We did it, my darlings! I’m currently writing to you from our (gorgeous) former hometown of Sacramento, where we’ll be staying for a bit before moving on up north for the next stop in our 3.5 month journey.
Walter and I began our trek last Tuesday — we ended up driving 570+ miles in the van over six days, from Philly, all the way down Skyline Drive in Shenandoah, then allllll the way down the Blue Ridge Parkway, finally arriving at the Smoky Mountains. ❤️
From there, we coasted west to Nashville, scooped up Rob, and did something like Missouri —-> Nebraska —-> Wyoming —-> Utah —-> Nevada —-> California (I’m definitely missing a few states, those long driving days really blur together 😉). Now, we’re here, the sun is shining, my block has orange trees and the air smells like honeysuckle. We’re back in Cali, baby!
570+ miles. ❤️ What an epic solo road trip and a literal dream come true!
My heart is as full as it can be - and I’m so very grateful for this beautiful earth, friendly campsites, hot coffee at camp stores, people who want to pet Walter on the hiking trail, audiobooks keeping me company and the quiet, soothing peace of a long drive with no real destination except “south”.
This has been a dream of mine for a long time and to do it with my best bud Walter was an experience I’ll never forget. Every morning, we’d wake up in the van and I’d drink coffee and peek through all of the upcoming sights and guideposts on the Blue Ride Parkway that day. From there, I’d throw on an audiobook or some music, and Walt and I would coooooaassssttttt for hours — hopping out whenever we wanted to do mini-hikes on the Appalachian Trail or quick summits of mountain views.
Those from that area know that the whole drive down you are surrounded by the beauty of the blue ridge mountains, as well as gorgeous farm land and forests and streams. We even saw some huge waterfalls!
I’ve wanted to see the Smokies for a long, long time and am not ashamed to say that when Walt and I drove up to the sign, welcoming us to the park, I burst into tears. It felt very affirming, to do this on my own. To explore at my own speed, with no bigger agenda other than taking in the scenery and feeling astonished.
Some other fun details from the road — day one, driving through Shenandoah, and I saw the biggest owl I’ve ever seen. It flew up from the road so low I almost hit it. It was so majestic! When Walt and I stopped to hike at Natural Bridge, the park ranger there told me Walter was definitely a “Charlie” and I should change his name 😂 At Linville Falls, we bumped into a trio of hikers, and when I told them Walter’s name, the one hiker said that the last time he’d been to Linville Falls was with his father, who had just passed away, and that his name had been Walter. ❤️ (my best boy gave him some extra kisses). The first time we drove up to the Great Smoky Mountains welcome sign, there was a couple there walking up to take a picture with their pot bellied pig on a leash! I am not lying, I almost drove off the road 😂😂
I’ve got lots of book recommendations to share in future newsletters — but I will say for now that Cat Sebastian’s Hither, Page and The Missing Page on audio kept me company on the long drives, and during stormy nights I’d keep listening. (Read my reviews here) and also that the Fleetwood Mac ‘Rumuors’ album, as well as the first and second Zeppelin albums really freaking slap when you’re cruising down mountain roads with no destination!
We are so grateful to be back in our non-Philly home for a bit. I haven’t been back since 2018!
This is where I met Rob, and where we lived for eight years before our van trip, and where I was very, very lucky to work alongside homeless women and children, and where I learned how to be a bike commuter, and raised a bunch of money for some awesome places, and where we bought the van and converted it in our front yard, and where I started going back to creative writing groups, and where I wrote and released RIPTIDE (almost five years ago to the month!) and where I got married and on and on….
OH! And it’s also where I was when I first started meeting all of YOU! ❤️
What a wild ride it has been — thanks for tagging along. Thank you for brightening this world with your love of happily-ever-afters. Thank you for bringing so much joy into this space!