fun memories I've made in my head. 

Today I woke up and headed out of Fairfax at 9:30 this morning and headed West. I made a scenic detour down the Skyline Parkway in VA and it was stunning! I can't wait to really go through all of my pictures!

Once I got into WV I noticed some dark clouds and just outside of Charleston. The last 12 miles of my trip was rough, driving rain and flashers. But alas I got here about 4:30. Once i got checked in, I headed to dinner at Buffalo Wild Wings (in the rain) and I'm back at the hotel.

During my drive a song came on my radio (iPod) and its one I know fairly well from years back, but I heard it and thought about all I've done and it really gave me perspective on this trip.. I've really done some awesome things and I think this song helps put it into perspective.
Find Yourself- Brad Paisley (from the movie, Cars)

I hope all is well, Much love

E

My day in DC

This morning I woke up and got myself ready to head to DC. Marcy dropped me off at the Metro on her way to work and I headed into town. I went back to the Madison Building and Jefferson buildings of the Library of Congress. That is where I got my own library card for "research" and got to see the Gershwin piano and exhibit. Jackie really needs to see the Bob Hope exhibit when she comes up here!

A little before noon I met up with my friend Amber from Pearland for lunch at a palce called "Tune Inn" This restaurant is right on Capital Hill and it was featured on Diners Drive-ins and Dives. We each had a burger and it was delicious!

After lunch I went to the metro and got myself to Union Station. What a bittersweet stop to go there and see again the place of one of my most fondest memories of my PaPa Dale. Back in 2004 he, my mom and myself went to DC for a weekend trip and during that trip we sad at the center cafe for one of my happiest memories ever.

 When I came into the main atrium my heart sank and tears welled up in my eyes (no I didn't really cry) but my heart ached for that memory replaying in my head. I pulled up to the side of the cafe where we sat, and ordered a beer. PaPa loved Coors Light, unfortunately they didn't have any, so I just had myself a Stella Artios. It was fun and I enjoyed my quiet time people watching and reminicing to my sweet, sweet memory.

After a little bit of shopping and hanging out I hopped back on the Metro and went and met up with Marcy, Lauren, and Ada. We headed home and had a lovely dinner of Swiss Steaks!
SPOIL ME ROTTEN!

My plan is to head to Charleston WV tomorrow morning around 9, so most of my time tonight will be doing laundry and packing up my stuff.

I've really enjoyed my stay here in Fairfax, such wonderful time with family I don't get to see very often. I'm so glad I came up here.

Gershwin's Piano

The view I had so many years ago. :)

Cheers Papa

Menu

Hope all is well! Much love,

E

A taste of DC

Good evening everyone! I hope this post finds you well and cool! It was a toasty day here in VA\DC but luckily some cool water always fix the heat.

This morning I woke up and hit up a few stores with Lauren and Ada as we tried our best to stay cool! We grabbed lunch at a place called Cafe Rio (started in Utah) it was pretty yummy! I had nachos.

After that we came home and hung out here a bit while Ms. Ada napped. I then went to Wegman's grocery store for a fun outing! It was a cool store and had a really cool wine\beer selection. Of course I had to make some purchases!

I came home and Marcy and I headed to the Metro and downtown DC to check out the Library of Congress. Too bad most of it was closed, but we did get the chance to ask a few questions and I have a better  idea of where I'm going and what I'm doing tomorrow.

We came home for a delicious roast and gravy meal! It was deeeelicious.. we're going to vedge and watch tv some. Hopefully will be early to bed tonight for this tired traveler!

I still need to get my hotels booked for Charleston WV and Lexington KY. Hopefully I can get that booked tonight.

I hope all is well. Much Love,
E

Me in front of the Capital!

In front of the Jefferson Building

They were closed, so I'm going back tomorrow! I LOVE THIS IDEA!

Marcy and I on the Metro

Random thoughts

Here are some of my random thoughts as I hang out at the house here in Fairfax.

-I'm far from home.

-I can't decide if I want to draw out my travels home (as planned) or get back to TX faster.

-It's hot in DC, but nothing like TX

-I wish my cell phone kept charge longer.

-I really love it when Marcy scratches my back or plays with my hair.

-I enjoy being out of my comfort zone once I'm there (ie traveling to places alone)

-I miss my Evie more than anyone could ever imagine, but Ada does help fill that void

-I wonder how things are going to end up once I get back home.

-Still need to find out where I'm staying in Lexington at the end of this week. And how long I'm staying there.

That is all for now. I'll update more later.

E