This post is long over due. But better late than never.
On the morning of July 3, my boyfriend and I departed for a journey of epic proportions through the South Eastern United States. We endured humidity, heat, and endless hours in the car, but what we gained made every drop of sweat, every backache, and every sunburn worth it. Five thousand three hundred and seventy-three miles later, I have a new appreciation for the stunning beauty, diversity, and complexity of my country, and more importantly, I have a deeper love for and trust in the man with whom I share my life.
Here are some photos from our trip, along with a map of our route. I hope they inspire you to take an adventure, whether it’s to the other side of town, or to the other side of your own country.
Day 1: From Tucson to Houston (A 16 hour trip, all in one day. Texas is HUGE!)
Day 2: Houston (No photos of Houston, sorry.)
Day 3: Houston to Memphis
Our breathtaking AirBnB in the heart of Memphis:
Day 4: Memphis (spent mostly at the Memphis Zoo, which is fantastic!)
Meerkats!
Our Memphis Favorites:
Otherlands Coffee Bar (try the toasted muffins!), The Memphis Zoo (make sure to catch the bear feeding), the march of the Peabody Ducks (get there early!), and Memphis Pizza Café
Day 6: Asheville
Our Asheville Favorites:
Mount Pisgah Campground (make sure to go on a hike!), and the Folk Art Center
Day 7: Asheville to Savannah
Our Savannah Favorites:
Foxy Loxy Café (go for the Horchatta Latté), Fire Street Food (try the Savannah Roll), and Forsyth Park (bring bug spray)
Day 8: Savannah to Sarasota
Day 9: Holmes Beach (the location of my family reunion. That stunning woman at my side is my momma.)
Day 10: Sarasota to Baton Rouge
Day 11: New Orleans
Our New Orleans Favorites:
Café du Monde (bring cash!), the Audbon Aquarium of the Americas, and Mr. B’s Bistro (save room for dessert— the bread pudding is divine!)
Day 12: Baton Rouge to Houston
Day 13: Houston (Again, no photos. But certainly some precious memories.)
Day 14: Houston to Tucson
We arrived home exhausted with sore butts and sleepy eyes. We were happy to have left home, and even happier to return. As I’ve learned time and time again, it is often in my journeys far from home that I come to appreciate all that I have right here in my own community. This trip, like all adventures, reinforced my gratitude for where I’m at, who I’m with, and who I am, right here, right now.
Next stop, Portland, Oregon! We just made plans to visit PDX in October. I’ve always wanted to see this city, and luckily, I’ll have an excellent tour guide. Stay tuned!
