Tomorrow, RubyG, my bright lime green Subaru Crosstrek “Hot Wheel,” and I are hitting the road. I have 4 different places booked for this 7-day trip, so it will be a lot of driving.
Just me, my audiobook, Thin Mints from the freezer, and an itinerary that shows I haven't yet yielded my control issues. I call that balance. A few weeks ago, when I went to Hilton Head with Le, someone asked me where I was staying. “I don’t know; she has a timeshare. I just have to pack a bag, load my bike, and get in her car.”
This is to be a family adventure. We are celebrating my cousin’s 80th birthday, which is poignant because her mama’s 80th birthday celebration started our cousin reunions twenty-six years ago. The birthday girl got to choose the location, so we are headed into Kentucky to experience the Ark Encounter. A zip line is on the itinerary; I don’t know if it will happen Wednesday or Thursday. My physical therapist approved it, along with lending me a back brace for the ride.
A friend asked if I was seeing any distilleries in KY and mentioned Woodford. I discovered Woodford is just an hour out of the way and turned it into a side adventure on my way, stopping to take a mixology class on making Old-Fashioneds, a favorite drink for Alby and me. Not wanting to rush to beat the clock on a six-hour drive, I decided to spend the night in Knoxville to make the drive just 3 hours each day. Now, I get the possible bonus of having dinner with friends while I’m stopped there for the night.
I booked an adorable little tiny house for the Kentucky portion of the trip and will spend Wednesday and Thursday with family. When I saw how close I was to OH, I had no choice but to quickly add some sightseeing there, since it is one of the five states I haven't been to.
In Columbus, I’ll see their botanical garden, which has the largest permanent Chihuly exhibit. Then I’ll set out to see the waterfalls at Hocking Hills and go to Old Man’s Cave. From there, it’s back to Kentucky to the Natural Bridge. I saw a natural bridge in Virginia back in 1976, so I’m excited to see something similar again.
It’s been 18 years since my big solo adventure, My Courageous Connection tour, when I traveled through 33 states in 8 months, stayed in 55 homes with friends, and spent 11 nights in hotels along the way. That was a trip that I knew would change me; I just wasn’t sure how. I learned how much I needed connection and that introverted didn’t mean alone. It was an exceptionally healing adventure.
Today, most people do not recognize me as introverted. I’ve never fit into a neat little box or identity. I am excited about parts of this trip: the bonding time with friends and family, and the solo experience of roaming and letting possibilities present themselves. I can have a plan without knowing exactly how every day will unfold.
No, Nana is not coming with me; she hates to travel. Uncle Craig will be coming over to hang out with her twice a day. She loves him, and I love all the silly pics and videos he sends me while I’m gone.
So tomorrow morning, I'll load the suitcase, the Thin Mints, and the audiobook into RubyG and point my Hot Wheel north. I know where I'm sleeping (most) every night. Even with an itinerary, I still like to leave some options open. 😊
