Two words. Road Trip. So much excitement is brought forward when one is in the planning. There are endless possibilities for direction of travel, the type of transportation and how many memories will be made.
My family went on a nine day road trip beginning on June twenty-ninth and ending on July seventh. We were stunned by the amount of activities we participated in on those days. We rented a van and packed as lightly as we found possible. Not even twenty minutes into the trip, my sisters began to argue. Traveler's note number one; bring plenty of activites to keep people occupied for a large amount of time.
When we crossed from Indiana into Kentucky, I took a picture of the Kentucky sign. From then on I was determined to get a picture of every state line. Traveler's note number two; always bring a camera. A picture is worth a thousand words but reliving those memories is priceless.
We reached our first hotel in Newport, Tennessee after hours of driving. Traveler's note number three; have plans if an early hotel arrival occurs. No one wants to accidentally sleep the day away like we managed to.
Much of the time spent in the car was spent with the radio on. Traveler's note number four; family sing-a-longs are spectacular bonding moments. Whether it is the newest music or hits from the nineties, smiles and happiness are bound to happen.
After making it into South Carolina, we began looking at billboards and advertisements for fun things near Myrtle Beach. Traveler's note number five; ask locals for advice. You may end up visiting amazing restaurants and shops near best spots at your destination. We visited King George's Seafood Buffet and had a very delicious meal and a super fun time.
We made our way back to Tennessee to spend the fourth of July in Gatlinburg. Luckily for us, we had the ability to use a GPS system. We knew where we were going but we found it hilarious to hear how every side road had multiple road names. Traveler's note number six; there are so many little things that you can make into a good time, even after being on the road for six hours. Find the humor in the things that most people would not catch. It makes it so much easier to endure the long moments in a vehicle.
It has been a long time since my family has taken a vacation. This was our last chance for us all to be together before my sister leaves for college. Traveler's note number seven; enjoy your company and always remember that family is what matters the most. It's not known how long we will live. So, live it up while you can.
My road trip, helped me bond with my sister before she leaves. It helped me realize how beautiful this country is and how blessed I am to be able to see it. I came back with everlasting memories and a closer relationship with my family. It was an amazing experience and I would do it all over again if I had the opportunity.
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