#22: New Mexico: Part 2

Although I had visited Santa Fe in the past, I didn’t remember it well. I wanted to check it out again while I was in the area.

The tricky part with Santa Fe was finding a viable place to camp. For some reason, this was challenging. I’ve been on the road long enough to know what types of places I prefer and what types of places I like to avoid. I prefer national parks, state parks, and national forests (and of course BLM/government land), which are typically tucked away in natural surroundings. These places also attract people who want to camp, as opposed to live. RV parks (for the most part), on the other hand, are often a different vibe. Although parks and national forests AND private RV parks can be hit or miss, many times private RV parks are filled with families, less active people and people residing for months at a time.

The type of campsite that I haven’t mentioned is the “alternative” campsite. What I mean by this is essentially a parking lot somewhere, usually of Walmart, Cracker Barrel, or other types of establishments. In my case, in Santa Fe, this meant a casino parking lot. Yes, that’s right. There were limited “natural” options in Santa Fe, and this casino allowed RV’rs to stay overnight (for free). The parking lot was HUGE, and it worked out perfectly.

I stayed at the Tesuque Casino for two nights, giving me a full day to explore Santa Fe. I drove my car, Airstream in tow, to a few of the areas of the city (I didn’t want to leave the Airstream in the casino parking lot unattended. I parked it on the street, took up two parking spots and simply paid the meter for both spots.). Art is a significant focus of the attractions in Santa Fe (including the Georgia O’Keeffe Museum and Meow Wolf). Unfortunately, my interest in select types of art is minimal, but I enjoyed the architecture and history. I walked around the plaza and saw the Cathedral Basilica of Saint Francis of Assisi. I had Addie with me, so I didn’t visit any galleries, but I was able to pop into a few shops (and enjoy an outside margarita at The Shed).

I left early the next morning to make my way to a town called Truth or Consequences. On the route, was the Petroglyph National Monument, so I broke up the drive by making a trip there to hike and see the petroglyphs.

Truth or Consequences is an interesting place. At the very least, the town has an interesting name. I had reserved a campsite at Elephant Butte Lake State Park, which is probably a lot more bustling in the summer months. I arrived later in the day and made a plan to hike Turtleback Mountain the next day. After a quick coffee at Black Cat Books & Coffee, Addie and I set out to the trailhead.

Since the trailhead was unmarked, it was challenging to locate (I used AllTrails to find this hike). We met a friendly fellow hiker named Michael, who helped us find it, and we ended up hiking the entire trail with him (and his dog, Bella). This trail was only about 4.5 miles roundtrip, but an elevation gain of about 2,000 feet. It took us nearly 5 hours to complete. Michael and I chatted about many things as we hiked - work, relationships, life decisions, meditation - it was nice to have company and listen to engaging life stories from a stranger. Afterward, Addie and I were utterly exhausted and crashed back at the Airstream. Her poor little paw pads got blisters on them. Sadly, I think I may need to subject her to doggie boots....

The following morning I enjoyed coffee with a couple from Vermont who Michael and I had the pleasure of meeting while on our hike. They were also staying at Elephant Butte State Park. They have an interesting story: They live and work in Vermont for the spring and summer and travel in the southwest (mostly New Mexico) during the colder months. There is always an alternative way of living your life!

I hit the road after coffee and headed south to Silver City, NM. I wasn’t planning to, but my GPS took me through the Gila National Forest. That drive, although beautiful, was very annoying. I twisted and turned through switchbacks and curves, in the rain, towing the Airstream. If it were clear skies and I was in a sports car it would have been a different story…

Silver City is an old silver mining town currently noted for outdoor recreation, a mild climate (low humidity, four gentle seasons and 300+ days of sunshine a year), and historic downtown area. From there, I thought about visiting the Gila Cliff Dwellings, but that was a two-hour drive BACK through the Gila National Forest. I did not feel like getting back in the car the next morning (plus, no dogs allowed). Of course, I hemmed and hawed and ultimately decided not to go. Instead, with poor weather, I took a day to relax and briefly tour the historic downtown.

It was in Silver City when I noticed an existing leak in my Airstream had gotten much worse. I had water dripping in the trailer overnight and had no choice but to catch the dripping water in a bucket on the galley countertop.

A pot wasn’t large enough to sustain the dripping overnight…

ADDITIONALLY, my heat thermostat/panel was not activating. I had to get the trailer into the dealership and get these things fixed as soon as possible. I couldn’t keep traveling with these issues. All of this leads to post #16, when I took the Airstream to the dealership in Albuquerque for service.

#18: Marfa & West Texas

Marfa, TX hit me hard. I really had no idea what it was, what to expect, or what I would find. I expected little, but in the end, I found so much.

The first few days in Marfa were spent making day trips to some small towns nearby: Alpine, Marathon and Fort Davis. But Marfa was where I spent the majority of my time in West Texas.

Alpine

Alpine serves as the “big” town for Marfa. If there is something you need that Marfa doesn’t have, Alpine has more resources. There are some notable things to do there, and Addie and I took advantage. We took a very strange hike up to a desk. Yes. That’s right. There is a college there called Sul Ross State University and as the story goes, in 1981 some students sought out a quiet place to study so they heaved a desk up to the top of a hill. Here, they were able to find tranquility and beautiful surroundings to more effectively hit the books. The full story is here.

We also drove around to some art murals around town. These always make good Instagram content (because I am SUCH an influencer…I didn’t even post any of them to IG…🙄).

Marathon / Gage Hotel

A friend of mine had suggested I swing by the Gage Hotel in Marathon. There was one day the weather was not so great, so Addie and I took a ride. On the way, we saw this Target store. I believe this was supposed to be something mimicking Prada Marfa (mentioned later in this post), but just didn’t gain the same type of traction…

The Gage Hotel was a pretty cool spot. Adorned with leather furniture, longhorn skulls and old western decor, it’s widely known for the bar, White Buffalo Bar. There is a massive covered patio, which was empty at the time I stopped in. But you just knew that in warmer months, it’s filled with guests and live music. I ordered a prickly pear margarita from the bar and Addie and I plopped ourselves next to a fireplace to keep warm.

Fort Davis

Fort Davis is about 20 miles north of Marfa. I had read that there was a state park there for decent hiking, and also that the old Fort Davis (an actual frontier military post) is a national historic site there as well - both worth visiting.

Addie and I headed to Davis Mountains State Park for a morning hike. We decided to combine a few different trails and make a loop out of it. I kept Addie on the leash for this entire hike. This is not typical practice for me as she does way better off the leash. However, I was nervous for javelinas.

Before coming to Texas, I had no idea what javelinas were - perhaps I should have known. They are basically a really nasty version of a pig and are widespread in the Southwestern United States and throughout South and Central America. They are NASTY. They can attack humans and animals (including Addies), they smell horrible and they can’t see well. I am an animal lover, but I do not love javelinas.

Anyway, Addie and I had a great hike and did not run into any javelinas, thank God.

We stopped by the Fort Davis National Historic Site on the way out of town. I love history, so it was really cool to see old barracks, the fort hospital, captains quarters and the commissary. Many of the buildings were staged with furniture and original artifacts, which really brought it to life. Addie couldn’t come into the buildings, but she did walk around with me. I didn’t spend too much time inside the buildings, so she hung out outside while I took quick peeks inside them. It was a nice day, so she was content sunbathing.

MARFA

When I was finally done making my day trips, it was time to explore Marfa. I did a little bit of research and there were a few things I knew I wanted to check out. Other than that, my goal was simply to explore and figure out what was going on here in this small West Texas town.

The first place I went was El Cosmico. I was driving around town after getting back from Marathon and I passed by it unintentionally. I parked and went in, although it looked like no one was there. I walked in to a shop, with all kinds of desert-style merchandise. I meandered through until I asked the two women at the desk what this place was. They both said in unison, “A hotel.” They gave me a little background on the hotel and also a list of suggested places to check out while in town. That list was my guide for Marfa.

The next morning, I went to one of the coffee shops on the list - one that I had also read about online: The Sentinel. It was a Friday, late morning. I left Addie in the car, thinking that I would just get a coffee and go. However, I got to talking with the bartender, learned that dogs are allowed inside and also learned that this guy was super nice and fun to talk to. I went outside, grabbed Addie and pony’d up to the bar.

Aaron, the bartender (now my friend), gave me some history on Marfa and also what I should do with the one day I was planning to spend there. As I probed him on the town and asked him what the deal is, he directed me to the latest issue of Texas Monthly where there was an in-depth article, explaining the phenomenon of this small town. He invited me to take the issue they had in the shop, and bring it back when I was done reading the article because it was lengthy. He also invited me to go out that night to one of the few bars in town - I was thrilled to be making friends.

The one thing Aaron told me to do was visit the Chinati Foundation. Much of Marfa is known for the art, and much of the foundational art of Marfa is found at this museum. I made a reservation for a tour on the following morning. That afternoon, after visiting the coffee shop, headed over to Food Shark for a late lunch. They closed at 3pm, so I had to get there before then. I enjoyed the Marfalafel taco. Yum.

I wandered through town, stopping in various shops. I was shocked to find so many unique places - a custom boot shop, a handmade soap shop, a weird shop called, “Wrong,” a designer apparel shop, and countless art studios and galleries. I almost felt as if I was in a neighborhood of New York City.

That Friday, I realized that there was more to see and do in Marfa than one day would allow. I loved the Sentinel so much that I literally could hang out there all day, every day. Simultaneously, as I was thinking I wanted to stay longer, I also learned that the thermostat panel for my Airstream that was overnighted to me the day prior (see post #14) wasn’t scheduled to arrive until Monday evening. I was stuck until Tuesday as I waited for the part to be delivered. Everyone told me, “Sounds right. Nothing gets next day delivery in Marfa.” It was fate, I think, because Marfa was growing on me quickly and I couldn’t get enough.

Here is the thing with Marfa: It’s out in the middle of nowhere in the Chihuahuan Desert. But the people it draws (either locals or visitors), bring such diversity and culture. Sometimes, it felt more diverse than larger cities I’ve lived in or visited. People’s stories are incredible - from locals and cowboys to ex-New Yorkers and Europeans. The people I met and the conversations I had could arguably be some of the most meaningful conversations I’ve had in a very long time. For the first time in a while I felt a sense of belonging. I was being influenced, I was influencing and I was enjoying just BEING. So I decided to stay through the next weekend.

I spent most days hanging out at the Sentinel. If I really wanted to be productive, I’d head to a table. If I felt social, I’d sit at the bar. It’s a coffee shop, but it’s also a bar/restaurant so I would go from coffee to cocktails and see where the rest of the afternoon/evening took me. Typically, I’d chat with people there and find something to do later on. I guess that’s just how the small town thing works. I tried to check out as many other restaurants and bars as I could including Stellina, Jett’s Grill at Hotel Paisano, The Water Stop, The Capri, The Lost Horse (honky tonk/dive bar), Al Campo and Marfa Burrito.

After just two weeks in Marfa, my new friends were calling me a local. Apparently, that is how a lot of the people in Marfa end up in Marfa: they’re traveling or visiting and plan to say for a few days but keep sticking around longer, and longer and longer, until eventually they figure out a way to reside there permanently. Obviously, I did not stay permanently, as I had a lot more exploring in front of me, but to Marfa I will return.

Oh! The infamous Prada Marfa art installation was on my way out of town. When I finally peeled myself away from Marfa, I stopped there to grab a few photos. It’s actually about 30 miles outside of Marfa in a smaller town called Valentine.

I cannot forget to mention another infamous Marfa “thing”: Marfa Lights. I had heard about the Marfa Lights while in Austin. I went out to the viewing area one night, no luck. I went out the next night just after sundown (as recommended), and…I SAW THEM! It was crazy. Check out the link for more info on the Marfa Lights.

If you have the opportunity to visit Marfa, I highly recommend and encourage it. It’s somewhat far out there in West Texas, but absolutely worth the trip.

#13: Oklahoma & East Texas

Okay, this entry is a long(er) one. It’s because I covered a lot of ground and don’t want to leave anything out. Also, it’s because I’m way behind on my posts. Sorry, not sorry. 😐

Oklahoma

Before heading down to Texas to meet up with friends, I knew I wanted to make a quick stop in Oklahoma City. I really wanted to visit the Oklahoma City National Memorial.

I found a Harvest Hosts location about 30 minutes outside of OKC - an Alpaca farm called Awesome Acres Pacas and Pyrs. I was in heaven. Michael, the owner, was generous enough to show me around and introduce me to his (literally) prized Suri alpacas. He spent about an hour with me, walking me around the grounds, explaining his business, and teaching me about this specific breed of Alpacas. The Suri alpaca is rarer of a strain than the alpacas you picture with the fluffy white fur. The Suri breed has a longer, more silky coat, and therefore the yarn is a lot softer. I left there with some yarn for my friend in Austin who knits, socks for myself, and a few little things as other gifts. I’m wearing my Alpaca socks right now, and they’re so soft and warm!

I then took a ride downtown to visit the memorial. Since Addie was with me, we didn’t go inside the museum. I should preface that I don’t 100% remember the OKC bombing. I “remember” it, but it’s not as vivid in my memory as 9/11 or Columbine. Regardless, merely walking into that area of the city made me emotional. I took my time, read all the signs, and just sat. It was very fulfilling, even though a lot of what I felt was loss.

Another strong feeling I had there, after traveling through other areas of the country and feeling very “American,” was unity. Although this was an act of domestic terrorism, the country came together to support it. Thinking about this and having this realization gave me the chills. The United States is like an old married couple. We fight, we bicker, we can’t get along, but when push comes to shove, we seem to unite when needed (I say this very lightly…right now in our country’s state, it’s a bit more complicated than that, I fully realize!). There was an inscription at the memorial that stood out to me: “The spirit of this city and this nation will not be defeated; our deeply rooted faith sustains us.” I’ll just leave it at that. Here are some photos:

Dallas

My first stop in the Dallas area was to Celina - a bit north of the city. An old friend of mine from growing up lives there, and I stopped in catch up with her and meet her sweet baby girl. The timing was perfect, as that weekend happened to be her baby’s first birthday party, and her family was in town, so I got to see them as well.

I hadn’t seen Lauren in years, and despite our lives being different now, our friendship remains the same. I love that. And I loved seeing her be the best mom. Also, Addie doesn’t LOVE children, but she and Katherine seemed to get along just great. I think Katherine was even saying “Addie” towards the end of the visit. Just sayin’.

While at Lauren’s house, I took the opportunity to do a little inventory/cleanout of my Airstream and “stuff.” For the first time since I left in November, I took my roof rack off, got my car washed and sifted through all of my belongings. Believe it or not, I felt like I had too much “stuff,” and as a result, it stressed me out. I couldn’t figure out the best methods of storing clothes and other belongings. What do I use every day? What do I only need at certain times? What do I need in my Airstream, versus what don’t I need at my fingertips daily? Lauren and her mom helped me think things through (sometimes you need someone else to talk it through with!), and I ended up taking two large shopping bags of clothes/“stuff” to Goodwill! At first, it was hard to let go, but I channeled my inner Marie Kondo, thanked those items for helping me along the way, and said good-bye to them. It felt great. I hit the road with a “clean” mind and a clean Airstream and car! As I write this weeks later, I don’t even remember what I donated.

My next stop in Dallas was to visit my friend, Nick, from grad school. What a host! Addie and I had our own room and bathroom - all just renovated. He bought the place a while ago and is nearly doing a complete makeover. I’m proud of him. He is making his house a home, just the way he wants it.

My visit with Nick was during the week, but we managed to squeeze in some fun activities. We cooked a delicious Thai meal, watched a few classic movies, and attended his trivia night (I don’t think I was very helpful). He also took me to Dealey Plaza, where the assassination of John F. Kennedy took place. We toured the museum, which was extremely interesting. There were a lot of details about that event that I didn’t know - and a lot about JFK’s presidency, of which I wasn’t aware. Outside, on the road where the shots took place, there are two “X’s” to mark the location of each shot location. It really hit home.

Waco

On my way from Dallas to Austin, I had to stop in Waco to check out Magnolia (of Chip and Joanna Gaines, of Fixer Upper). I had to understand what this is and how it’s become what it is.

Well, C & J are marketing geniuses. They have managed to take their brand and make it into a destination. This area hosted a bakery, a store, and a coffee shop, not to mention an outdoor area with food trucks to hang out, let the kids play, and enjoy the sunshine. They also have a restaurant in a separate area of Waco.

I enjoyed a few hours of walking around, visiting the coffee shop, store, and bakery. The cookies were delicious, and I thoroughly enjoyed one in the car on the way to Austin.

Austin

I knew I was going to spend ample time in Austin - for two main reasons: 1) I needed some QT with two friends here, and 2) I love Austin and knew I wanted to explore the city.

My best college friend, Amanda, lives in Austin. She just finished school to become a Nurse Practitioner (so proud of her!). The first weekend, she and I planned to check out Enchanted Rock State Natural Area and do some hiking with the dogs (she has a Basset Hound named Linus! ♥️). Enchanted Rock is just about a two-hour drive from Austin, so we made a day of it. We hit the road with bellies full of Tacodeli (so good), ready to hike it up. Well, we arrived there and…had NOT made a reservation (which apparently we needed). So, we were told to leave the park IMMEDIATELY (a little dramatic, if you ask me…) and go online to make a reservation. We were able to make a reservation to enter the park at 2 pm, and it was about 11:45 am. We decided to check out Fredericksburg, a small German town outside of Austin that wasn’t too far from Enchanted Rock. It was on my list of places to visit, so we were sort-of killing two birds with one stone. LESSON: plan ahead and check to see if a reservation is needed.

Fredericksburg was a neat little town - cute shops, restaurants, and bustling with energy. We were also able to get a wine cocktail to-go and drink it as we walked around - always a plus. We didn’t stop to eat anywhere but just popped into shops as we wanted and took in the vibe. By the time we walked up and down the main drag, it was time to head back to the park.

We had a few challenges with dogs in the park, as they were only allowed on SOME trails. Without taking full advantage of rangers not around, we stretched that a little bit. The dogs came everywhere we went except for the very top of the rock. Amanda hung back with the dogs while I headed to the top of the rock (she had already hiked up to the top previously). I still don’t understand how the “mountain” is a “rock,” but it was cool nonetheless. I always have a sense of accomplishment climbing to the top of something, regardless of what it is!

That night, we headed back to Austin to join our friends, Everett and Tracy, for dinner at their house. I met Everett and Tracy through Amanda, in NYC, over ten years ago (whoa). We had all gathered in a bar for Amanda’s birthday, and I ended up speaking to Ev and Tracy all night - and the friendships just stuck! Anyway, we made homemade pizza, caught up, and they gave me some tips and recommendations on traveling through West Texas.

Amanda and I spent some time walking “Town Lake” in Austin with the dogs. Austin is such an active city and reminds me a lot of Denver - except no mountains. But Austin is in Texas “hill country,” and there are rolling hills in parts of the city - almost feels like LA in some places.

Sparing all the details, I ran into another “issue” with my Thule overhead cargo carrier on my car while in Austin. I could not get it closed again. I took it to Rack Outfitters (best place!) in Austin, and the guys there helped to show me how to have the magical touch to close the carrier completely. It worked. I sort-of felt like I should have been able to figure this out myself, but as I’ve mentioned, I’m learning as I go…

After staying with Amanda, I made my way to my friend Jordan’s to stay with him for a bit. Jordan is a.high school friend and we’ve remained close over the years…he and I traveled to Banff National Park in Canada together a few years ago. My friends are cool. I went from staying in one cool area of Austin to another. Jordan lives right downtown, so I was able to get some runs in on Town Lake and walk around the city.

Jordan had this idea a while ago: that we would get custom hats made at one of the most well-known (slash hidden gems) places for custom hats: Texas Hatters. Jordan knew it would be fun, and he also thoughtfully knew it would be the perfect souvenir for me to have of my trip and time in Texas. He was right!

We took a drive down to Lockhart, TX, about an hour south of Austin. Neither of us had any idea of what to expect. In hindsight, I think I walked into precisely what I expected - an original hat shoppe (I purposely spelled it that way) that has been around for generations. As we walked in, we saw walls of hats in different styles and shapes on shelves, countertops filled with hat molds, hat decor (there is probably a more appropriate word for that when it comes to hats, but I don’t know it), hat color swatches and ribbons. Photos, posters, signed letters, and other memorabilia from known actors and politicians adorned the walls in the back. Seemingly in disarray, I have a feeling everything was exactly where it was supposed to be. It all added to the charm.

As Jordan and I waited for the shop keeper, David, to finish up with another customer, we tried on hat shapes and colors to decide what type of looks we wanted. Once David was done with his previous customer, he started recommending colors and styles based on our skin tones and hair colors, and also our lifestyles. We let him make a lot of the decisions because he knew what he was doing - way more than we did! He explained the material options of the hats, how the hats are molded, how to clean them (or not to clean them), and we also learned about hat etiquette. We had a blast. After finalizing our selections, we learned that the hats would be ready in a few weeks, and Jordan would go back to pick them up and get sized to his likeness. I would have to trust David to shape and size mine right because I wouldn’t be in town to visit again. I’m sure it’ll be perfect.

Since Lockhart hosts some of the best BBQ in Texas, we had a late lunch at Smitty’s BBQ. Although I don’t eat meat, it was fun to “experience” Texas BBQ. This place was no-frills, and the smokehouse was right outside the dining area, which hosted long wooden picnic-type tables. The meat was served on kraft paper with bread and crackers if one so desired. I can say with confidence that the coleslaw, potato salad, and mac and cheese were delicious, and according to Jordan, the meat was tasty as well.

Jordan and I also visited San Antonio and the Alamo. We did a tour, which was helpful, and learned about the specific history of the structure and area. The Alamo has undergone a lot of transformation over the years. After visiting the Alamo, given the fantastic weather, we enjoyed a cocktail on the River Walk, which was a city experience like no other - probably because I somehow ordered a Big Red Bomb Margarita and I have no idea how. I went with it, as you will see below.

My last full day in Austin was spent tooling around in Jordan’s ‘83 CJ7 Jeep with Amanda. The three of us (and the pooches) got brunch and cocktails on Rainey Street and spent the afternoon finding Austin mural art to take photographs. The sun was shining, I was with my two friends and the dogs and all was great. We headed back to Jordan’s to catch the Super Bowl - what a great day…and week in Austin!

#11: Florida Panhandle, Alabama & Mississippi

After celebrating the new year in Key West, I headed north (which is essentially the only way to go!). I wanted to explore a bit of the western side of Florida after heading south on the eastern side. Given it was peak season in Florida, and the fact that I somewhat procrastinated planning my route post-the new year, I was a little limited as to where I stayed (live and learn…).

Little Manatee River State Park, Florida

I headed to Little Manatee River State Park, which is south of Tampa. Here, I took about three days to collect myself. To be honest, I needed some time in my trailer to wrap my head around a few things and get back into somewhat of a routine. I was able to finalize a freelance project, read, cook and get some good runs in. Here, I also had the realization that I need to stretch more often and pay a bit more attention to my body. I’m starting to wake up with a sore back - which I don’t want to escalate. I’m thinking culprits of this are driving for long periods of time and/or sleeping in the trailer. Little hack: I purchased a camping sleeping pad ($25) that I use as a yoga mat - it’s thicker than a yoga mat so it works perfectly on uneven surfaces. I love it!

Manatee Springs State Park, Florida

I then went north to Manatee Springs State Park (yes - another park with the word “manatee” in it), which is located north of Tampa, about 45 minutes inland from the western coast, right where the state starts to bend west - almost the inner “elbow” bend of the state. This was a park I had read about and was on my list because it was very possible to spot a manatee(!). In the cooler months, manatees find warmth in the springs there. I didn’t get lucky enough to see any, unfortunately. Also, I was a bit disappointed here as dogs weren’t allowed on most of the wilderness trails so we had to stay on the main roads.

St. Andrews State Park, Panama City Beach, Florida

I was excited to check out Panama City Beach. I booked three full days at St. Andrews State Park - I loved this park. The camping area was on the water, overlooking a body of water called the Grand Lagoon. The weather was fantastic while I was here, too, which always helps.

Panama City Beach reminded me of Myrtle Beach: pretty touristy, big beach shops, a ton of restaurants and high-rise resorts on the water. Many of the “activities” are geared towards families and children: miniature golf, water parks, etc. Not only did I have zero interest in those things, but also given it’s the off-season, many of them weren’t open.

Luckily, a friend of mine has a friend who lives in this area and she was able to give me some recommendations of things to do in the areas OUTSIDE of Panama City Beach. Addie and I explored west along 30-A - the road that runs along the beach. I wasn’t aware, but this road is iconic and hosts many small beach towns along the gulf shore in Florida. We explored Seaside, Alys Beach, Rosemary Beach, and a few others. The beaches are beautiful in this area with fine white sand and blue water.

In Seaside, I got a to-go mimosa (a specific recommendation) and Addie and I walked around the shops and restaurants. This is an area I would love to visit again one day.

Gulf State Park (Alabama)

We then ventured west to Gulf State Park in Alabama, just over the Florida border. I was only able to reserve one night here so we had to make the most of it. Unfortunately, the weather was turning and we ran into heavy fog and clouds. A storm was coming.

I visited the infamous “Flora-Bama” - the huge honky tonk/beach bar on the Florida/Alabama line. I was really digging it. This place has live music 365 days a year, countless bars, beachfront areas, gift shops and a TON of character (especially for my country music-loving heart). I wish I could have hung out longer but Addie wasn’t allowed inside. I’ve noted to return when I can tap into my younger self and let loose a little at Flora-Bama…

Chickasabogue Park (Mobile County, Alabama)

We left Gulf State Park early morning. The storm was expected throughout the day and I wanted to get to a place where Addie and I could hunker down and ride it out. We stayed south, in Mobile, because the middle of the storm (tornado!) was more north in Mississippi and Alabama. We didn’t do much at this park…just kept warm and dry as the storm passed.

Roosevelt State Park, Mississippi

After leaving Alabama, we made our way to a memorable state park in Mississippi - Roosevelt State Park. I loved this park. It was quiet, serene and lakeside and there weren’t many other campers there. Addie and I hiked and kept our eyes peeled for civil war trenches still somewhat identifiable. Not sure if we spotted any, but it was thought-provoking to consider the area as a Civil War Battlefield at one time.

Here, we also met an amazing park ranger named Louis. He and I had a lovely conversation when I checked in about everything from marriage and values to the Union and Confederacy. We were two people who grew up in very different places who were able to connect on so many common grounds. This was an obvious highlight of my time in the South.

I had all intentions of heading to northern Louisiana, but it just didn’t work out the way that I had planned - which is okay! Next, Addie and I headed north to Hot Springs National Park!

#10: December and the Holidays in Florida

December was busy! Perhaps I did that on purpose because I tend to glaze over the holidays each year (last year on Christmas, I was hiking Kilimanjaro). I was happy to be in the warm temperatures of Florida…that always makes me feel like I’m on vacation. My Florida travels went like this:

St. Augustine —> Winter Garden —> Jupiter —> Ft. Lauderdale —> Miami Beach —> Key West

St. Augustine

I loved this city and the time I spent there. The weather was perfect, I stayed in an incredible State Park (Anastasia State Park), and the city is full of history and character. Addie and I walked around for an entire day – popped into shops, did a trolley tour, and even had lunch on a dog-friendly patio. It was a great day. Very cool city and worth a trip.

The stressful part took place when I went to leave. For whoever saw my Instagram about a month ago, this is when the lock on my overhead cargo carrier got stuck. After a mild panic moment, it worked itself out (as most things do!).

Winter Garden

Remember the family I stayed with over Thanksgiving? Well, one of their daughters, Maura, lives in Winter Garden with her husband and two children. She wasn’t able to make it to South Carolina for Thanksgiving, so I made a stop to her. I hadn’t remembered the last time I saw her. I had such a nice time folding into their lives for a few days – walked their oldest daughter, Isla, to school, caught up on time lost over the years, and explored Winter Garden a bit – cute town! The best part was that so many years had gone by since I last saw Maura, but it was like we picked up where we left off.

How did I not take any good photos when I was there??

Jupiter

A close friend of mine from childhood’s parents (The Kellersmans) retired down in Jupiter. Growing up, I spent a lot of time with these guys, as their daughter, Lauren, and I have been friends since second grade. How lucky I felt to have been taken back into their home 30 years later. Addie and I had a blast with Mr. and Mrs. K! We went to the dog beach, visited a turtle sanctuary, toured around Jupiter (I had no clue so many pro golfers live there), and we just hung out, caught up, and laughed like old times. Mrs. K even surprised me by baking my mom’s special chocolate cake!

Looking back, I barely remember that the first morning there, I woke up to a deflated tire on my car. I ran over a nail…again. $400 later, I had two new back tires…YEAH (eye roll)!

Ft. Lauderdale

My high school friend, Steve, lives in Ft. Lauderdale with his family. I hadn’t seen Steve in probably about eight years, but you know how it is with good friends: so much time can go by, but it’s like no time had passed at all. He and his (awesome) wife have two beautiful children, and I had a blast spending time with them and gearing them up for Christmas. We dined at their yacht club (I’m REALLY roughing it…), and Steve and I hit the town one night for some people-watching (it was QUALITY).

I took a day trip one day to do an airboat ride…this is when I saw my first alligator and cried. Literally cried from happiness. I had a moment of “this is why I’m on this adventure!”

Miami Beach

I stayed in Miami Beach for about a week. My friend, John (“Johnny J”), lives there and he welcomed Addie and me at his apartment through Christmas. I met John when I was in college, studying abroad in Madrid. He is from Columbus and lived in NYC when I lived there. So, over the (many) years, we meet up in different cities when our paths cross and have become dear friends.

The weather was a little chilly, but we managed to hit the town a bit, relax and take a few day trips to Everglades National Park and Biscayne National Park. It was fun to have John join me at these parks. We did (more) airboat-ing, snorkeling, paddle boarding, and also enjoyed a few tours to learn about both parks.

You may (or may not be) wondering where the Airstream was hanging out while I was in South Beach. She was tucked away safely in John’s work garage. Shout out to John’s co-workers for helping us out for the week!

Key West

Key West was sort-of a “mile-marker” (no pun intended) for my trip. When mapping out my route, I knew I was meeting up with friends there, so this stop was very much planned and sort-of served as the end of Chapter 1 of this journey. It’s crazy to think I’ve been on the road for two months.

It’s peak season in Key West this time of year - so it’s a zoo. I am so lucky and grateful that my stepmom’s brother-in-law has a marina there. I was able to leave the Airstream, and my car, at the marina while I stayed in a hotel with my friends. It couldn’t have worked out any better.

I met up with my close friends from England in Key West (this is the friend who helped me map out my route before deciding to embark on this epic journey). Knowing this was going to be a beach “vacation,” I got Addie a Rover.com sitter* so she could relax in a house while I hit the beach, pool, and town.

Perhaps my favorite National Park yet, I had the rare opportunity to visit Dry Tortugas National Park. This park is located about 68 miles off the coast of Key West - only accessible by boat or plane. After doing some research, I splurged and took a seaplane, which was part of what made the experience so memorable. On the way back, I got to sit in the cockpit with the (not-so-bad-to-look-at) pilot. Get this: BECAUSE I WAS SINGLE. That’s right.

Aside from my trip to Dry Tortugas, we spent the week lounging by the pool, feasting on delicious meals and relaxing. Visiting with my friend and her family was exactly what I needed to ring in the new year. I was able to reset and center myself a bit before heading into 2020, as well as the ten remaining months of my “Lyfe in Tow.”

*Addie had the best sitter and enjoyed her week of consistency in an actual house. I worry that having a different routine each day from living on the road creates an uneasy feeling for her, but she is a trooper (and an excellent travel companion). Regardless, she had a lovely time with Haley and her dog, Waylon, and Mom didn’t have to worry about her!