My Road Trip/ Vacation

Day 1: Mullets, Mayhem and Much Much More!

Mullet sightings galore! ...And I’m not talking about the fish! That’s right, I’ve been in the one and only Gatlinburg, Tennessee. It’s a great place for people watching and the things you see are priceless! I saw many a mullet and tons of people whose days, I’m sure, ended with 6 Flags Rash. Obesity at it’s best roaming up and down the streets with funnel cakes, fudge, taffy and caramelized and candied fruit in every hand! A pleasant mix of lovers, adulterers and families filled the streets and shops for a good time. Some searching for the perfect place to buy their newest personalized t-shirt to forever remember their vacation to the mountains while others roamed aimlessly into shops filled with over-priced junk and knock-off handbags. This was my observation just from sitting outside having dinner. On the patio, dining nearby...Spotted. Cute locals. A table of talent sitting right in front of my very eyes. Three unmarried and decently cute guys. Daydreaming about the fun that could be had...then back to reality! No ‘single me fun’ can be had, I’m with Josie and Robert! A fog of disappointment overcomes me for just a moment and then I realize maybe this is a blessing in disguise. So I eat my salad and occasionally glance at the nearby table. Several times, eye contact was made with the guys and then they left. Shortly after, we were finished with dinner and left too. The potential of fun times for me had just slipped right through the cracks. After a brisk walk and a trolley ride I was ready to turn in for the night.

Day 2: A Wandering Mind

Today was spent mostly driving. I slept in until around 10:30, got up, got ready and went to lunch with Josie and Robert. I shopped a bit and then hit the road. When the speed limit is only 65 and there are state troopers EVERYWHERE (thank goodness for cruise control!), 400 miles is a lot of road and lots of time for your mind to wander. I did a lot of thinking about life in general and all of the different scenarios that could happen; the choices that could lead to the future and the end result of those decisions. Then I received a random voice note and those always bring me joy! They just make me smile. (And it’s been a long while since I’ve gotten one.) I dilly dallied at a store on the way to Virginia that we used to stop at when I was a little kid. And then later, dilly dallied at WalMart before finally arriving at my destination. Now I am blogging and stealing internet and have no phone service. Disconnected from the world I know. I am officially in the country! The city life that I know is nonexistent for the next few days and I’m okay with that.

Day 3: Up and Down and Round and Round

My day began with an early voice note from a Morgan Freeman impersonator with a Driving Miss Daisy pun, lol! He knows for sure that I need a driver just like Miss Daisy! The majority of my day was spent driving up and down and around mountains. I did Pipers Gap, Lambskin Mountain and the Blue Ridge Parkway. It was AWESOME!!! I couldn’t help but think that BMW should do a commercial driving down some of the mountains that I drove down today. The winding roads and hairpin curves, the amazing view; totally commercial material. I visited with some of my most adoring fans and got a great rosary from a little vintage store in a town called Independence. I also ate entire dog basket like any fat girl would. For those of you unfamiliar with the dog basket it is a must have when visiting North Carolina. There’s a little place called O’dells, a car hop, and my dad used to work there when he was a teenager. It is still in business and is an original version of something like a Sonic but way mo’ betta! A dog basket consists of two dogs and fries. They have sundaes and sodas and the good kind of ice. It’s super cheap and oh so good! So to sum up my day: I had an ultimate driving experience and ate like a fat girl! I LOVE being on vacation!

Day 4: SC Bound

Today I drove down the mountain to North Carolina for a little visit before heading southbound. Upon arriving I realized that no one was home. I had "Goldilocks" moment except I didn't eat porridge or take a nap. Instead, I entertained myself with a solo photo shoot outside around the house. I was heading to the garden for a change of scenery and then I freaked myself out. I was outside and I started thinking about bugs and ticks which lead to thoughts of Lyme Disease. All of these thoughts filled my head and I decided that it would be best for me turn around and go back inside...away from the bugs and potential disease that could be lurking around outside. I hung around and waited for a little while before I heard a car pull in. I visited for a bit and then hit the highway! That's right, South Carolina bound! I stopped in Gaffney and did some light shopping. The light shopping turned into more of a moderate experience. Needless to say, I lost track of time before realizing that I had to leave asap in order to make my dinner plans in downtown Greenville. I flew down 85 and was right on time. Dinner started with beer and evolved into Sake. Oh yeah, and there was food too: Edamame and my favorite roll at Tsunami, a Florida roll. Normally there's no room for dessert but not tonight! Fried cheesecake was AWESOME! On the way home there was a case of McKenzie v. P. Soph. Long story short, back rear window completely down and refusing to raise. Total buzz killer. Parked in the garage and Andy rigged it up. Continued drinking and decided to go play in the pool. After becoming more wrinkled than a prune I decided to call it a night. It's good to be back.

Day 5: A Girl's Gotta Do What A Girl's Gotta Do

I woke up super early and couldn't go back to sleep. Dilly dallied around and then got up to run some errands. Messed with the window a little bit and talked to Chris about it. Andy made some phone calls and I called the BMW dealership in Greenville. All routes led to dead ends. I hate Century BMW they have THE WORST customer service! Every time I've ever had to use them for anything! When you think they can't suck anymore than they already do they go and prove you wrong. I called them several times and left messages and no one ever called me back. Andy and I decided to just go and try some places and see if we could find someone to pull up the window. We did, left my car there and did some running around. Went back to the house to enjoy a wonderful pool day with some of my favorite SC peeps. After some fun in the sun and several beverages, Brandi and I went to pick up my car. The window was up but the door panel was in the backseat. (It's what Chris said to do, so I did it.) $75 later, I had my car and was running my errands before heading back to the house. Dinner, wine, shots and SC baseball made for a perfect evening-minus the fact that Clemson lost. And I came to the realization that when I lived here I was smaller because I drank more than I ate and sometimes I drank too much which meant that the food I ate didn't stay down. So far so good; everything has stayed down. Today was a lushy pool day but I still managed to be productive and get stuff done.

Day 6: The End

Today was officially my last day of vacay :'( until beach trip next month. I got up, got packed, picked up sandwiches and met Michal for a late lunch at Papa's & Beer before heading home. It's never as fun coming as it is going. The weather was off and on yucky and I was sad that I had to leave. I stopped in Commerce for a little happy to pick up my spirits. I didn't leave Greenville until after 4 (Birmingham time) and wasn't thinking that it was almost 6 (Georgia time), so the stores were closing. Maybe that was for the best. So two stores and a pair of pants later I decided to get back on the road. My attention got diverted to the Starbucks by the interstate so I stopped for a nonfat caffeinated pick-me-up before getting back on 85. Good thing because there was a wreck and an on-looker traffic delay and I was thankful that I had a tasty beverage. After getting past that, it was smooth sailing. I made good time and was back in the Birmingham vicinity within the 8 o'clock hour. I had a much needed wonderful vacation and I'm sad that it is over.