There is something to be said about driving down the interstate.........with the destintation a thousands of miles ahead. It has that special feel. Like when you wake up on your birthday and you get all of these phone calls from people who really care......just to say "Happy Birthday"! And that excited, butterflies in your tummy, feel. Like when you are going out on that first date with that one person that you just can't stop thinking about. When you plan a trip you normally think about flying so you get to the destination fast but in the end its all about what you did to get to your destination.........that truly is the yummiest bite of all.
This summer Drew and I ventured out on our 2nd roadtrip together. Before we packed up, loaded the car, dropped Gigi off at my parents house, and hit the road we decided that this was going to be our anniversary get-a-way. A little vacation from the busy journey that has us completely entangled in the construction of a new home and life itself.
~Day 1: Wednesday, June 24, 2009~
We left little old Naples, home, the sweet smell of comfort, and knowing how to get from point A to point B. Our first stop........Jacksonville, Fl to stay with a dear friend ~ Michelle. On our way to Jax we stopped in Sarasota to get a bite to eat from our favorite fast food joint~ Chick-fil-a. (According to Drew, he believes that Chick-fil-a's food is of better quality than any of the other fast food joints.) After eating at any over crowed Chick-fil-a I was granted an opportunity of a life time.........~ready for this~..........**drum roll please**.......... to drive the rest of the way to Jax!! Not long into the trip (after our first upscale dining experience) we had a little scare. Now let me set the scene.......I'm driving. The road is wide open, a few cars but not too many. Drew is reading a book, lounged back in the passenger seat looking rather comfy. Then all of a sudden we hear this loud noise and the car shakes a little. My immediate thought was.....flat tire. Now all sorts of things are running wild in my head. Drew doesn't know how to change a flat tire. I for sure don't know how to change a flat tire. We can call roadside but that would take forever. Maybe the roadranger is close and sees a young couple stranded and in need of help. Even if we get someone to change the tire we can't ride all the way to our final destination on a spare. In the midst of my mind completly taking control of my body, I hear Drew freaking out~ asking me, "what did you hit? what did you run over?" I make my way over three lanes of this not so busy highway and we make it safely to the side of the road. I prepare myself for the worst but I am praying for the best (do to the fact that first of all we weren't even driving one of our cars but it was Drew's mom's car)......we get out of the car eyes open wide checking all of the tires........much to our surprise not one of them was flat. We looked south and saw this white thing laying on the side of the road, Drew walked over to it and it was one of those spray jugs that pest control people use for the pesticides.......we think that got stuck under the car~but I know for a fact that I did not run over anything. We got back into the car, wiping the nervous sweat off of our foreheads, and headed back onto the road. We passed through Sarasota, Bradenton, merged onto I-4, passed Disney and all the other theme parks, Orlando, Deltona, made our way onto I-95 and finally made it into Jacksonville.....grabbed clothes out of the car and made our sleepy way into Michelle's house ready to hit the first piece of furniture we saw.
~Day 2: Thursday, June 25, 2009~
6:00 am alarm clock ringing........me hitting the snooze (just give me five more minutes to sleep). Michelle came out and woke up Drew asking him what time we were thinking about leaving......Drew woke me up and I jumped into the shower......I took a quick one anxiously ready to get back onto the road. We stopped at Panera ate a little deli style breakfast. We were just two hours away from sweet little Savannah, Georgia. This quaint old town that entraps you. The history, the beauty, the southern hospitality. I simply did not want to leave. We had heard the wonderful rumors about this little nugget of gold but the rumors did not do it justice. It was simply breathe-taking.
After immersing ourselves into the lovely backdrop of true southern hospitality we set out to conquer our final destination ~ the lowcountry ~ Charleston, South Carolina. Only two hours away from Savannah we checked into this quaint hotel right off of the main strip and close to every hot spot Charleston has to offer. We unpacked, showered, and head out to find some dinner. We ended up at this little Italy restaurant that was delicious. The ambiance was so romantic and delightful. After dinner we met up with the bride and groom to be, Nick & Joellen, for some drinks, dancing, and laughs.
~Day 3: Friday, June 27, 2009~
Today we ventured outside of Charleston. We went where the oldest, working, living plantation meets the murky waters of the river that flow into the sparkling blue bay that meets the old, trendy, busy city of Charleston. Today we visited Boone Hall Plantation. As we entered the estate we drove down a rocky dirt road lined with live oak trees that were draped with spanish moss. As we drove we kicked up the dirt and left a dusty trail. In the haze of the dust you could see the slave cabins lining the left field and the horse stables and pasture on the right. At the end of the road the Boone mansion sits majestically looking out onto the open oak tree lined drive. This historical little treasure holds so much truth, emotions, and history. As we walked the grounds we were engulfed in what the honest truth of what our country used to be.
~Day 4: Saturday, June 27, 2009~
Wedding bells rang today. You know the kind in the movies when the bride and groom run out of the old, white church and high from the steaple the bells ring loud for everyone to hear. Nick and Joellen made a promise to each other on this day that they will never forget. They made a promise in a 200 year old eclectic Catholic Church with balcony seating. They made a promise to each where outside of the church they had a private horse drawn carriage ride awaiting for them. They made a promised to love each other through all of lifes bumps in front of all of their loved ones. It was a magical wedding.
~Day 5: Sunday, June 28, 2009~
Waking up to another alarm ringing at 6:00 am. Time to head home. We had a long drive ahead of us but it was yet another adventure that we held in the palm of our hands. As we made our way out of South Carolina, and into the back foot hills of Georgia we decided to play the ABC game. Just trying to pass the time........we were neck and neck until I found the letter J and blew Drew out of the water. Until I got stuck on X and he was lucky enough to spot the one and only "xterra" s.u.v........I lost but tried to loose gracefully! We made our way into Florida........oh the longest drive of all.......but we made it all in one piece ~ safe and sound.
**Before we know it.......we take time out of our busy journey to spend time with the people we love. We take a chance and embrace the memories that we will have for a life time. There are so many adventures to be had and so many places to be explored. Get out there and explore them!**
